March 30, 2005
What Did The Have To Say.
I have been poking around the website of the Federal Election Commission to check up on what they are doing regarding limiting free speech in the internet. Thus far, there are five Ex parte communications listed under “The Internet: Definitions of ”Public Communication“ and ”Generic Campaign Activity“ and Disclaimers.”
The first is from members of the House Judiciary Committee and it is clearly telling the commission that regulating blogs for unpaid activities should not be considered.
We have been advised the FEC will soon open a rulemaking in this area. Many of us were strong supporters of campaign finance reform generally, and of the BCRA. While the impact of the Shays decision on blogs remains subject to debate, we urge you to remove any ambiguity and make explicit in this rule that a blog would not be subject to disclosure requirements because it contains political commentary or includes links to a candidate or political party's website, provided that the candidate or political party did not compensate the blog for such linking.The second is from Senate Minority leader Harry Reid addressed to Commission Chairman Scott Thomas.
I am writing to express my serious concerns with the Federal Election Commission's (FEC) pending rulemaking concerning internet communications and your recent remarks in this regard. Today I introduced legislation to make it clear that Congress did not intend to regulate this new and growing medium in the Bipartisan Campaing Finance Reform Act (BCRA).This would be encouraging if wasn't virtually certain that some judge will decide otherwise.
The third is from U.S. Senators John McCain and Russell Feingold and U.S. Representatives Christopher Shays and Marty Meehan. It says...
Well actually I've been unable to get that one to download. If I ever do, I'll let you know what the authors of this blight on the First Amendment had to say.
UPDATE: The McCain, Feingold, Shays, Meehan comment is still not available.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 06:35 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
1
Something's gone wacky when I trust the judgement of my Democrat (Joe Leiberman) more than I trust that of my Republican (Chris Shays).
Chris' close shave last November may be making him want to edge further to left/center. If tht's the case then he's confused. Or I am.
Are we electing "representatives" to do our bidding as we see fit to present it? Or, are we electing "leaders" whom about we know where they stand and will follow through according to our expectations? (I got C's in Engish -- No surprise.) Or, are we electing people who know no more than we do, but who've mangaged to find a way to get themselves into a high-profile crappy job because they, either, want to do some good or don't know what else to do?
I don't know, either. But I smell a post coming on...!
Chris' close shave last November may be making him want to edge further to left/center. If tht's the case then he's confused. Or I am.
Are we electing "representatives" to do our bidding as we see fit to present it? Or, are we electing "leaders" whom about we know where they stand and will follow through according to our expectations? (I got C's in Engish -- No surprise.) Or, are we electing people who know no more than we do, but who've mangaged to find a way to get themselves into a high-profile crappy job because they, either, want to do some good or don't know what else to do?
I don't know, either. But I smell a post coming on...!
Posted by: Tuning Spork at March 30, 2005 07:30 PM (GIVbO)
2
Oh. Turns out that smell was just cat poop on my shoe. My mistake...
Posted by: Tuning Spork at March 31, 2005 04:51 PM (BUnQl)
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