Bloggers Beware – They’re Coming After You!
by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)Just when you thought it was safe to start expressing your right to free speech, Democrats in Congress are gearing up for a vote on a new piece of legislation to blatantly undermine the First Amendment. Known as the DISCLOSE Act (HR 5175), this bill – written by the head of the Democrats’ congressional campaign committee – is their response to the recent Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In short, the Supreme Court found that the government could not restrict the free speech rights of individuals or other entities wishing to participate in the political dialogue.
It is hard to see how establishing a level playing field for free speech – as our Founding Fathers did by making it a right under the Constitution and which the Supreme Court upheld – is a threat to our democracy. Nevertheless, the White House and their allies on Capitol Hill see honest criticism as a threat to forcing their big government, liberal agenda through Congress. So, there is no time like the present – namely five months before an election – to start putting the muzzle on those individuals and organizations not sticking to the Democrats’ talking points.
Under the DISCLOSE Act, certain incorporated entities would be restricted in how they can exercise their free speech rights. There is an exemption for some in the media sphere like newspapers, TV news, and the like. However, there is one driving force in today’s public debate that is NOT exempt. Bloggers will not have the same exemption provided to other media sources. Never mind that the Supreme Court’s opinion in the Citizens United case stated, “Differential treatment of media corporations and other corporations cannot be squared with the First Amendment.”
For many bloggers to exercise their free speech rights, they would have to jump through the same onerous new hoops as many businesses, nonprofit groups, and even such threats to democracy as your local chamber of commerce. If this sounds like an absurd overreach by one party in power, I invite you to take a look at their government takeover of health care, taxpayer-funded bailouts, and general hostility to private sector economic growth.
The Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats have not racked up a stellar record of transparency and openness. For a White House that touted its willingness to engage critics openly in hopes of staving off greater partisan rancor, Obama’s team has endorsed backroom deal-making, special giveaways to garner support for their agenda, and a closed-door decision-making process that has the American people more fed up with Washington. Now, under their brand of leadership, they stand ready to stifle free speech via legislative fiat.
Democrats should not be allowed to give themselves carte blanche to shut down the ability of those in the blogosphere or elsewhere to participate in our nation’s collective dialogue. That flies in the face of our most sacred rights as American citizens.
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456 Comments
They will be opening a can of big, fat juicy worms with this legislation. Because when the GOP takes over, what make the Dems think this won't be used against them next? Treat others the same as you want to be treated.
They're coming after you in so many ways its disgusting!
Did you see the so called "press conference"…?
SIX QUESTIONS with Funk And Wagnall's length responses…?
THAT'S NEWS..!!!???
Of course he holds off until the very last question to hear from Major Garrett and then he COMPLETELY AVOIDS BOTH QUESTIONS and then he switches back to the topic of his choosing…???
Josef Goebels would be so very proud of his protege', Chairman O!
Nothing like trying to change the rules to suit yourself. Be damned the US Constitution, so say the demon-crats!
[...] Bloggers Beware – They’re Coming After You! [...]
I hope we get the EUROPEAN TEA PART movement off the ground before the crackdown begins. I am blatantly going to thread hi-jack, but here I post! BRUSSELS — Biden's "Capital of the Free World" is slated to become EUROPEAN TEA PARTY central. Italian and Dutch citizens have organized rallies in their country, and have selected the headquarters of the EU for an upcoming event. Please check it out, comment (if you care), and spread the word! Thanks so much: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-05-27/blog/a-mo...
Not surprised.
This is in line with all previous and current activities this administration is engaged in. Constitution or not they will push it through and we will have to fight back.
Secede!
This is a truly troubling development, Congressman. I wonder, however, if you could provide a link or two to other coverage of this bill that supports the idea that bloggers can/will be silenced as elections approach. Is there language in the bill that constitutes a "smoking gun" in this case?
I say this as a blogger and free speech advocate who is looking for solid evidence to present to the public. Stating simply that "certain incorporated entities would be restricted in how they can exercise their free speech rights" without offering specific evidence is to present an argument from authority, which is not awful persuasive.
I don't think we should secede. We should make them leave!
All fascist and totalitarian regimes fear free speech and do all they can to suppress it. In Venezuela the dictator Chavez, who is admired by the fascistic democrat party, has silenced his critics and imposed the strong arm of socialist totalitarianism to maintain his police state. In Zimbabwe we saw another leftwing hero, Robert Mugabe, whose rhetoric is almost indistinguishable from Hussein’s, usurp power in the name of “hope&change”, “wealth redistribution” and “equality.” Like Hussein, Mugabe blamed white farmers/capitalists for the plight of the people and like Hussein with the auto/financial/healthcare industry he “nationalized” these farms and gave them to his cronies. The results were devastating, much like here in the US. Private property was pillaged in Zimbabwe by a few leftwing criminals and their once bread-basket nation in Africa was reduced to starvation and despair.
I recently heard some European commenting on their financial meltdown. This person said that Europe is a racist mob of socialist heathens and that only paying them off with bailouts is going to keep them from giving birth to another hitler; basically trying to extort the civilized world. Let the european animals go begging for handouts from the Islamic hordes sweeping their nation; if Europe does devolve into another war it will give reason for the islamists to sweep the decrepit and fearful western europeans into Islamic compliance. European men would look good in a burqa.
Socialism is burning to the ground worldwide and many Europeans are recognizing this fact. The party is coming to an end; the childrens credit card has been canceled and fiscal accountability looms as the socialist ingrates sob and lash out at the undeniable: there is no free lunch.
Yet here in America we have deranged leftwing and rino politicians blathering incessantly about how we need to steal more taxpayer dollars before it all comes crumbling down. We need to let it all come tumbling down and rebuild from the ashes of these failed liberal policies. The lesson would have been learned by millions: liberals are monumentally irresponsible and lack any substantive intellect to address critical issues of the day. All they want is power; power where not even the trains would run on time.
They are terrified that those in their close circle, whom they fail to coerce, will one day spill the beans – knew this was coming. It will fail. Remember that the most dangerous thing to a criminal enterprise is one honest man on the inside who does not fear death.
Wouldn't watch the circus if you paid me! Thanks for the update Missy, though we hardly expect either a real question from the numbnuts press or an honest answer from you-know-who!!
I believe from day one that names have been taken and THE LIST compiled. This is why sometimes I posted anon. But harrassment from the "Why haven't you registered" crowd caused me to go against my gut instinct which was that some people are not what they claim to be and are more interested in information gathering.
Yes, his news conference where the following is a quoted statement:
Obama: Gov't in charge of oil disaster response
So, they are in charge-? Does that mean the blame now rests with the government? Where were they for the first 2.5 weeks? All I saw was condemnation towards BP.
When they came to censor the bloggers, I said nothing because I was not a blogger. When they came to censor the internet news sites, I said nothing because I was not an internet news site. When they came to censor fox news, I said nothing because I do not watch fox news… When they came to censor me, there was no one left to say anything.
Well that explains the nomination of Kagan.
Any Sestak questions??? I can't watch this Clown anymore.
So can we re-name him lil Hugo?! He's taking the same devil's path step for step.
As for this 'news', they could turn out the lights in any way possible, it's TOO LATE, the cat is out of the bag and they are exposed for the fools they are -
It was yet another PMS-LSD / Goebels Enterprises(GE) love-fest rife with the likes of Chuckie Todd and the wicked witch Helen Thomas gloating over their 'dear leader' and his suffering under those 'evil' republicans…
Oh and if you think this will only apply to those of us who are considered GOP be warned if these traitors do something you libs oppose and write about it YOU WILL BE IN THEIR crosshairs too!
I hope you are taking notes America of what happens when liberals get into power. Socialists(formerly dems as of 3/21/10) are incompetent, Constitution burning, America trashing TRAITORS who applause and bow at visiting leaders who trash this nation at every opportunity.
You re-elect these degenerate scumbags back into office I would highly suggest you not advertise you are a supporter b/c you have no idea the hell that will come your way! As of now you better remove those Obama Biden 08 bumper stickers b/c I know many ppl who have a bad habit of walking through parking lots with their keys in hand pointing outward. They have a bad sense of balance and direction that tend to walk close to cars for better navigation.
Time has come to take the gloves off in dealing with the radicals in power through http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Alcee Hastings likes this.
Well then, we'll just make more music videos until they try to stop that!
50' of green felt – $47.50
Sony Vegas Movie Studio -$19.99
Guitar , Bass & Drums – $4750
P!ssing off the liberals with the truth – PRICELESS!
The Culture Warriors have created a music video to Rock The Tea Party!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtmTALMkU4
Join the Culture Warrior Army!
Congrats! Give em Hell! And if it doesn't work out we will trade our Democrats for your EU Tea Party members. Straight up swap, but no refunds and no returns of our Democrats.
LMAO…. Could not have put it better myself. I heard just a tad. Basically he said; I fixed it, me, me and only me. NYAH NYAH. LMAO Even the progressive/Socialist Media dont know how to spin this one.
This is another attempt by the Left to silence its critics. If it gets rammed through, we all know that it will be selectively enforced. You can blog your heart out if you support the administration or bash those on the Right but if you criticize the administration or the Left's agenda, the full force of the Federal government will be on you.
I hope we get the EUROPEAN TEA PARTY movement off the ground before the crackdown begins. I am blatantly going to thread hi-jack, but here I post! BRUSSELS — Biden's "Capital of the Free World" is slated to become EUROPEAN TEA PARTY central. Italian and Dutch citizens have organized rallies in their country, and have selected the headquarters of the EU for an upcoming event. Please check it out, comment (if you care), and spread the word! Thanks so much: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-05-27/blog/a-mo...
You encapsulated months of thoughts rattling around in my head. Kudos. Let's hope we are at early stages of a New Awakening and not fin de siecle.
Europe is in dire need of a conservative movement. What they call conservative over there seems liberal over here. I wish them luck. It won't be easy.
The last question was by Major Garrett and it was on Sestak but of course he switched the topic back to his chosen meme of the day, BP. It was like watching a Kim Jong Il commencement speech at UC Berkley right behind the campus 'pride' parade!
Lots of sex and smiles but ZERO substance!
I joined a Tea Party and figured I was on a list anyway. If I go down I go down swinging and I can look myslef in the mirror and my kids in the face. So, bring it on.
We knew this was coming the moment the Democrats gave a standing ovation to O's public castigation of the Supremes to their faces.
I just wanna puke. I am beginning to wonder who is audience is anymore. His Zombie voters have already bought the schtick. Are the independents still believeing anything that comes out of his mouth. The most transparent dictator ever…. But then again, that's not saying much.
The inevitable result of socialism: Sooner or later you run out of other people's money. With the dems in power and their SEIU army on the march we had better find somewhere to stash our cash 'cause they think it's already theirs.
It appears that a good idea can cross borders and oceans. Kudos to those folks.
I would comment with a lesson from many years "Paybacks a B****!" They would be well advised to consider how tight the shoes can be with the power of the ballot box.
/nitpick mode on
Look in the Constitution, you will not find the word democracy. You WILL, however, find that it guarantees us a Republic. To me, when you use the word democracy in referring to our country, you have lost all credibility.
I think they might find that the blogosphere, goes beyond geographical borders and therefore laws. Unless they are planning to have it done in the 'new world order'. Gives a whole new meaning to 'jamming'.
Before some Marxist-Socialist-Communist takes away my Freedom of Speech, the worthless pondscum will have to face me and my two friends, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson.
Criticism of der Fuhrer is a kriminal act! Sieg Heil!!
I asked my husband if Obumble was saying anything coherent, and he agreed with me, that he was all over the place, nervous, and trying to cover his butt…It was all me, me, me like you said…Everytime he answered a question he would come back with basically the same answer, I'm in charge, and I always was in charge, which is in conflict with what Admiral Allen, Coast Guard Commadant said last week, that BP was in charge because we don't have the funds, or the expertise, and the US doesn't have the authority to override BP….Obumble did nothing but LIE, but what's new there???
Here is the bill:
http://cha.house.gov/UserFiles/DISCLOSE_FULL TE…..
Here is some infor on the opposition to the bill:
http://www.shopfloor.org/tag/hr-5175/
http://www.uschamber.com/issues/letters/2010/1005...
"The bill, however, would radically redefine how the FEC regulates political commentary. A section of the DISCLOSE Act would exempt traditional media outlets from coordination regulations, but the exemption does not include bloggers, only “a communication appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication…”
Great job updating that famous warning/quote on staying silent. We have a 13+ Trillion dollar debt, double digit unemployment, our troops oversees involved in two conflicts, rampant corruption and THIS is what worries our elected 'leaders'? Shameful.
The Demon-rats are pushing us against the wall……If they get away with this, it will be hard to
communicate except with more tea party activism….and more letters to the editor, things like
that….This is unbelievable!!
Anyone ready to grab a weopon and do it now? Are we just going to sit there and let fat perverts like Frank and Dodd and that traitor Obama just detroy our freedoms? It is getting to stand up and be counted time people.
To paraphrase the late, great Charlton Heston…
"I'll give you my *keyboard* when you take it from my cold, dead hands!"
If the GOP does take back control, they better not use it against the Huffington Puffington Post. They need to tear down any walls this congress puts up. Freedom of speech must be the same for all. Even if they are wrong!
[...] MORE [...]
Great work! Thanks for the links!
This regime in DC is continuing the weave the rope that they will eventually hang from. American's will not take much more of this and will rise up and oust these Commies.
[...] Read entire article Thursday, May 27th, 2010 Attacks On Our Civil Liberties [...]
Their answer to every problem is to fine, or tax "it". Blah, blah, blah!
Well, I wouldn't worry too much because anon posts are as easily traced as, say, my phony info behind a silly persona. You're right about 'the list', though. Just make sure to protect your personal info at all costs. They don't know as much as they'd have you believe…. not yet.
NWO, you say?http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20003005-38.htm... http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20005458-38.htm...
Whether you officially register on this site, or not they can still connect the dots to you through your email address, which is a requirement to post. They probably even could mine your IP address….
This law is unconstitutional on it's face, but several progs don't care about that. This is a law that is sure to be struck down by SCOTUS, however, before it is struck down, it will have a short life and if passed will definately have an effect on the upcoming election.
Is this a surprise? The Dems are the pro slavery party, the creators of the KKK, the Jim Crow segregation laws party, and the also the party that has Fred Phelps of the Westboro Babtist Church as a member. And don't give us that "that was then, this now" BS. Robert Byrd was your leader in modern times and he was the head of the KKK. They are scum. With all that history you would have to concede, just calling yourself a Democrat, makes you imoral or profoundly ignorant. There is no other option.
You forgot Mr. Colt.
Here's a recent pic of lil Hugo as lil Mao……….
http://i46.tinypic.com/xmtwma.jpg
well they can stick this old lady in the gulag cause I am not about to shut up about their criminal disgusting activity. The only weapon I have is my mouth and I am going to exercise my right to use it no matter what.
A week ago I had surgery and since then have been barely following politics instead relaxing on heavy narcotics. The boredom got me to tune in again as of yesterday and after having my biological cache cleansed so to speak and being able to look at some of these issues with fresh eyes I've concluded that we're in worse shape than originally thought and if this nation does not have an awakening as you mentioned it will have something much less pleasant.
They will find some way to exempt their ideologies from this bill/law. There will be a word or clause that allows THEIR speech, but not Conservative speech.
I dream of tax revolts.
Oh, I didn't forget Mr. Colt….but I neglected to mention that my dear Jewish friend, Mr. Mossberg will also be present at the meeting.
HR 5175
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit foreign influence in Federal elections, to prohibit government contractors from making expenditures with respect to such elections, and to establish additional disclosure requirements with respect to spending in such elections, and for other purposes.
I'm sorry, I just don't understand how any of this sounds like a bad idea.
>> how is free speech a threat to our democracy
It's not, it's a threat to the progressives
While I don't disagree with you this is what the progressives depend on.
The GOP's refusal to retaliate in kind as all part of their politcal calculus.
How he would answer: "Uh, no, let me be clear. The government was in charge of overseeing BP as they fixed the problem. If it weren't for us, for my administration, uh, BP wouldn't have fixed the problem as fast as they did, so this is really a victory for how efficient my administration is when compared to the Bush administration. I said 'fill the damn hole,' and they did."
Yeah, I don't think he can answer any questions about Sestak, and I have a feeling he really would like to see that go away. I think he's up to his neck in that illegal move but, like Nixon during Watergate, would rather everyone just forget about it and go on with their business. I hope it picks up steam.
This country has fought and died for our FREEDOMS for over 200 years and we will continue to do so. The MARXIST POS in the White House CAN NEVER STIFLE FREE SPEECH! I, for one, will go down fighting every step of the way. Bring it on, you commie bastards!
You and me both. They can't stop the Grannie-Brigade. Screw 'em!
I remember reading about a month or so ago about the British Tea Party….a group in London launched it. Don't know what became of it, whether it was well received or not.
Make sure your friends have plenty to eat before our buddy Cass gets too carried away. I just ordered enough .223 to replenish my 90 rounder for at least 5 waves of zombies. Then it's up to the Judge.
This would be so… if I didn't munge headers, use PGP encryption and proxies
, mail through a 'scrubber' and that I know how to purge posts from POP/SMTP/NNTP servers. googl doesn't have anything on me but posts and links to posts of this profile.
BTW, how did you make a post in 99 that still shows up? I remember a similar name from Usenet. If you happened to use googl groups (I hate googl) then they've cached everything, yes. They bought Deja and have those as well but still honor the 'X-No-Archive: yes' header. I've also scored my client to reject every transmission from googl.
Oh yeah, I must add this bit:
My IB comments aren't tied to my bogus email account. I do all correspondence here through my profile page so nothing is ever sent or received via mail.
You may be right cat, but having just spoken in the past week with someone who had NO IDEA about 90% of the stuff we talk about on a daily basis here BUT SHE NEVER HEARD OF BECK…..I'm not holdin my breath, lol.
I'm not confident Kagen, Sotomayor, and whoever Obama replaces Ginsburg with (she's over 90) are going to strike down unConstitutional laws that increase the power of the state. If they leaned that way, they wouldn't have been appointed.
Obama hasn't made any friend with his treatment of SCOTUS. I can't wait to see how they would shred this one to pieces. Even Kagan (*shudder*) would have to overturn this crappy law.
The blogger who they go after first is going to be vilified by the progressives, but lionized by the press (even the lame MSM) and will blog on in "infamy."
[...] Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) пишет: All fascist and totalitarian regimes fear free speech and do all they can to suppress it. In Venezuela the dictator Chavez, who is admired by the fascistic democrat party, has silenced his critics and imposed the strong arm of socialist … [...]
The GOP has not done so on other subjects. The Dimmi's pass laws and refuse to enforce them. Usually.
Then the Republicans insist on enforcing the laws, instead of repealing them.
That way neither side gets the blame.
The best way to defeat a list like that is to fill it. A list meant to identify a "fringe" doesn't do much good if 70% of the population are on it.
I Do Not Trust The Government, I join about 70% of the population in feeling that way. The list of people who trust this administration would be shorter than a list of those who don't.
Instead of making lists they might want to spend some time fixing the things that lead to the distrust – before the 70% get tired of waiting.
Also, they shouldn't worry too much about those of us who still care enough to think we can make things better by discussing them. They need to be worrying about the folks who have given up on talking and are busy target practicing…
Dear Communist Scum who are Compiling The List,
I consider being on your List the greatest honor that could ever be bestowed upon an individual in the 21st Century. To know that I am officially and forever listed as a true Enemy of Globalism, to know that my words strike fear in your soul, is the most gratifying experience of my life.
Being on your list is the equivalent of having signed the Declaration of Independence. What made our Forefathers great was that they risked death by signing that act. Those on the List will one day be celebrated as the true Patriots they are.
So bring it on, you cowards.
Kirk Patrick
Usually the best way to get rid of something egregious is to use it against the democrats. This happened with the independent prosecutor act (Ken Starr) and needs to happen with judicial filibusters.
If they pass this thing, I'd love to see a lawyer with the balls to stand there in front of the federal judge and refuse to do anything but quote verbatim the first amendment. ie: "Congress SHALL MAKE NO LAW…"
Why aren't Republicans, or anyone who has the means and gives a sh!t, buying Television time to announce this stuff to the entire country???
I understand that posting here is a step in the right direction but why aren't everyday Americans being exposed to this by repubs?
Do they really care about this issue or are they just going to spend their money on campaign ads?
So in this afternoon's press conference, Major Garrett asked the President about the Sestak isssue and the President's response? "There will be an official response to that soon" WTF?? How much more official do you get than asking the President directly???
It is getting there, but it won't be there until sometime after November when we see what the results and fallout from the midterms are.
For right now, the SCOTUS is sitting 4-4 with one swing vote. Kagan won't change that balance just like Sotomayor didn't, and Kennedy has been siding against the admin and leaning pro-COTUS in recent cases. I am disturbed by their choice to allow the Fed to hold criminals indefinitely though.
Jadwy,
Two problems that I see–one is that is bans some businesses from making expenditures, but doesn't put the same restrictions on gov't unions. IOW, it unlevels the playing field, even if it isn't a 1st Amendment violation.
The other problem is those four little words, "and for other purposes". You'd be amazed at how much dirt you can sweep under a rug that small.
Amen to every word of that! I wouldn't say anything on line that I wouldn't say in public to a person's face anyway. If they want to try to lock us up for that…well…that's a completely separate issue. At that point the talking is pretty much over.
When they came to censor me, I handed them their ass on a platter! My Rights do not come from government. You cannot rightfully take what you have not first rightfully provided. That is called theft and usurpation. It can only be done if it is allowed to go unchallenged.
So where are all those that were screaming to high heaven when we brought up exactly where they were going with the Net Neutrality BS?
Or are they all too afraid to register?
Well? Can't show up and "claim" this wouldn't happen? anon? Mikstalininski? all you other trolls?
Or are you actually TOO embarrassed to ADMIT we have all been right all along that THIS is where they were heading?
Apparently, the bill has been amended to make it clear that the law would not apply to bloggers:
http://dailycaller.com/2010/05/19/political-blogg...
I love my Judge, but I don't know how effective it would be on the un-dead.
Put the six shooters away… nobody wants to steal your freedom. This guy Tom Price is trying to score some partisan points with another non-issue.
I can't see so good, my pal is Mr. Shotgun and his two kids, 00.
If You Have any Doubt About the Results of Gun Control…http://usataxpayer.org/?0079012351
I just shared on FB, Thanks for the heads up. I posted that I was wondering when you guys were going to get moving on that. Don't offend the Truthers like they did over here in the US. They know what they are doing and can increase your numbers greatly. you are all on the same side. And be careful about infiltraitors, they are very real.
9/11 Was an Inside Job!!!
and doesn't get him/herself whacked.
We must be really scaring them for them to try to pass a law to shut us up, i think we are all doing it right
)
I wonder who will get the honor, of being the first
) I dont think any of us would mind.
Interesting site, thanks for the heads up. Interesting tactics too…
Thank you sir. I appreciate the heads-up.
Barack Huessein Obama II = Hugo Chavez
/
WHAT "SWEPT" OBAMA INTO POWER WAS:
* No one knew much about you … Americans will never do that again
* We wanted a minority to make it … Americans will not vote on race again
* Many Americans believed you … No one believes or trusts you now
* Many Americans were asleep … THANKS FOR WAKENING US UP!
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