Censors at it again - Senate bill should be killed

Rocky Mountain News ^ | February 4, 2007 | Masthead Editorial

[neverdem]

Politicians are forever trying to protect voters from themselves.

Hence the relentless onslaught of campaign-finance regulations. They assume that the average citizen is not sophisticated enough to verify the truth or falsehood of political advertising.

So laws are needed to punish anyone - primarily those with deep pockets - who would "mislead" or "deceive" the public. Or to prevent big-time donors from "corrupting" the political process.

America's founders were loath to let the government draw the line between deception and hyperbole (or even embellishment), especially in the political arena. That's one reason the language of the First Amendment is so clear: "Congress shall make no law . . . " Not that such clarity has deterred lawmakers.

The latest example: Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill.,introduced a yet-to-be-numbered bill last week "to prohibit deceptive practices in federal elections." The law has the full-throated support of civil-rights groups and some liberal activists. But it has no business trashing free expression.

It purportedly targets "newer tactics" by political groups that are "aimed at suppressing voter turnout." Among them: mailers sent last fall to Hispanics by a California congressional candidate (who was born in Vietnam) saying that immigrants cannot legally vote in federal elections; postcards sent in 1990 by Republicans to black voters in North Carolina, giving false information about residency requirements for voting; fliers posted in minority neighborhoods in Maryland falsely claiming that Republican candidates had been endorsed by Democrats.

The first two instances were clear attempts to intimidate voters. And that's already illegal, according to federal and state laws. Moreover, the feds pursued legal challenges in both cases.

This law would go much further, however. It would make lying about a campaign endorsement a federal crime, punishable by a fine of as much as $100,000 and a five-year prison...

[neverdem]

First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[flashbunny]

Political speech: Must be monitored and censored
"Art" like 'Piss Christ': Must be funded by government grants

[gidget7]

"So laws are needed to punish anyone - primarily those with deep pockets - who would "mislead" or "deceive" the public. Or to prevent big-time donors from "corrupting" the political process. "




So all those political ads falsely attacking Republicans by Democrats would be prohibited, and Soros would no longer be able to buy state or federal seats in govt'????

Yeah, right, I thought not!

[beethovenfan]

So how about those who are "misleading" and "deceiving" us
with all this global warming bull$*it?

[bnelson44]

Just turned on c-span2 just now. Are the Senate resolution(s) dead? It sure sounds like it.

[weegee]

It purportedly targets "newer tactics" by political groups that are "aimed at suppressing voter turnout." Among them: mailers sent last fall to Hispanics by a California congressional candidate (who was born in Vietnam) saying that immigrants cannot legally vote in federal elections; postcards sent in 1990 by Republicans to black voters in North Carolina, giving false information about residency requirements for voting; fliers posted in minority neighborhoods in Maryland falsely claiming that Republican candidates had been endorsed by Democrats.

Would THIS tactic be covered in "supressing the vote"?

Evidence Ties Dem Campaigners to Slashed Tires: Prosecutor (WI) (JSOnline via AP January 20, 2006)

Witness testimony and cell phone records tie five Democratic presidential campaign workers to criminal damage at a Bush-Cheney office, a prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments Thursday.

The five defendants, including the sons of a congresswoman and former mayor, are accused of puncturing tires on 25 vehicles to be used by Republicans to get out the vote on Nov. 2, 2004.

Or what about these?

When angry Democrats attack - DemocRat Violence and Vandalism documents (Brownshirts for Kerry) (Republican Party of Minnesota ^ | October 8, 2004 (updated?) )

Also see keyword: election violence

[Centurion2000]

The first two instances were clear attempts to intimidate voters. And that's already illegal, according to federal and state laws

So telling the truth is intimidation?

[calex59]

It purportedly targets "newer tactics" by political groups that are "aimed at suppressing voter turnout." Among them: mailers sent last fall to Hispanics by a California congressional candidate (who was born in Vietnam) saying that immigrants cannot legally vote in federal elections; postcards sent in 1990 by Republicans to black voters in North Carolina, giving false information about residency requirements for voting; fliers posted in minority neighborhoods in Maryland falsely claiming that Republican candidates had been endorsed by Democrats. The first two instances were clear attempts to intimidate voters. And that's already illegal, according to federal and state laws. Moreover, the feds pursued legal challenges in both cases.

This guy should put a little truth into his writings. Telling illegals they can't vote is not "voter intimidation".I would really like to see his thinking processes when it comes to telling illegals they can't vote. They are NOT voters therefore there is no "voter intimidation", the candidate made a true statement of fact and he was condemend for it, this is an example of what "hate crime" laws would do to this country.