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WA: Public Disclosure Commission's "stakeholder" meeting regarding Internet lobbying
libertylive.org ^ | 11/12/2008 | BY: Mike Reitz

Posted on 11/13/2008 10:50:53 AM PST by Jim Robinson

Attention bloggers, please file your lobbyist forms...

I just got out of the Public Disclosure Commission's stakeholder meeting regarding Internet lobbying. As I blogged yesterday, the PDC is asking whether Internet activities such as email or blogging qualify as lobbying. Goldy has this succinct reply: "Um ... hell, no."

The purpose of today's meeting was to solicit public comment. Nancy Krier, the PDC's general counsel, ran the meeting and about a dozen folks showed up. I shared EFF's concern: that the Internet, which has become the new town square, is a forum where many citizens voice opinions about legislation and public policy issues.

Excessive regulation in this arena could quash free speech and cause "regular" folks great frustration if their online activity comes with reporting requirements. Not even addressing the bloggers who generate some modest advertising income, should ordinary citizens have to register with a state agency simply because they're outspoken about a particular issue?

The PDC will discuss this again on December 4.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: bloggers; firstamendment; freespeech; internet; lobbying; silenceamerica; washington

1 posted on 11/13/2008 10:50:54 AM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson

http://www.pdc.wa.gov/home/stakeholders/111208.Stakeholder.Mtg.pdf


2 posted on 11/13/2008 10:52:39 AM PST by Jim Robinson (We ARE the dissent, baby!)
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To: Libertina; Scutter; blasater1960; conservative cat; cherry; SatinDoll; lilycicero; E. Cartman; ...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Say WA? Evergreen State ping

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.

Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.

3 posted on 11/13/2008 10:55:32 AM PST by sionnsar (Iran Azadi|5yst3m 0wn3d-it's N0t Y0ur5 (SONY)|http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com/|RCongressIn2Years)
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To: Jim Robinson

This is just great ... I’m thinking “You’ll never take me alive” as an appropriate response.


4 posted on 11/13/2008 10:57:44 AM PST by sono (What happens when the Kool Aid wears off?)
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To: Jim Robinson

Good grief! Freedom of speech is slowly being outlawed.


5 posted on 11/13/2008 10:57:59 AM PST by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
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To: Jim Robinson
The proper response to this 'commission' would have been a stream of urine onto their conference table.

L

6 posted on 11/13/2008 10:59:50 AM PST by Lurker ("America is at that awkward stage. " Claire Wolfe, call your office.)
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To: lilylangtree

Can’t have the common man out rabble-rousing, y’know.


7 posted on 11/13/2008 11:00:27 AM PST by Jim Robinson (We ARE the dissent, baby!)
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To: Jim Robinson

The Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States) made it a crime to publish “false, scandalous, and malicious writing” against the government or its officials. Enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration date of March 3, 1801.


8 posted on 11/13/2008 11:06:16 AM PST by Madame Dufarge
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To: Jim Robinson
The attempted revivial of:

The Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States) made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials. Enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration date of March 3, 1801.

9 posted on 11/13/2008 11:09:35 AM PST by Madame Dufarge
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To: Jim Robinson
ordinary citizens have to register with a state agency simply because they're outspoken about a particular issue

So, how do they monitor this... if one isn't "registered" or if one isn't informed about this... face it, most "folks" aren't up on this kind of thing. Let's say I make a "comment" on the canning forum that I am a member of concerning stupid canning regulations. (I could go on and on with this scenario.) How can they possibly regulate this? (It's sort of like that mandatory-voluntary community service "plan.") (BTW, I understand they probably have "targets" in mind. But, face it, the web is a BIG place.)

10 posted on 11/13/2008 11:10:17 AM PST by exhaustedmomma (Way to go BARNEY!! Barney for White House Press Secretary.)
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To: Jim Robinson
Discussed on Sound Politics too.
A Knoll Lowney "Lawsuit" Waiting to Happen
Blogosphere News
by Eric Earling, 08:17 PM

The PDC is mulling the idea of regulating bloggers, requiring lobbyist-style public disclosure of their activity.

The Liberty Live blog has been on the story, here and here. Goldy has offered some thoughts, with which I agree (minus the Blethen stuff):

If the PDC were to adopt such rules, they would instantly become a playground for harassing bloggers, with organizations and individuals filing PDC complaints willy nilly. Such rules would also be a major lawsuit waiting to happen...

Clearly, the PDC folks in question aren't exactly savvy on how technology in the modern era of politics and political commentary operates. Not that such buffoonery would stop Knoll Lowney if he saw an election to influence via the court system.

My only question: will Evergreen Progress pay for that "lawsuit" too?

I take that back, this question too: what exactly is the point of a blogger like me disclosing this grand sum: $0?


11 posted on 11/13/2008 11:21:48 AM PST by sionnsar (Iran Azadi|5yst3m 0wn3d-it's N0t Y0ur5 (SONY)|http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com/|RCongressIn2Years)
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To: Jim Robinson
Discussed on Sound Politics too.
A Knoll Lowney "Lawsuit" Waiting to Happen
Blogosphere News
by Eric Earling, 08:17 PM

The PDC is mulling the idea of regulating bloggers, requiring lobbyist-style public disclosure of their activity.

The Liberty Live blog has been on the story, here and here. Goldy has offered some thoughts, with which I agree (minus the Blethen stuff):

If the PDC were to adopt such rules, they would instantly become a playground for harassing bloggers, with organizations and individuals filing PDC complaints willy nilly. Such rules would also be a major lawsuit waiting to happen...

Clearly, the PDC folks in question aren't exactly savvy on how technology in the modern era of politics and political commentary operates. Not that such buffoonery would stop Knoll Lowney if he saw an election to influence via the court system.

My only question: will Evergreen Progress pay for that "lawsuit" too?

I take that back, this question too: what exactly is the point of a blogger like me disclosing this grand sum: $0?


12 posted on 11/13/2008 11:22:20 AM PST by sionnsar (Iran Azadi|5yst3m 0wn3d-it's N0t Y0ur5 (SONY)|http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com/|RCongressIn2Years)
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To: Jim Robinson
What?!! You were in Olympia and didn't stop by for coffee?? Sheesh!! :-)

One would think lobbying is direct contact with an elected official to influence or offer information to an offical and affect future decisons.

In the case of blogging, visiting and reading a blog is entirely voluntary on the offical's part. No agreement (as in acccepting a lobbiest's appointment) was made to obtain information that may have influence.

13 posted on 11/13/2008 12:03:50 PM PST by llevrok (I missed doing drugs in the '60's but won't in my 60's)
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To: Jim Robinson
What?!! You were in Olympia and didn't stop by for coffee?? Sheesh!! :-)

One would think lobbying is direct contact with an elected official to influence or offer information to an offical and affect future decisons.

In the case of blogging, visiting and reading a blog is entirely voluntary on the offical's part. No agreement (as in acccepting a lobbiest's appointment) was made to obtain information that may have influence.

14 posted on 11/13/2008 12:05:08 PM PST by llevrok (I missed doing drugs in the '60's but won't in my 60's)
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To: Jim Robinson

Jim:
I know this is off topic, but the pages are not fully loading on the threads, don’t know if you’ll even get this


15 posted on 11/13/2008 12:06:22 PM PST by united1000
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To: Jim Robinson

BTTT for future reference.


16 posted on 11/13/2008 12:09:56 PM PST by Brad's Gramma ( PRAY!)
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To: Jim Robinson

“stakeholder”: Definition- A person who has an opinion on the activities of others, and demands to dictate policy or how the activity will occur. Rarely contributes financially to the business or activity in question. Differs from traditional roles of “owner” or “customer”.
Stakeholder status is usually self-proclaimed.

See also,,, “busybody”, “nosey”, “butt-in-ski”, “activist”.


17 posted on 11/13/2008 12:36:43 PM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: Jim Robinson

“stakeholder”: Definition- A person who has an opinion on the activities of others, and demands to dictate policy or how the activity will occur. Rarely contributes financially to the business or activity in question. Differs from traditional roles of “owner” or “customer”.
Stakeholder status is usually self-proclaimed.

See also,,, “busybody”, “nosey”, “butt-in-ski”, “activist”.


18 posted on 11/13/2008 12:37:58 PM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: Jim Robinson
Do Internet activities such as email or blogging qualify as lobbying...

Definitions have an ‘elastic boundary’ that can be expanded or reduced according to whoever is the position of power to make the definition stick.There was a reason the framers of the Constitution put the First Amendment First.

At the end of the day: The person or committee or group who makes the rules and determines the structure around the rules can determine who can participate and ultimately determine the outcome.

This is clearly a backdoor approach to eliminate anonymous discourse from the public arena.

Katherine

Katherine Jenerette

19 posted on 11/13/2008 12:38:07 PM PST by kjenerette (www.jenerette.org - U.S. Army Paratrooper - U.S. Congress 2010)
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To: Jim Robinson

“stakeholder”: Definition- A person who has an opinion on the activities of others, and demands to dictate policy or how the activity will occur. Rarely contributes financially to the business or activity in question. Differs from traditional roles of “owner” or “customer”.
Stakeholder status is usually self-proclaimed.

See also,,, “busybody”, “nosey”, “butt-in-ski”, “activist”.


20 posted on 11/13/2008 12:39:59 PM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: Jim Robinson
Do Internet activities such as email or blogging qualify as lobbying...

Definitions have an ‘elastic boundary’ that can be expanded or reduced according to whoever is the position of power to make the definition stick.There was a reason the framers of the Constitution put the First Amendment First.

At the end of the day: The person or committee or group who makes the rules and determines the structure around the rules can determine who can participate and ultimately determine the outcome.

This is clearly a backdoor approach to eliminate anonymous discourse from the public arena.

Katherine

Katherine Jenerette

21 posted on 11/13/2008 12:40:10 PM PST by kjenerette (www.jenerette.org - U.S. Army Paratrooper - U.S. Congress 2010)
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To: Jim Robinson

What is their authority? Do they claim to regulate what people from outside Washington state can do?


22 posted on 11/13/2008 1:03:48 PM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: Jim Robinson
Am I logged in? Been seeing the same replies for the last 45 minutes.

L

23 posted on 11/13/2008 1:05:20 PM PST by Lurker ("America is at that awkward stage. " Claire Wolfe, call your office.)
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To: Jim Robinson

Thanks for attending. Are they looking for input?

There’s no way they can control us. This is a FREE Speech issue.

They just want to tax us for using our Freedoms.

“Politicians have the power to collect and redistribute health — to tax and spend. Last time this happened there was a great revolution over this issue, something about taxation without representation.”

Now, who brought the teabags?


24 posted on 11/13/2008 1:14:56 PM PST by HighlyOpinionated (Psalm 66:7b "He watches every movement of the nations. Rebels will not be able to oppose Him.")
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To: Jim Robinson; John Robinson; Admin Moderator
It appears FReep Mail is not working?

I just sent several and nothing is showing up in sent folder or back to me as tests.

25 posted on 11/13/2008 1:24:09 PM PST by cpforlife.org (A Catholic Respect Life Curriculum is available FREE at KnightsForLife.org)
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To: Jim Robinson
I must need new glasses. I swear I see “email” considered as Lobbying?
26 posted on 11/13/2008 2:01:36 PM PST by Condor51 (Obama believes in Karl Marx. I believe in Sun Tzu.)
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To: llevrok

Is this one of the reasons it has been difficult to log on to FR for the past several days?

What’s to become of our beloved FR>?


27 posted on 11/13/2008 5:13:19 PM PST by Paperdoll (On the cutting edge.)
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To: Paperdoll
What’s to become of our beloved FR>?

I'm guess "it" has already started. (yikes)

28 posted on 11/13/2008 5:34:17 PM PST by llevrok (I missed doing drugs in the '60's but won't in my 60's)
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