Posted on 05/07/2009 12:58:18 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Josh Trevino thinks that the entire blogosphere should take a highly wary look at HR 1996, the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act, named after a teen who committed suicide after a schoolmate’s mother engineered a devastating psychological attack on her via a social-networking site. In reaction to the case, Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) introduced the bill last year (Hulshof is no longer in Congress), and it has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. Trevino thinks the bill uses broad language that could easily trap political dissent, in clause Sec 881 (a):
Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
Trevino has a point here. These terms are vague and easily manipulated for all sorts of purposes. If a blogger posted repeated criticisms of Carrie Prejean and published her modeling photos, wouldn’t that qualify, at least in theory? What about critics of Meghan McCain who caddishly focus on her appearance? Isn’t that designed to “cause substantial emotional distress”? Would bloggers doing either get prosecuted under HR 1996?
(Excerpt) Read more at hotair.com ...
Sounds like it could be used to silence Keith Olberman and his "worst person in the world" bit on television where he demonizes conservatives.
These control freaks in Government are capable of screwing over, and destroying anything.
A housefly sized problem, a cannon sized “solution.”
We would all agree that mucking around romantically posing as something you aren’t is majorly uncool. But it seems like a matter more appropriately addressed as a tort than a crime.
We are also talking about a case where an adult posed as a minor to speak to a minor in romantic ways and then mercilessly insulted her and told her the world would be better off if she was dead.
Seems to me it’s the main purpose.
I wonder how ACORN organized that bus tour of Chrysler investor’s homes?
Sorry, he’s a Libtard and therefore exempt.
In olden days that would be called stealing someone’s heart. Except here the thief isn’t even a plausible suitor.
Sanchez is a Bolshevik pig. This bill has nothing to do with cyber bullying and everything to do with suppressing dissent.
The law does a pretty good job defining “public person” - and that’s the only type freepers ever go after anyhow...
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