Posted on 03/16/2006 8:32:01 PM PST by gnarledmaw
U.S. House Will Vote Soon on Whether to Ditch John McCain's Internet Regulations
Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102,
Springfield, VA 22151 Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote, as early as Thursday, on legislation introduced by Texas Congressmen Jeb Hensarling and Ron Paul. This bill (H.R. 1606) will exempt the Internet from regulation under federal "electioneering" laws.
Unless the Hensarling-Paul bill is successful, many major blogs and web sites could be shut down for 60 days before any general election -- and for 30 days prior to any primary -- making it much more difficult for groups like Gun Owners of America to criticize anti-gun candidates.
How did we arrive at such a dismal state?
You may remember that, a half-decade ago, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) pushed a McCain-Feingold bill which, as enacted, prohibits organizations from engaging in major "broadcast communications" which even mention a candidate in a favorable or unfavorable light within 60 days of a general election (30 days of a primary).
Senate Republicans rolled over -- and George Bush signed the bill -- based on the assumption that the Supreme Court would surely save them from their unconstitutional legislation. But, in McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, 540 U.S. 93 (2003), the Supreme Court, by a five-to-four decision, upheld McCain-Feingold, almost in its entirely.
To its enormous credit, the conservative Federal Election Commission (FEC), in the wake of the McConnell case, moved to narrowly interpret the statute -- exempting the Internet entirely from McCain-Feingold. But in Shays v. Federal Election Commission, 337 F.Supp.2d 28 (D.C., 20004), a federal judge ordered the FEC to regulate the Internet.
The FEC is doing everything in its power to minimize the impact of the Shays ruling.
But, there is certainly a danger that, if Hensarling and Paul are unsuccessful in exempting the Internet from FEC regulation, many major blogs and web sites will be construed to be engaged in "electioneering communications" because they praise or criticize candidates. And, if this happens, they could be shut down for 60 days prior to an election -- or, at least, subject to a "gag rule" on what they are allowed to say.
ACTION: Contact your congressman. Ask him to vote for H.R. 1606, a bill to exempt the Internet from McCain-Feingold. Time is short, so please CALL rather than e-mail your representative. (You can use the sample text below to help direct your comments.) The toll-free number to call your representative is 877-762-8762. If you can't get through, the Capitol Switchboard number is 202-225-3121.
----- Sample phone text -----
The U.S. House of Representatives will soon vote on H.R. 1606, a bill by introduced by Texas Congressmen Jeb Hensarling and Ron Paul to exempt the Internet from regulation under federal "electioneering" laws.
Unless the Hensarling-Paul bill is successful, many major blogs and web sites could be shut down for 60 days before any general election -- and for 30 days prior to any primary.
Please support H.R. 1606.
The Founders would be cleaning their weapons over crap like this.
Thanks a hell of a lot, Republicans, from Bush Jr. on down.
Our government needs a good top-to-bottom enema.
No more CFR crapola.
It wouldn't be getting rid of McCain's lousy law entirely, but it would be a start.
ping
"The Republican Party has no principles. There are no nonnegotiable, unyielding, core philosophies on which the party and its candidates will stand or die. Anyone can call himself a Republican, and the party is happy to have them, no matter what they believe, no matter what they do, if it increases the number of "-R"s in Congress. A party of political whores, for whom gaining and holding power is the only value, the only goal.
I'll ask you what I've asked on FR dozens of times. Take your time in replying; I've never gotten an answer, so I'm used to waiting.
What are the core, nonnegotiable principles of the Republican Party? What can we assume from a Republican candidate and/or officeholder? What can we count on?
Smaller government? No. More liberty? No. Balanced budgets? Obviously not. Constitutionally-limited government power? Hell no. Elimination of wasteful spending? Laughable - the Republicans won't even take PBS off the taxpayer teat. How about a reduction in the absurd growth of spending? Of course not. And whatever happened to those promises to kill off the Dept. of Education? It doesn't educate anybody, and was promised to be shut down; instead, Republicans have created more Cabinet departments.
So, Republicans, how's that "limited government" thingie you've been promising us for decades coming along . . . . . . hmmmmmmm?
Go for it. Defend these lying weasels.
The GOP '08 slogan: "We promise we won't piss away another 14 years. Really. Trust us!"
In other words, save your keystrokes...this POS is just that - a POS.
Which party was in the majority in both houses, and could have killed it? Which president signed it, when he could have vetoed it?
Republicans did this to a once-freer citizenry. Never forget that.
Instead of your blathering, answer my questions.
Republicans did this to a once-freer citizenry. Never forget that.
What party was in the minority and killed Social Security Reform? Quit being an apologist for them.
yea i know, I don't understand why he's here.
Republicans did this to a once-freer citizenry. Never forget that.
Bump.
One of a my few but undeniable rules:
Never underestimate ANYONE.
FMCDH(BITS)
The 'Rats are the last I'd be apologizing for.
Now, which majority party allowed them to kill it off, gave up, ran away and kept us stuck with this Ponzi scheme? From which they continue to steal money for their spending schemes, by the way.
Both Big Stupid Government parties suck, and suck hard. It's getting to the point that independent Americans will be faced with just ignoring, evading and avoiding the entire parasitic pack. Especially since the Republicans turned out to be power-mad, greedy politicians like the rest, no matter the "limited government" lies they told when campaigning.
Harpu won't answer the questions on my FR page - would you care to have a crack at them?
To keep shining a bright light on the ridiculous excuses made for the greedy, power-mad, Big Stupid Government professional politicians by the unthinking party loyalists.
Why is your anger only directed At Republicans on this? McCain/Feingold Seems to be a bipartisan deal to me, it stinks and if they had it to do over again I guarantee they couldn't get it passed. hindsight is 20/20
Maybe coming up with some solutions would be helpful.
Bill
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