Taking First Amendment battle online

The Boston Globe ^ | 12/15/2003 | Hiawatha Bray

[Radix]

Despite the best efforts of Congress and the US Supreme Court, the First Amendment survives -- online.

Last Wednesday, the US Supreme Court upheld the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance reform bill, which deliberately trims citizens' First Amendment rights. Among other things, the law limits the ability of groups like the National Rifle Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the like to broadcast radio and TV ads in the run-up to a federal election.

[Radix]

Important issues here.

[Radix]

Ping.

I do not maintain a ping list. All of you do, I think.

I am shocked, that the Boston Globe, allowed this article to be posted on their web site.

I have other thoughts, but, I am tired, and slumber calls to me.

[jocon307]

Great post, excellent article. Hiawatha Bray (what a name!) has done a very good job of plainly showing how this disgusting and (apologies to the dimwits on the SCOTUS) UNCONSTITUTIONAL law hurts ALL politically involved people.

"Maybe if Congress cited a couple of examples where people used the Internet to say people should write their congressmen, [the High Court] might say, `Yeah, we've got to regulate that,' " said the ACLU's Gora."

For once I agree with the ACLU. But then again, for another thing I want to stand up for Planned Parenthood too now. If I see a PP ad supporting a candidate, or trashing another one, that gives me good, useable information. If PP is for them, I'm against them. And I fully support their right to spend donors' money (not my tax dollars) to inform me of their views. It helps me as a voter, and besides, even if I hate it, why can't they do it?

This is one decision that is definately going to join Dred Scott and Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court Hall of Shame.

[steve in DC]

I strongly advise lots of print ads on the three days leading up to the deadline, with issue oriented groups saying "In three days this ad will be illegal!". "In two days this ad will be illegal"... Explain why, and then toss in a gratuitous slam agianst one or another candidate. Preferably one that voted for that stupid McCain Feingold bill.

Let the people begin to understand what the law means.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Read Ping

Radix : Thanks for posting this.

[agitator]

ping

[Calpernia]

Curious. Has a stats study EVER been done to show how many crimes have been committed with legal registered guns?

Now this is information that would be well worth getting out there. Soccer mom central always hears about crimes associated with guns. But to show them that crimes are committed with illegal guns would show them how vulnerable they are and voting to ban guns would leave them more so.

[GeronL]

Maybe we can find a TV or a radio station in Nowhere Nebraska to run a single ad after the deadline?? Would not it be fun??

[HiJinx]

I think there has been one done, but I'd have to check my fact card that is sitting on another server.

Let me get back to you in the AM, ok?

[Calpernia]

Oh, no rush. thank you.

[steplock]

"Which means that we're about to enter the golden age of Internet politics, as millions in cash that can no longer be spent on TV and radio ads will make its way online"

I'll take some of those MILLION$$!

For Sale - One good Webmaster Designer - reply here!

Experienced with Political Election Websites

[Wilhelm Tell]

I predict that they will try to regulate news stories that might have a negative effect on a politician's chance to be elected or re-elected. They will bring back a draconian version of the "Fairness Doctrine," and then they will close the "loophole" of "unfair" criticism over the Internet and in print media. Some liberal groups like the ACLU will be more or less opposed to it, but other leftist organizations (pressure groups) will support it. "Moderate" Republicans will "reach out" to the far left and make this possible. The political class is so audacious and emboldened that they dont' even pretend to respect the Constitution.

[TEXOKIE]

bump your post 4. Great idea

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for the ping!

[Valin]

Bump and bookmark.
Thanks.

[Hondo1952]

Somebody is asleep at the wheel at the Globe. Must have been all the editors day off.

I didn't know I was a gorilla. Hey Radix, meet you at the Golden Banana. WooHoo, big fun. I bet we don't hear a single Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson song in there. What a sacrifice. I don't think I've heard either of them in the last six months.

I do believe ol Hiawatha is doing a little profiling. Isn't that against the law in Mass? My memberships didn't ask me what kind of music I like. I don't believe it said anything about guerrilla tactics either. I may be wrong. But I don't think so.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Your Welcome Brother

[cynwoody]

Somebody is asleep at the wheel at the Globe.

Every once in a blue moon someone at the Globe has one of those micro strokes — you know, the kind that cause "senior moments", like taking a right turn instead of a left, while still allowing you to continue to function. The best one I can remember was when they came out against a ballot inititative to institute a state graduated income tax. Bad for business, don't you know.

Of course, Hiawatha is just a reporter (albeit one of their better ones), not an editor, so this doesn't represent the paper taking an official position. But it's still a very welcome dose of common sense.

[cynwoody]

Maybe we can find a TV or a radio station in Nowhere Nebraska to run a single ad after the deadline?? Would not it be fun??

Someone could set up a mobile bootleg TV or radio station to run hit and run attack ads. That way one could run both the FEC and the FCC ragged!

[autoresponder]

McCain-Feingold/Shays-Meehan attempted to regulate emails and computers and websites originally.

They wanted to say your computer and software costs made you into a political "PAC" and could therefore be regulated and/or banned from political sppech ot mention of any candidates during that 60-30 day period.

I see some very serious repercussions from CFR.

Very serious.

"Very"