LST pledges to help defend Blogosphere from McCain-Feingold crackdown

Lone Star Times ^ | Mar 05 | Lone Star Times

[churchillbuff]

In a startling interview with CNET.com, Federal Election Commission member (and strong free-speech advocate) Bradley Smith warns of a very real possibility that McCain-Feingold campaign finance restrictions may soon be applied to the Internet.

The devastating consequences of such a move might well mean that bloggers…

Could be fined by the federal government for linking to a candidate’s website; Might face sanctions for forwarding (via email) or extensively quoting a candidate’s literature; Would be faced with the chilling prospect of either hiring a high-priced lawyer to vet all political commentary and linking, or (more likely) would simply avoid speaking out on political issues altogether. That such restrictions are even being contemplated by our government is outrageous.

We will fight any attempt to impose them.

And we believe we may have a unique role to play in the battle ahead.

LoneStarTimes.com is affiliated with KSEV 700 AM, an independently owned talk-radio station in Houston, TX.

As such, we believe that we enjoy the "broadcast exemption" that prohibits the federal government from regulating our speech in the manner they are proposing for "mere" citizen bloggers.

While we still need to talk to some sharp lawyers and nail down the details, if these restrictions come to pass, KSEV and LST are committed to working out a legally sound way in which individual bloggers– of every ideological persuasion and partisan affiliation– can somehow register with us and be credentialed as a press representative of KSEV and LST.

Like Raoul Wallenberg handing out passports, we will start issuing press credentials to any blogger that asks for one.

Dan Patrick Owner, KSEV 700 AM Publisher, LoneStarTimes.com

David Benzion Managing Editor, LoneStarTimes.com

[churchillbuff]

Thanks McCain, for giving us this monstrous piece of anti-freedom legislation. Too bad Bush signed it -- and that a majority of the Supreme Court gave it a pass.

[dimmer-rats stealvotes]

Can I help? I'm shocked at this. We need to attack suddenly and with a heavy hand. Our freedom is being checked by these specious monsters we pay to destroy us.

[Diogenesis]

There was once a First Amendment.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Well a big thank you to them.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

This IS Bush's fault.

[xm177e2]

Such a move would violate the spirit of McCain-Feingold, as well as our Constitution/Bill of Rights/etc.

The problem with advertising on broadcast TV is that there is only so much bandwidth to go around. But when it comes to the internet, speech for Bush did not displace speech for Kerry. Speech can't crowd out other speech in a free internet.

I just don't see this restriction going forward, or being accepted by the Supreme Court. If it were, there would be massive civil disobedience, and if that didn't fix the problem, there would be massive uncivil disobedience.

[drt1]

Wait a minute. This article is saying the A$$holes who can't prevent 3 Million Illegals per year from entering and don't have the resources to properly police our Borders are going to somehow have what it takes to police the Internet? No Way. Aside from the virtual impossibility of doing what is suggested, the Gov't isn't competent to manage the logistics or expertise required.

One thing we can depend on the Gov't to do is to make lots of laws and then fail to enforce any, except on a selective basis. IMO That would be the real problem here - Any laws enacted would be selectively enforced on a partisan basis.

[whereasandsoforth]

Well, talk about your mass revolt! This is going to get a collective raspberry and a big middle finger from the blogworld. This especially would be devastating to the socialist/lefties. Soros and gang rely heavily on the internet to spread their poison. Those sorts will not go for this quietly.

[rottndog]

I find myself wondering more and more if we would have been better off if McCain was still in the Hanoi Hilton. His views on "free speech" are much more in line with the ChiComs.

[Panzerlied]

When Rome ceased to be a Republic,
And Roman Emperors became "divine",
It was not deemed a crime to criticize the emperor.
However, since the emperor was divine,
and criticizing a divinity was blasphemous,
You could be executed for blasphemy.

The solution is to force our elected officials to eliminate
McCain/Feingold.

Nothing else will do.

[churchillbuff]

I just don't see this restriction going forward, or being accepted by the Supreme Court. """

Hope you're right!

[churchillbuff]

we can depend on the Gov't to do is to make lots of laws and then fail to enforce any, except on a selective basis."""

And when Hillary gets in power, I wouldn't be surprised to see McCain Feingold used against Republican internet folks, BIG TIME. Remember she said, on Today Show, that the internet is "a problem," or something like that. She meant Drudge - but also, I'm sure, JimRob, and me - and you. I don't know why McCain had to sponsor this travesty - or why Bush had to sign it. The Founding Fathers weep.

[pabianice]

Thanks, CAPT McCain. I honor your Navy service, but since you've been back you've become a real Nutbag. What happened to you? Did those Hanoi brainwashings take?

[hope]

McCain/Fiengold would be a real benefit for McCain's political aspirations. Especially on the internet. He has a lot of baggage in his closet...

[drt1]

Yeah. I didn't bother to mention the obvious Constitutional issues this raises nor did I point out they abject failure of the current incarnation of McCain-Feingold. What complete joke that 'Regulation' is/was. Instead of introducing order into campaign finances it did just the opposite, containing so many exceptions, Soft v Hard Money, etc., etc.

This kind is S$it regulation is like the Tax Code - Manipulated very easily by insiders and the politician in power who are charged with enforcement. We still have a free-for-all despite all of this absurd regulation so I would vote for elimination of most of it - IMO we would hardly notice the difference.

[appleharvey]

I wonder about that too. John McCain has earned our respect for what he had to endure in the service to our country, but in all honesty, he should leave the political stage. It's getting rather embarrassing.

[sodpoodle]

See topic Posted on 03/03/2005 7:38:06 AM EST by Crackingham


"China has closed 47,000 internet cafes in a campaign aimed at creating a more "wholesome environment" for children"

Let's see how the Chinese handle the problem.

[jbstrick]

"I just don't see this restriction going forward, or being accepted by the Supreme Court"

Famous last words....

[zeugma]

If only the republicans held the house, senate and presidency, legislation like this would have been blocked and we wouldn't have to worry about the government having the power to tell us what we can say about politicians and candidates immediately prior to an election.

[COEXERJ145]

How about not bringing illegal immigration into every thread. You people already flood the forum with plenty so why must you try to hijack more?