Political Web sites attack proposed restrictions [FEC restrictions on Internet free speech]

firstamendmentcenter.org ^ | November 15, 2005 | AP

[Jim Robinson]

"Meehan argued that the issue was not free speech but political corruption."

"The primary constitutional basis for campaign-finance regulation is preventing corruption or the appearance of corruption of candidates or officeholders," he said. "Creating a new way for members of Congress or the Cabinet to solicit and then coordinate or control unlimited amounts of soft money is precisely the scenario campaign-finance reform banned."

Money in politics is not corruption. Bribery is. The politicians who return political favors for bribes should be prosecuted and jailed.

Another corruption is when the congress passes unconstitutional laws like Shays-Meehan, McCain-Feingold, etc. These "reforms" that restrict political free speech are nothing more than self-serving incumbent insurance policies that corrupt our government far more than campaign money, ie, free speech. Repeal this abomination now!

[clee1]

Agreed. Jim, do you have any plans to litigate, or move FR offshore?

[Jim Robinson]

Revising and extending my remarks, it's tough enough to defeat an incumbent. They have the name recognition and the organized campaign and financing advantages. Unlimited, unrestricted grassroots support and financing is required to remove corrupt politicians from office or to defeat corrupt political issues (like McCaine-Feingold). If we ever want to remove corruption from government, the first requirement will be to remove ALL restrictions from political free speech. Bring back the first amendment as the standard. Repeal McCain-Feingold! Abolish the FEC!!

[ZULU]

I think the real solution to this is to move political websites off shore. Or to a foreign country. There are lots of places which would permit a server to operate pretty cheaply by U.S. standards, it would seem to me.

If you did this, how could they stop you? Arrest individual posters?

[rhombus]

I think the real solution to this is to move political websites off shore.

I think that's what you do if you've lost and you need an underground (not that we shouldn't start logistics now). But I don't think we need to surrender just yet - this is our country by the way. We should fight this by going on the offensive against it. This is a Constitutional issue and maybe an important discussion for the upcoming Supreme Court hearings. Live Free or Die.

[clee1]

I agree.

But how will they go after individual posters??

If the servers are all offshore, so are the IP logs. Also, posters could use offshore proxy servers to mask their real IP quite effectively from gooberment snoops.

Still, the Feds don't seem to realize that they are planting the seeds of revolution with their ill-conceived, self-protective laws. The second amendment was adopted to insure that ALL our other rights are respected.

[Jim Robinson]

Move offshore? No, I intend to fight this corruption right here in America, land of the free and home of the brave. If they try to apply McCain-Feingold to FR, then we might just be a test case. Hope the new Supreme Court is up to the task of defending the constitution and political free speech.

[SittinYonder]

the Federal Elections Commission will likely write the rules and issue opinions on Internet politics.

The Land of the Free ...

[goldstategop]

How wonderful! We need permission to exercise free speech rights? That's not the way the First Amendment is supposed to work. Shays and Meehan, McCain and Feingold can go f*ck themselves. I usually don't resort to a profanity but I've had it with politicians acting like they're our lords or something. Are they?

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[rhombus]

Hope the new Supreme Court is up to the task of defending the constitution and political free speech.

And freedom of assembly in this cyberspace.

[clee1]

Keep my name. Drop me a line if you need funds for the fight.

I'm with you: we need to halt this assault on our 1st Amendment rights RIGHT HERE!

I have been writing my congresscritters until I'm blue in the face; but it seems self protection is more important than the wishes of the public.

Soap box, ballot box, ammo box.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Another corruption is when the congress passes unconstitutional laws like Shays-Meehan, McCain-Feingold, etc

While reminding those who are unclear on the concept that this is a FORUM, and on private 'property' -- maybe we could engage in civil disobedience and have a blog-in....

If a law is unconstitutional, is it a law anyway? And what to do about those that 'pass' such Flaws?

[Jim Robinson]

Yeah, and you can bet that's partly behind the movement to turn control of the Internet over to the United Nations or some other globalist group. Then they can nip free speech for every man, woman and child on the planet.

[conservativecorner]

Count me in on contributing either to a grass roots effort or a test case. May as well know right now whether we have been completely stripped of our First Amendment Right.

[fhlh]

took the words right outta my keyboard :)

[Dead Corpse]

Aside from haranguing our Congress Critters, keep us posted if there is anything else we can do to help out...

[4CJ]

No, I intend to fight this corruption right here in America, land of the free and home of the brave. If they try to apply McCain-Feingold to FR, then we might just be a test case. Hope the new Supreme Court is up to the task of defending the constitution and political free speech.

Good. I'm not rich, but I'll help when it comes to thumbing my nose at the government, especially when so called conservatives side with dims to attempt steal our God-given rights.

[Steve_Seattle]

Shays is a disgusting little pr*ck.

[massgopguy]

I wouldn't worry too much about Marty Meehan. He took a term Limits Pledge Ya' know.

[4CJ]

He took a term Limits Pledge Ya' know.

I'm not holding my breath. If he and the others were serious about fixing the problem, true Campaign Finance Reform would be Constitutionally mandated term limits, with a 5 year moratorium before serving on PACs or as a lobbyist.