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Annoying someone via the Internet is now a federal crime.
CNET ^ | January 9, 2006 | Declan McCullagh

Posted on 01/09/2006 8:57:10 AM PST by MensRightsActivist

It's no joke. Last Thursday, President Bush signed into law a prohibition on posting annoying Web messages or sending annoying e-mail messages without disclosing your true identity.

In other words, it's OK to flame someone on a mailing list or in a blog as long as you do it under your real name. Thank Congress for small favors, I guess.

This ridiculous prohibition, which would likely imperil much of Usenet, is buried in the so-called Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act. Criminal penalties include stiff fines and two years in prison.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: annoy; annoying; bush43; darkshearesfault; internet; pests; rino; rkbascornsthislaw
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To: MensRightsActivist

This is going to get complicated. Furthermore, this is a federal law which means prosecution is going to be by the federal government. I doubt any but the most egregious cases will be prosecuted.


181 posted on 01/09/2006 10:58:13 AM PST by Casloy
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To: Calpernia; xtargeter; All

Once I went and looked it up, and put in what I think is the correct language, it does not seem so ominous, nor does it say anything about anonymity, unless there is something else in the law.

Someone else wish to look at the new law in detail and chase down the anonymity part?


182 posted on 01/09/2006 10:58:31 AM PST by DBrow
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick; Dashing Dasher

I'm off the hook on this one. Everyone knows my real name is Leapfrog, so I still get to stalk Hillary.


183 posted on 01/09/2006 11:00:39 AM PST by Michael Goldsberry (Freepathon Sidebeer Moderator)
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To: DBrow
Damn, just damn, did you have to mention tub-girl?

I just finished lunch and I want to keep it down.

184 posted on 01/09/2006 11:01:54 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

Roger that.


185 posted on 01/09/2006 11:02:23 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim ("We're a meat-based society.")
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To: Michael Goldsberry

So if I offend someone, does this mean I have to immediately freepmail them my name?


186 posted on 01/09/2006 11:03:09 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

You too?


187 posted on 01/09/2006 11:03:46 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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To: DBrow

I would love too; but I'm tied up with getting my database mailings out. I will be tied up for about another week until I can do look ups or pings here at FR.

Sorry.


188 posted on 01/09/2006 11:04:00 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

I don't really see how this law can be enforced.


189 posted on 01/09/2006 11:06:01 AM PST by Michael Goldsberry (Freepathon Sidebeer Moderator)
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To: Dashing Dasher
But, you probably don't stalk, harass or denigrate, belittle, defame... for sport... besides Hillary Clinton

The Secret Service got really annoyed with me the one week I spent stalking a Hildebeast.

I'll never forgove them for chasing me away from the site of my perfect firing position -- Next time I'll have to make sure my leasehold is paid up.

190 posted on 01/09/2006 11:07:31 AM PST by L,TOWM (Liberals, The Other White Meat [aka The Sultan of Brunei])
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To: Michael Goldsberry
Could be interesting to see what happens.

I agree difficult to enforce, and probably only the extremely heinous violators will be prosecuted.

191 posted on 01/09/2006 11:09:44 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick; Tijeras_Slim

Sorry, that is indeed a gross example.

An appropriate one, though- remember when trolls frequently posted that to random threads? Perhaps that would be illegal under the new law. I'm not sure who the offended party would be legally, though.


192 posted on 01/09/2006 11:13:16 AM PST by DBrow
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To: DBrow
I'm not sure who the offended party would be legally, though.

Class action, all the FReepers who saw it.

193 posted on 01/09/2006 11:14:22 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim ("We're a meat-based society.")
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To: Charles Henrickson

Screw You! My name is John Kerry!


194 posted on 01/09/2006 11:21:22 AM PST by sgtyork (If Osamma calls someone in the US, should the NSA hang up?)
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To: savedbygrace

Screw you! My name's Howard Dean!


195 posted on 01/09/2006 11:22:44 AM PST by sgtyork (If Osamma calls someone in the US, should the NSA hang up?)
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To: DBrow
Yes I remember the trolls posting the pics. How do you think I knew what the Tub-girl was? LOL

I understand the point you were trying to make.

196 posted on 01/09/2006 11:24:13 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

I'm up for that one!


197 posted on 01/09/2006 11:24:54 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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To: All

Ok..well...many of you are in trouble. ;)


198 posted on 01/09/2006 11:27:46 AM PST by Fawn (http://www.grab.com/fun/specials/licensetopill)
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To: MensRightsActivist

I guess A+Bert and Askel5 are going to get the death penalty eventually.


199 posted on 01/09/2006 11:30:38 AM PST by Centurion2000 (Conservative, a liberal that was mugged. Liberal, a conservative that was arrested.)
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To: Michael Goldsberry
Leapfrog!


200 posted on 01/09/2006 11:39:17 AM PST by Dashing Dasher (A friend is able to see you as the wonderful person God created you to be.)
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