congress killed the internet star
Mrs. Peel? We're needed!
CO bloggers, especially specially those of us in the First District, might like to send an email to Diana DeGette, as she's planning on dumping a seriously stupid bill onto the floor come the next congressional session:
In this political climate, members of Congress may not worry much about precise definitions. Another bill also vaguely targeting social-networking sites was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in a 410-15 vote.
And in July, for instance, Congress overwhelmingly approved a bill that made it a federal felony for Webmasters to use innocent words like "Barbie" or "Furby" to trick minors into visiting their sites and viewing sexually explicit material.
Next year, Gonzales and the FBI are expected to resume their push for mandatory data retention, which will force Internet service providers to keep records on what their customers are doing online. An aide to Rep. Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat, said Friday that she's planning to introduce such legislation when the new Congress convenes.
Cathy Milhoan, an FBI spokeswoman, said on Friday that the FBI "continues to support data retention. We see it as crucial in advancing our cyber investigations to include online sexual exploitation of children."
In addition, Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and McCain said that they'll introduce similar legislation dealing with sex offenders and social-networking sites in January.
(tip o' the Lab to Digby and Norb, both of whom blogged on a related stories, a wacky bill Senator 20,000's pushing)
It's unclear to me how either bill helps the Wars on Terra and Pr()n, but clarification in the comments welcome. Right now I'm totally pissed, not at the congresswoman, but at myself; a quick Google search revealed that she was talking about this brilliant piece of legislation way back in April (go here for a solid Cnet piece on DeGette's cunning plan). Had I been paying attention, I could've shot off an email asking why this is at all necessary.
The Dems are the majority, all fine and good. But organizing 101, what you learn up front: these people are a means to an end, nothing more, and without citizen oversight, all they do is fucking waste money and valuable time introducing dipshit abortion bills or stuff like this retention thing that are all good intentions but totally half-baked and will cause no end of trouble. Dems especially seem to love these techie "fixes."
You have your mission, Labrateers. Degette's contact info here.
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