| Submit your comments on this article |
| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| The Federal Election Commission needs you... |
| 2005-06-03 |
| to submit your comments TODAY regarding our rights to political speech.* RedState.org has all the details. Some comments from the "reform" group: "Finally, we do not believe anyone described as a "blogger" is by definition entitled to the benefit of the press exemption. An individual writing material for distribution on the Internet may or may not be a press entity. While some bloggers may provide a function very similar to more classic media activities, and thus could reasonably be said to fall within the exemption, others surely do not . The test here should be the same test that the Commission has applied in other contexts - is the entity a "press entity" and is it acting in its "legitimate press function"?" Follow RedState's links and do you part to keep our first amemndment rights. *I just wanted to note that this posting is from me personally and may not necessarily reflect the editorial view of Rantburg or Fred Pruitt. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #12 thank John McCain, by supporting his opponent, in the primary |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-06-03 22:17 |
| #11 From what I understand, most blogs are essentially on-line diaries. If the FEC wants to regulate a hundred thousand sites containing the angst-filled musings of spotty thirteen-year olds, I wish them joy of it. Some things just aren't worth doing. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2005-06-03 21:54 |
| #10 Encryption, off-shore servers etc? They can work, but only until the Feds decide it's worth breaking through them. So expect to need to be open in opposition ..... |
| Posted by: too true 2005-06-03 18:22 |
| #9 I promise to come visit you in prison, Fred... Seriously, I think if they try to regulate blogs, they'll have about as much luck as trying to punch a hole in the ocean... |
| Posted by: PBMcL 2005-06-03 18:13 |
| #8 It's clear that our political system is awash in money and influence. I don't know of a single approach to managing large amounts of money and attempts at influence that works better than freely letting it happen - and publicizing every detail. |
| Posted by: rkb 2005-06-03 17:15 |
| #7 Good question, bad, and here's another one: A blog post that sez "whatever you do, blog readers, do NOT go to georgewbush dot com, don't give them money, don't get your friends and family to vote for him." Does that count as a link? Or fundraising? |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-06-03 16:30 |
| #6 Here's a link to some of the responses to the request for comments. Ironically one of the better ones was filed jointly by Kos and Atrios: credit where credit is due. http://www.redstate.org/story/2005/6/2/162941/2856 |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-06-03 16:27 |
| #5 What if the blog says in one story, for example, about the NCAA top ten in college football and in the next sez Hillary sux? Do FEC rules apply to it? |
| Posted by: badanov 2005-06-03 16:25 |
| #4 Thanks for the link - why should George Soros enjoy more rights than Glenn Reynolds, Roger Simon, Charles Johnson, Andrew Sullivan, Mickey Kaus, Dan Darling, etc.? |
| Posted by: Angising Graviter4253 2005-06-03 16:21 |
| #3 If John Kerry and John McCain have their well, they will do just that. |
| Posted by: too true 2005-06-03 16:16 |
| #2 Even if blogging is not journalism, why would the FEC or any form of government be needed to regulate the forum? Will they regulate what I say to my mom on the phone as well? |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2005-06-03 16:14 |
| #1 I've done it and it's a good idea. Let these jerks know this isn't Europe. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2005-06-03 16:12 |