A CBS investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson describes some ways that folks prevent, spin, or kill negative articles in the press. Andy Havens thinks what Attkisson describes is "both ‘old hat’ and refers predominantly to the laziest kind of reporting in the book". In my opinion, both articles are worth being read by ordinary folks. (Fedora Tip: Minding the Planet)
Declan McCullagh, the author of the CNET article I linked to yesterday has posted a FAQ about the legislation. In my opinion, it answers the legal debunking of his article posted at BoingBoing.
The United States Congress (Senator Arlen Spector in particular) can kiss my….Oh, wait. I musn't be annoying. I might be breaking the law.
" Annoying someone via the Internet is now a federal crime. 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."
….
"Buried deep in the new law is Sec. 113, an innocuously titled bit called 'Preventing Cyberstalking.' It rewrites existing telephone harassment law to prohibit anyone from using the Internet 'without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy."
"To grease the rails for this idea, Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, and the section's other sponsors slipped it into an unrelated, must-pass bill to fund the Department of Justice. The plan: to make it politically infeasible for politicians to oppose the measure."
"The tactic worked. The bill cleared the House of Representatives by voice vote, and the Senate unanimously approved it Dec. 16. "
I guess I'm safe because my true identity is disclosed on this site.
What a bunch of asshats. Readers are encouraged to leave anonymous and/or pseudonymous annoyances aimed at our brilliant leaders (Please keep them PG, though).
INTERVIEWER: So what in a sense, you’re saying is that there are certain situations…where the president can decide that it’s in the best interests of the nation or something, and do something illegal.
PRESIDENT: Well, when the president does it that means that it is not illegal.
INTERVIEWER By definition.
PRESIDENT: Exactly. Exactly. If the president, for example, approves something because of the national security, or in this case because of a threat to internal peace and order of significant magnitude, then the president’s decision in that instance is one that enables those who carry it out, to carry it out without violating a law. Otherwise they’re in an impossible position.
Remind you of anyone? Nope, it’s not George "It’s just a goddamn piece of paper" Bush. It’s Richard "I am not a crook" Nixon discussing aspects of executive privilege in an interview with David Frost as it related to United States v. Nixon. Be sure to read the whole interview. I found the quote from Abraham Lincoln particularly interesting.
Big man, pig man, ha ha, charade you are
You well heeled big wheel, ha ha, charade you are
And when your hand is on your heart
You’re nearly a good laugh
Almost a joker
With your head down in the pig bin
Saying ‘keep on digging’
Pig stain on your fat chin
What do you hope to find?
When you’re down in the pig mine
You’re nearly a laugh
You’re nearly a laugh
But you’re really a cry.– Pink Floyd "Pigs (3 Different Ones)"
PA lawmakers have repealed unconstitutional pay raise they gave themselves.
