Not So Free Speech
The Senate Judiciary Committee members are all wrapped up in precedent. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives has ignored the real precedent established in the First Amendment:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
On Tuesday, on a 225-182 vote, the House of Representatives voted against the First Amendment. The bill would have excluded Internet Blogs from regulations by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The FEC is now free to follow a court order to establish rules regarding political speech on the Internet.
Locally, this will certainly cause a problem for our “official Blogger” who has claimed her blog is a member of the media. Not so now.
Polipundit gives us a breakdown on the vote - Roll Call - Blogs and the FEC. 179 Republicans and 46 Democrats voted for Free Speech. 38 Republicans and 143 Democrats voted AGAINST FREE SPEECH. How can it be that the party of individual freedoms could take such a stance?
Captain’s Quarters provides a good discussion of the subject - House Defeats Blogger Speech Bill. The Captain provides the names of the Republicans who voted against the bill.
Isn’t it interesting that the House would close free speech on the Free Speech medium but won’t do the same with 527 organizations? Could it be that politicians can control 527s but not the Internet?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
On Tuesday, on a 225-182 vote, the House of Representatives voted against the First Amendment. The bill would have excluded Internet Blogs from regulations by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The FEC is now free to follow a court order to establish rules regarding political speech on the Internet.
Locally, this will certainly cause a problem for our “official Blogger” who has claimed her blog is a member of the media. Not so now.
Polipundit gives us a breakdown on the vote - Roll Call - Blogs and the FEC. 179 Republicans and 46 Democrats voted for Free Speech. 38 Republicans and 143 Democrats voted AGAINST FREE SPEECH. How can it be that the party of individual freedoms could take such a stance?
Captain’s Quarters provides a good discussion of the subject - House Defeats Blogger Speech Bill. The Captain provides the names of the Republicans who voted against the bill.
Isn’t it interesting that the House would close free speech on the Free Speech medium but won’t do the same with 527 organizations? Could it be that politicians can control 527s but not the Internet?
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