Political Bloggers Could Be Required To Register Or Face Jail Time

Frightening article from Information Week on the dangers of a new bill proposed in the Senate to regulate grassroots speech.

An outfit called GrassRootsFreedom.com is reporting that the U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would require political bloggers with readership over 500 to register as lobbyists. If they fail to register, they could face criminal penalties up to one year in jail.

"Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, would require grassroots causes, even bloggers, who communicate to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and report quarterly to Congress the same as the big K Street lobbyists. Section 220 would amend existing lobbying reporting law by creating the most expansive intrusion on First Amendment rights ever. For the first time in history, critics of Congress will need to register and report with Congress itself," according to a statement from GrassRootsFreedom.com.

Funny how for liberals (some, not all), government funding of feces smearing is a freedom of speech issue, government funding of crucifixes submerged in urine is freedom of speech issue, but the government creating a regulatory network which could land those in engaging in political speech in jail, is not a freedom of speech issue.

And a not so pleasant 'Fuck You' to any and all Republicans supporting this measure.