Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Do not allow free speech to be hurt in Kentucky

Email Rep. Tim Couch and Jimmy Gigdon and tell them what putzes they really are - oh, and while you are at it, tell them that House Bill 775 is really really stupid and that they are idiots for even considering it and should burn in hell for proposing it.  Or, if you think that is too strong, tell them something similar.

jimmy higdon can be e-mailed directly: 
tim couch has a feedback form here:  http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Mailform/H090.htm

You can see HB 775 here: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/RECORD/08RS/HB775.htm

Here is a short description:

AN ACT relating to information technology.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 369 to establish definitions relating to Internet Web sites, blogs, or message boards; require registration prior to posting information to these interactive services; identify persons, businesses, or entities that post information to these interactive services; establish penalty provisions.

November 29, 2000 New Jersey Court protects anonymous internet critics of New Jersey company - upholding 1st amendment - see http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=551

On appeal, it was again protected…
http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/appealscourtprotectsanonym.htm

See others here: http://epic.org/free_speech/

Since it has gone to Labor and Industry - e-mail those people too (see http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/org_adm/committe/standcom.htm for current list)
Labor and Industry (H)
Rep. J. R. Gray (D), Chair - form at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Mailform/H006.htm
Rep. Charlie Hoffman (D), Vice Chair - mailto:charlie.hoffman@lrc.ky.gov
Rep. Joni Jenkins (D), Vice Chair - mailto:jonijenkins@aol.com
Rep. Rick Nelson (D), Vice Chair - form at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Mailform/H087.htm
Rep. Jim Stewart (R), Vice Chair - mailto:jim.stewart@lrc.ky.gov
Rep. John Arnold Jr. (D) - mailto:john.arnold@lrc.ky.gov
Rep. Denver Butler (D) - mailto:RepButler@aol.com
Rep. Dennis Horlander (D) - mailto:dennis.horlander@lrc.ky.gov
Rep. Brent Yonts (D) - mailto:brent.yonts@lrc.ky.gov
Rep. C.B. Embry (R) - form at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Mailform/H017.htm
Rep. Thomas Kerr (R) - mailto:thomas.kerr@lrc.ky.gov
Rep. Russ Mobley (R) - form at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Mailform/H051.htm

Here is what I am telling them:

============== concerning ========================
HB 775 (BR 1943) - T. Couch, J. Higdon
AN ACT relating to information technology.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 369 to establish definitions
relating to Internet Web sites, blogs, or message boards; require
registration prior to posting information to these interactive
services; identify persons, businesses, or entities that post
information to these interactive services; establish penalty
provisions.

Mar 4-introduced in House
Mar 6-to Labor & Industry (H)
==============================================================

Please send T Couch and J Higdon home without even considering such nonsense.  Protect our first amendment.  We have the right to free speach.  We have the right to do so anonymously.

New Jersey upheld this in 2000, it went to appeals, and was again upheld.  Do not go down this road.