Bloggers under attack... again.

posted by The Vidiot @ 2:34 PM Permalink

Oh, they're just SOOOooo threatened, aren't they?

Excerpt: "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."

But hold on. It's not panic time yet. There seems to be a catch:

Excerpt: Much of the bill's wording is obtuse. But one section says that certain political bloggers who make or spend $25,000 per quarter and who encourage readers to contact their elected representatives would be forced to register as lobbyists--or face up to 10 years in prison.

Obviously, this bill is meant to curb the activity of those astro turf groups. You know, the ones funded by oil companies that are called "Citizens for truth about global warming." And you may also think that since they've put that dollar limit in there, then that wouldn't effect little ole moi.

As I understand it, the only way, as it's written now, that this law impacts Vidiotspeak is if this blog starts to take off and the hits start to generate ad income of $100,000 a year OR the hits add up to 500 or more people (which we're pretty close to sometimes, BTW) Then, basically by telling you to call your Senator to make sure a certain bill doesn't make it to the floor, I'd be considered a lobbyist. Then, I'd have to apply for a license of some sort and then report quarterly my activities and if I didn't, I could go to jail.

BUT, what if they measure it by hits more than money? What then?

THEN, I'd have to start to use a code.

So, let's write it in stone now.

When I type UKW2D, that'll be vidiotspeak for "you know what to do" and THAT means call your congresscritter.

OK?

Ok.

Update: Huh, did not see that coming. Bill passed WITHOUT the offensive portion.