Banning Anonymous Internet Posting?

Posted by Greg Laden on March 11, 2008
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From Kentucky, the home of the Creationist Museum and Sour Mash (so you see, there is a range), we hear of a move to ban anonymous internet posting. My impression is that this is directed at commenters on internet sites, but it may also include bloggers.

This comes from Republican Representative Tim Couch of the Kentucky State House.

The bill would require anyone who contributes to a website to register their real name, address and e-mail address with that site. Their full name would be used anytime a comment is posted. *

Fines would range from 500 to 1000 dollars.

Couch is a Grocer and member of the Church of God, as well as a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and a Mason.

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Comments

  1. #1 Mary
    March 11, 2008

    And Silence Dogood rolls over in the grave….sigh.

  2. #2 John McKay
    March 11, 2008

    Well, he certainly sounds like a wild turkey and he clearly known nothing of the history of Masonry, which is, after all, a secret organization.

    I have a better idea, lets pass a law banning from public office anyone who would waste the legislature’s time and the public’s funds by attempting to pass patently unconstitutional bills like this.

  3. #3 Todd
    March 11, 2008

    How is that even enforceable? Sometimes I wonder of politicians possess even the most rudimentary knowledge of how the internet works. Are you sure this guy doesn’t work for the Co$?

  4. #4 the real cmfanonymous
    March 11, 2008

    I was wondering when the right wing douche drinkers would finally step in line with the pseudo left. Oh how those PC lefties just HATE anonymous posting that contradicts their sanctified positions on words as ‘dangerous, violent ‘ things!!

    Now we can all work together for the fascist state, on the same issue!

  5. #5 Joshua Zelinsky
    March 11, 2008

    I’m not a lawyer, but that sounds like that’s beyond what a state can reasonably regulate. Even aside from first amendment issues, this likely is an unconstitutional interference in inter-state commerce.

  6. #6 Crimson Wife
    March 11, 2008

    Didn’t this guy ever hear of that pregnant woman who was killed for her fetus by some psycho lady she met over the internet? That’s why I use a nom de plume , to protect my family’s privacy.

  7. #7 the real cmf
    March 11, 2008

    but Crimson, you fail to see the main point: only bad people do bad things, and with complete government control, bad things don’t happen. See?

  8. #8 Miss Cellania
    March 11, 2008

    I’m in southeast Kentucky. It’s pretty well known around here that this is political ploy. See, Couch knows if this law passes that it will be struck down by the courts. Then it will be the court that explains why to the folks back home, and Couch can say he did what he could for his constituency. Sure, it would be easier (and much less expensive) if he just told them all why it can’t be done, but this way leads to a better chance of reelection.

  9. #9 Greg Laden
    March 12, 2008

    Miss: Right, good analysis there. He can crow about “judges legislating from the bench”

  10. #10 Free Researcher
    March 12, 2008

    OMG!
    OK, I post anonymous comment at Kentucky-hosted website. Or comment without actual e-mail/my name. And whats next? I live in Moscow suburb, and I mean not “Moscow, FL”. =) But even in Florida it is no crime to post comments without e-mail!