I read this on Slashdot, and it sounds so ridiculous, but in the climate in the US, i can quite believe it.
MANASSAS, Va., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/—The following is a statement by Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman of GrassrootsFreedom.com, regarding legislation currently being considered by Congress to regulate grassroots communications:
“In what sounds like a comedy sketch from Jon Stewart’s Daily Show, but isn’t, the U. S. Senate would impose criminal penalties, even jail time, on grassroots causes and citizens who criticize Congress.
“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.
However it looks like the amendment to the bill that will remove the problem may be removed.
Found via Slashdot (its funny how quickly nuclear weapons show up in the discussion below the piece….)
