FEC might tighten restrictions on Internet Political Activity:???

[peacebird]

from Drudge:
FEC May Tighten Restrictions On Internet Political Activity
Mon Feb 14 2005 10:38:41 ET

The Federal Election Commission next month will begin looking at tightening restrictions on political activities on the Internet, ROLL CALL reports Monday.

The FEC is planning to examine the question of how Internet activities, when coordinated with candidates' campaigns, fit into the definition of 'public communications.

Specifically, the FEC is planning to examine the question of how Internet activities, when coordinated with candidates' campaigns, fit into the definition of "public communications." While coordinated communications are considered campaign contributions and therefore subject to strict contribution limits, current FEC regulations adopted in 2002 carve out an exemption for coordinated political communications that are transmitted over the Internet.

Developing..."

:wtf:

So what does this mean? Can they try to control or shut down political organizing and commentary on the net?

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3fec.htm

[cthrumatrix]

1. translation -- they are scrambling to find a new way to shut us up!

[DainBramaged]

2. The BFEE will do anything to restrict the speech of everyone but them

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. FLASH: FEC pulls plug on Drudge

Well...I can dream anyway.

If it's to be believed (Drudge's Sludge), it's really saying that the Government is deciding to come out in the open about surveillance.

[tom_paine]

4. translation: THE PARTY goes scot free while those who OPPOSE the PARTY

are scrutinized an 'regulated'.

Which is the same principal the busheviks have always operated under, from back when they were lynching African-Americans and murdering Liberal Civil Rights Workers and before.

It is the oldest story of humankind. The Soviets and Nazis practiced this, and every other Tyranny, Totalitarian or otherwise, since the dawn of time.

What does it mean? it means what it always has: THE PARTY is coming to suppress the Enemies of the State, using all it's National Apparatus whihc now INCLUDES the State.

Probbaly non-violently this time around, though I wouldn't bet it's going to be that way in 2050 or 2100.

[FormerDittoHead]

5. They're very efficient - did that take like 3 days?

...including the weekend!

They get the word that Howard "Mr. Internet Fund Drive" Dean is now head of DNC, and THEY GO *RIGHT* TO ACTION!

Now if only they could do the job of running government as well as they GET their jobs!

[Jamastiene]

6. All those years of

being shut up and shut down by the repugs that stifle any expression of free speech and I finally find DU and they want to shut IT down too. Damn them. They are vile loathesome Orwellian fascist hate mongers. I'll go down telling them what I think of them. They are going to have to stone me to death if they want to shut me up. Period. I've had it.

[ICantBelieve]

7. Drudge???

Perhaps I'll be concerned about this when I hear it from a real source! How do you even stand looking over there?

Oh, and is flash3fec.htm short for flash3fecal.htm? Cause that's what Drudge is all about.

[vpigrad]

8. Oh well...

I'll remember my time here fondly...

[Roland99]

9. Bush will be safe, he never did setup an online forum for his campaign

I think we all know the reason why, too.

[BattyDem]

10. Define "coordinated communications"

If individuals are talking politics, how is that a campaign contribution? If I put up a web site that praises a candidate, how is that any different than putting a bumper sticker on my car or a sign on my front lawn? If I link to the candidate's web site so people can learn more, how is that any different than grassroots activists making phone calls or going door to door? The way I see it, the only difference is the number of people you can reach.

[CindyDale]

11. It would be like limiting volunteer work

They sound like they're going nuts. Does anyone know why?

[CindyDale]

12. Rereading it just says "when coordinated with the candidate's campaign"

So it would only apply directly to someone's campaign, right? The DNC could still do it, right?