NJ legislature wants to abolish your right to post anonymously

[11 Bravo]

"The operator of any interactive computer service or an Internet service provider shall establish, maintain, and enforce a policy to require any information content provider who posts written messages on a public forum website either be identified by legal name and address or to register a legal name and address..."

Surely, I shouldn't have a problem with knowing that the minute I finish calling Bush a jug-eared little prick, his minions will know exactly where to find me. I mean, this administration would NEVER misuse that kind of power, would they? After all, if you don't have anything to hide ...

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/A1500/1327_l1.HTM

on edit: Don't know why the link isn't working. If you can stomach it, you can get there through Drudge:
http://www.drudgereport.com

[bunkerbuster1]

1. I'm sure the jug-eared little prick already knows.

This kind of legislation is kind of a joke--the feds can mine this info any time they want.

[msongs]

2. it will be pimped as ways to a prevent child molestors from having

access to children, as if going to a church was not an easily available activity with no registration required.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/democratsmugs.htm

[Kber]

3. How could this be enforced?

Couldn't I register as Mini Mouse from Orlando Florida? If I do so, and DU doesn't flag that as probably a false name, would DU be liable?

And what if I had sadistic parents who really did name me Ima Hogg or something like that?

Right now, if a crime is suspected, a service provider or message board can find the IP address of a post, and from there, usually track down the computer.

I'm in NJ, so I guess I need to check this out further. Sounds like a bunch of politicians who don't have a clue about technology spinning their wheels if you ask me.

[Kber]

4. OK - some more research

the sponsor is my local representative.

I'll e-mail him and ask what his reasoning is for this bill.

My concern is really personal safety - I like being able to join a conversation without risking that someone could hack the system to see who I am and were I live.

on edit -m my e-mmail

Dear Sir,

I read your proposed bill which would require internet message boards to maintain a list which includes legal name and address. I have a few concerns about this legislation.

My primary concern is safety. I often post and am not at all comfortable with my name and home address being easily accessable to the public. Your bill makes no specific provisions to safeguard this sensitive information.

I have a son who, under my guidance, may read and post on some forums. He has been taught to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, reveal any information which could be used to identify him or his address. Having this information out there is simply unsafe in my opinion.

If the informations is gathered, but technically safeguarded, I would still be concerned about privacy. I don't want my name and address sold to advertisers or to be used in any way without my permission.

I also have civil liberty concerns regarding free speech.

Thank you for taking the time to reach my concerns.

Kxxx
xxx, NJ

(see, I don't even want to post my name and e-mail address in DU)

[11 Bravo]

5. Good letter. Let us know what you hear back from your Rep. n/t

[Kber]

6. I got a response to my e-mail

looks the the legislation is a no-go

see below:

Dear Kxxx:

Thank you for your e-mail. I understand your concerns with my recently
proposed legislation. Based on the number of negative responses I have
received about this legislation I have asked the NJ Office of Legislative
Services to prepare an opinion regarding this bill's enforceability and
constitutionality.

I did not draft this bill with intent to limit freedom of speech. The
intent behind this legislation was to bring some civility back to public
forums, in particular the forums on www.nj.com. As I receive more feedback
from, literally, around the country, it is becoming apparent that the bill
may be too broad in scope and in reality not enforceable.

As an aside, this bill was only introduced in January. There have been no
committee hearings regarding this bill and there are none scheduled to my
knowledge. I am getting inundated with responses which I will review and
use to better educate myself on the implications of this bill. If, after
reviewing all of the correspondence and the opinion of OLS, it turns out
that the bill is, in fact, unworkable, I will certainly reconsider and
withdraw it. In other words, this is not something that will happen
overnight.

I appreciate your position and I will certainly use your commentary as I
further study the unintended consequences of this legislation.

It is unfortunate, from my perspective, that while my intention here was
civility and respectfulness, it turns out that it may have gone too far.

Thank you again for your e-mail and if I can do anything for you in the
future, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Pete Biondi
Assemblyman