FEC Might Regulate Internet Political Activity

[DarkPhenyx]

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/10/13/90140.shtml

A recent federal court ruling says the FEC must extend some of the nation's new campaign finance and spending limits to political activity on the Internet.

Long reluctant to step into online political activity, the agency is considering whether to appeal.

But vice chairwoman Ellen Weintraub said the Internet might prove to be an unavoidable area for the six-member commission, regardless of what happens with the ruling.

"I don't think anybody here wants to impede the free flow of information over the Internet," Weintraub said. "The question then is, where do you draw the line?"

[el_gato]

1. You draw the line by telling the FEC to leave the internet alone

They will ruin it, if they get the chance.

[mmonk]

2. Bad idea

how will I get news from other than dubious domestic sources?

[napi21]

3. Good luck trying!

There are already controls on internet contributions, but they are maintained by the campaigns.

If someone really thinks they can control the internet itself, all I can say is...many have tried and failed!

[RoadRunner]

4. Which one of the Internets?

:shrug:

[sonias]

5. ha, we'll just move our nets off-shore

Bring it on woody. Try to regulate the "Internets" outside the US.

Sonia

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. That is the spirit that made America great... glad to hear it once again

moving the servers and the other related hardware just over the Canadian border would be simple enough, they are all too familiar with our plight and stand firm with the "resistance".

Maintaining the site for the most part can be done from any computer anywhere in the world.

[ladybugg33]

6. Just a way to keep the non-wealthy from raising money for their candidates

America is America no more.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. This won't affect DU, will it?

[havocmom]

9. Be assured, they will try to make it so.

This is the only real tool we have. They intend takeover and elimination of all dissent. Count on it. They are gonna have a tough time though. Trying to put the ether-net genie back in the bottle just isn't gonna work well.

[Moderator]

10. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=901574