Feingold diary - "Blogs Don't Need Big Government"

[housewolf]

From MyDD:


I am enjoying reading many blogs, and am fascinated by their immediate reporting that is covering the important issues of the day. Many of the positive comments I have been lucky enough to read about my work relate to the fact that I was the only member of the U.S. Senate to oppose the USA PATRIOT Act. That experience taught me a lot, but one thing I learned for certain is that millions of ordinary citizens support efforts to make sure the government doesn't try to take more power than it needs. Resisting overreaching by the federal government is appropriate and, yes, even patriotic.

<snip>

So while I generally agree with the recent decision from Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly requiring the FEC to redo its rules relating to political communication on the Internet, I am also concerned that the FEC will again create unnecessary concern and confusion. Judge Kollar-Kotelly's decision was not a result of problems with BCRA. It was a result of poorly drafted FEC regulations that were challenged in court.

The FEC must tread carefully in the area of political communications on the Internet. Political news and commentary on the Internet are important, even vital, to our democracy, and becoming more so. For starters, the FEC should provide adequate protection for legitimate online journalists. Online journalists should be treated the same as other legitimate broadcast media, newspapers, etc. and, at this point, I don't see any reason why the FEC shouldn't include legitimate online journalists and bloggers in the "media exemption" rule.

<snip>

At a time in the country when we need free and open discourse, when the Senate is rubber stamping a bankruptcy bill which hurts those who have no power, when the country is involved in a war with no timetable for an exit strategy, we must be able to speak our minds without fear of recrimination from the government.

http://senator-russ-feingold.mydd.com/

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Soooo...DiFi...

What do you think about the negative comments? Just askin'...

[CubsFan1982]

2. Um, this is FeinGOLD, not FeinSTEIN. n/t

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Oh...

Sorry. Long day, and not a particularly happy one.

[Why Syzygy]

4. Unbelievable

So this means the executive bushcon might have to close down his blog? And email solicitations? And online donations?

Lessee.

[babylonsister]

5. This paragraph is so true:

"At a time in the country when we need free and open discourse, when the Senate is rubber stamping a bankruptcy bill which hurts those who have no power, when the country is involved in a war with no timetable for an exit strategy, we must be able to speak our minds without fear of recrimination from the government."
Too bad about 1/2 of those with no power make such piss-poor decisions. But it's nice to have another dem to respect!

:thumbsup:

[Enquiringkitty]

6. So...Knock down this bankruptcy bill before final vote, block social

security private accounts and fix the system, for starters, by taking the cap of $90,000 off the income contribution limit and limit the people who receive check to those who really need it by seting up a minimum income for those over 65 and those who make less get a SS check....no reason why those with $200,000 should get a check, and block the cuts in Medicare and other useful items which people rely on that are in that Texas Idiot's budget plan for 2006. The man and his followers are setting up the middle class and future generation of middle class for a future of misery and pain living in abject poverty in favor of the secure constant income of corporations. The constitution begins with "We the people" not "We corporate America". We the people are getting very nervous and angry. This isn't a good thing....there are many more of us than there are corporation......or politicians. Ask France what happens when "We the people" get feed up.....King Louie found out!

[Why Syzygy]

7. The eggs on the limousine gave me hope

Where does "corporate america" think it is going to get CUSTOMERS if not in "america"? I have a pretty good idea.

The thought put forth at DU sometimes seems to be that the U.S.A. is going to be something like a third-world nation status at some point. Looking at our abject leader, that can be understood.

However! I know these people! We will not give into "depression".

IOW . Whatever happens, we get through it.

[housewolf]

8. kick for a.m.

[pstans]

9. Feingold has my support in 2008

I know it is early and a lot can change, but I think Feingold would make a great candidate in 2008. He has my support.