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Title: Congress to Send Critics to Jail, Says Richard Viguerie
Source:
GrassrootsFreedom.com
URL Source: http://www.grassrootsfreedom.com/gw ... ArticleID=398&CMSCategoryID=24
Published: Jan 17, 2007
Author: Richard A. Viguerie
Post Date: 2007-01-17 17:31:48 by randge
Keywords: Ethics reform, Viguerie, S 1
Views: 345
Comments: 31
Congress Wants to Blame the Grassroots for Its Own Corruption MANASSAS, Va., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman of http://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. "The bill would require reporting of 'paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying,' but defines 'paid' merely as communications to 500 or more members of the public, with no other qualifiers. "On January 9, the Senate passed Amendment 7 to S. 1, to create criminal penalties, including up to one year in jail, if someone 'knowingly and willingly fails to file or report.' "That amendment was introduced by Senator David Vitter (R-LA). Senator Vitter, however, is now a co-sponsor of Amendment 20 by Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT) to remove Section 220 from the bill. Unless Amendment 20 succeeds, the Senate will have criminalized the exercise of First Amendment rights. We'd be living under totalitarianism, not democracy. "I started http://GrassrootsFreedom.com to fight efforts to silence the grassroots. The website provides updates in the legislation and has a petition to sign opposing Section 220. "Thousands of nonprofit leaders, bloggers, and other citizens have hammered the Senate with calls in opposition to Section 220, which seeks to silence the grassroots. The criminal provisions will scare citizens into silence. "The legislation regulates small, legitimate nonprofits, bloggers, and individuals, but creates loopholes for corporations, unions, and large membership organizations that would be able to spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars, yet not report. "Congress is trying to blame the grassroots, which are American citizens engaging in their First Amendment rights, for Washington's internal corruption problems." CONTACT: Mark Fitzgibbons, +1-703-392-7676 or +1-703-408-3775, for >http://GrassrootsFreedom.com. SOURCE http://GrassrootsFreedom.com Poster Comment:
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#1. To: randge (#0)
congress obviously agrees with smirk that our Constitution is just a g.d. piece of paper.
Viguerie didn't seem all that upset when it was the executive branch that was violating our rights.
Katrina was America's Chernobyl.
Thow 'em out! That's our House! They are supposed to Represent US!!
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. – Tacitus
the next generation NAZIs are making a law.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Of course not - those are the turds that wouldn't even declare war (and haven't since WWII) and are mainly interested in their own salaries, retirement benefits, and other assorted perks of the office. They have moved into the surreal mode of operation, imo.
This bill is a dagger aimed right at all of us. Dig this: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEC. 220. DISCLOSURE OF PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING. (a) Definitions- Section 3 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1602) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end of the following: `Lobbying activities include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, but do not include grassroots lobbying.'; and (2) by adding at the end of the following: `(17) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING- The term `grassroots lobbying' means the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same. `(18) PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING- `(A) IN GENERAL- The term `paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying' means any paid attempt in support of lobbying contacts on behalf of a client to influence the general public or segments thereof to contact one or more covered legislative or executive branch officials (or Congress as a whole) to urge such officials (or Congress) to take specific action with respect to a matter described in section 3(8)(A), except that such term does not include any communications by an entity directed to its members, employees, officers, or shareholders. `(B) PAID ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR SEGMENTS THEREOF- The term `paid attempt to influence the general public or segments thereof' does not include an attempt to influence directed at less than 500 members of the general public. `(C) REGISTRANT- For purposes of this paragraph, a person or entity is a member of a registrant if the person or entity-- `(i) pays dues or makes a contribution of more than a nominal amount to the entity; `(ii) makes a contribution of more than a nominal amount of time to the entity; `(iii) is entitled to participate in the governance of the entity; `(iv) is 1 of a limited number of honorary or life members of the entity; or `(v) is an employee, officer, director or member of the entity. `(19) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING FIRM- The term `grassroots lobbying firm' means a person or entity that-- `(A) is retained by 1 or more clients to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying on behalf of such clients; and `(B) receives income of, or spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of $25,000 or more for such efforts in any quarterly period.'. (b) Registration- Section 4(a) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603(a)) is amended-- (1) in the flush matter at the end of paragraph (3)(A), by adding at the end the following: `For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii), the term `lobbying activities' shall not include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying.'; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: `(4) FILING BY GRASSROOTS LOBBYING FIRMS- Not later than 45 days after a grassroots lobbying firm first is retained by a client to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, such grassroots lobbying firm shall register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.'.
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
"The bill would require reporting of 'paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying,' but defines 'paid' merely as communications to 500 or more members of the public, with no other qualifiers. "On January 9, the Senate passed Amendment 7 to S. 1, to create criminal penalties, including up to one year in jail, if someone 'knowingly and willingly fails to file or report.' Interesting...so a small blog like this one would be okay (under 500 members, I'm guessing) - but large blogs like dailykos, liberty post, free republic, storm front, democratic underground will need to register with FedGov - does it mean that membership lists need to be handed over which could be used (ahem, nefariously?) at a later date by either GOP or Dem majority governments. Certainly even the fear having one's name identified or affiliated with a political blog could and would result in much less membership participation in the future.
From that wording, it sounds as if this provision is directed at "paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying," and not at "grassroots lobbying" itself.
Katrina was America's Chernobyl.
Only if they're paid, I take it.
Katrina was America's Chernobyl.
Not really...see the definition of "paid" below... "The bill would require reporting of 'paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying,' but defines 'paid' merely as communications to 500 or more members of the public, with no other qualifiers.
You are dead on about that. However, I saw him recently screaming bloody murder about the Frankenstein monster his mass communications pioneering has helped create. I believe that he has seen the light as to the civil liberties nightmare the triumph of the "right" has brought upon us.
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
As I read 18(A) and 18(B), they both require that somebody connected with the effort actually be paid.
Katrina was America's Chernobyl.
The shit never ends. Personally I don't know why they won't just put us in prison now. Seems like they just want to lord it over us for a few more years, squeeze a couple more nickels out of our pockets.
if they want to ignore us, we should just ignore them, bump
They will wait until they can acclimate the sheeple to 'Pay Per View' executions of their 'political/religious enemies'' THEN they will come for us. Hey...gotta make a buck, right?
It is confusing - I took the definition of "paid" from the body of randge's initial article.
It's good to know that we have gotten that awful first amendment out of the way. why with it laying in its grave we can push those oh so wonderful hate crimes laws. /government official I despise the people who believe the average American exists to serve the government. I despise the people who gave away my birthright. I resent the fact that I do have to spend my life serving the government, but if I ever get my hands on someone who gave away my birthright I will not be responsible for what I do to him. -Blackeagle
Men serving in Iraq come home to a country that cares not a bit about the liberties that these soldiers ostensibly went to defend. They are busy defending the sovereignty of Iraq while their CinC treads it into the dirt. Ramos and Compean went to prison today and federal malice in the person of the judge (she doesn't deserve the title) refused them liberty during their appeal. Rohrabacher and the rest of his caucus booted Jumior in the tail today and well did he deserve it. Bush is sticking it in our faces. And I'll be damned if I sit still for much more of it.
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
Oh but they do. The whole point of sexual reproduction, and of genetic diversity, is that combinations of parents' genes can produce novel phenotypes not observed in the parents. I wonder how Obama will vote.
When the movie Melody Time from 1948 was released on DVD and video in 2000, Disney removed Pecos Bill's cigarette from every single frame. And one entire scene -- where Pecos Bill grabs a thundercloud and squeezes out a lightning bolt to light his cigarette -- is entirely removed. The point is, it's infinitely easier to edit a digital movie than a hand-drawn one.
Along the way they'll need to clone Richard Dawson.
When the movie Melody Time from 1948 was released on DVD and video in 2000, Disney removed Pecos Bill's cigarette from every single frame. And one entire scene -- where Pecos Bill grabs a thundercloud and squeezes out a lightning bolt to light his cigarette -- is entirely removed. The point is, it's infinitely easier to edit a digital movie than a hand-drawn one.
Patriotism, loyalty and morals are not in our DNA. Treason and cowardice are more easily learned.
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. – Tacitus
It's a nice thought, but how do you know? Most everyone can acquire a wide variety of behaviors. But we are not identical in the facility with which we acquire different behaviors. Support for socialism is about 40% heritable. This is of course not synonymous with a genetic influence, but is at least consistent with it. The songs of parrots do not come from their genes, but only parrots sing them. And lions have to learn to hunt.
When the movie Melody Time from 1948 was released on DVD and video in 2000, Disney removed Pecos Bill's cigarette from every single frame. And one entire scene -- where Pecos Bill grabs a thundercloud and squeezes out a lightning bolt to light his cigarette -- is entirely removed. The point is, it's infinitely easier to edit a digital movie than a hand-drawn one.
In a sense, they do. The singing of parrots, nest-building among birds, and the aquisition of human speech are examples of "critical period" behaviors in which creatures are ready to receive certain kinds of learning at critical and pre-programmed points in their development. If they miss out on the appropriate stimuli at the critical time, they will not learn or exhibit those behaviors. If young birds do not witness nest building during their critical period, they will not build nests when (& if) they mature. If humans do not hear speech during their critical period, the will not develop the sound systems and syntax of language. They will be handicapped all of their lives. Nature and nurture. They always go hand in hand.
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
Should someone turn in Badeye?
I'm sure you know that Viguerie is the "direct mail titan" who bypassed (or, performed an end run around) the "liberal" media monopoly and organized the people into the force that swept Reagan into office. Remember this was before the mighty computer was ubiquitious, and even the fledgling cable news phenomenon was still in its infancy and CNN (who dominated) was relatively balanced. Direct mail was a major factor in the conservative movement, and Viguerie was and is a Christian who believes that Jesus would wear a blue suit and vote with the Bob Dornan types. So, now the very political creature that he midwifed is threatening to choke chain him. He never foresaw any danger to mixing ideology and politics when he and the old guard were taking power as the liberal intelligentsia slept. I'd like to say "I'm sorry, Richard" but he would have no objection if congress used some clever device to chill speech of which he doe not approve.
Ironic, aint it?? "Conservatives are also exceedingly disappointed in the Republican Leadership in Congress as well. Conservatives will now begin to seriously consider why they should continue to give their support – money, labor, and votes – to Republican politicians who take their conservative base for granted by continually lying to them." "There is a growing feeling among conservatives that the only way to cure the problem is for Republicans to lose the Congressional elections this fall Viguerie said regarding (On conservatives' ability to maintain a majority in the U.S. House and Senate in 2006.) "This isn't an isolated situation. It is only the most recent example of Republican House leaders doing whatever it takes to hold onto power. If it means spending billions of taxpayers' dollars on questionable projects, they'll do it. If it means covering up the most despicable actions of a colleague, they'll do it." (On the Mark Foley scandal.) Well, maybe he's seen half the light. He's an old cracker now and you can't expect an old tiger to shed his stripes. The Bushes are spooks, and spooks use their friends like toilet paper. And in the last analysis, spooks don't really have any friends at all. Even the rock- ribbed old guard has woken up to this fact.
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
I vacillate between hope and gloom - but deep down, I believe that the roots of the Tree of Liberty will require a thorough drenching with the life-blood of patriots and tyrants. I hope that I'm wrong.
I hope that you are wrong too. Steeped in blood like the Stuart king, THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
Even if this became law many people including myself would ignore it and deliberately break it. So, how many of us in the blog/forum world can they fit in prison? Bet they don't have the money and space to enforce this. And any way they attack sites on the Internet can be worked around continually if need be. It will work only if we allow them to make it work. Never obey law this bad, one need not look as insane as the passers and sponsors of it or their lap dogs of enforcers. It shows how effective the Internet is though. If we hadn't of terrified them with examples of it's power like the way much of 9 11's false flag operation went down, they would be politely ignoring the virtual world.
Good observation bump - thanks.
Posting on the net, an action arguably viewable by more than 500 souls, would fall within the definition. It's all happening as we predicted..America is collapsing right before our eyes...and all we can do is watch...while we are turned into an oligarchy at the least, and a dictatorship at the worst.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act - - George Orwell
#2. To: lodwick (#1)
#3. To: randge (#0)
"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.
#4. To: randge, SkyDrifter (#0)
#5. To: aristeides (#2)
(Edited)
Viguerie didn't seem all that upset when it was the executive branch that was violating our rights.
#6. To: lodwick (#1)
#7. To: randge, christine (#0)
"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.
#8. To: randge (#6)
#9. To: scrapper2 (#7)
but large blogs like dailykos, liberty post, free republic, storm front, democratic underground will need to register with FedGov
#10. To: aristeides (#8)
From that wording, it sounds as if this provision is directed at "paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying," and not at "grassroots lobbying" itself.
#11. To: aristeides (#2)
#12. To: scrapper2 (#10)
#13. To: randge (#6)
#14. To: randge (#6)
#15. To: SmokinOPs (#13)
The shit never ends. Personally I don't know why they won't just put us in prison now. Seems like they just want to lord it over us for a few more years, squeeze a couple more nickels out of our pockets.
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#16. To: aristeides (#12)
As I read 18(A) and 18(B), they both require that somebody connected with the effort actually be paid.
#17. To: randge (#0)
#18. To: blackeagle (#17)
#19. To: robin (#3)
They are supposed to Represent US!!
#20. To: who knows what evil (#15)
They will wait until they can acclimate the sheeple to 'Pay Per View' executions of their 'political/religious enemies'' THEN they will come for us.
#21. To: Tauzero (#19)
#22. To: robin (#21)
Patriotism, loyalty and morals are not in our DNA.
#23. To: Tauzero (#22)
(Edited)
The songs of parrots do not come from their genes
#24. To: randge (#0)
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
#25. To: randge (#0)
#26. To: HOUNDDAWG (#25)
So, now the very political creature that he midwifed is threatening to choke chain him.
#27. To: randge (#6)
#28. To: lodwick (#27)
(Edited)
They'll hear the headsman's poleaxe swing,
A whistle sharp - they're not to know,
What rivers of blood are yet to flow.
#29. To: lodwick (#27)
#30. To: Ferret Mike (#29)
If we hadn't of terrified them with examples of it's power like the way much of 9 11's false flag operation went down, they would be politely ignoring the virtual world.
#31. To: scrapper2 (#10)
but defines 'paid' merely as communications to 500 or more members of the public, with no other qualifiers.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
In a CorporoFascist capitalist society, there is no money in peace, freedom, or a healthy population, and therefore, no incentive to achieve these - - IndieTX
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