Kentucky Lawmaker Wants to Make Anonymous Internet Posting Illegal

[Chris_]

Kentucky Lawmaker Wants to Make Anonymous Internet Posting Illegal

Kentucky Representative Tim Couch filed a bill this week to make anonymous posting online illegal.

The bill would require anyone who contributes to a website to register their real name, address and e-mail address with that site.

 Their full name would be used anytime a comment is posted.

If the bill becomes law, the website operator would have to pay if someone was allowed to post anonymously on their site. The fine would be five-hundred dollars for a first offense and one-thousand dollars for each offense after that.

Representative Couch says he filed the bill in hopes of cutting down on online bullying. He says that has especially been a problem in his Eastern Kentucky district.

WHT???

 

[Crazy Horse]

And just so you can have fun..............point and laugh at the primitives

http://www.conservativescave.com/index.php?topic=3971.0

[daveman]

Thanks loads, Tim Couch.  You're making Kentuckians look like idiots.   

[DixieBelle]

So I guess everything in the state of Kentucky is so peachy-keen that this is the most pressing issue for lawmakers??? Jeez.

[OkieJohn]

What a wonderful idea.  I have always wondered if TNO was really Sean Penn or Alex Baldwin, and I missed a golden  opportunity.

The Internet is like a gun.  It allows us to be  verbally equal. 
Being anonymous allows the 130 pound idiot to kick sand in the face on a 250 pound person. 

However, saying things on the web you would never say to someone's face is just wrong. That should not be a standard bearer for equality.  I wonder how many students died because a personality was molded by interaction on the Internet. 

How many times have you gotten upset and carried that into public with you?  I have watched too many of my friends change because of the Internet.  People who use to be great people, not so much anymore.

Pumping out the communist manifesto wouldn't be so popular if people had to use their real names.  People rob banks and commit murder because they think their true identity will never be known. Is this a good time to bring up child molesters?

I feel the same about anonymous sources quoted in the news.  That's just disgusting!


If you truly believe what you say, Sign your name....

Do you really believe it is ok to have someone's sentiment or ideals influenced by a guy named BigBhudaBelly?

It should not be the web owners responsibility, but the ISP and the individual.  It is a simple thing for the ISP to add your true ID.  There's no freedom of speech issue here.  Make the world a safer place and have the Fed pass the law.

I am proud of who I am.

[Atomic Lib Smasher]

Certainly would clear a lot of sock puppets and whatnot, but we're not totally anonymous when we're on the Internets... there's such a thing as an IP address that gives a tell. But you take away the anonymity beyond that and no more internet.

[OkieJohn]

Certainly would clear a lot of sock puppets and whatnot, but we're not totally anonymous when we're on the Internets... there's such a thing as an IP address that gives a tell. But you take away the anonymity beyond that and no more internet.

Back in the 70's when Al Bore and I were inventing the Internet, there were just a few universities on line, and a lot of bulletin board systems. It was all text based, no fancy pictures and vids.

We were all civil to one another, and shared our names and locations freely.

There are rules everywhere in life, except the Internet.

It astounds me that you think the Internet would disappear, because of a few rules.

I merely maintain, there would be  less animosity with your true identity.  Right now, you can be all the idiot you want.  You will never know the truth.  How many people on DU write that crap just for fun? 

Isn't truth important anymore?  Wouldn't you prefer to know what someone really truly believes?  Too much secrecy is never a good thing.

Even here people make each other angry all the time.  Would that happen if people were civil to one another?  Perhaps problems could really be solved.   It's easy to say anything you want, when you think no one knows who you are.  That is not beneficial for society.  You just can't help but carry that over to your daily lives.

I have watched this riff open wider and wider between Democrats and Republicans and it is mostly due to the Internet.  It has become disgusting. The old way was better, talking face to face.

[NHSparky]

I wonder what part of the First Amendment this guy forgot to read?

If it's offensive to you, change the channel.  Simple as that.  I've never said anything online that I wouldn't say in person, but as you well know, there's LOTS of people who just don't "get it", and I certainly don't want my name and address plastered over every post I make just because some a-hole politician is trying to push some "feel-good" legislation.

It's already been ruled by the SCOTUS that website owners cannot be held liable for slander or libelous comments made by third-parties; i.e., registered members.

IP addressing works just fine in the case of a criminal matter.  If it's just a couple of libtards flaming each other, who gives a rat's ass?

[NHSparky]

If you truly believe what you say, Sign your name....

After you....

[OkieJohn]

If you truly believe what you say, Sign your name....

After you....

You'll find my correct email address in my profile.  It is my first initial and my last name.
I practice what I preach.
I will never say anything on the web, I wouldn't say to your face.
It's just the way I was raised.

[NHSparky]

Same here.  My point is this guy wants your FULL name and hometown (if not actual address) PUBLIC.

No, teh stoopid is not that strong with me.  I won't do that--it's already too easy to find out all anyone wants to know (and more) about me on the WWW.

[Scoobie]

If you truly believe what you say, Sign your name....

After you....

You'll find my correct email address in my profile.  It is my first initial and my last name.
I practice what I preach.
I will never say anything on the web, I wouldn't say to your face.
It's just the way I was raised.

There's a deeper issue here, though....yeah sure, it's all warm and fuzzy to say "I won't say anything on the net that I won't say to your face", but what happens when you say something innocuous, but it's taken as offensive to some crazed whackjob psycho who then tracks you down (by way of your very public name and address) and blows you and your family away. Not so warm and fuzzy then, is it.

There is something to be said about anonymity. Especially when you can't see the crazies that are reading your words.

[OkieJohn]

If you truly believe what you say, Sign your name....

After you....

You'll find my correct email address in my profile.  It is my first initial and my last name.
I practice what I preach.
I will never say anything on the web, I wouldn't say to your face.
It's just the way I was raised.

There's a deeper issue here, though....yeah sure, it's all warm and fuzzy to say "I won't say anything on the net that I won't say to your face", but what happens when you say something innocuous, but it's taken as offensive to some crazed whackjob psycho who then tracks you down (by way of your very public name and address) and blows you and your family away. Not so warm and fuzzy then, is it.

There is something to be said about anonymity. Especially when you can't see the crazies that are reading your words.

So I should be frightened because I meet a crazy on the web.
Heck, I don't get frightened when I meet a crazy in person.
It's called conversation.  Actually talking to that crazy without all the barbs, slings and arrows, might do some good.  I have been talking through modems since the seventies.  No one has ever threatened me, ever.

You have to show your id almost everywhere you go.  Why should the web be different?  Just what do you have to hide?

Ham radio operators have been talking around the world for 100 years.  Every operator is in the call book, name address, phone number.  Those guys get into some rather heated political discussions.  Not one has ever been attacked.  It's not quite the same though since the FCC decided every other word could begin with F.

Besides, Oklahoma has the "Make my day better" law. lol  Don't get me wrong, I would use it in a heartbeat.

I am much more afraid of what Hillary and O Bom Bom are saying than some crazy, and heck, I know their names.

I am a Democrat, (since 1957).  I go to every meeting I can and loudly raise hell with every left wing communist moonbat I meet and try to drive them from my party.  You really think I am afraid of some crazy on the Internet.

You should not be either.

[Chris_]

If you truly believe what you say, Sign your name....

After you....

You'll find my correct email address in my profile.  It is my first initial and my last name.
I practice what I preach.
I will never say anything on the web, I wouldn't say to your face.
It's just the way I was raised.

There's a deeper issue here, though....yeah sure, it's all warm and fuzzy to say "I won't say anything on the net that I won't say to your face", but what happens when you say something innocuous, but it's taken as offensive to some crazed whackjob psycho who then tracks you down (by way of your very public name and address) and blows you and your family away. Not so warm and fuzzy then, is it.

There is something to be said about anonymity. Especially when you can't see the crazies that are reading your words.

So I should be frightened because I meet a crazy on the web.
Heck, I don't get frightened when I meet a crazy in person.
It's called conversation.  Actually talking to that crazy without all the barbs, slings and arrows, might do some good.  I have been talking through modems since the seventies.  No one has ever threatened me, ever.

You have to show your id almost everywhere you go.  Why should the web be different?  Just what do you have to hide?

Ham radio operators have been talking around the world for 100 years.  Every operator is in the call book, name address, phone number.  Those guys get into some rather heated political discussions.  Not one has ever been attacked.  It's not quite the same though since the FCC decided every other word could begin with F.

Besides, Oklahoma has the "Make my day better" law. lol  Don't get me wrong, I would use it in a heartbeat.

I am much more afraid of what Hillary and O Bom Bom are saying than some crazy, and heck, I know their names.

I am a Democrat, (since 1957).  I go to every meeting I can and loudly raise hell with every left wing communist moonbat I meet and try to drive them from my party.  You really think I am afraid of some crazy on the Internet.

You should not be either.

...sounds real nice until you encounter a stalker.

[Scoobie]

If you truly believe what you say, Sign your name....

After you....

You'll find my correct email address in my profile.  It is my first initial and my last name.
I practice what I preach.
I will never say anything on the web, I wouldn't say to your face.
It's just the way I was raised.

There's a deeper issue here, though....yeah sure, it's all warm and fuzzy to say "I won't say anything on the net that I won't say to your face", but what happens when you say something innocuous, but it's taken as offensive to some crazed whackjob psycho who then tracks you down (by way of your very public name and address) and blows you and your family away. Not so warm and fuzzy then, is it.

There is something to be said about anonymity. Especially when you can't see the crazies that are reading your words.

So I should be frightened because I meet a crazy on the web.
Heck, I don't get frightened when I meet a crazy in person.
It's called conversation.  Actually talking to that crazy without all the barbs, slings and arrows, might do some good.  I have been talking through modems since the seventies.  No one has ever threatened me, ever.

You have to show your id almost everywhere you go.  Why should the web be different?  Just what do you have to hide?

Ham radio operators have been talking around the world for 100 years.  Every operator is in the call book, name address, phone number.  Those guys get into some rather heated political discussions.  Not one has ever been attacked.  It's not quite the same though since the FCC decided every other word could begin with F.

Besides, Oklahoma has the "Make my day better" law. lol  Don't get me wrong, I would use it in a heartbeat.

I am much more afraid of what Hillary and O Bom Bom are saying than some crazy, and heck, I know their names.

I am a Democrat, (since 1957).  I go to every meeting I can and loudly raise hell with every left wing communist moonbat I meet and try to drive them from my party.  You really think I am afraid of some crazy on the Internet.

You should not be either.

Obviously you can't see the difference. Ham radio operators? Are you kidding me right now?

In real life, I can SEE the crazies....and hence avoid a possible dangerous situation if necessary. On the net, you don't know the psychological make up of people (well, most of the time...I've run across a couple of very apparent nutjobs in my time).
You never know who you're conversing with, what frame of mind they are in at the time, what kind of triggers will set them off.

And I never said I had anything to hide, or that I had fear. There's a HUGE difference between your suggestion of me having fear, and my concern for doing all I can to protect myself, my children, and my family from unstable people easily having access to my full name and address.

[OkieJohn]

Lug-nut
I have been reading your posts for a long time.  If Gator hasn't stalked you yet, I think your safe.
However TNO has been silent.  Maybe he is in his car headed your way.

There are thousands of ways to die.  It is one of the easiest things too do.

Thinking that you are so important, that someone would stop their life and come after you should be way down the list.

If that is the case tell me how Randy R or Rush are still alive. 

Conservatives always preach personal responsibility, yet when faced with the chance, just offer excuses.

I believe in responsibility.  Does that make me a better conservative?

John

[djones520]

Tell me NHSparky.  Are you 41, and live in Rochester, New Hampshire?  Your first name happen to start with an R?  I got this information simply by typing your screen name into google.  Nevermind the fact that you've got most of that published in your profile on here.

You got any clue who easy it would be for me to find you if I really wanted to, having only your screen name?  Stupidly easy.

Stalkers don't need to know your real name to find you.  I've dealt with it before in my past.  I've been internet stalked.  If you post on the internet, it's pretty much assured that anyone with enough tenacity can track you down.  And not just you.  But your extended family as well.  Said stalker made a pretty valient effort at tracking my parents down.

BTW, I wasn't singling you out for any reason.  Just saw your screenname first and decided to run with that.

[Ptarmigan]

I think this law could be in response to the MySpace Suicide Hoax in Missouri, where 13 year Megan Meier killed herself after being subjected to cyberbullying by Lori Drew, her daughter Sarah, Ashley Grills, and few other teens. I think it is a bad law. Than again, you're not anonymous on the Internet. Proxy servers do not make one anoynmous because they are meant to bypass bannings. That being said, Lori Drew and company are a bunch of worthless low lives. Drew admitted that some of the exchange were sexual in nature and I believe that it is illegal. I guess they never saw Chris Hanson's Dateline To Catch A Predator.

[OkieJohn]

Obviously you can't see the difference. Ham radio operators? Are you kidding me right now?

In real life, I can SEE the crazies....and hence avoid a possible dangerous situation if necessary. On the net, you don't know the psychological make up of people (well, most of the time...I've run across a couple of very apparent nutjobs in my time).
You never know who you're conversing with, what frame of mind they are in at the time, what kind of triggers will set them off.

And I never said I had anything to hide, or that I had fear. There's a HUGE difference between your suggestion of me having fear, and my concern for doing all I can to protect myself, my children, and my family from unstable people easily having access to my full name and address.

I meant no disrespect Scoobie.

Believe me ham radio has become the pits, filled with idiots and crazies.

Through out the thread, fear seems to be the main motivation for keeping everyones id a immense secret.

You see I remember the old America.  It was a land where people had respect for one another.  A place where you were safe in school.  A place without gangs running the streets. It was a place where homes were never locked. It's a life you and your children will probably never know.

I feel we could have that again.  It will take hard work.

We have to start somewhere. . .

Getting rid of this place where people cuss one another and fight just for the sake, would be a good start in the right direction.  You can upset someone at the gas station because you took too long to fill up, who could follow you home and kill your family.

Fear is never a good excuse against what is right.
It's the only excuse I have heard here.

Fifteen minutes on the Internet would probably give me your name and full credit history.  Badcat can confirm that.  So why are we fighting about this.

Give me another excuse to hid your ID besides fear..

[NHSparky]

There's a big difference between debilitating fear and due diligence, Okie.

And Jones--you underscore my point exactly.  Hell, there are websites out there that, given my full first name, could give you my SSN, criminal record, tax records, and much, much, much more.  All for about $49 bucks.

[OkieJohn]

Tell me NHSparky.  Are you 41, and live in Rochester, New Hampshire?  Your first name happen to start with an R?  I got this information simply by typing your screen name into google.  Nevermind the fact that you've got most of that published in your profile on here.

You got any clue who easy it would be for me to find you if I really wanted to, having only your screen name?  Stupidly easy.

Stalkers don't need to know your real name to find you.  I've dealt with it before in my past.  I've been internet stalked.  If you post on the internet, it's pretty much assured that anyone with enough tenacity can track you down.  And not just you.  But your extended family as well.  Said stalker made a pretty valient effort at tracking my parents down.

BTW, I wasn't singling you out for any reason.  Just saw your screenname first and decided to run with that.

Excellent points Mr Jones.  Thank you.

I forgot about your web foo skills.

Most people just don't realize how exposed they are on the Internet.

We had serious discussions in the 70's about this issue,  before the days of Netscape. The moonbats won.

Providing your real name on the Internet would provide more benefits than harm.  Maybe, just maybe those crazies wouldn't be so crazy in the first place if they had to use their own name.

Where in the heck is Frank?

[Scoobie]

Obviously you can't see the difference. Ham radio operators? Are you kidding me right now?

In real life, I can SEE the crazies....and hence avoid a possible dangerous situation if necessary. On the net, you don't know the psychological make up of people (well, most of the time...I've run across a couple of very apparent nutjobs in my time).
You never know who you're conversing with, what frame of mind they are in at the time, what kind of triggers will set them off.

And I never said I had anything to hide, or that I had fear. There's a HUGE difference between your suggestion of me having fear, and my concern for doing all I can to protect myself, my children, and my family from unstable people easily having access to my full name and address.

I meant no disrespect Scoobie.

Believe me ham radio has become the pits, filled with idiots and crazies.

Through out the thread, fear seems to be the main motivation for keeping everyones id a immense secret.

You see I remember the old America.  It was a land where people had respect for one another.  A place where you were safe in school.  A place without gangs running the streets. It was a place where homes were never locked. It's a life you and your children will probably never know.

I feel we could have that again.  It will take hard work.

We have to start somewhere. . .

Getting rid of this place where people cuss one another and fight just for the sake, would be a good start in the right direction.  You can upset someone at the gas station because you took too long to fill up, who could follow you home and kill your family.

Fear is never a good excuse against what is right.
It's the only excuse I have heard here.

Fifteen minutes on the Internet would probably give me your name and full credit history.  Badcat can confirm that.  So why are we fighting about this.

Give me another excuse to hid your ID besides fear..

Um, Okie, I'm not even close to giving you excuses. Excuses are not what I offer, although you don't understand that.

And yes, I DO remember the day when things were all sunshine and roses, where doors needn't be locked and such. And much to my dismay, that is not the case today. We have to be careful in just about everything we do. And while I agree that I wish it could be different, what that lawmaker is suggesting is just ridiculous. Putting out everyone's private information openly, does not an answer or solution make. No, you can never really be safe, whether it be running into the grocery store or posting some diatribe on the internet. If someone wants to get you, they can. That isn't the argument here. As Sparky said, it's about due diligence. Not knowing who you are dealing with on the internet, is the point. Something said in casual conversation could set someone off. If that were the case, that it would take some digging and effort on their part to find out who you are or where you live, might just be enough of a deterrent to keep them from moving things from the virtual world into the real world.

I wish we could go back to the days of Mayberry. It would be a nice place, and I wouldn't have to worry about my children so much. But it's not. And opening up the internet to allow anyone and everyone to know where I live, to me, isn't the answer. Not even close.

And for what it's worth, no need to tell me how easy it is to get information on people. It's what I do for a living. 

[Chris_]

Um, Okie, I'm not even close to giving you excuses. Excuses are not what I offer, although you don't understand that.

And yes, I DO remember the day when things were all sunshine and roses, where doors needn't be locked and such. And much to my dismay, that is not the case today. We have to be careful in just about everything we do. And while I agree that I wish it could be different, what that lawmaker is suggesting is just ridiculous. Putting out everyone's private information openly, does not an answer or solution make. No, you can never really be safe, whether it be running into the grocery store or posting some diatribe on the internet. If someone wants to get you, they can. That isn't the argument here. As Sparky said, it's about due diligence. Not knowing who you are dealing with on the internet, is the point. Something said in casual conversation could set someone off. If that were the case, that it would take some digging and effort on their part to find out who you are or where you live, might just be enough of a deterrent to keep them from moving things from the virtual world into the real world.

I wish we could go back to the days of Mayberry. It would be a nice place, and I wouldn't have to worry about my children so much. But it's not. And opening up the internet to allow anyone and everyone to know where I live, to me, isn't the answer. Not even close.

And for what it's worth, no need to tell me how easy it is to get information on people. It's what I do for a living. 

I try to keep as small a cyber-footprint as possible.  I have given some personal info out, but it is pretty generic (I live in a community of millions, so if you narrow it down to pudgy dudes in gray hair you still have hundreds of thousands.

I do NOT allow my pic to be taken nor have I ever posted a real pic of myself anywhere on the internets.  I google and yahoo myself fairly regularly (hehe sounds kinda dirty that way...) and erase or redirect data so that anyone trying to use the internets to find me will end up in a wild goose chase (I hope).

Just because I am paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.

[OkieJohn]

Um, Okie, I'm not even close to giving you excuses. Excuses are not what I offer, although you don't understand that.

And yes, I DO remember the day when things were all sunshine and roses, where doors needn't be locked and such. And much to my dismay, that is not the case today. We have to be careful in just about everything we do. And while I agree that I wish it could be different, what that lawmaker is suggesting is just ridiculous. Putting out everyone's private information openly, does not an answer or solution make. No, you can never really be safe, whether it be running into the grocery store or posting some diatribe on the internet. If someone wants to get you, they can. That isn't the argument here. As Sparky said, it's about due diligence. Not knowing who you are dealing with on the internet, is the point. Something said in casual conversation could set someone off. If that were the case, that it would take some digging and effort on their part to find out who you are or where you live, might just be enough of a deterrent to keep them from moving things from the virtual world into the real world.

I wish we could go back to the days of Mayberry. It would be a nice place, and I wouldn't have to worry about my children so much. But it's not. And opening up the internet to allow anyone and everyone to know where I live, to me, isn't the answer. Not even close.

And for what it's worth, no need to tell me how easy it is to get information on people. It's what I do for a living.

So instead of forcing people to live in reality, you think it's better to live in a virtual make believe world where you can do anything your heart desires.  That sounds like Du.  Do you really believe those people would say the kind of things they do if they used their real name? 

Even here on CC many debates turn into name calling with shouts of ahole and mf and suck this.  I am saying if you used your own name a lot of that would cease.  There would be no fantasy, just plain cold truth.  If you actually knew the person you were talking to would you treat them better?  It happened on CU with people who had been friends for years.  Some of those conversations broke my heart.

Now some of the debaters may actually be those names, but would they be if you knew their real id's?

I have never had anyone say those things to my face.  Well maybe the guys I drank a few beers with.

Would you show more respect if your real name was on the line?

Maybe those crazies wouldn't be so crazy if they were shown a little respect.

This thread is in its second page and not one cuss word.

Just a nice respectful debate. 

Now that is kool.

I don't care if people know my name.  Heck, if i say something brilliant, I want them to know my name.

There are so people on CC and CU that I believe border on genius.  It's a shame they hide behind a made up name.  Mick_c hasn't, and look what a waste of skin that is.
 

[Chris_]

Um, Okie, I'm not even close to giving you excuses. Excuses are not what I offer, although you don't understand that.

And yes, I DO remember the day when things were all sunshine and roses, where doors needn't be locked and such. And much to my dismay, that is not the case today. We have to be careful in just about everything we do. And while I agree that I wish it could be different, what that lawmaker is suggesting is just ridiculous. Putting out everyone's private information openly, does not an answer or solution make. No, you can never really be safe, whether it be running into the grocery store or posting some diatribe on the internet. If someone wants to get you, they can. That isn't the argument here. As Sparky said, it's about due diligence. Not knowing who you are dealing with on the internet, is the point. Something said in casual conversation could set someone off. If that were the case, that it would take some digging and effort on their part to find out who you are or where you live, might just be enough of a deterrent to keep them from moving things from the virtual world into the real world.

I wish we could go back to the days of Mayberry. It would be a nice place, and I wouldn't have to worry about my children so much. But it's not. And opening up the internet to allow anyone and everyone to know where I live, to me, isn't the answer. Not even close.

And for what it's worth, no need to tell me how easy it is to get information on people. It's what I do for a living.

So instead of forcing people to live in reality, you think it's better to live in a virtual make believe world where you can do anything your heart desires.  That sounds like Du.  Do you really believe those people would say the kind of things they do if they used their real name? 

Even here on CC many debates turn into name calling with shouts of ahole and mf and suck this.  I am saying if you used your own name a lot of that would cease.  There would be no fantasy, just plain cold truth.  If you actually knew the person you were talking to would you treat them better?  It happened on CU with people who had been friends for years.  Some of those conversations broke my heart.

Now so of the debaters may actually be those names, but would they be if you knew their real id's?

I have never had anyone say those things to my face.  Well maybe the guys I drank a few beers with.

Would you show more respect if your real name was on the line?

Maybe those crazies wouldn't be so crazy if they were shown a little respect.

This thread is in its second page and not one cuss word.

Just a nice respectful debate. 

Now that is kool.

I don't care if people know my name.  Heck, if i say something brilliant, I want them to know my name.

There are so people on CC and CU that I believe border on genius.  It's a shame they hide behind a made up name.  Mick_c hasn't, and look what a waste of skin that is.
 

Oh yeah?  Well, **** you!


























;)