BREAKING!!! MISSOURI REP. JASON HOLSMAN WAS SO HURT BY INTERNET CHATTER THAT HE HAD TO FILE A BILL AIMED AT NASTY ONLINE COMMENTS!!!
Politics requires a thick skin . . . I hope that I'll be able to bring this perspective to my work for Sly James.
In the meantime it's disappointing to see that Missouri Rep. Jason Holsman is taking aim on Internet comments AFTER GETTING COMPLETELY TORN UP HERE @ TKC AFTER HE BACKED OUT OF A CITY COUNCIL RUN!!!
My knee-jerk reaction: Holsman's legislation doesn't protect children, instead it's childish and it reveals a fragile temperament that's isn't suited to political life.
Even worse and thinking a bit more logically, this effort is unconstitutional and requires bloggers or potentially even FACEBOOK users to submit to search warrants simply because of message board chatter . . . Sadly, this reveals that Holsman hasn't done any research or AOL precedent which notes that operators of an Internet message board can't be held responsible for their commenters.
In other words . . . Holsman's bill is ignorant and will quickly be struck down or rightfully ignored by any other legislators with even a modicum of respect for free speech.
Read the summary of the bill wherein Holsman takes aim at name-spoofing, ridiculing dead people and failing to submit to an illegal search.
Even worse . . . Holman's bill claims "it's for the children" but there's not much mention of kids . . .
THIS IS REACTIONARY LEGISLATION FROM JASON HOLSMAN WHO DOESN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE INTERNETS WORKS AND TAKES DIRECT AIM AT ONLINE FREE SPEECH!!!
On the other hand . . .
I just got off the phone with Holsman . . . It's hard to deny that his motivation doesn''t come out of a real concern to hold people accountable for their words and offer a deterrent to defamation . . . Also, Holsman revealed that this is really a response to sites like The Dirty . . . A site that also concerns housewives and parents who don't want to know that their offspring have turned into horrible people.
"Other States already have similar anti-defamation law and I wanted to do my best to protect people from the illegal and dangerous libel that occurs online," Holsman said. "It's not about protecting elected officials but other people who shouldn't be subject to such hateful remarks."
What Holsman already has in his favor . . . Gov. Jay has expressed a distaste for the online discourse . . .
Behind the scenes, most politicos and people playing politics in Missouri are scared of the public and other political consultants hiding behind anonymity and attacking . . .
EXCLUSIVE . . . WE HEAR THAT HOLSMAN HAS HOUSE REP. JOHN RIZZO, JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATOR CRYSTAL WILLIAMS AND A FEW OTHER SURPRISE GUESTS WHO JUST MIGHT SPEAK OUT AGAINST NASTY, ONLINE DISCOURSE!!!
What's also interesting is that Holsman is putting himself out there front and center when it comes to this debate and win or lose . . . He knows he's going to get taken apart online . . .I have to admire that bravery and hope for his sake that he hasn't pissed off 4chan.
However . . .
With the support of Gov. Jay, this could be a big deal . . . But Holsman admits that he's a bit behind when it comes to this legislation . . .
As the Dems are working on a jobs platform, it seems that this legislation will target so many folks who dutifully dedicate their day to attacking people in online comments . . . I'm not sure about the economic impact of that . . . But it's certainly something to watch . . .
Check the bill summary: HB 948 -- Criminal Defamation and Abuse of the Internet
Here's an excerpt from the latest newsletter where Rep. Holsman explains his motivation:
Abuse of the Internet and Criminal Cyber Defamation
HB 948 was filed in response to Governor Jay Nixon's call to address the damage capability of anonymous cyber assassins on the internet. The legislation is adapted from a current Kansas Statute to apply to electronic communications.Cyber Crime
The internet has changed politics. The shift in attention from main street media to political blog sites has opened a new avenue for opponents to anonymously defame the rival campaign. We have laws in the state which require a "paid for by" for all political mail, radio, phone, television and print media. These laws exist to protect candidates from malicious defamation without there being a level of responsibility for the statements. Keep in mind that a candidate is not an elected official until the race is over.
Many internet records live in cyber perpetuity and are easily accessible through search engines. If we can't protect our candidates from libelous hatred then the quality of candidate will continue to decrease as average citizens won't want to expose themselves or family to public ridicule and humiliation.
There are websites on the internet where our young adults are being intentionally defamed like it is a sport. Photos of college students are taken from their social network profiles and published on websites with the intent to destroy the person's character.
As a father of two, I dedicate my life to building my children's self worth and I will not sit idly by while some anonymous hate monger targets to emotionally harm our kids.
There are many supporters of this legislation in the House, but I chose to file it alone knowing that I am making myself a target of those whom I wish to regulate. Protecting our kids is worth their attempt at my personal humiliation.
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