How DevDave became a felon

**FactionHeir** · 05-14-2009, 00:04

http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05...ternet-flamers

I'm sorry DevDave, but I think this bill might just make you a felon

**Rhyfelwyr** · 05-14-2009, 00:17

This is what happens when the people making the laws think that the internet is a series of tubes.

**GeneralHankerchief** · 05-14-2009, 00:29

Save Dave! Save Dave! Save Dave!

**Aemilius Paulus** · 05-14-2009, 00:31

it is always the one you least suspect... Of all the countries, of all the nations with free speech, to anticipate US to pass this...

On the other hand, the law reflects the American concern with safety, one that nearly always goes beyond all reason and logic. Write somewhere in a school, or call to a school in US and write out/yell out "Bomb!" and the school will be closed for a day while a bomb detection and removal squad will be called in. Required by law. I know of one school in my city/town which had an average of 2-3 "bomb" days a week, so much, that certain prudent and innovative teachers found a way to give lessons outside.

My Spanish teacher once shared with me how in the college she atteneded, whenever one would not "feel" or was simply not ready to take a test, they would pull off the same thing, and close down the whole college for a day.

Having 1,000 people die is 1,000 times cheaper than doing this.

**Tratorix** · 05-14-2009, 00:38

How is it even possible to be harassed over the internet? It isn't like these are people you see everyday, you're choosing to communicate with them. Just ignore it.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 05-14-2009, 00:41

Some very knowledgeable commenting:

What are Rep. Linda Sanchez and the others thinking here? Are they just taking the view that "criminalize it all, let the prosecutors sort it out"? Even if that's so, won't their work amount to nothing, if the law is struck down as facially overbroad -- as I'm pretty certain it would be? Or are they just trying to score political points here with their constituents, with little regard to whether the law will actually do any good? I try to focus my posts mostly on what people do, not on their motives, but here the drafting is so shoddy that I just wonder why this happened.

CR

**Aemilius Paulus** · 05-14-2009, 00:42

Originally Posted by Tratorix

How is it even possible to be harassed over the internet?

My question is, how is it even possible to not be harassed over the Internet? Not to mention, hundreds of thousands of people commit suicide due to RL harassment. Everyone is harassed in RL. Same online.

What is the logic of banning it online but not in RL? Because it is easier to monitor it online? So should we ban murder in schools, but not in ghettos, because it is easier to control it in school, and the incidence is less frequent? Is the speech free when a man cannot express any negative things or emotions? When everything must and is sugar-coated beyond a thick veil of deception?

**Tratorix** · 05-14-2009, 00:45

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

My question is, how is it even possible to not be harassed over the Internet? Not to mention, hundreds of thousands of people commit suicide due to RL harassment. Everyone is harassed in RL. Same online.

What is the logic of banning it online but not in RL? Because it is easier to monitor it online? So should we ban murder in schools, but not in ghettos, because it is easier to control it in school, and the incidence is less frequent? Is the speech free when a man cannot express any negative things or emotions? When everything must and is sugar-coated beyond a thick veil of deception?

True enough. I'm just saying, online you have options for dealing with it you don't in RL. If someone walks up to me and starts running their mouth, I can't click an ignore button.