Internet muse.
Daring, bold, never sold.
My daily weblog of politics, humor, philosophy...and a constant and nagging reminder of the existence of universal love....
Monday, March 07, 2005
Braude: Internet will change Arab politics
Climate Change: Why the Internet will change Arab politics--and how it already has
TNR / Joseph Braude
I recently thought about writing a blogpost about this topic, and I see that Joseph Braude has been thinking along similiar lines. Sometimes I don't think we realize the power we all possess..and it's right here at our fingertips. A sea change in the ability to politically organize around an ideology has been brought about by an open global exchange of ideas. However, bloggers in some Arab nations are feeling very threatened by their respective authoritarian governments. Little by little, political trends are emerging which may be positive for those who desire democracy in the Arab world, but have been stifled due to fear and/or technological limitations to enable dissidents to communicate their ideas.
Mr. Braude writes:
The Internet is now a destabilizing force to Arab governments, some of which are trying and failing to bottle it back up. Despite its relatively modest penetration in the region, the web is threatening the status quo--in societies as conservative as Saudi Arabia and police states as tightly run as Syria and Tunisia--in ways that previous technologies never could. That's in part because it is making obsolete the strategies that Arab governments had used for centuries--with almost perfect success--to quash dissent and cling to power. It may be trite to speak of the Internet's transformative power; but in the case of the Arab world in 2005, it appears increasingly to be real...
...The big question, of course, is whether any of these shifting paradigms is actually capable of changing the present distribution of power in an Arab country--and if so, how and where. Maybe all this online noise is just so much noise, and the medium is still no more than an annoyance to the status quo...On the other hand, the pressure imposed on several Arab countries today by the United States stands to exacerbate all the internal tensions these regimes already face...The fact that Internet penetration of Arab populations remains low--the regional average is below 5 percent--means that the extent of the web's influence will depend on whether it can somehow nudge forward broader political trends.....
....it seems likely that the web's most crucial impact on Arab politics won't be in alerting the west to human rights abuses or rallying support in the international community; it will be in allowing Arab dissidents to talk to one another and coordinate their activities...
Tom Fenton, I Love You
"We can no longer afford the luxury of having an ignorant electorate..of dumbing down our audience...The term MSM sounds like a new disease."
- Tom Fenton
Tom Fenton, I Love You
Latest by Tom - click photo
And I can't wait to see you on the Daily Show tomorrow night.
You go, Tom.
Hear Tom on NPR's Diane Rehm Show
Tom tells you to go to the BBC website for some real news.
UPDATE: Julian Sanchez shows that Tom Fenton is not alone.
Women in Political Blogging
Women in Political Blogging
Compiled by Jude Nagurney Camwell
I am compiling a list of women who blog about political issues. I'm amazed at how many there are.
al-Muhajabah-Laura Poyneer
Alarming News-Karol
Karen Alston
Ann Althouse
An Old Soul-Shari
The Anchoress
Annika's Journal
Apophenia-Danah Boyd
Athena at Terrorism Unveiled
Sapere Aude-I Am the Hermit
Available Light-Lynda B
Ayn Clouter
Backup Brain-Dori's half
Baghdad Burning-Riverbend
Baldilocks-Juliette Ochieng
Banana Republican-Rachel Jurado
LaShawn Barber
Betsy's Page-Betsy Newmark
Bitch. Ph.D.
Bittershack-Brooke Biggs
Black Feminism-Tiffany
Blaugustine
Blog Amy
Blog or Not
Blog Sisters
Blogslut
BlondeSense
Body and Soul- Jeanne
Book of Days-Chris
Bouillabaisse-Dianne Maire
Danah Boyd-Lakoff-Language of Politics
Martha Bridegam-Demisemiblog
Breaching the Web
Summer Brooks
Burningbird
Marla Caldwell
Elisa Camahort-WorkerBeesBlog
Barbara Camwell-Abuse Sanctuary
Jude Nagurney Camwell
Avedon Carol
Cathie From Canada
Chandrasutra
Natasha Chart-Pacific Views
Citizen's Rent
Collective Sigh
Code Pink
The Corner-Kathryn Lopez, Barbara Comstock
Crescat Sententia
Gail Davis
Natalie Davis
Democracy for California-Diana
Democracy for Virginia-Maura
Jory Des Jardins
Different Strings-Kryselda Jarnsaxa
Dissent Channel-AE
Diva Geek
Divinest Sense
The Duchess-Charlene Barker
Dummocrats-Kris
e-Robin
Echidne
Dawn Eden
Enlightenment Project-HE Baber
Eve Tushnet
Fact-esque
Fantasy Life
Fatshadow
Feministe-Lauren
Feisty Repartee-Christine
Fishbucket
Flamingo Jones
For The Record-Jessica Wilson
FrizzyLogic
Fusion Reaction
Amy Gahran
Jane Galt-Assymetrical Information
Girlhacker
Laura Gjovaag
Sally Greene
Jenny Greenleaf
Half-Changed World
Halley's Comment
Heretik
Mary Hodder
Inkwell
Jane-LipSticking
Janet For Fairfax
Jessica's Well
Joanne Jacobs
Kalilily Time-Elaine
Veronica Khokhlova-Neeka's Backlog
Amy Khoudari-Blog,blog,blog
Ladida
Laila Lalami
Late Night Thoughts-Emma
Left Coaster-Mary Ratcliff
Left2Right-Elizabeth Anderson
Liberty Street-Kathy
Lifting the Fog-Barbara Sehr
Little Miss Attila
Rebecca MacKinnon
Madeleine Begun Kane
Madison Women for Peace
Mahablog-Barbara O'Brien
Majikthise
Marine Corps Moms
"Michele"
Michelle Malkin
Making Light-Teresa Nielsen Hayden
Irshad Manji
Jen Martinez
Maru Soze
Melanie Mattson-Just a Bump in the Beltway
Megnut
Mind of Mog
Misbehaving
Mixter
Diana Moon
Mousemusings-Cyndy Roy
Moxie
Ms. Musings
Netwoman
Maud Newton
Nitpicker-CJ Finis
Chris Nolan
NYCO
Ambra Nykol
Obsidian Wings-Hilzoy
Rosie O'Donnell
One Woman Wrecking Crew-Mary
PG
PalmTree Pundit
Pam's House Blend-Pam Spaulding
Parenthetically Speaking
Patriette-Kelly
Jaqueline Passey
Pen Elayne-Elayne Riggs
Philobiblon
Melanie Phillips
Pinko Feminist Hellcat
Plunky Punk-Vanessa
Podunt Post-Wanda
Polipundit-Lorie Byrd
Political Monitor-Lindy Baumann
Virginia Postrel
Pourquoi pas?-Dianne Maire
Pratie Place-Jane
Preemptive Karma-Carla
Professor Kim's Notes-Kim Pearson
Pseudo-Adrienne
Random Thoughts-Susan
Rebecca's Pocket
Reportette-Yvette Stafford
Respectful of Otters-Rivka
Rhetoric 101
Lis Riba
Emmanuelle Richard
Amy Ridenour
Riggsveda-It's My Country Too
Lindsay Robertson
Evelyn Rodriguez
Rox Populi
Ruminate This-Lisa English
Saheli:Musings and Observations-Saheli Datta
Julie Saltman
Santa Clara CtyDemPty-Elisa Camahort
Scribblingwoman
Cathy Seipp
Jeneane Sessum
Sgt. Lizzie
Shameless Agitator-Andrea
Shakespeare's Sister
Julien Sharp
Ruby Sinreich
Sisyphus Shrugged-Julia
Lizzie Skurnick-Old Hag
Patty Ann Smith
So What Can I Do?
Natalie Solent
Lizzy Spiers
Strangechord-Emily
Suburban Guerrilla-Susan Madrak
Suddenly Routine-Rebecca
Amy Sullivan
Dawn Summers
Surfette
Talk Left-Jerralyn Merritt
Tara Sue
Think Pink
Thoughts of an Average Woman-CE Petro
Tild
Kelly Jane Torrance
Trailer Park Girl
Tsuredzuregusa-Shaula Evans
Tulip Girl
Turnpike Feminist
12 Frogs
Uncommon Thought
Under The Same Sun
Urban Grind
Utopian Hell
ValueJudgment-J's half
Villanous Company-Cassandra
Vivid Pieces- Erin Notebloom
VDARE-Bryanna Bevens,Brenda Walker
Veracity or Mendacity-Melanie
Veralynne-ACT
View From The Left-Chris D'Arcy
Waiting For Nat-LilySea
Wampum-Mary Beth Williams
War And Piece-Laura Rozen
Belle Waring
Diane Warth-Karmalised
Watermark-SB Poet
We Are Not Sheep
What Do I Know
WhatIsPastIsPrologue-Sarah
What She Said
Who Is Sylvia
Wicked Muse
Sissy Willis
Willow Tree-Rachel Ann
Winds of Change-Robin Burk
Rebecca Winters
Amy Wohl
Wonkette-Ana Marie
World O'Crap
World Turning-Jennifer
Worshipping/Altar of Mediocrity
Xeney
XX
You Will Anyway
Yourish
Anne Zook
Bono on Short List for World Bank?
Bono on Short List
for World Bank?
"He's somebody I admire. He does a lot of good in this world of economic development," Snow said.
"Most people know him as a rock star. He's in a way a rock star of the development world, too. He understands the give-and-take of development. He's a very pragmatic, effective and idealistic person," Snow said.
From: Bono May Make Short List for World Bank, WT
I agree with John Snow.
I know I'm dating myself here, but I met Bono when he was on his first U2 tour of the United States. I don't even think he'd reached the age of 20 yet. (I know that I hadn't).
The band was virtually unknown in the U.S. at that time. The single "I Will Follow" and the album "Boy" had just been released in the States. A friend of mine owned and managed the radio station which had helped to sponsor the concert. After the show, we were invited for chatter and refreshments on the band's tour bus. The Edge was especially kind to me. He gave me the grand tour of their home on wheels (which was nothing fancy). The group of us talked about the band's first impression of America and we even got around to talking about religion.
I discovered, that night, how different these fellows were from your typical 80s touring band. At the risk of sounding sappy, I found that Bono (Paul) and The Edge wore their hearts on their respective sleeves; they were passionate about life; they seemed especially compassionate toward others; I really liked them. I've remained a fan ever since that night, because when I hear the words to their songs, I feel I know a bit about the men who are delivering their message. And I can say I really like those men. I've followed Bono's work in this world, and I can't say enough about the respect I have for the true spirit I know he's possessed since I talked with him on that night so long ago. That boy followed his path to an honorable, compassionate manhood and I hope he will seriously be considered for the World Bank.
Blogger Scores White House Press Pass
Blogger Scores White House Press Pass
According to Editor and Publisher, this blogger has scored a White House Press pass. I'd never heard of or read Media Bistro/Fishbowl before today. The editor's name is Garrett Graff. He displays the blog's raison d'etre to be "a gossip blog about Washington, D.C. media". It has only been around since January, 2005. It looks like Howard Kurtz-style coverage. Gossipy, not too much heavy political substance, but fun to read. An example: The Fake Invisible Primary. Best of luck and congrats to Garrett.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Iddybud's 'Hood According to Findory
Iddybud's 'Hood According to Findory
According to Findory, this is my personalized blog neighborhood (size in order to the proximity/relation to my own blog...my own name being largest, naturally).
Note: I decided to reach out. I introduced myself to my "closest neighbor", Susan Madrak at Suburban Guerilla. We are colleagues at American Street.
Corrente is well known to me - a fellow Liberal Coalition member. David Brock is next on my list. Although I haven't had the opportunity to make his acquaintance yet, I highly respect the work he's doing out there.
Suburban Guerrilla
corrente / Leah, Lambert, Tresy...
Media Matters
Wonkette
Dirty Tricks
Eschaton
skippy the bush kangaroo
The Media Cynic
Agonist
The American Street
Stop the Internet
Daily Kos
This Modern World
CJR Campaign Desk
The Musicians of Louis XIV -...
Antiwar.com Blog
Billmon
Troubled Texan Blog
Betsy's Page
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire...
TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime...
Truthout's 4-Part Series on Journalists & Military
Truthout's 4-Part Series on Journalists & Military
In case you've missed it, here are the links to the first three:
Part I | Hearing What Eason Jordan Said
Part II | Army Failed to Probe Its Attack on Palestine Hotel
Part III | Targeting the Media the American Way
Part IV is yet to come.
5000 Lebanese Students Emboldened to Demand Syrian Pullout
5000 Lebanese Students Emboldened to Demand Syrian Pullout
FIVE YEARS AGO..while Bill Clinton was still president.
2001
These kids have been tough and emboldened long before Bush and the Neocons lied their way to the war that goes on today in Iraq.
Emboldened by Bush, emschmoldened by Bush.
Some of us were born yesterday. Some of us understand that the youth of Lebanon has been fighting for independence from both Israel and Syria for years.
Why doesn't anyone in the American mainstream media report about the current situation honestly and thoroughly?
Gannon/White House: AMERICAblog Opinion in LA Times
Gannon/White House: AMERICAblog Opinion in LA Times
I am glad the LA Times decided to give John Aravosis equal time to make his case on the Jeff Gannon/White House Press Corps issue.
The story is worthy of much more serious and investigative coverage than your basic
Howard Kurtz-style "Micheal Jackson-ing" or "Kobe Bryant-ing" or "Martha Stewart-ing".
Excerpt:Good for you, John, and a sincere 'thank you' from this blogger.
I can think of three possible reasons The Times didn't cover this obviously major story with any vigor:
(1) Trepidation about gays, sex and power. In the age of wardrobe malfunctions, news organizations are extra cautious about covering anything involving s-e-x. And a gay angle only makes things more confusing. Would you be anti-gay or pro-gay if you wrote about an allegedly homophobic journalist who happened to be gay? Answer: Allegations of prostitution aren't just about someone's private life, they're about a crime that can lead to blackmail, especially if state secrets are involved. And in any case, your readers are adults — give them the facts and let them decide for themselves.
(2) Reverse liberal guilt. Too sensitive to right-wing accusations of being liberal, traditional media have overcompensated by becoming too timid in covering certain stories. They seem loath to aggressively report on scandals involving Republican politicians, in general, and this White House in particular.
(3) Blogophobia. Liberal bloggers scare the mainstream media. Media critics fret over our supposed lack of professional credentials, even though many of us are journalists. They doubt our facts but don't independently investigate the stories.
The lack of coverage plays into the hands of the White House. Mainstream media editors act as if our investigation of Guckert is about prurience and lacks merit. But there is more than enough evidence to make any reporter want to check out the possibilities of White House deception and media manipulation.
The Times' editors shouldn't allow themselves to think they are above the fray. In truth, they are failing to speak truth to power.
Untested bloggers pick up where hardened news hounds left off
Untested bloggers pick up where hardened news hounds left off
Written by student Ian McNamara of Cosumnes River College, Sacramento, CA:
"Hopefully the mainstream media and the large corporations that own them will realize that mainstream media reporting must improve to keep the bloggers at bay. That likely means a bigger news department budget and less profit.
Of course, the large corporations could dump the more costly professional journalists and hire the bloggers."
LINK - (I think you'll enjoy reading the whole story)
John Edwards Visits Hannibal's Demo Days
"When a merely honest man appears he is a comet--his fame is eternal--needs no genius, no talent--mere honesty."
- Mark Twain
John Edwards Visits Hannibal's Demo Days
An honest man in politics is met with cheers
The scene:
Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, at a banquet held as part of an event called "Democrat Days", which isn't really about elected officials. It's a unique experience. It doesn't happen in many places. The grassroots control what happens in their own arena — as opposed to decisions made from 'the top of the ticket'.
John Edwards drew cheers from the party faithful when he said:
"This party has always fought for people who don't have a voice. This party has always believed that everybody should have an opportunity to do well. And we believe that we have a moral responsibility to help those who are struggling.During an interview, he said:
"If you spend so much time talking about your proposals and your programs, people don't know what you're made of inside. They need to know what it is that drives us every single day, and as simple as that sounds it is at the core of what people look for when they vote for a presidential candidate."He urged Democrats to stay true to their roots and communicate clearly about what Democrats believe.
There were 650 people in attendance, and such a large crowd in a non-election year is unusual. The Democrat Days organizer John Yancey credited much of that to John Edward's popularity with the people.
Missouri Democrats at the event were fired up over their belief that Republicans, while controlling the governor's mansion and the Legislature, are hypocritically embracing policies out of line with the religious values that their [Republican] party claims to espouse.
The confluence of former Senator Edwards with his appearance in the boyhood home of Mark Twain recalls, to my mind, a quotation from Twain's "A Tramp Abroad", where Twain visits the opera and sees a performance of "Lohengrin".
This was while a gorgeous procession of people marched around and around, in the third act, and sang the Wedding Chorus. To my untutored ear that was music--almost divine music. While my seared soul was steeped in the healing balm of those gracious sounds, it seemed to me that I could almost resuffer the torments which had gone before, in order to be so healed again. There is where the deep ingenuity of the operatic idea is betrayed. It deals so largely in pain that its scattered delights are prodigiously augmented by the contrasts. A pretty air in an opera is prettier there than it could be anywhere else, I suppose, just as an honest man in politics shines more than he would elsewhere.I would imagine the Democrats in Hannibal got that feeling yesterday upon hearing John Edwards, a man they see as refreshingly honest, realistically optimistic, and firmly standing in the hope for the healing of our land.
Interview: Uma Thurman
Still Cool
Creative Loafing's Interview with Uma Thurman
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"The white youth of today have begun to react to the fact that the "American Way of Life" is a fossil of history. What do they care if their old baldheaded and crew-cut elders don't dig their caveman mops? They couldn't care less about the old, stiffassed honkies who don't like their new dances: Frug, Monkey, Jerk, Swim, Watusi. All they know is that it feels good to swing to way-out body-rhythms instead of dragassing across the dance floor like zombies to the dead beat of mind-smothered Mickey Mouse music."
- Eldridge Cleaver
Be Cool is getting panned all over the internet
Saturday, March 05, 2005
In Syracuse
In Syracuse
The mission of the Redhouse in Syracuse is to present works of theatre, film, music and fine art in an intimate and innovative way. Currently, in cinema at the Redhouse, you can see Rivers and Tides, which is a sensual and poetic journey into the world and mind of renowned sculptor Andy Goldsworthy. Filmmaker Thomas Riedelsheimer followed the artist for over a year intimately documenting his improvisational process and capturing the artist’s relentless obsession, observation and manipulation of the seemingly ordinary as he coaxes nature’s raw materials into striking sculptural forms.
Larry Hoyt presents his "Common Threads" radio show every Sunday on WAER radio (88.3) from 2-5pm.
This coming Saturday, March 12, The Lost Boys will play at the Westcott Community Center, in conjunction with the Folkus Project, on a double bill with Dana "Short Order" Cooke. The Lost Boys are in their sixth year as one of Central New York's premier bluegrass groups. My old friend Paul Wakker has the purest bluegrass tenor in this area, and his smooth, clear voice is often compared to the singing of Vince Gill. (I surely do wish I could attend, I have a family wedding this weekend.)
More upcoming Westcott Community Center concerts are listed HERE.
Blog Josh tells us about a new cybercafe which is now open at 700 South Crouse Ave. It's called Cybercuse.
There is a Philosopher's Carnival at Parablemania, with more at EG.
The faculty and staff of the Program in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) at Syracuse University are committed to working with South Side residents to address their business needs. The goal of the South Side Entrepreneurial Connect Project (now on line) is to foster the development of a sustainable entrepreneurial community within the South Side, including:
- increasing the number of new start-ups,
- facilitating the stabilization and growth of existing small businesses, and
- building a supportive infrastructure that connects entrepreneurs at different stages of development to critical resources.
Red Thunder shares a Mohawk Grandmother's words of wisdom to her children.
David Metraux has some fantastic travel photography to show you.
Doppler lives
NYCO reassures us that Doppler the WSTM Weather Cat is still alive, contrary to the rumor of his demise.
Mark Blum is a bit more skeptical...
Mick Mather recommends "Miss Bea's Diary", and I think you'll agree that it's an intriguing, unique and colorful place to visit. I especially love Bea's recipe for Spicy Peanut Sauce.
Exposing Hypocrisy
Exposing Hypocrisy
Nicola Calipari, by witness accounts, died while acting as a human shield for freed hostage/Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena.
Now, think about that while you re-read Jim Gibbons' recent statement.
Even though it's likely that the troops were just doing their job, Eason Jordan's words are ringing through my mind this morning.
Now, think about the right-wing-bloggers' witch-hunt that silenced Eason's professional concerns about journalists in Iraq.
I'll say no more.
Atrios comments here.
Joe Gandelman has collected some comments here.
Bill Maher on Jeff Gannon
Bill Maher on Jeff Gannon
Bill Maher, Robin Williams, Leslie Stahl, Joe Biden on Jeff Gannon.
Thanks to Mike for this referral.
Question: For all his tough talk, why hasn't Senator Biden been more of a force in getting the investigation going? He backed off on signing the letter to the President.
John Edwards Visits Kansas
John Edwards Visits Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. - Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards stumped here Friday, assuring fellow Democrats that they represent the working class, excoriating Republicans and President Bush's plan to revamp Social Security.
On the Democratic party and the media:
"There are people in the Democratic Party and there are people on television, you know, who yap a lot, who say that the Democrats don't know what they believe in..There are a lot of Democratic politicians, unfortunately, who are nuancing and changing their positions, trying to figure out the best way to maneuver their way through the political landscape, in order to try to be more appealing to more people. I think that's dead wrong.."
About more Americans struggling financially and falling deeper into debt - and how that trend is not an accident:
"It is by design because our Republican leaders value one thing: wealth. We see it in everything they do."
Ex-Pentagon Aide Tells Neocons to Cool It
Ex-Pentagon Aide Tells Neocons to Cool It
I was reading Laura Rozen (one of my favorites) and was led to an interesting article at The Forward about a former Pentagon aide named Dov Zakheim. Dov admonished NeoCons in a recent public speech, telling them that they cannot expect to transform the Middle East overnight and that establishing democracy in the region will never be won in any fruitful way by an endless force of arms. Mr. Zakheim agrees with something that I mentioned last Thursday while I was talking about the Neocon glee over developments in Lebanon and ex-CIA officer Michael Scheuer's solemn warning. I had said:
Somewhere between lies a caution that we must use in our approach and with which we must measure our country's options for military involvement.Mr. Zakheim says:
"I support the idea of democracy, but we have to be cautious about it. This is not the first time Iraq has had an election. We shouldn't view the future with rose-colored glasses."Mr. Zakheim says he doesn't believe the Bush administration is a "neocon" administration, and that Bush is simply a hard-headed guy with a vision. I don't agree there. I have witnessed Bush repeating, almost verbatim, the words and sentiments of neocons in publications like The Weekly Standard and National Review. I gave you an example the other day:
I realize that President Bush is their best representative, because every time I see an editorial by a Neocon, Bush is repeating their lines the very next day.Bob Woodward revealed, after interviewing Bush, that Bush considers himself to be "a gut player" who relies largely on his instinctive reactions to crises." Bush has claimed to "read" only the newspaper stories which have been selected by his staff, and he also relies on just a few people for most of his ideas about the world (a world he had not traveled in the years leading up to his presidency). John Bridgeland, who was the first director of Bush's Domestic Policy Council said of Bush: "He trusts his closest advisers to synthesize the information he needs."
It's apparent, to me, which stories Bush's staff are selecting. Combining Bush's hard-headedness and his synthesized newsworld of information, along with his reliance upon his own instinct, and I think you have the near-perfect picture of a man who will likely execute a war on Syria.
I have to say, after reading Dov Zakheim's comments, that I think he's a conservative American (he won't admit to being a neoconservative) with a hope for peace and democracy in the Middle East. I do have to question his own judgement, however, when he can say this and expect us to believe it:
JULY 7, 2004: "The situation today [in Iraq] is not bad at all. In terms of the big picture, the Middle East is better off without Saddam Hussein. The majority of Iraqis support America's presence; and the world is starting to stand behind the U.S. effort."And Mr. Zakheim tells Neocons to take off their rose-colored glasses?!
Yet, even Mr. Zakheim is telling the neocons to cool their jets.
Go figure.
Bloggers' Freedom of Speech Threatened by FEC/Congress
Bloggers' Freedom of Speech Threatened by FEC/Congress/American "Justice"
Gee, thanks, McCain/Feingold
From Seeing the Forest:
CNET: "The coming crackdown on blogging"I'm including this excerpt:
Declan McCullagh's latest is an interview with Bradley Smith, a Republican FEC commissioner, about the potential effects of being forced to apply McCain-Feingold campaign donation regulations to the Internet.
Here's the first paragraph:"In just a few months, he warns, bloggers and news organizations could risk the wrath of the federal government if they improperly link to a campaign's Web site. Even forwarding a political candidate's press release to a mailing list, depending on the details, could be punished by fines."Apparently (perhaps because of the Talon News/GOPUSA scandal), the regulatory issue has produced a partisan split--there was a 3-3 vote to not to appeal the Internet related portion of Judge Kollar-Kotelly's latest order. I'm not sure what the Democratic Party appointees' rationale for this vote was (they're not quoted), but, at least on the surface, the postulated outcome is fairly alarming... links to candidate websites being categorized as campaign donations, along with forwarding press releases to email lists (for example).
--Thomas Leavitt
Then what's the real impact of the judge's decision?
...It becomes a really complex issue that would strike deep into the heart of the Internet and the bloggers who are writing out there today. (Editor's note: federal law limits the press exemption to a "broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication." )
How do you see this playing out?
There's sensitivity in the commission on this. But remember the commission's decision to exempt the Internet only passed by a 4-2 vote.
This time, we couldn't muster enough votes to appeal the judge's decision. We appealed parts of her decision, but there were only three votes to appeal the Internet part (and we needed four). There seem to be at least three commissioners who like this.
Then this is a partisan issue?
Yes, it is at this time. But I always point out that partisan splits tend to reflect ideology rather than party. I don't think the Democratic commissioners are sitting around saying that the Internet is working to the advantage of the Republicans.
One of the reasons it's a good time to (fix this) now is you don't know who's benefiting. Both the Democrats and Republicans used the Internet very effectively in the last campaign.
What would you like to see happen?
I'd like someone to say that unpaid activity over the Internet is not an expenditure or contribution, or at least activity done by regular Internet journals, to cover sites like CNET, Slate and Salon. Otherwise, it's very likely that the Internet is going to be regulated, and the FEC and Congress will be inundated with e-mails saying, "How dare you do this!"
MARCH 6 UPDATE: Kos readers have caught wind of the story and are currently discussing it.
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