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Arizona Passes Sweeping Law Criminalizing Internet Speech

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posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 02:37 PM
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Arizona Passes Sweeping Law Criminalizing Internet Speech


jonathanturley.org

In one of the most sweeping attacks on free speech in America, the Arizona legislature has passed a draconian bill that would criminalize speech on the Internet (“any electronic or digital device”) that prosecutors consider “obscene, lewd or profane language or . . . suggest[ing] a lewd or lascivious act if done with intent to ‘annoy,’ ‘offend,’ ‘harass’ or ‘terrify.’”

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer will now have to decide whether to sign this law.
(visit the link for the full news article)



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 02:37 PM
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The task of sorting out what is offensive and not offensive should not be left up to the government.

A mature adult should be able to simply ignore or walk away from that which he finds disagreeable or offensive.

Words such as "annoy," "offend," and "harass" are notoriously vague, and it is easy to twist these words so they become not shields to protect from obscenity but weapons to silence one's intellectual opponents.

Once a freedom is taken away, it is a lot harder to get back. Those of you who wish to protect your tender ears and eyes from objectionable material should be careful least you get what you wish for.

jonathanturley.org
(visit the link for the full news article)



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 02:46 PM
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So exactly how does this law work? Who does it affect? The article blog, the writer does not include the law itself, so I'm wondering.

If someone in Arizona doesn't like what I post somewhere, then they'll extradite me from SC, even though I do not live in their state?
What about international people?

I've very curious about this, since it's a state ordinance, and not national.



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 02:48 PM
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I would think this is an attempt to stop cyber bullying.



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 02:58 PM
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I wonder what the penalties for violating the law will be? I mean, free speech has its limitations, and for good reason, but those limitations must be very carefully and precisely chosen, otherwise the whole prospect of "free speech" becomes an oxymoron.

This law does seem to be an attempt to stop cyberbullying, but I wouldn't put it beyond the Arizona gov't to abuse it. It is rather vague, and who is to decide what is harassment? Doesn't the intent of the message lie within the sender and not the receiver?



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 03:03 PM
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so now we are going to have the internet police?
wow like I dont already pay enough in taxes
then there is the obvious freedom of speech... isnt that what America was founded on?



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 03:06 PM
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Originally posted by silent thunder


The task of sorting out what is offensive and not offensive should not be left up to the government.

A mature adult should be able to simply ignore or walk away from that which he finds disagreeable or offensive.



Unfortunately most of the people using the Internet are NOT adults. This law is designed to stop cyber harassment and while it does lurk in a shady gray area, I don't see them blocking your porn or ATS access.



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 03:19 PM
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For some reason this law makes me think of the classic Ice-T song "Freedom of speech....Just watch what you say." Seemed very appropriate here. I too think this is to stop cyber-bullying, but like someone mentioned above, be careful what you wish for, as these vague terms will be used for nefarious causes down the road.

en.wikipedia.org...



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 03:21 PM
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While this is a seriously important issue, and certainly merits our attention; I am sorry to report that I must move this thread as its' source is a blog.

Please do not disengage from this conversation as I think it is more important than many of those our regular media sources seem to be prepared or willing to report.

I will be moving this to Social Issues, since it does represent a threat to the boundaries of freedom of expression.

Thank you.



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 03:21 PM
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sorry semper lol..



edit on 5-4-2012 by yourmaker because: (no reason given)



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 03:45 PM
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reply to post by silent thunder
 





Arizona Governor Jan Brewer will now have to decide whether to sign this law


Do you think Jan Brewer will read this and give it the consideration it deserves and chuck it straight in the bin were it belongs or sign it into law
Chipping away at your rights till you have none left
Just simple sheeple with no opinions hiding in dark corners for fear of offending others
Freedom of Speech is my right so to arizona i say
Feck Off

Cran



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 04:20 PM
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Originally posted by silent thunder

Words such as "annoy," "offend," and "harass" are notoriously vague, and it is easy to twist these words so they become not shields to protect from obscenity but weapons to silence one's intellectual opponents.

Once a freedom is taken away, it is a lot harder to get back. Those of you who wish to protect your tender ears and eyes from objectionable material should be careful least you get what you wish for.

jonathanturley.org
(visit the link for the full news article)


That is the big problem here. How can you prove someone has NOT been offended or annoyed by something you posted? Does the onus fall on you to do so, or is the onus on the "claimant" to prove their offence. Either way is nigh on impossible to prove - yet I suspect the law will fall on the claimants side here and leave a defendant with an impossible mountain to climb.

What is the punishment? Loss of internet?
Sounds just another over the top draconian law that will end up being passed.

The laws already exist to deal with "cyberbullying" - its called harrasment.
I never get Cyber bullying to be honest. If it is happening - report it.
The bully can be traced..



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 04:48 PM
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As if courts in the U.S. weren't overflowing with frivolous lawsuits and unnecessary prosecution as it is, we need to keep piling on new stupid laws to "protect" people from themselves. The only people who win in this case are the lawyers. Lawyers write the laws - they write them in such a way that only a lawyer can make any sense of them (and even some of them have trouble) - and lawyers benefit when people break these new stupid laws and have to be defended in court. Some of them charge upwards of $200.00 - $500.00 PER HOUR! I say ENOUGH ALREADY!!! There's too many god-damn laws in this country. You can't go through the day without breaking some stupid law once or twice. We're all criminals.



posted on Apr, 5 2012 @ 06:31 PM
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It just struck me: Isn't ATS headquartered in Arizona? In Scottsdale, if I'm not mistaken.
If so, I wonder if this law would have a particular effect on ATS. I'm no lawyer but I wonder whether this wold be a factor.



posted on Apr, 6 2012 @ 12:21 AM
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reply to post by silent thunder
 


Looks to be an office location, if contact page is up to date. No mention of NY office there, as 'front' main page alludes to : www.theabovenetwork.com

www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/contact.php
"Arizona Executive Offices: ..."

Edgar on SEC.gov says

www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0001407979


Above Network LLC CIK(Central Index Key)#: 0001407979

State location: CT | State of Inc.: DE

Business Address 16 Glen Avenue Norwalk CT 06850 (203) 847-0786
Mailing Address 16 Glen Avenue Norwalk CT 06850


last filing on 2007-07-25



posted on Apr, 6 2012 @ 01:01 AM
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Originally posted by amongus
I would think this is an attempt to stop cyber bullying.


ok....then kids will go back to regular bullying...

How don't they see this ?

unless they don't care....



posted on Apr, 6 2012 @ 07:36 AM
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I find this whole law/bill to be extremely "offensive" and "annoying", the mere thought of it being passed is "terrifying" and my sanity is being "harassed" with every single freedom-stealing law they try to pass.
edit on 6-4-2012 by ChaoticOrder because: (no reason given)


SM2

posted on Apr, 6 2012 @ 07:45 AM
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What do they think the first amendment is protecting? Speech that is only polite and courteous? If it was polite and courteous it would need protection. When will these a@$hats in government learn to stop infringing on rights? If you find something that someone says is offensive, or they are harassing you online, it is very easy to turn off or block that individual. These laws are really getting out of hand and people need to stop being to damn thin skinned. What happen to America? Are we just a nation of weak, thin skinned sissies that we cant take a little insulting? Grow up America, we do not need coddling, grow a set already. This politically correct crap makes about as much sense as a football bat and all the little weenies that subscribe to it need to put down the granola, walk away from the drum circle and grow a pair.



posted on Apr, 6 2012 @ 07:45 AM
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I blame the people that classify being a douche online "trolling" making all the kids think it's cool to go be a #head everywhere they can so they can jump on the "trolling" bandwagon.

Real trolling is pretending to be someone your not just to see the response, it has nothing to do with harassment.

John Titor is a pretty good example.



posted on Apr, 6 2012 @ 07:48 AM
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Why Arizona I wonder? What speech is comming out of Arizona that thy want to shut up?



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