Good news: Kentucky lawmaker wants to outlaw anonymous blog comments
posted at 1:15 pm on March 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
I resign effective immediately.
Or rather, I would if this was remotely constitutional.
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.
Supposedly it’s illegal under federal preemption too, which is another reason why Tim Couch, the guy who sponsored it, says he won’t push it. Exit question one: This is a transparent ploy by Couch to get a shot on the O’Reilly Factor, right? Exit question two: Legal issues aside, how much would a rule like this improve the quality of blog comments? 200-300%, maybe? Exit question three: How many of you would refuse to comment anymore if it went into effect? Be honest.
Blowback
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Gee, someone must have posted something really nasty on Timmy’s MySpace page to get his undies all in a bunch. Why else would he come up with something this stupid?
pilamaye on March 10, 2008 at 1:18 PM
my name is John Smith…sue me
windansea on March 10, 2008 at 1:19 PM
A rule like this might kill off a few trolls, but beyond that, I don’t expect quality would increase that much. I, for one, would continue to comment if such a rule went into effect.
Kid from Brooklyn on March 10, 2008 at 1:20 PM
No, it would produce 100 commenters with variations of the name Rod Hertz or other similarly moronic joke names on every site.
And since I say nothing on the internet that I wouldn’t say in real life, it wouldn’t change my habits one bit
Number 2 on March 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Just what we don’t need – more government regulation. If I find something that offends me I just skip over it.
TooTall on March 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
I want to stop online bullying. But I don’t want my full name and full address made public for every identity thief and spammer to enjoy.
SoulGlo on March 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Does that apply to all those criminals who write books with pen-names? Such as Mark Twain?
Aristotle on March 10, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I would refuse to comment anymore simply because I don’t want my name searchable online. Currently, nothing comes up about me, and that’s the way I would like to keep it. Putting my full name up there? Uh uh…would make it too easy for potential employers with differing political views to turn me down, or potential organizations to turn me down based on my political views.
MadisonConservative on March 10, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I’d change my name to Tim Couch.
Mr. Bingley on March 10, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I don’t have a problem with people knowing my real name, for the most part (Its on my blog, after all)
But there are times when I don’t I also don’t think I should be mandated to tell you what it is.
Mattpat11 on March 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Knowing everybody’s address who makes a comment… that could be fun…
frankj on March 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Couch is a moron.
Chakra Hammer on March 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Unlike some bloggers I use my real name anyway but it’s still a dumb idea.
bdfaith on March 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I’d still comment.
Jason Coleman on March 10, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Dearest Number 2:
We take grievous offence at your characterization of “Rod Hertz” as a moronic joke name.
Warmest Regards,
Dick Fitzwell, Haywoode Yablomi, Craven Morehead, and Harry Balzagna.
Kid from Brooklyn on March 10, 2008 at 1:25 PM
I don’t care. I’ll still comment. You can’t stop Joe Paterno!
MarkoMancuso on March 10, 2008 at 1:25 PM
I think most of the people, who spew vitriol on blog comments, would just find better ways to spend their
negative energyfree time. Reading blogs would become alot less interesting.Yoshi on March 10, 2008 at 1:25 PM
But……Bacadog is my real name.
BacaDog on March 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I’m not an Objectivist, but on a few of their forums they encourage people to use a real photo and their real names. I think it works pretty good.
ninjapirate on March 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Just how much of a problem is it (online bullying)? He got a single complaint? Two? And for that, he’d want to violate the Constitution of TN and the US Constitution?
Good luck with that.
lawhawk on March 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I’m all for it, but only on the KC Star Chiefs discussion board. Maybe then certain cowardly people will stop calling me a “racist” for saying, “Herman Edwards is a bad coach and has no business even being a co-ordinator in the NFL.”
srhoades on March 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Except you still need to register your real address.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
(sarcasm implied)
srhoades on March 10, 2008 at 1:27 PM
You guys like the Jerky Boys?
Roofin’ Yo! It’s Frank! Frank Rizzo! open your ears jack_ss!
Chakra Hammer on March 10, 2008 at 1:28 PM
WTF? What’s next? Open ballets?
Yitzchokm on March 10, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Hmmm, that Baltimor Sun article about what happened to Michelle Malkin does come to mind. If I disagree with a jihadi, a Code Pinko, or ALF, might they then burn down my house? Not a safe world out there any more.
a capella on March 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Does anyone else thing Princess Bride every time they hear “be honest?”
I think I’d still post, but one or two creepy stalking stories (it came from the internets….) would probably put a chill on that. Got a fambly, after all.
TexasDan on March 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I don’t know about that…but it would weed out trolls.
Well how would we register with real names? Would I have to come down somewhwere, show my ID to WordPress or something, so I wouldn’t use a fake name? But yeah….I’d still post, but fight that unconstitutional bill as far as I could.
JetBoy on March 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I change my name to ted kennedy
ha ha ha, lets see how he likes it now!!!
me suuhh smrt!
Defector01 on March 10, 2008 at 1:31 PM
A couple of years ago, there was a comment brawl over at Ace’s with a troll who claimed that conservatives would never say the things they say on blogs if they had to put their real name on it (I know, max irony alert).
I promptly posted my real name and address, and invited him/her/it over to my house for an ass kicking (him/her/it declined).
I think a law like this would destroy some lefty sites, conservative ones…not so much.
ChrisM on March 10, 2008 at 1:33 PM
He’s a horrendously overrated quarterback, and an even worse lawmaker.
(I know, not the same guy)
Mark V. on March 10, 2008 at 1:33 PM
…And NO, this Tim Couch is indeed not this Tim Couch.
Course, if it were the later it would make more sense, as Couch became the very first overall #1 pick to be railroaded out of a job strictly by anonymous comments on various Cleveland Browns fan websites (BrownsTNG.com in particular) over his all-too-often-painful, impossibly frustrating to watch slow release, and four week NFL career.
ChipDWood on March 10, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Can you imagine? In the 2040 elections, some fiery posts that a college kid dashed off from his dorm room in 2008 comes back to haunt his presidential aspirations.
tlynch001 on March 10, 2008 at 1:34 PM
I actually like this exit question. Think about it.
If you have a false name and address already, who would know the difference?
I don’t use my real name 3/4ths of the time and my address is sure as heck not my address.
It just makes it more interesting to do idenity theft or harm someone who has ticked you off. All you have to do is put their name and address and then go off!
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Obama wannabe?
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 1:35 PM
What a load of crap….it amazes me that lawmakers still try things like this.
Livefreeordie on March 10, 2008 at 1:35 PM
my name is John Smith…
I’d still comment.
.
If its that easy for the illegals to get new names and socials, we could do it.
I might just start a new biz????
Pls call 1-800 NEW ID4U
shooter on March 10, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Exit question #4…Would the KOS and Huffington Post be out of business? Probably.
What a moronic suggestion…What’s to stop anyone from making up a name and address? Or, will it be illegal to do that to? Maybe half of all Americans can be charged with a crime.
Those idiots need to go back to investigating Roger Clemens. That was a national crisis compared to this.
orlandocajun on March 10, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Impossibly painful to watch. Hmm, that sounds like Penn State’s recently departed QB.
MarkoMancuso on March 10, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Mr. Couch is from KY – which has a lot of inbreeding down in “them thar hollers” – so, what did you expect?
The world’s imploding around this a**hat’s head – and he’s concerned with on-line bullying???
alwyr (aka Alan O’Connor) I furnished the last, just so there won’t be any $500 fine involved.
alwyr on March 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
I agree with MadisonConservative: If the site were robot-crawlable (e.g., by Google), I would no longer comment. Although I don’t mind folks on a website knowing who I am, I’d very much mind my comments showing up on a web search to potential employers who might not share my political viewpoint.
calbear on March 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
i feel smart. i beat allah to this story by 3 days!
needless to say, that’s from the part of my state that will likely be writing in huckabee in the november elections “cuz he’s a good Christian!”
its vintage duh on March 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Couch is a RINO who is so PC that he wants to end bullying online, (that blows my yittle mind)…Somebody needs to tell him that we have no constitutional right NOT to be offended. and that builds character to be strong enough to ignore the bullies. Perhaps he’s trying to heal his childhood with this one.
Also, I wonder what Couch would do when someone, who shoots off his/her mouth, is hunted down and murdered because his bill made him/her use their full name in every blog. Sounds like the 1st amendment is on life support.
Christine on March 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
infidel on March 10, 2008 at 1:38 PM
I have a hard time believing that ALF wants to burn down your house.
Mike Honcho on March 10, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Yikes. I’d be happy to take ownership of the things I say online, but putting my address out there is another story entirely. Given the context of any given person’s comments over a length of time you can learn a lot about them…pair that with an address and you’ve got a security issue. Fortunately, if that were ever passed (unlikely) it would just mean that there would be no servers located in KY.
blankminde on March 10, 2008 at 1:40 PM
My full name…probably. Address…definitely. Remember, the moonbats have the time, the transportation….
All Rep. Couch would do is turn internet bullying into real bullying.
James on March 10, 2008 at 1:40 PM
I want FCC to regulate popular blogs
PrezHussein on March 10, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I would intentionally set up masses of forums with various bots generating anonymous posts, just to bankrupt the system.
Anyway, there’s no way this goes anywhere, as it is so obscenely & violently unconstitutional. Couch desperately needs to be removed from office for even suggesting such a disgustingly fascistic bill. What an asshole.
LimeyGeek on March 10, 2008 at 1:43 PM
IM GO ALONG WITH IT…..IF they’ll outlaw anonymous votes (including committee votes) for all Representatives and Senators as a condition for this measure to be effective!!!
/sarc>
landlines on March 10, 2008 at 1:43 PM
He’s gonna cut down on internet bullying by letting people do it in person. Do I have the concept now?
TexasDan on March 10, 2008 at 1:43 PM
and increasing offline assassinations?
dogsoldier on March 10, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Being only slightly less of a bust than Ryan Leaf makes you overated? Wow you really don’t like Tim Couch.
Shtetl G on March 10, 2008 at 1:44 PM
I already use my name.
I am in favor of people putting their real names with their comments.
rhuppertz on March 10, 2008 at 1:45 PM
I’ve always thought the Nutcracker and Swan Lake should be performed in secret.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on March 10, 2008 at 1:45 PM
So, things are going so swimmingly in TN that they have time to worry about what some people write about others on a small part of the World Wide Web?
I know I’d still comment
-Hillary
Rodham, er,Rodham Clinton, er,Clinton.
of
Chicago, er,Arkansas, god help me, er,Washington DC, er,New York
rbj on March 10, 2008 at 1:47 PM
And this guy’s a Republican? What an idiot…
By the way, here’s his address and phone number.
CP on March 10, 2008 at 1:48 PM
KY, not TN.
robblefarian on March 10, 2008 at 1:49 PM
I’M SPARTACUS!
Somebody had to say that. This is the height of assclownery anyway, and I was very disappointed to see that it was brought up by an alleged Republican.
Good thing I comment under my real name, so I’m safe from Nanny Stater Tim Couch. And yes, that was a lie of Clintonesque proportions.
ReubenJCogburn on March 10, 2008 at 1:49 PM
I don’t know #1, but
#2 – definitely would improve the quality. Drastically.
#3 – I wouldn’t comment anymore. The benefit of not using one’s own name is that it puts the focus on the argument, not the fame of the presenter. Having said that, though, I also recognize I comment less now as the general quality declines. Ie the market decides anyway.
I would also note that much of the early politic dialogue in the press was done with pseudonyms. It’s an American tradition.
Spirit of 1776 on March 10, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Seriously I have no problem with using my name but I see a danger especially women and stalkers. I suggest that Mr Couch take the lead and list his name, real addresses and phone numbers on the net first..if he survives the year I will consider it.
As far as what i post as far as comments you are welcome to google my name James Kotthoff to see what i have to say.
JKotthoff on March 10, 2008 at 1:49 PM
I’d still comment.
But I wouldn’t say ‘nipple’ as much.
Hoodlumman on March 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM
I’LL GO ALONG WITH IT…..IF they’ll outlaw all anonymous votes (including committee votes) for all Representatives and Senators as a condition for this measure, and require a FULL list of all campaign contributors to be published on the Internet within 10 days of contribution, including members of 527′s, repeal McCain-Feingold, and repeal all firearm restrictions (including state and local) before the law can be made effective!!!
/sarc>
landlines on March 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Depends on your definition of “I”
LimeyGeek on March 10, 2008 at 1:51 PM
I am John Doe!
Logic on March 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Allah
1) maybe
2)nah,…..
3)you betcha
jerrytbg on March 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Ha!
thebrokenchair on March 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Probably.
Most people wouldn’t care, but there are a lot o’ loonies out there. Just ask Michelle Malkin.
I’m fairly innofensive, and don’t tend to annoy people, but you never know.
Bob's Kid on March 10, 2008 at 1:54 PM
As for the exit questions:
1} wouldn’t surprise me if he did appear on The O’Rielly factor…sounds like him and Bill O agree as far as the internet and blogs goes.
2) It would improve comments some what but also might stop some commenters who have valid points due to where they work. so it might be a wash.
3) Possibly but only due to safety concerns..as I said the name issue doesn’t bother me but address info is too much
JKotthoff on March 10, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Actually, I might still comment under my real name. I tone down my thoughts for fear of being banned (as I’m doing right now) so using my real name wouldn’t be an deal-breaker.
Still this is a stupid and futile attempt. The horse has left the barn, gone to pasture and sired generations of new horses. The whole effort is doomed, doomed, doomed. Thanks goodness.
Vote Sauron 08 on March 10, 2008 at 1:55 PM
landlines on March 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM
what a wonderful world it would be!
jerrytbg on March 10, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Just call me Randy Shackleford.
Beo on March 10, 2008 at 1:58 PM
That law would be nothing but a “make work” project for lawyers. Screw them. lol
HEH: I clicked on the link hoping to discover if Couch is a Dem or a GOP — guess which one? Anonymous!
An “anonymous lawmaker” is a Democrat by default, right?
Bacchus on March 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM
This is my real name, too …
SomebodyElse on March 10, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Yup. Banning anonymous should fix it all ’cause people never sign up with fake names…..
locomotivebreath1901 on March 10, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Oops
No more “rabid dog” comments.
franksalterego on March 10, 2008 at 2:04 PM
You think?
What an As*-Clown!
I can see it now………. “……..Representative Couch is not in his office at the moment. He is currently in India trying to track down someone who didn’t use their real name on a blog posting.”
Seven Percent Solution on March 10, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Exit question four: If this was 1787, would Tim Couch want to silence “Publius”? Probably.
ReubenJCogburn on March 10, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I wouldn’t comment under my real name as I wouldn’t want my employer to feel undermined by how witty and erudite I am.
schiehallion on March 10, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Exit questions:
1. If he gets to sit with MKH he is a genius!
2. yep
3. Roger that
dmann on March 10, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Note to Representative “Thought Police” Couch:
Paranoia will destroy ya’.
Frank
franksalterego on March 10, 2008 at 2:12 PM
What about legislative bullying?
My name is davidk and I approve this message.
davidk on March 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Maybe we could consider this the day after everything a CongressCritter says, writes or otherwise communicates to anyone is recorded and published. This, of course would include all the lobbying, dealing and earmark promos. They are Public Servants! We have the right to know!
Oh…Couch’s interest seems to have slackened….
eeyore on March 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
This wouldn’t shut me up in the slightest.
No fear.
Geronimo on March 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
No, my name is John Smith.
Tzetzes on March 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM
You’re the one payin’ the fine…
Tzetzes on March 10, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Funnnny!
davidk on March 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM
I piss off so many people online that it would be suicide for me to post. Luckily I live in Canada so I can just give fake info and get away with it. And by fake I mean I’d use some real life enemies’ name and address. Mwahahaha. O,..,O
Darth Executor on March 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM
A spam law would be nice in lieu of this….
John from OPFOR on March 10, 2008 at 2:22 PM
I wouldn’t post anywhere under my real name. There are insane lunatics out there and I don’t include myself in that category.
Sue on March 10, 2008 at 2:26 PM
IF this ever comes to pass, it will be as effective as having to state your age when you log on to Budweiser website.
southsideironworks on March 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM
That would all depend on the blog and website due to this part of the bill.
I have no problem with a blog or website I sign up with having my full personal information, but publishing it to others is another question. Didn’t you have an article a year or more ago about a crazy liberal professor who was sending death threats to a blogger and his children? By publishing peoples names then crazy person like that professor would have another tool to track them down.
The other big issue with this bill is there needs to be some registration agency that would have to track valid names, addresses and contract information or it would be useless and I don’t see that happening.
JeffinSac on March 10, 2008 at 2:31 PM
I am Spartacus.
But seriously, I’m in the military, and I post on conservative blogs such as this one. Why in Hell would I want to bring that kind of annoyance to me and my family? Why would the government want to bring that kind of annoyance? How about he posts his e-mail address online, and I’ll just forward all the junk and hate mail I would receive to him?
I like that idea.
Spc Steve on March 10, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Oh, I would continue to comment, the libertarian in me would be howling about big brother wanting to keep track of me and what I say. So Hillary can send me to the gulag for re-education later.
conservnut on March 10, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Yep, like this one for example.
For a multitude of reasons, I would not comment if my identity was known.
Buy Danish on March 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM
I don’t use my real name because I don’t want my opinions affecting the hiring and promotional decisions of any potential employers of mine in the future. Heck, some day even insurance companies might figure out a way to incorporate my opinions into their risk assessment calculations and either increase my rates or deny me coverage altogether because of them, and I’m only half kidding about that.
It’s too risky to share my opinions online under my real name and I would only do so under two circumstances that I can think of: one, if I were independently wealthy and confident that I would never have to work another day in my life unless I so choose, or two, if I were being well paid to publish my opinions and was confident that I could continue making a living doing so in perpetuity.
FloatingRock on March 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I would continue to offer my amusing atheist observations even if everyone knew where I lived. I’m not afraid of the believers. ;)
Enrique on March 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Yes, and now we’d use new ones. One of the “real” names used would be Phil McCracken or Lou Sanis for this exercise.
Miss_Anthrope on March 10, 2008 at 2:46 PM
I would continue commenting under my real name: Senator Charles Palantine (“We ARE the People”).
Travis Bickle on March 10, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Paging Richard Smoker….
James on March 10, 2008 at 2:51 PM
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