I want to congratulate Redstate for its four year anniversary and the launch of this great new iteration of the website. Redstate has proven to be an essential way for elected leaders to communicate with their constituents and Erick Erickson and his team deserve praise for creating such a forum.
It is ironic, then, that on the fourth anniversary of Redstate’s
launch, some in Congress are working to build a digital wall
between Washington and the American people.
I know this has been covered here already, but for those unfamiliar, the Chairman of the Committee of House Administration (CHA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), is trying to regulate members’ use of video sharing sites like YouTube. However, there is no reason the legislative precedent could not set the stage for similar laws that would apply to non-video social media websites as well (especially considering most social websites feature all manner of media).
Congressman Capuano and Senator Diane Feinstein will reportedly
introduce legislation, supported by many of their left-wing allies,
which would empower CHA or another House entity to determine what
websites can be used by members and which cannot. The truly
Orwellian aspect of their effort is that it is under the guise of
making it easier for members to post videos.
It is difficult to imagine rules so contrary to the spirit of the entire concept of social media websites than laws determining who can and cannot use them and in what manner they can be used. (The proposed rules also seem to fly in the face of the spirit of free speech in a representative democracy, but we may have crossed that bridge a long time ago when so-called campaign finance laws were first enacted.)
Aside from the affront to free speech, several of the proposed guidelines are extraordinarily impractical. One would prevent videos from being posted on sites where it may appear with “commercial or political information or any other information not in compliance with the House’s content guidelines.” One must wonder if Congressman Capuano and Senator Feinstein are aware of the ubiquity of banner ads on the internet. Now, large, rich social networking sites like YouTube or Facebook may be able to set up special, commercial free zones for Congressmen, but what about start-ups and niche sites that need all the revenue from ads just to continue service?
But let’s be clear about what this effort is. It is not a misguided attempt at good government; it is a first step toward reasserting the fairness doctrine and continuing the strangling of free speech. It is part of a disturbing erosion of the capacity for average Americans without great wealth or status to fully participate in the political process.
The internet had emerged over the past decade as a realm
refreshingly free of this sort of oppressive government tampering.
As a result, online activism and political discussion have
flourished. Thanks to websites like Redstate, YouTube, and a host
of others, average Americans without lobbyists can gain access to
their representatives that they never had before, and our elected
leaders and non-incumbent candidates can reach more people, easier,
and cheaper. They have allowed activists to quickly organize and
petition their government.
In sum, the openness of the internet has leveled the field between those entrenched in government power and those seeking real change. It is no wonder then that those on the Left who constantly yearn to maximize the power of the state over the lives of Americans would seek to start enacting laws to protect them from the “whims” of their constituents.
I encourage the members of Redstate to fight back against this
direct attack on our rights. In doing so we should work with
bloggers and other online activists on the Left, who, despite our
many differences, do share with us a belief that the internet
should be kept a free speech zone. And who knows, a victory in
stopping this government intrusion on our rights online could lead
to a rollback in the many intrusions on our free speech
offline.
Congratulations again on your fourth anniversary. The new website looks wonderful. And I look forward to engaging you in the future.
Thank you for the drill here drill now...
Jaded July 18th, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. CDT (link)
and if they attempt the fairness doctrine for radio "We the People" will insist it include NPR and all media CBS, NBC, ABC etc. can you imagine the uproar from those liberal quarters? It shall be fair for all this is America! Pelosi you and your 1st amendment stealing Democrats will not take the voice of the people!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy & does not destroy him is his own enemy
That's Positively Delicious
ggross56 July 18th, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. CDT (link)
I love the thought of hearing lbierals howling, though I can't bring myself to liking the Fairness Doctrine.
We're all proud
Kowalski July 18th, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. CDT (link)
We're all proud to be a part of Redstate, which I found completely by accident almost four years ago while surfing the web, and realized in about ten seconds that the Directors of the site had put together something really special here in the blogosphere: it was far and away the best collaborative Republican blog in the United States and the world.
Those of us who have been around long enough to watch the miscreants and the trolls and the misguided and the maladaptive come and go in waves (which is amazing to watch and I'm sure RS has a graph of it somewhere, since it usually tracks good news/bad news for Democrats and Republicans very well) understand what Pelosi's Gambit really is: it's just another Brick Howard Dean's Wall of Protection.
Mr. Speaker, now more than ever we need someone to be the Whip on this party and really help it rediscover its principles so we can at least limit the losses in this election and be well-placed to fight for the things we all believe in. I sincerely hope that all of the posts in the past few days from so many of your colleagues are a sign that they've recognized the kind of unity and determination we'll need in this election.
We stand ready to help: we've been wanting to help for a long time, and we're going to continue to do that in the future.
As long as you don't turn into a Pod Person, to paraphrase Bob Hahn ;), I'm optimistic about our chances and I'm everlastingly grateful and optimistic about America's chances. Please encourage your colleagues and friends to keep telling it like it is here on Redstate, and TMR also.
This party only survives by making sure it adheres to its principles while offering new ideas that are developed from those principles, and reminiding people that the alternative is really a sorry and sad form of institutionalized slavery. That's the message we need to send, in all it's various forms. It wins every time.
Defend Liberty -- Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
Thank you Mr. Gingrich
Kyle July 18th, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. CDT (link)
Being a student of history I have read many of your books including the fiction.
I have a great respect for you. I know you are a busy man but PLEASE come on this site more often. And don't think that you have to create a posting every time.
We would like to just get your comments on the many things we discuss on this forum.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty" Kyle
BTW Newt
Kowalski July 18th, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. CDT (link)
I've been one of the Republicans here who agrees that America needs to do something smart about energy and the environment. I'm all ears, and we have a winning issue on that, particularly if it's sensible economically and, er, metaphysically.
Defend Liberty -- Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
And here's a hint
Kowalski July 18th, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. CDT (link)
It doesn't have anything to do with AGW as much as it does about Americans being able to rely on more energy, more reliably, with less uncertainty and for less money per capita.
Those should be our goals, and I think those can be achieved: we unquestionably have the mindpower to do it, the question is whether or not we have the willpower to do it.
Defend Liberty -- Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
Not sure *energy* is our problem
Neil Stevens July 18th, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. CDT (link)
We've got clean coal up to our eyeballs. But we don't use steam engines anymore, so it's no good as fuel.
We need fuel.
HTML Help for Red Staters
Nobody can claim a "free speech" right to suck the fun out of our lives. Certainly not on a private board. – Steve Jackson
Freedom of Speech
KBDay July 18th, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. CDT (link)
Nancy Pelosi and Louise Slaughter will trample the constitutional right to freedom of speech if permitted.
This is a personal cause for me and I will definitely follow up by writing about it and contacting others.
Has Pelosi et.al considered the impact on a website? Here's why. NPR (aka National Progressive Radio)has audio files and podcasts. So does that mean every time a liberal podcast is aired, a conservative podcast should be as well?
I also believe she aims at damage control from left-wing bloggers, with her goals for the Fairness Doctrine. After all, they've been a wee bit upset with Sen. Obama's changes of mind on "thensitive" topics as well as the split among progressives who advocate for Sen. Clinton. There's more to this than her wanting equal time on talk radio and it is far more complicated now than when the doctrine was in place.
At any rate, I'm honored to read a post here by you. I'm new here, but I plan to stick around if they let me!
best, Kay B. Day
Thanks for the Post, Mr. Newt!
Whitehorse July 19th, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. CDT (link)
I enjoy your insight. This is an important issue, & I have written my congressman about this. Stifling free speech is repugnant.