WebProNews previously reported how Kentucky State Representative, Tim Couch, proposed a bill that would not allow Kentuckians to comment anonymously on the Internet.
In summary, House Bill 775 would require anyone who wants to leave a comment on a Web site to register their real name, address, and e-mail address with the Web site. They would be expected to use their real name whenever they commented. Web site operators who would not abide by the law would be fined $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for any additional violation.
Considering how powerful the issue is, the WebProNews video department tried repeatedly to contact Representative Tim Couch for a video interview. When Mr. Couch returned our calls, he declined the interview saying he was overwhelmed with the feedback this bill has brought.
Mr.Couch says his name has been slashed all over the blogosphere for this bill. I tried to persuade him the interview would give him the opportunity to explain to the blogosphere his original intentions, but he still declined saying:
“I only wanted to make a statement, and I did.”
Mr. Couch told me over the phone that he is being attacked on the Internet. He has received countless e-mails and phone calls not only at his office, but also at his home. His daughter received a call that contained severe “foul language.”
He said, “I am not a Communist,” like he thinks the blogosphere is making him out to be.
On the Lexington Herald-Leader blog, Pol Watchers, John Cheves gives the explanation that Mr. Couch was trying to protect the children in his district.
"Some nasty things have been said about high school kids in my district, usually by other kids. The adults get in on it, too."
Drew Curtis of the famous Fark.com, which is based in Kentucky, wrote, “Kentucky lawmaker wants to r-u-n-n-o-f-t largest website in the state. Drew looking forward to moving Fark to the Cayman Islands.”
Mr. Couch also told WebProNews that he does not think the bill will go anywhere especially after the strong response he’s received. He said he would like the negativity to stop, and he’s very busy at the moment working on the state budget.
Hopefully the voters in Kentucky will grasp the severity of big brother Representative Couch wants to impose on them and vote or impeach him out of office.
Politicians are adept at using fear mongering tactics to scare people into giving up control to them. There will ALWAYS be inhumanity to man because that's how it's suppose to be. The real issue is how can we deal with the ugliness of the world without destroying life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
| Popular WPN Business Resources |
 |
 |
|
|
|
     |
iEntry 10th Anniversary
RSS
Newsletter
Advertising
I agree
I think Mr. Couch has quite good intentions.
You look at the number of internet stalking type offences that escape the law - two highly publicised ones alone in the last day.
You look at how easy it is to upload things on u tube and the like, criminal things for that matter.
Making people responsible for their words and uploads has much merit for protecting innocent people, including children.
I don't know if Mr Couch has the solution, but at least someone is really trying to get this criminal element under control.
If someone knows a better way of keeping this area controlled, lets hear it, but lets not shoot the messenger that something really needs to be done NOW. To many people are really getting hurt - young people.
Only today I heard about the girl who was cyber stalked, then got run over by two teenagers doing the cyber stalking. Another 18 year old had her parents address blasted all ove the internet with hate mail about them, because the daughter had taken a restraining order out on his cyberstalking - but he's still doing it.
You have to agree, something has to be done, as these people don't care who they hurt.