Well, this did not take long in coming. And maybe not soon enough for some. The intent obviously is laudable. If people continue to straddle between criminality and what is deemed acceptable behavior, why not a law to make sure? If people cannot exercise restraint and civility on the Net, why not a law to identify when necessary who these people are? So even if it is not a crime, at least let the people initiating them be properly identified and let them weigh the risks of being known if what they have initiated may indeed be embarrassing, foolhardy, or even stupid and mean like maybe using bad language in the many ways that we now find them in the Net – whether in grammar, syntax, or plainly inappropriate terms or false charges.
Of course, there is the First Amendment factor involved in this, too. And many would argue that this is headed toward a slippery slope. Thus to curtail on-line bullying and harassment this time, but who knows what would be next?
Is the effort good enough for the purposes intended?
Kentucky Lawmaker Wants to Make Anonymous Internet Posting Illegal
By Kellie Wilson
Kentucky Representative Tim Couch filed a bill this week to make anonymous posting online illegal.
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.
Representative Couch says he filed the bill in hopes of cutting down on online bullying. He says that has especially been a problem in his Eastern Kentucky district.
(Disclaimer: Elvis absolutely had nothing to do with this. But I have to admit he makes for a very attractive intro to this entry. HeHeHe. Sorry, but since I cannot remember how and where I got this pic I cannot make the proper attribution. But am very willing to make some if and when notified.)