2008 House Bill 281 (Criminalize certain internet communications)

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Introduced by Rep. Charlie Hoffman on January 11, 2008, to make it a crime to communicate with a person, anonymously or otherwise, via the internet in a manner which causes annoyance or alarm and serves no purpose of legitimate communication. Anyone convicted of this form of "harassing communications" would be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor on the first offense and, on subsequent offenses, a Class A misdemeanor.
- Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on January 15, 2008.

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Comments

Introduced by Rep. Charlie Hoffman on January 11, 2008. New Comment

1) vote grabber alert [by manoverthere on January 24, 2008]
Is this about getting votes from people who don't install anti-spam software?
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2) First Amendment? [by David Dunn on January 12, 2008]
This is another negative nanny piece of legislation attacking American values.

Most computers are already equipped with adequate spam blocking features. In fact, they even block some things that aren't spam.

Too, there can be all kinds of computer glitches. It also appears that someone who receives an email from you can forwarded it on so that it looks like it coming directly from you.

Even if the person receiving the forwarded e-mail is not on your e-mail list, it looks like it's coming directly from you.

If you send an email to a group that another person can pick up, somehow it apparently can be forwarded to whomever s/he's spamming while all the time it looks like it's coming from you.

Then there's the fail-safe method of ignoring spam. Press the delete key. So far, it's worked every time.

Too, you can tell your computer that certain e-mails are spam and it will block subsequent e-mails.

This legislation is a piece of overkill and amounts to nothing more than an attack on American values, namely First Amendment rights of freedom of speech, press, etc.

E-mails do constitute a form of press.

Bloggers have taken over the job of the Fourth Estate since the media has ceded that responsibility in order to maximize corporate profits.

Put this legislation in the trash can labeled Demagogues, Tyrants, Censors, and other like-minded persons.
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3) a bit too strong [by newmark on January 11, 2008]
I would like a way to fight the spammers. Unfortunately, the language of this is too strong, and most of the spam comes from overseas anyway.

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4) Helppp [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
hmmm might be time to find another
state to live in if this ever passes.
give me a break and what a jerk he is.
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5) Fitting of this guy [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
Mr Hoffman is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He is a good ole boy who's only qualification is a large family of yellow dog dems. The leadership has found sommeone dumb enough to carry out their stupidest left wing garbage.
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6) missed fourtune [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
Great, how soon can you get it done
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7) missed fourtune [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
That is great, get moving on this.
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8) Are [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
you kidding me! Fascist. Come get me.
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9) You've got to be kidding... [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
What next, not allowing kids to talk for hours on the phone because nothing important is ever said and the energy could be saved to save the environment?
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