Kevin Richert in the Idaho Statesman.
Not only would Rep.-elect Hartgen’s law be impossible to enforce, it’d cost a fortune — not only in policing resources, but in legal challenges (with most certainly the law going down in defeat). If you think any of the anonymous bloggers in Idaho are going to start using their names or quit blogging or commenting because Steve Hartgen’s Big Brother experiment then you’ve got another thing coming.
We all have our own reasons for not using our real names, and frankly it isn’t any of Steve Hargten’s business what those reasons are.
If Hartgen can’t handle the scrutiny of public life then perhaps he should rethink his decision to join Idaho’s legislature. He also needs to understand that Idaho doesn’t have the finances to fund a bill like this — I’m just a lowly anonymous blogger and even I know that — it’s telling that a soon-to-be Idaho legislator doesn’t.
Updated
Vickie Holbrook from the Idaho Press-Tribune weighs in here.
Q: Who’s the driving force behind The Boise Picayune?
A: The Boise Picayune is the Brain Child of Michael Murphy, who endeavors to live up to the highest ideals of the Fourth Estate.
A 19 Year Resident of Boise, Mr. Murphy was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Mr. Murphy is the Single Father of an awesome young man, erstwhile Bull Moose Candidate for Mayor of Boise, Community Activist, Provocateur and Working Stiff.
He had led a predictable life up until 117,000+ Volts from a Transmission Tower energized him on 18 July 1989 while working as a Foreman for PSE&G in New Jersey, nearly killing him.
After this near death experience, Mr. Murphy traveled across Europe, Canada, and the United States extensively, working in a variety of vocations including Wildlands Firefighter, Commercial Diver, Medic, Utility Arborist, Merchant Seaman, Private Security, Bartender and Documentary Photographer.
It was during this period that he happened upon Boise, Idaho.
Mr. Murphy has received Commendations from the Los Angeles Police Department for Lifesaving, the Boise Police Department for apprehending an escaped felon, and is an Honorably Discharged Veteran of the United States Navy.
While working for the Idaho State Republican Party in the Mid 90’s, he got into hot water with his bosses for producing one issue of the firmly tongue-in-cheek “Pachyderm Picayune - An Unofficial Newsletter of the Idaho State Republican Party”.
“I’m egomaniacal enough to believe that I’ll have a million chances to make a million bucks; but I’ve only got one chance to be a good dad” -Michael Murphy
wouldn’t be the first time a social conservative republican ignored the constitution. 1996, Communications Decency Act (CDA) passed by social conservative controlled Congress to censor speech online, imposing broadcast style content regulations & severely restricted 1st amend. rights.June1997,a federal district judge deemed a Georgia law criminalizing online anonymous speech & the use of trademarked logos as links unconstitutional, the statute barred online users from using pseudonyms or communicating anonymously over the Internet, similar rulings occurred in New York. June 26, 1997, Supreme Court, landmark 7-2 decision written by Justice Stevens, the majority opinion struck down CDA, as unacceptable burden on protected speech, all provisions unconstitutional, in separate concurrence, Chief Justice Rehnquist&Justice O’Connor agreed,CDA unconstitutional, courts decision firmly established unbridled free speech in cyberspace.
I posted about this here:
http://www.daniweb.com/blogs/entry3662.html