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f13.net General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Comstar on January 09, 2006, 07:34:34 AM



Title: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Comstar on January 09, 2006, 07:34:34 AM
Story here (http://news.com.com/Create+an+e-annoyance%2C+go+to+jail/2010-1028_3-6022491.html?part=rss&tag=6022491&subj=news)

Quote
It's illegal to annoy
A new federal law states that when you annoy someone on the Internet, you must disclose your identity. Here's the relevant language.

"Whoever...utilizes any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet... without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person...who receives the communications...shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both."
 

Me, I'm not in the US, but I wounder who's going to be the first to snitch to the feds about a perceived flame. Who needs to BAN people when you can sick the FBI or somesuch onto them instead. Lucky SirBruce isn't allowed to post here these days, though you'd probably both go to jail in the ensuring flamewar. coarse you're safe, so as long you put your name in the message is my understanding from the cnet report.



Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Sunbury on January 09, 2006, 07:49:18 AM
That language sounds like it would pertain to chat inside of MMORPGs...

Here is the actual relevant text of the amended law:

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode47/usc_sec_47_00000223----000-.html

"any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image, or other communication which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent, with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass another person;"

Humm, another relevant section:

"any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image, or other communication which is obscene or indecent, knowing that the recipient of the communication is under 18 years of age, regardless of whether the maker of such communication placed the call or initiated the communication; "



Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: tazelbain on January 09, 2006, 08:04:52 AM
The closest Authoritarians have been trying to bring the internet under their thumb for a while now.

1) make a law that renders 90% of the internet illegal.
2) selectively enforce against you political opponents.
3) profit! (from kickbacks and abuse of power)

I am kinda surprised it is Spector, he's usually more reasonable.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Miasma on January 09, 2006, 08:17:45 AM
I am completely dumbfounded.  That will get overturned right?

Perhaps Specter frequents the vault and got flamed one too many times for his views on PvP in WoW, payback time.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Shockeye on January 09, 2006, 08:19:55 AM
Does posting winger and tubgirl constitute purposeful annoyance?


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: cevik on January 09, 2006, 08:36:13 AM

I am kinda surprised it is Spector, he's usually more reasonable.


No he isn't.  He belongs to the most corrupt political party in the history of time.  He kowtows to his masters any time they demand he grovels.  He is a Republican.  He is NEVER reasonable.  He hates America.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: tazelbain on January 09, 2006, 08:37:30 AM
This brings up another issue.  I really don't want to play with people under 18.  As if it was bad enough dealing with the behavior of teens and pre-teens, its now becoming a legal liability just to talk to strangers. For a while in GW, I was joining pickup groups with voicechat.  I noticed how young the voices were and stopped.  The last thing I needed was one of these kids to make a false accusation. So that's that.

EDIT: Cevik, me love you long time!  The only reason democrats aren't as corrupt is because they don't have as much influence to peddle.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: cevik on January 09, 2006, 08:45:01 AM
This brings up another issue.  I really don't want to play with people under 18.  As if it was bad enough dealing with the behavior of teens and pre-teens, its now becoming a legal liability just to talk to strangers. For a while in GW, I was joining pickup groups with voicechat.  I noticed how young the voices were and stopped.  The last thing I needed was one of these kids to make a false accusation. So that's that.

EDIT: Cevik, me love you long time!  The only reason democrats aren't as corrupt is because they don't have as much influence to peddle.

You annoy me.  I'm reporting you.

EDIT:  In all seriousness, that is literally the WORST defense I've ever seen anyone ever try to pull in the entire history of time.  Jesus, get a life man "Welll well well they would do it too if they could" should be reserved for school lunchrooms.  It certainly isn't fitting of politics.  Talk about attempting to justify your position with any means necessary.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: tazelbain on January 09, 2006, 09:03:37 AM
It's not a defense.  It's a grim assesment of the political realities of US Congress.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: cevik on January 09, 2006, 09:06:52 AM
It's not a defense.  It's a grim assesment of the political realities of US Congress.

If you continue to vote these assholes back into office (all the while telling yourself "the other guy would do it too"), then it's a defense.  Sad but true, unless you punish these dogs (and I don't care WHICH dogs are pulling this shit, I wouldn't vote for a Democrat who stunk as badly as the Republicans did 2 years ago, much less today), they will continue to do it.  Prove to them that you aren't all about brand loyalty and vote the fuckers out of office.  Otherwise BOTH sides get the idea they can do this shit and get away with it.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: schild on January 09, 2006, 09:16:42 AM
Does posting winger and tubgirl constitute purposeful annoyance?

Not if it's a birthday gift.

Edit: Cevik, stfu. Your whining about politics needs to stay in politics.

That flaming and moderation was brought to you by Eric Schild.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: cevik on January 09, 2006, 09:43:53 AM
Edit: Cevik, stfu. Your whining about politics needs to stay in politics.

Then post messages about new LAWS being passed in politics, where it belongs.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: schild on January 09, 2006, 09:48:01 AM
Edit: Cevik, stfu. Your whining about politics needs to stay in politics.
Then post messages about new LAWS being passed in politics, where it belongs.

Nah, if only because you're fanatical and I find this new law funny and completely unenforceable.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: cevik on January 09, 2006, 09:51:11 AM
Edit: Cevik, stfu. Your whining about politics needs to stay in politics.
Then post messages about new LAWS being passed in politics, where it belongs.

Nah, if only because you're fanatical and I find this new law funny and completely unenforceable.

Congratulations, you're the second person I've reported for annoying me.  ;)

EDIT:  The last dying gasps of the few remaining defenders of a failed political ideology:  "You're just a fanatic."  No, I'm a troll, there is a difference.. :)


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: schild on January 09, 2006, 10:09:44 AM
Nah, you're definately a fanatic. You're too emphatic to be a troll. You CARE. Trolls don't.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: cevik on January 09, 2006, 10:52:35 AM
Nah, you're definately a fanatic. You're too emphatic to be a troll. You CARE. Trolls don't.

*shrug* Your call..


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: tazelbain on January 09, 2006, 11:13:13 AM
If you continue to vote these assholes back into office (all the while telling yourself "the other guy would do it too"), then it's a defense.  Sad but true, unless you punish these dogs (and I don't care WHICH dogs are pulling this shit, I wouldn't vote for a Democrat who stunk as badly as the Republicans did 2 years ago, much less today), they will continue to do it.  Prove to them that you aren't all about brand loyalty and vote the fuckers out of office.  Otherwise BOTH sides get the idea they can do this shit and get away with it.
That's bullshit. You weren't talking about voting for individual candidates, you were making a broad generalization about Repubicians. I am an independent; and candidate positions and character are very important to me.

If integrity of the democratic process was the only issue you care about, who do you vote Republicans or Democrats?  My point is neither.  Both parties have members that this issue seriously.  But the vast majority of them only care about it if they think can score political points with it, until then they are happy to ride the gravy train.

I definitely have no problem punishing those who do wrong, but I am not going vote against all Republican because on this issue because I don't see a difference.  Actually I plan to vote against all Republicans on a federal level but that's on a completely different issue (Failure conduct meaningful oversight of the Executive).


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Krakrok on January 09, 2006, 11:18:38 AM
I just reported all of you to the gestapo.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Margalis on January 09, 2006, 11:27:36 AM
It's not enough to simply be annoyed, the person must have the intent to annoy. So the law is very reasonable. After all, real life pretty much works the same way. That's why at sporting events you hear a lot of "Jeter you SUCK - I'm John Worthington and I live in 1029 1A 6th street!"


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Yoru on January 09, 2006, 11:58:34 AM
Quote
(2) knowingly permits any telecommunications facility under his control to be used for any activity prohibited by paragraph (1) with the intent that it be used for such activity,

Looks like the staff is liable for all of our misconduct too. :)


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: schild on January 09, 2006, 12:06:23 PM
I'm fairly certain we'd be protected under the DMCA. But IANAL and it doesn't matter. It's a stupid unenforcable law. It'll only be used by the most extreme politicos who have the money to persue such frivolous things.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Bunk on January 09, 2006, 12:29:12 PM
Reported


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Murgos on January 09, 2006, 12:33:47 PM
Heh, this effectively outlaws all online dating services...

SomeDude: *WINK*

SomeChick: "ZOMG!!  Eww he's ugly! Annoying!" *Report to FBI*


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: schild on January 09, 2006, 12:36:28 PM
When everyone signed up for f13 they waved their rights to be insulted, annoyed, or irritable. Every emotion you see on the board is a lie.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Jain Zar on January 09, 2006, 01:17:47 PM
This law is funny.  If we put it to the real world, every news channel talk show host, the Daily Show, every opposing sports team, both of the big late night supernatural radio shows, most of the morning "comedy" radio shows, and every school child who ever existed would be in trouble.

Annoying and insulting people is what PEOPLE FUCKING DO.

And everything annoys and insults somebody.  "Hello!" insults someone out there!

This law won't do anything but give some ALCU lawyers big hard ons at making the government look like oppressive assholes.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Mesozoic on January 09, 2006, 01:59:46 PM
make them look like?

edit:  This law is so thoroughly stupid its going to be awesome.  Personally I'm going to start off with everyone who refuses to learn to spell "rogue" and "definite."


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: schild on January 09, 2006, 02:02:58 PM
You're a clever shade of rogue, you dastardly rouge. /goatse


...I'm so bored.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Mesozoic on January 09, 2006, 02:03:47 PM
You're a clever shade of rogue, you dastardly rouge. /goatse


...I'm so bored.

difinately.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Llava on January 09, 2006, 02:14:07 PM
Personally I'm going to start off with everyone who refuses to learn to spell "rogue" and "definite."

Don't forget "rediculous".  Which is to diculous something again.
Or "hypocracy".   Sometimes pronounced "hippo-cracky", otherwise refers to the rule of those who reverse their statements.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Johny Cee on January 09, 2006, 02:33:02 PM
This law is funny.  If we put it to the real world, every news channel talk show host, the Daily Show, every opposing sports team, both of the big late night supernatural radio shows, most of the morning "comedy" radio shows, and every school child who ever existed would be in trouble.

Annoying and insulting people is what PEOPLE FUCKING DO.

And everything annoys and insults somebody.  "Hello!" insults someone out there!

This law won't do anything but give some ALCU lawyers big hard ons at making the government look like oppressive assholes.


In response to your points:

1.  Political satire is expressly protected by law, precedence, etc.

2. None of these (Jon Stewart, for example) is anonymous.

3.  Try to prove intent.

People here are missing the point.  This law is impractible to enforce,  but it's necessary to have on the books for extreme cases.  

The key word is "intent".  Legally, it's real fucking difficult to prove intent.  And the government generally doesn't try, unless there's a related crime.

I put this law in the same category as the various laws against instigating fights.  If you taunt or otherwise goad someone into assaulting you,  you're generally going to get hit with some kind of charges as well. (I think most states have "intent to incite assault/riots/etc" laws on the books).

Basically, this kind of law isn't new in the real world. It means jack and shit, since it's exceedingly expensive/impossible to prove intent unless there was some illegal action from the incitement.  It's there to prevent people from goading others into illegal actions.

Example:  You can't walk into a Hasidic neighborhood,  proceed to mouth anti-semitic phrases and insults directly to specific people,  then expect to be completely off the hook when one of said people decks you.

(As always,  not my main field of study, so I'll bow out if any of the attorneys want to correct my interpretation)


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Fabricated on January 09, 2006, 05:49:35 PM
(http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4245/lolinternet54hn.jpg)


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Hokers on January 09, 2006, 08:14:51 PM

I'm afraid to ask, but what the heck is winger?  I assume its another pic that no one should ever want to see.

This law is stupid, is the day where you have to use your implated chip to sign onto the net be far off?  You know it is for you own protection.



Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: tazelbain on January 09, 2006, 08:22:25 PM
(http://www.vh1.com/shared/media/images/sn_legacy/addict/AMG_images/artists/P18079.JPG)

No, not really. But you are better off.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Tebonas on January 09, 2006, 10:30:58 PM
The land of the free indeed.

I would laugh at you if our stupid governments wouldn't have the unsettling tendency to copy US laws because the USA has them.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Triforcer on January 09, 2006, 11:16:38 PM

I'm afraid to ask, but what the heck is winger?  I assume its another pic that no one should ever want to see.


Which do you want more: the answer, or to keep your immortal soul?


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: NiX on January 10, 2006, 12:29:44 AM
Let him lose his soul. It'll be fun! He can report us after if he's still alive.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Strazos on January 10, 2006, 03:34:02 AM
So does this law mean I now have an extensive FBI record?

Though I guess SPT and Signe would have longer....


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Ironwood on January 10, 2006, 04:06:50 AM
But if I'm not in the US I'm still free to call you all a useless bunch of cunts ?

Just checking.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Strazos on January 10, 2006, 04:27:29 AM
We're gonna sick our government on you. We have more nukes than you.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Tebonas on January 10, 2006, 04:39:59 AM
Only if your government doesn't agree with Ironwood.

They could always get him for spreading classified information, though.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Murgos on January 10, 2006, 05:25:13 AM
Even better, the key word in the legislation is "Anonymous".  If they can find out who I am to prosecute me then I guess I wasn't anonymous.  If they can't find out who I was well, then, good on yer.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: Der Helm on January 10, 2006, 01:21:01 PM
Which do you want more: the answer, or to keep your immortal soul?

He already knows tubgirl, his immortal soul is gone ...


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: HaemishM on January 13, 2006, 09:06:29 AM
People here are missing the point.  This law is impractible to enforce,  but it's necessary to have on the books for extreme cases.  

What the fuck are you talking about? What extreme case of "internet annoyance" is worth spending time and taxpayer money to create a law and then enforce it? Fuck, Bruce is about the most harrassing, annoying Intertwit I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with, and I wouldn't try to get him arrested under stupid ass shit like this.

This law isn't enforceable. It sure as fuck isn't needed for some extreme case. Any extreme case that the Interweb could bring up would already be covered under current laws.

But it's the fact that laws like this even get brought up that make me want to go Rimbaud on these motherfuckers.


Title: Re: It's illegel to flame anyone in the US now
Post by: angry.bob on January 14, 2006, 12:03:17 AM
When Alito gets confirmed in time for this to be challenged, it will absolutely and unquestionably be upheld. The man's never met a draconian law that can be abused by a totalitarian regime he didn't bust a nut over.  Get used to it, America as it was 6 years ago is a distant fucking memory and is gone forever. I can't say what I really think we should start doing anymore because they're throwing people in jail now for even speaking about it in the most esoteric terms, so instead I recommend you all start lists of "questionables" to toss to whatever the fuck our regime decides to call it's Brownshirts.

And Canadians, start looking for places to live that don't share a border with us. We've got Lebensraum to find... and it's not going to be the snowy parts.