W.Va. bullying bill to include online posts

[The Straight Story]

W.Va. bullying bill to include online posts


CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- An attempt to extend a West Virginia anti-harassment law to the Internet may have some long-reaching consequences.

Sen. Mike Green of Raleigh County sponsored the bill last week. The measure would make it a crime to send harassing or abusive e-mails or other computer-based communications.

But the Senate Judiciary Committee amended the bill to include statements posted on Web pages or online forums.

Such statements must be untrue and designed to encourage others to spread the falsehood, or ridicule the person they target.

Civil liberties advocates question whether that goes too far.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WV_CYBER_BULLYING_PREVIEW?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=BUSINESS

[ddeclue]

1. Won't pass the First Amendment test.

You can sue people for lying about you - you can't put them in jail.

[LostinVA]

3. You can put them in jail for this in certain states

CA, NJ -- terroristic threats, harassment, etc. Lots of things go beyond simple libel.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

4. I disagree. If a person is targeting another with whom s/he had a personal relationship,...

,...that behavior certainly falls within the realm of the crime, harassment or stalking or abuse.

It isn't about merely someone "lying about you". It is about someone using any means possible to oppress and control you. THAT IS CRIMINAL!

[ddeclue]

5. If it is threatening to you then it is already a crime..otherwise it is free speech

if someone threatens you with bodily harm call the cops. Otherwise merely lying about someone is NOT a crime and if I were on the jury I would vote to acquit every single time. This is a CIVIL matter, sue them for libel.

Doug D.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

8. No. You are just plain wrong and are behind on abuse laws.

IT IS NOT FREE SPEECH to stalk and wage psychological harm on ANY person with whom you have had a relationship. That is a crime.

The supremes ruled on these laws at least a couple decades ago recogizing that blood is not required to show criminal abuse upon another person with whom you have had social or personal contact.

Surely, you know that.

[ddeclue]

9. No it's NOT.. you are talking "thought police" and nanny state..

If you don't like what people are saying and don't want your feelings hurt then stay off the intertubes...

:eyes:

We have FREE speech in THIS country. If you want nanny-state speech try the U.K. or Germany.

:argh:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

11. *LOL* the memes are tiring,...

If you MUST be on the side of protecting the abusers,...please,...be honest about it.

Rush-the-neofascistcorporate PIG can kiss my ass. He is one NEVER IN DANGER of someone like me wanting any form of personal contact with him,...the self-addicted, corporate blowhard radio host in fear of losing his profiteering position to abuse all his victims!!!!

No worries, RUSH!!! You'd only be tossed in jail for the ones with whom you had personal contact.

Good GRIEF!!!

[LostinVA]

2. Good

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

6. I understand the concern. However, if both a personal relationship and stalking history is shown,..

,...I believe it would be a GOOD law.

Look,...bullying and stalking and abuse are all crimes against humanity no matter where they take place!!!!

Sure, there is concern this law may be misapplied to political speech,...I understand that.

However, a law designed to protect against such oppression can always be amended to also squeeze out abuse.

It's tough!!! Incredibly, there are those who will invest every effort to abuse not only people but laws, too.

[ddeclue]

10. Laws like these are ALWAYS abused sooner or later by the authorities.

We don't allow prior censorship and we don't punish people criminally for their words unless those words are actual physical threats or call for physical violence to others in this country.

We address these matters CIVILLY through lawsuits. That is where they belong.

Can you imagine what would happen to freedom of speech were this law to fall into the hands of a Republican majority in gov't? Bashing a Republican elected could land you in JAIL.

We HAVE HAD laws like this in the United States ALREADY - They were known as the Alien and Sedition Acts and nothing could have been more damaging to freedom of speech and respect for our Constitution.

It is not the job of government to criminally punish someone because somebody hurt your feelings on the internet - nor would it be wise to allow it!

:argh:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

12. No where near as much as the profiteers who have f*cked this nation every which way possible.

If you are concerned about "authorities" abusing this law, advocate it applies to them, as well.

Yes?

[Arctic Dave]

7. Oh yeah, well you drink light beer and smell like poop,

ask anyone, they'll tell you the same.:P