Slashdot Mirror
New Internet Regulation Proposed
bumgutts writes "Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has suggested a mandatory website self-rating system. The system, very similar to one suggested under Clinton's administration, would require by law all commercial websites to place 'marks and notices' on each page containing 'sexually explicit' content, with penalty up to 5 years imprisonment." From the article: "A second new crime would threaten with imprisonment Web site operators who mislead visitors about sex with deceptive 'words or digital images' in their source code--for instance, a site that might pop up in searches for Barbie dolls or Teletubbies but actually features sexually explicit photographs. A third new crime appears to require that commercial Web sites not post sexually explicit material on their home page if it can be seen 'absent any further actions by the viewer.'"
Why is it that every time we hear about some bored schmuck wanting to regulate the internet, it's always an American ? I really think someone should visit senate and explain to these people how they no longer have any say in these matters. They might have founded Arpanet way back, but today's network has little in common with the former military network. What's more pertinent though, is that if the US senators start crippling the internet, things will get moved beyond their juridsiction and the rest of the world will point and laugh at the foolish power-hungry senators.
-Billco, Fnarg.com
Can anyone please tell me what's wrong with restricting content like "Free mpeg sample! Download"? ANYONE can download them. Yes, including minors. This material should be hidden from everyone young enough to not have a credit card (call them minors or leechers, whatever you please).
I applaud this regulation effort. And let me add: About friggin' time.
Historically, each and every one of these so-called obscenity laws (or propositions for same) has been put forth or sponsored by religious jackasses that think sex is (literally) the work of the devil. The kind of religious jackasses I'm talking about are the same mother-fuckers that helped land BushCo in office and they're demanding thier payback.
I'm starting to wonder if excessively pious people should even be allowed to vote, considering that the dimunition of mental faculties seems to be directly related to a person's religiousity.