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House Bill Requires Pornography Filter on All Phones, Computers Purchased in Kansas (cjonline.com)

Two bills introduced in the Kansas House on Wednesday generate funding for human trafficking programs by requiring all new internet-capable telephones or computers sold in the state to feature anti-pornography software and by mandating adult entertainment businesses charge a special admissions tax. From a report: Sabetha Rep. Randy Garber sponsored legislation requiring the software installations and dictating purchasers would have to pay a $20 fee to the state, and whatever cost was assessed by retail stores, to remove filters for "obscene" material. No one under 18 would be allowed to have filter software deleted. "It's to protect children," Garber, a Republican, said in an interview. "What it would do is any X-rated pornography stuff would be filtered. It would be on all purchases going forward. Why wouldn't anybody like this?" He said it wouldn't be surprising if the bill, if adopted as law, generated legal challenges.

268 comments

  1. Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stash by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They're all hypocrites. Everyone in Kansas will just buy their phones someplace else dumbass.

    1. Re:Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stash by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So, with all the fucking going on in the Bible, are they going to ban that too?

    2. Re:Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stash by wwphx · · Score: 1

      According to the bio info that I could find, Garber is a high school graduate, spent 20 years in the Navy, and a retired construction worker. So no higher education to speak of aside form whatever training the Navy gave him. Here's a list of the legislation he's sponsored in Kansas in the eight years he's been in the House from his Kansas legislature web page. And if you look at the bill numbers on the last six bills, they were probably all submitted in the same session, if not on the same day.

      Sponsored Bills
      HB2274 - Requiring notification to patients that the effects of a medication abortion may be reversible.
      HB2288 - Creating the Kansas student and educator freedom of religious speech act.
      HB2318 - Constitutional restrictions on taxpayer funding for abortions.
      HB2319 - Enacting the human trafficking and child exploitation prevention act.
      HB2320 - Enacting the marriage and constitution restoration act.
      HB2321 - Creating the optional elevated marriage act.
      HB2322 - Creating a cause of action for censorship or suppression of social media speech.
      HB2323 - Imposing an excise tax on admission to adult-oriented businesses.

      --
      When you sympathize with stupidity, you start thinking like an idiot.
  2. Easier by ArchieBunker · · Score: 4, Insightful

    To just stop selling phones in Kansas.

    --
    Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
    1. Re:Easier by serviscope_minor · · Score: 0

      To just stop selling phones in Kansas.

      That's certainly easier than making a filter that actually works. I wonder what the minimum thing that qualifies as a porno filter is. DEFAULT ALLOW...

      I was going to break with finest traditions of slashdot and actually read TFA to see, but it gives me Access Denied.

      --
      SJW n. One who posts facts.
    2. Re:Easier by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      That's basically what's gonna happen now.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    3. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Am from Kansas. Without a phone how would I call my sister to arrange for sex?

    4. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      just speak to someone from your local GOP , they know all the hookers.

    5. Re:Easier by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

      Why, when they can make $$$ out of this?

      First they get to charge the customer extra because of "local legal requirements", and then they get to pre-install unremovable spyware that oh yeah blocks about 50% of porn. Naturally it has to report your actual porn viewing habits to "improve the filtering" and also build up a detailed profile of your sexual preferences for marketing purposes.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    6. Re:Easier by dryeo · · Score: 1

      I was going to break with finest traditions of slashdot and actually read TFA to see, but it gives me Access Denied.

      So they're already implementing the filter.

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
    7. Re:Easier by serviscope_minor · · Score: 1

      So they're already implementing the filter.

      I guess? I think a legislature would be about the dullest porno intro ever. 8 people dozing in a large, mostly empty room while someone spends 3 hours reading a bill.

      Then no one really has the motivation to remove any clothes.

      I think sticking with the plumber or delivery guy is a better option.

      --
      SJW n. One who posts facts.
    8. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the technology was invented by... a woman! Worse yet, Hedy Lamarr was an actress! In Hollywood! And even starred in a film called âEcstacyâ!!!

    9. Re:Easier by dryeo · · Score: 1

      Some people do have weird fetishes. Best to blanket ban everything.

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
    10. Re:Easier by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Anybody who has had an inside look knows that the porn business is a hell of a lot more wholesome than the business of government.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    11. Re:Easier by Drishmung · · Score: 2

      Under House Bill 2319, the state of Kansas would declare a “distributor shall not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, lease or distribute to a consumer any product or service that makes content available accessible on the internet unless such product or service contains an active and operating technology protection measure.”

      So, absent a definition of "technology protection measure", DEFAULT ALLOW might well do it.

      --
      Protoplasm. Quiet Protoplasm. I like quiet protoplasm.
    12. Re:Easier by dryeo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      They are both involved in fucking people, though I do agree that the porn industry is more upfront about it.

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
    13. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative
      "Won't someone think of the children?"

      They are thinking of the children. Very much so. Also the animals, various items of clothing and numerous pieces of machinery.

    14. Re:Easier by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      You think porn has to do with fucking? It seems like more of a not-fucking deal to me.

    15. Re:Easier by dryeo · · Score: 2

      I guess it depends on the porn and who you watch it with. The porn I watch often has a penis inserted into a vagina and if watching with the wife, often results in my penis in a vagina.

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
    16. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      unless such product or service contains an active and operating technology protection measure.

      Protecting Kansas residents from technology? Don't sell them any technology.

      Or protecting technology from Kansas residents? If it's a phone, an OtterBox might qualify as a "technology protection" measure.

    17. Re: Easier by reiterate · · Score: 5, Funny

      Go on.

    18. Re:Easier by Z00L00K · · Score: 1

      Only the government can legally F you over whenever it likes, the government don't like competition.

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
    19. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No. No. NO.

      Both of them are so ugly.

    20. Re:Easier by tsm_sf · · Score: 1

      There really isn't even an operable definition of "porn" for situations like this.

      --
      Literalism isn't a form of humor, it's you being irritating.
    21. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Isn't this a description of a firewall? There's absolutely nothing there indicating adult content. To be fair I haven't read the article. :-P

    22. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And who's vajayjay is it being inserted in to?

      Enquiring minds want to know.

    23. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      God has No use for technology! Technology equals heresy against our lord and saviour Jesus crist!

    24. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/good-news/a-man-has-created-a-pornhub-channel-dedicated-to-extremely-wholesome-content-enjoy/news-story/a5d35f0354ff742fb72337040a2f6052

    25. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The porn industries fucking is also consensual, unlike government.

    26. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Frequency-hopping is just one part of modern digital cellular communications. It's a real stretch to say she 'invented the technology.'

      A lot of things had to be invented to give us the modern mobile phone. Not to ignore Hedy's accomplishments, but many of them were invented by men. You should give credit where credit is due. I'm sure you know their names. No? You might consider why not.

    27. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or ban the Catholic and Southern Baptists Churches. That would do more to stop child porn than anything else. And I am not talking about watching child porn, I am talking about children being molested.

    28. Re: Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This part of this thread is the only reason I read the comment sections of anything.

    29. Re: Easier by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 2

      That's "Headly".

      --
      (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
    30. Re:Easier by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      To just stop selling phones in Kansas.

      You're a complete failure as a businessman. No the easiest option is to negotiate an exclusive deal to be paid by a 3rd party to pre-install the filtering software on your phone, while at the same time raising the price, blaming the government, and then enjoying your new captive audience while you light cigars with $100 bills.

      Anyone who thinks it's easier to stop doing anything when a government intervenes has utterly failed to see the incredible opportunities which have been offered.

    31. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To just stop selling phones in Kansas.

      No - just don't sell to anyone under 18 and make sure everyone knows that the phones come with the filters pre-removed. Then charge an extra $20 for pre-removing the filters.

    32. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Some people do have weird fetishes. Best to blanket ban everything.

      I have a banned internet media fetish.

    33. Re:Easier by cellocgw · · Score: 1

      The porn I watch often has a penis inserted into a vagina and if watching with the wife, often results in my penis in a vagina.

      Inquiring minds, including your wife's would like to know just which vagina your penis found.

      --
      https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
    34. Re:Easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How the fuck do you pre-remove something? Is that removing it before you remove it?

      RIP George Carlin

      numbnuts

  3. cool cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now it's easier and cheaper to just not do business with Kansans. Thanks Randy!

    1. Re:cool cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can still sell them loads and loads of PG and R-rated pornography.

    2. Re: cool cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh god, British porn pre 2002

    3. Re: cool cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You gotta keep that stiff between the lips* somehow.

      * from the ME3 Citadel DLC

  4. "Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by Yosho · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, for one, I think that anybody who has ever spent more than ten minutes looking at free speech laws or the history of government censorship in the USA would be strongly opposed to this.

    While it's disgusting that these bills even got proposed, it's likely that the legislators know that they'll get destroyed if they're ever challenged in the courts. These sorts of things usually get proposed just to pander to the more ignorant parts of their constituency.

    --
    Karma: Terrifying (mostly affected by atrocities you've committed)
    1. Re: "Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      This sounds like the work of Mark Sevier. He's an insane dude who is a bit of a rabbit hole to go down, but has been connected to legislation like this across the country.
      https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2018-03-27/man-who-tried-to-wed-laptop-pushes-anti-porn-bill-across-us

    2. Re:"Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      "Vote for me, at least I tried to stamp out porn unlike my competitor is is in big-porn's pocket!"

    3. Re:"Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I don't want this for several reasons:

      1) I don't trust the software. That kind of software must phone home, and basically everything that phones home snoops on me. I don't want to be snooped on! Especially not by some third-party crap that I didn't get to vet. Furthermore, this kind of software often makes mistakes and filters out stuff that doesn't qualify, thus blocking me incorrectly. That sucks. It's just another heap of spyware, security holes that put me at risk, and a big fat waste of my hard disk space, memory, and CPU, and it gives me zero value.

      2) I don't want to pay for the software. It does not add any value to me personally, and the cost of it will be paid by me one way or another. Get that bloatware off my hardware!

      3) If the software is buggy and gives me trouble, I want to be able to uninstall it and be done with it. I don't want some damn government regulation standing in the way of me doing that!

      4) I want to do whatever I feel like, without the government forcing me to go out of my way to label myself as a filthy porn consumer, and pay a filthy porn consumer tax. That is a bullshit way to treat people.

      I sure am glad I don't live in Kansas. And never will.

    4. Re:"Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by mentil · · Score: 1

      my competitor is is in big-porn's pocket!"

      You misspelled 'orifice'.

      --
      Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
    5. Re:"Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      It's just a fucking 20 bucks tax to let you watch xvideos.com, pornhub and a few other high profile xxx sites.

      never mind how in the F*** can it even work? you download a 3rd party browser and use a vpn and how it can work? this just makes it a whole lot of more expensive to sell phones in kansas. why wouldn't anyone like this? because it can't work, wont work and will not work, but it makes it prohibited to sell unlocked rootable phones! FFS!

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    6. Re:"Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      [...] more ignorant parts of their constituency.

      They're commonly referred to as "pronatal extremists".

    7. Re:"Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by Tuidjy · · Score: 1

      The $20 is for removal. You, or rather Kansas residents, will have to pay for the filter in the first place, and phoning home is not free, either.

      --
      No good deed goes unpunished...
    8. Re: "Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Or any one of about fifty different pressure groups which include anti-pornography among their objectives.

    9. Re: "Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by notaspy · · Score: 2

      It is indeed another legislative stunt orchestrated by Chris/Mark (he uses both) Sevier. He's been doing it (and other nonsense) for years. Keep in mind that this is just a bill. It has no chance of passing either house and even if passed would be summarily vetoed by the (D) Governor. It's just another big "HEY, LOOK AT ME!!!"

      See, e.g., https://jezebel.com/man-with-b...

      --
      hi!
    10. Re:"Why wouldn't anybody like this?" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sure you'll be able to opt-out. It'll just cost you $200, plus a $50 transaction fee. After that you'll have to pay a $100 fine per year that you're opted out, and be placed on the Kansas Porn Perv Registry.

  5. No Need by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Most good porn sites already have filters. My favorite is 'babes'.

    1. Re: No Need by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which babes?

    2. Re: No Need by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You remind me of the babe
      What babe? babe with the power
      What power? power of voodoo
      Who do? you do
      Do what? remind me of the babe

    3. Re:No Need by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      [x] Furry
      [x] Tentacle
      [x] Shemale

      (Remember when Pamela Anderson was the top-ranked hit? Seems so pedestrian nowadays...)

    4. Re: No Need by bursch-X · · Score: 1

      Dance, magic dance... Wait that 'babe' is an actual baby. That would be child porn! Ha!

      --
      There are two rules for success:
      1. Never tell everything you know.
    5. Re: No Need by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slap that baby, make him free

  6. Sigh by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2

    Conservative or Liberal - we need more tech-savvy congressmen and congresswomen who don’t waste everyone’s time dreaming up new rules which will be trivial to circumvent by most eight year olds.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:Sigh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What if they mean to develop the technology to perfect a filter? There must be some extensive funding for this, don't you think?

    2. Re:Sigh by Opportunist · · Score: 2

      Let them. At least as long as they don't have a clue they don't try something that could actually damage the flow of information.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    3. Re:Sigh by jythie · · Score: 1

      The problem isn't congressmen, the problem is voters. They don't come up with this stuff randomly, they come up with these laws because the primary voters they need to stay in office love them. This type of law exists purely to add to 'things I tried to accomplish FOR YOU' campaign flyers.

    4. Re:Sigh by postbigbang · · Score: 1

      The problem is gawkers. They know this stuff won't fly past a federal court.

      But every gawker that reads the headline will start thumping their chests, blurting out all sorts of stuff, which is exactly the response that this bunch of nitwits want.

      100% of us know this won't get past first base. But we'll yell all sorts of missives about it, decry the dullards that foisted it, and behind all of your backs, they're snickering, knowing they raised a ruckus.

      Best remedy: ignore the simpletons, and move on. They think they're cute. The more hell they raise, the more smug they'll become. It's not them or the voters, it's the limelight. Give them some, and they'll do other stupid tricks, too. It's the attention-whore-seeking algorithm, and you've just played into it with both feet.

      --
      ---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
    5. Re:Sigh by mentil · · Score: 1

      Notice how the 'think of the children!' adults seem more upset about children seeing porn than the children themselves seem to be? If it's not traumatizing then calm down, at least.

      --
      Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
    6. Re:Sigh by houghi · · Score: 1

      That would give them the knowledge how to make it sound as if it is going to work. Having technical knowledge does not make you a morally better person.

      The first thing they will do is start using the bofh excuse script.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  7. www.cjonline.com - Access Denied by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Somewhat amusing, considering.

  8. Seriously by vlad30 · · Score: 1

    When will they learn Blockers don't work most will find a way around them in 3,2,...

    --
    Your'e all thinking it, I just said it for you
    1. Re:Seriously by mentil · · Score: 1

      How exactly are they going to preinstall a software filter on iDevices, anyhow? A DNS filter is more likely, and someone can change DNS without paying for any 'removal fee'.

      --
      Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
    2. Re: Seriously by reanjr · · Score: 1

      They would just force Apple to do it. If Apple wants to sell phones to people in KS, they'd comply.

  9. rainbows and unicorns by markdavis · · Score: 5, Insightful

    >"Sabetha Rep. Randy Garber sponsored legislation requiring the software installations and dictating purchasers would have to pay a $20 fee to the state, and whatever cost was assessed by retail stores, to remove filters for "obscene" material. No one under 18 would be allowed to have filter software deleted. "It's to protect children,"

    Wow- rainbows and unicorns! Save the children! It is so easy, why didn't anyone thing of that before? Perhaps that software can magically also stop all spam Email and spam telephone calls and fraud and poverty and hatred too?

    >"Why wouldn't anybody like this?"

    Oh.... because it won't work. It is costly. It restricts freedom. It interferes with proper use. It requires locked-down devices. It will be abused. When it fails and filters something it shouldn't, it is an effective government ban on the first amendment. It will grease the palms of only certain vendors. I could go on...

    1. Re:rainbows and unicorns by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      You left out product liabilities.

      When children's eyes are blinded by porn that jumped the wall, who's responsible?

      It will be fun, because all the pockets are deep.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    2. Re:rainbows and unicorns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "The children", huh?

      I think she may be spending a bit too much time thinking of the children, possibly while using her phone. Anyone want to take bets on her phone's browser history?

    3. Re:rainbows and unicorns by amicusNYCL · · Score: 1

      I'm really wondering how they think it's even technically possible. You have a piece of software, that for some reason people can't uninstall, but at the same time it has to be removable if someone pays a fee. So, if this is going to work on every device, and you're going to remove it without destroying the device, then presumably you're just running some program to remove it. So, why can't anyone else remove it? The geniuses in the Kansas legislature have figured out something that I'm not able to see. Surely they're not just writing a pie-in-the-sky bill and expecting "industry" to provide a solution for a problem that they just created.

      --
      "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
  10. Rofl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Moron

    1. Re:Rofl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mormon

    2. Re:Rofl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      More, mom

  11. Politicians by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No one under 18 would be allowed to have filter software deleted.

    Once again, demonstrating that politicians have no grasp on the workings of technology.

    1. Re:Politicians by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 1

      No one under 18 would be allowed to have filter software deleted.

      Once again, demonstrating that politicians have no grasp on the workings of technology.

      Or reality. Quite frankly, anybody who shows any interest in running for public office should be automatically disqualified to do so.

    2. Re: Politicians by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Donâ(TM)t the filters go on the tubes? You know, the tubes the internet runs through

    3. Re:Politicians by Drishmung · · Score: 1

      No one under 18 would be allowed to have filter software deleted.

      Once again, demonstrating that politicians have no grasp on the workings of technology.

      Or their own state laws?

      --
      Protoplasm. Quiet Protoplasm. I like quiet protoplasm.
    4. Re:Politicians by amicusNYCL · · Score: 2

      WTF?

      A 16 year old girl wants to look at a picture of a woman with penises in her butt, pussy, and mouth? No, that is very bad, you are too young.

      A 16 year old girl wants to go find 3 dudes to put their penises in her butt, pussy, and mouth? Yes, that is OK.

      --
      "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
  12. Why I wouldn't like this? by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Because I like porn. It's less slimy, gross and outright nasty than any politician I know, so why don't you demand filters for political spam?

    Next question?

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  13. Need I remind everyone by jennatalia · · Score: 0

    There are still billboards in Kansas that are anti-metric system.

    1. Re:Need I remind everyone by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Are they just lazy and haven't taken them down in 40 years, or they put up new ones?

    2. Re:Need I remind everyone by LesFerg · · Score: 1

      They couldn't take them down, the job sheet told them to take a 18 foot ladder on the job, but they only had 5.4 metre ladders.

      --
      If I had a DeLorean... I would probably only drive it from time to time.
    3. Re: Need I remind everyone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is it that hard to find a ladder with 18 feet?

      Must be a very special ladder. Mine only has two.

  14. And this is how we get the year of Linux ... by drnb · · Score: 1

    And this is how we get the year of Desktop Linux, via porn, like with many other advances in technology. ;-)

    1. Re: And this is how we get the year of Linux ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not really. Eternal September has finally sucked in enough people that they get to dictate to you their morals and values.

      Open access to the internet was a mistake.

  15. some where over the rainbow... by e**(i+pi)-1 · · Score: 3

    When this passes, there will be many in that state who feel: "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." Seriously, how can this be enforced? You would have to leave the state to buy a phone? And how much more expensive would the modified devices become, running a government mandated filter. How much safer would these devices become? Would anybody really selling phones in Kanas any more? Some politicians live in a dream world. "Somewhere over the rainbow. Bluebirds fly. And the dreams that you dare to. Oh why, oh why can't I?"

    1. Re:some where over the rainbow... by wierd_w · · Score: 1

      I sadly live in that state...

      Personally, I think I will just get an increase in the number of people who want me to remove the bullshit for them.

      When they ask why this was installed by default, I will just point out how our state government decided that seeing boobies and dicks was so terrible that it necessitated installing bullshit on their devices to prevent it.

      Makes me wonder how these idiots feel about people taking a shower. "OH NO! I SAW MY OWN NAUGHTY BITS!"

      Really, this is just premium dumb-assery right here. What else do I expect from a state run by morons?

      More and more, I think I should just move.

  16. What is this "Kansas" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There's no place on Earth without pornography, so I assume this planet Kansas is close enough to matter but I can't find it on any star charts...

    1. Re:What is this "Kansas" by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      Tap your emerald slippers together and recite "There's no place like home."

    2. Re: What is this "Kansas" by bursch-X · · Score: 1

      No because then you end up 'Not in Kansas anymore'

      --
      There are two rules for success:
      1. Never tell everything you know.
    3. Re: What is this "Kansas" by bursch-X · · Score: 1

      Oh damn fuggedaboutit i haven't watched that movie for too long.

      --
      There are two rules for success:
      1. Never tell everything you know.
    4. Re: What is this "Kansas" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Weren't they Ruby slippers?

  17. I guess not. by AlanObject · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You would think Kansas might have learned something after Brownback and his Laffer-curve nonsense destroyed the state's finances.

    Anything conservatives want to do -- if you do the exact opposite you are almost always close to a decision that is consistent with good government if not outright necessary for it.

    1. Re:I guess not. by Type44Q · · Score: 2

      Anything conservatives want to do -- if you do the exact opposite you are almost always close to a decision that is consistent with good government if not outright necessary for it.

      And... you're fifty percent correct, give or take.

    2. Re:I guess not. by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 0

      This is a divisive comment meant to get us fighting with one another over trivial issues. It's sad that Russian trolls have infiltrated Slashdot, but we can only deal with the problem now. Fuck off Ivan, you won't divide us. Take your rubles from Putin and stick them up your ass. We Americans have much more in common with each other than the likes of you.

      --
      Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
    3. Re:I guess not. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who needs Russian trolls when the 'merkin ones have been doing so splendidly since well before the wall came down?

      It really is the American establishment itself that does that same dog and pony show, to the point that even most fingerpointing is misleading in some way. Time and again you think you have finally seen through the lies and you can see the harsh reality, but no, you've been shown yet another Potemkin village. Call it the Matryoska-Potemkin complex of American politics.

      The most amazing thing is that this didn't need to be orchestrated by some cabal or other. It arose out of the narrative.

    4. Re:I guess not. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We Americans have much more in common with each other than the likes of you.

      Hey you're ok sometimes DnB

    5. Re:I guess not. by UnknowingFool · · Score: 1

      Considering that Kansas had to auction off sex toys to help cover their deficits, I find this proposal ironic.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    6. Re:I guess not. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Anything conservatives want to do -- if you do the exact opposite you are almost always close to a decision that is consistent with good government if not outright necessary for it.

      That's why my next phone will block anything that ISN'T porn. Why eat hamburger when you can have steak?

  18. Are You Scared Yet? by wolfheart111 · · Score: 1

    These are the folks running your life... ROFL... May I suggest an Exit Bag... helium works the best. :)

    --
    [($)]
    1. Re:Are You Scared Yet? by Z80a · · Score: 1

      You could also take the exit exit, you know, that one where you go to a saner state.

    2. Re:Are You Scared Yet? by sjritt00 · · Score: 1

      Not as easy as it might sound. With Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma on three sides, the only escape is westward. Unfortunately, the first 100 miles of Colorado is cleverly disguised as western Kansas

  19. Why wouldn't anybody like this? by beep54 · · Score: 2

    Uhm, perhaps because it is blindingly stupid? Possibly unconstitutional?

  20. we should execute everyone who voted for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    how can entire state be infiltrated by subversive unamerican scum like this?! this is a real national emergency!

  21. Supreme Court by jpaine619 · · Score: 3, Informative
    This is going to be shot down by the SCOTUS. I'd bet on it.

    In 1996, Congress passed the Communications Decency Act (CDA), which the Supreme Court struck down in 1997 as unconstitutional, saying the CDA "place(d) an unacceptably heavy burden on protected speech."

    Congress followed that defeat with the 1998 Child Online Protection Act (COPA), which required commercial Web site operators to use credit cards or other adult access systems to prevent minors from viewing the material. The Supreme Court found that law was too broad in scope for practical enforcement.

    1. Re: Supreme Court by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Supreme Court has not spoken yet but thank you for the reference

    2. Re:Supreme Court by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      The new porn filters will no longer let you say "SCOTUS".

    3. Re:Supreme Court by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Isn't that the point?
      Scumbag conservative politician wants to virtue signal. Next election comes up "well I tried - it's those liberals in D.C. that are letting your kids do this" will be writ large across his campaign.

      It's not about passing laws, it's about re-election fodder.

  22. how's that "small goverment" working out for you? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When will you big government republicans actually do what you say?

  23. Nice idea difficult to execute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Really the only way to do this is force adult content to register to .xxx domain and block that but I donâ(TM)t see that happening. There are some more advanced porn filters around like covenant eyes which is about to bring sending random blurred screenshots to an email address you nominate. Along with URL and time filtering. Of course youâ(TM)d need to also block bit torrent and the like. Most home routers or openWRT provide good filtering options but you need them in a physically locked rack (easy to do).

    The dirty secret is that porn sites want as many people to access them as possible and generally donâ(TM)t care how old they are.

  24. my choice, not theirs by X10 · · Score: 1

    Shouldn't it be MY choice to determine whether my children watch porn?

    --
    no, I don't have a sig
    1. Re:my choice, not theirs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, that's creepy. It should be the viewer's choice whether they watch porn.

      I think what you probably meant was it should be your choice whether your children _can_ watch porn.

    2. Re: my choice, not theirs by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      There's a lot you don't have any choice about when it comes to raising your kids. "Shouldn't I be able to let them play in the front yard alone?" It might seem reasonable but it also might get CPS called on you.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
  25. Funny thing is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Funny thing is he's also co-sponsored legislation banning censorship lol, this guy is a retard.

    http://kslegislature.org/li/b2...

  26. In other news.... by Rick+Zeman · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...the Kansas House is redefining pi as 3.0, and wants warning signs at the edge of the earth lest anyone falls off.

    1. Re:In other news.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      cool. That nice round number is way easier to remember and I tried a few calculations with it and they come out to basically the same answers. Why wouldn't anyone like this? If someone doesn't like this they are a sicko and you should punch them in the eyes.

    2. Re:In other news.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Go further. Just make pi = 1.0 It's even easier to use.

    3. Re:In other news.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As a Hoosier, I am offended that you did not mention that the fine state of Indiana was first to propose defining PI as exactly 3.

  27. Sounds like just a new tax by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No different than liquor or tobacco tax. $20 per phone to the state at first, then a monthly fee.

    1. Re:Sounds like just a new tax by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

      $20 to the government to access speech. No thanks.

      --
      (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  28. Imagine that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    > Sabetha Rep. Randy Garber sponsored legislation requiring the software installations and dictating purchasers would have to pay a $20 fee to the state, and whatever cost was assessed by retail stores, to remove filters for "obscene" material.

    Republicans: "Sorry folks, we didn't mean to fuck up the state economy with those massive tax cuts back in 2012 - here, let's have a new source of revenue that surely everyone will be fine with!"

  29. Welcome to the Censored State. by AHuxley · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Blasphemy sites? Things that cults and faith groups dont want published?
    Sites that allow people to find another faith, see the history of their faith?
    Sites about history? Art? Culture? The history of monuments and statues all around Kansas?
    Anything local politics?
    Funny memes and political cartoons?
    Can China put in a request about not showing 1989 and the Tiananmen Square protests, that Taiwan is real China? No bear cartoons.
    Anti war sites?
    Sites that respect the US freedoms and rights?
    Can Spain add a request not to see anything on Catalonia?
    Can the UK make a request to not allow Irish political sites and forums?
    Could a Germany add sites and history it does not want Germans to find?
    City and state health officials have some sites they want banned?
    City and state officials who dont want a 1st amendment audit video to be seen in Kansas?
    The right to repair and what is the import and sale of counterfeit parts?
    Talk about DRM?
    Crypto and removing DRM?
    P2P index sites?
    No finding sites about undercover filming/photography of farms.
    No accessing sites about pollution levels and the results of mining.
    Sites that have 3D printing files.
    Funny cartoons and memes about local, city and state politics?
    Once a gov steps in to ban art and culture, everyone will have a topic to ban and money to support such a real time filter.

    --
    Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
    1. Re:Welcome to the Censored State. by Z80a · · Score: 3, Insightful

      And then the current left comes and just adds more items to the list instead of doing what they should do and remove it.

    2. Re:Welcome to the Censored State. by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Funny cartoons and memes

      Hold the phone! I have to draw a line here!

  30. "It's to protect the children" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One of the most dangerous lines a politician can say. Immediately look through this for the inevitable power grab - it's always behind this phrase.

    1. Re: "It's to protect the children" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      More like "just lay back and think of the children"

      Or I guess sometimes "just lay back and think of the trafficked women" like with SESTA/FOSTA

  31. Not a dump truck. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    It's a series of tubes. YouTube, XTube, PornTube, etc.

  32. Another reason to hassle centennial state citizens by grumling · · Score: 1

    "Driving with Colorado license plates" is already probable cause in Kansas and Nebraska thanks to their anti-weed stance, now this. Selling your old phone on eBay? Better exclude sales in KS.

    --
    "Well, good luck finding a judge that doesn't run a bestiality site."
  33. The end of phone sales in Kansas by chromaexcursion · · Score: 2

    You'll only be able to get a phone out of state, or through the internet. No one selling phones will deal with this.
    There is 3rd party software, already available. It's not free. And, a one time $20 will not cover it. Plus, Apple is causing problems for everyone who does content filtering.
    I know. I work for a company that sells content filtering software, and I work on the iPhone product.
    These bills were written by tech ignorant legislators. As they refuse to try to understand the issue, they are blind and stupid.

    1. Re:The end of phone sales in Kansas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pretty much. Now instead of lotto and fireworks stores at the state lines, there will be mobile phone stores.

  34. Ladies and Gentlemen by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    the party of small government.

    Also, Kansas, like most of the flyover states, is facing an economic crisis because they've slashed taxes so much companies don't want to set up shop there and college grads leave first chance they get. I suppose crap like this though is better than actually trying to solve those problems. Beats the hell out of trying to convince the folks who bankrolled your campaign that their taxes need to go up.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
  35. Comment by WallyL · · Score: 1

    So for "Internet-capable" computers, is that just another lame piece of bloatware on the pre-installed Windows OS (how naive of me to think people still purchase desktop or laptop computers)? What if a person wants to install a free and open source operating system? Are they legally obligated to find whatever replaced Dan's Guardian when it went defunct?

  36. I love the comments here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    House bill that has not even been voted on and the republican leading the house says it probably will not pass as it is too intrusive. The assholes here act like it already passed. Freaking out like little girls hurling insults and generally acting like caged monkeys. Never change slashdot loser nerds.

    1. Re:I love the comments here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Pron addiction is strong here. Probably worried that their kiddie pron fix will be cut off.

  37. Obligatory The Simpsons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    1. Re:Obligatory The Simpsons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If it is obligatory you do not have to point that out, fuckstain.

      numbnuts

    2. Re:Obligatory The Simpsons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Get help.

    3. Re:Obligatory The Simpsons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am not the sped writing nonsense that is completely redundant. Sorry to piss in your cheerios because I know you mistakenly thought it was clever.

      numbnuts

  38. while [ 0 -eq 0 ]; do echo "echo"; done by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Why wouldn't anybody like this?"

    You'd know if you left your conservative echo chamber once in a while.

  39. No more internet of things! by Plazmid · · Score: 1

    At the very least this could prevent the internet of things and all the security issues arising from it. Good luck convincing manufacturers to update all their software to filter pornography if it's being sold in Kansas. Perhaps they will even ban internet enabled lightbulbs because they can be used to flash badly written erotica in morse code

  40. Is this an Onion piece ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

    ... where there's a "Kansas, China?"

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
  41. Only in kansas? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    politicians are lunatics who think theyâ(TM)ll fix the world using a pencil; the majority of them canâ(TM)t even read a book or to write a law without the support of their lobbyists. HOW in the world they think this will be implemented and how are they gonna patrol it? Did they know thatâ(TM)s simply economically absurd? Morons

  42. I've got to get in on this lawmaker racket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So that I too can legisate technology that doesn't exist!

  43. Is this for conversations too or just web use? by Lucky_Norseman · · Score: 1

    Should all calls be automatically monitored and whenever the software determines that the conversation is getting X-rated replace the voice with a masking sound?

  44. Here's a piggy bank ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

    ... for Trump to tap for his wall.

    ... funding for human trafficking programs ...

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    1. Re:Here's a piggy bank ... by mentil · · Score: 2

      We'll built a firewall... and make the pornographers pay for it!

      --
      Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
  45. Why wouldn't anybody like this? by sjames · · Score: 1

    Well, for one, I'm an adult and the odds are no kid will be using my phone. I use it when I'm out and about for work and I'm quite capable of behaving professionally without a nanny.

    I would be concerned that it might block such dreadfully raunchy XXX rated porn as a news item about a corrupt politician or about how the porn filter blocks a lot more than just porn. This has actually been discovered in internet porn filters in the past, I don't see any provisions for stopping it from happening again.

    As briefly amusing as it might be to see it block ExpertSexChange.com, in general net nannies are well known for blocking based on silly innuendo rather than actually objectionable content.

    This is just a cynical play to collect money from people who think if they complain their minister will think they are viewing porn.

  46. So much for conservatives being against by PJ6 · · Score: 1

    "big government", and the "too much regulation".

    Oh that's right, it's just code for freedom for business to do whatever it wants - not individuals.

    Just look at what people do in their bedrooms. We need to control them.

    1. Re:So much for conservatives being against by msmonroe · · Score: 0

      "big government", and the "too much regulation". Oh that's right, it's just code for freedom for business to do whatever it wants - not individuals. Just look at what people do in their bedrooms. We need to control them.

      seems like the filtering software is big government and too much regulation. Guess it's big government and too much regulation only when liberals do it.

    2. Re:So much for conservatives being against by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just look at what people do in their bedrooms.

      Sure, just cut out the whole internet middle-man and install your own cameras.

      Let's see them try to filter that.

    3. Re:So much for conservatives being against by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just look at what people do in their bedrooms. We need to control them.

      We'll ultimately you have basically a coalition. The ultraconservative religious types want to remake the world how they want it, ignoring everyone else's opinions, because theirs is right, or so they believe. You have some that actually believe in things like the laffer curve and are sort of religious about conservatism. As with most disciples, they ignore conflicting information. Then of course you have many in power that simply use it to get more power. The common principle seems to be that, to them, the ends justify the means.

      I wonder if they will block a download of linux. I could be running a live usb drive of linux in what 30 minutes tops? Enforcing the block would require ISPs filter, and then you'd have to block VPNs, and then your sounding a lot like China... Hell, its not that hard to get a replacement windows 10 iso either...

  47. Wait.... really? Ah yes. Kansas. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bwhahahahahahahahahhahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahhaha.

    Way to kill local ecommerce.

  48. He gave them up to a depraved mind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion(operation of wandering)(planet) so that they will believe the lie.

    Mystery Red of the Great American Eclipse
    It has blood on it!
    ABCNews: Eclipse makes pendulum wander
    Losing my religion

    1. Re:He gave them up to a depraved mind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Again you list malware sites that even Edge can detect.

      Lame dude.

  49. Unconstitutional by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Interstate commerce clause. End of story.

  50. Randy Garber Hates Kids by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't understand how any thinking person believes hiding a complex topic from someone for their entire life then suddenly shoving them off the deep end when they hit a specific date is supposed to be beneficial to them. All it does is increase abuse, violence, and fraud.

    I bet you in under a year they will be trying to add some non-pornographic video games to their obscene list.

  51. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by Type44Q · · Score: 0

    The only thing it has going for it is that it aint Oklahoma.

    Good Christ, ain't that the fucking truth.

  52. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by Type44Q · · Score: 0

    Still, I try to cross Kansas at night so that I don't have to actually see it.

  53. Where do they find these retards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm going to propose a bill that I have to get 20M dollars and everyone else has to drop dead.
    How does this bill stop human trafficking?
    How is a phone going to know if someone is allowed to delete the filter?
    How is the filter going to work?
    How is computer defined?
    Does this have to ban text porn as well?

  54. Every teen masturbates by Gabest · · Score: 1

    Those who don't are mentally challenged and become lawmakers in Kansas.

    1. Re:Every teen masturbates by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This politician is totally depraved. That is a 100% certainty.

      numbnuts

  55. 1st Amendment Violation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This bill is clearly a violation of the 1st Amendment. No adult should have to pay a tax or use filters for speech that other people don't like, such as pornography. I have no problem with the optional use of parental filters for devices sold to or used by minors.

  56. The didn't think it through... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The way one of the bills is worded, their own congress meetings, briefings, and sessions would require a $3 cover charge since politics is an adult only establishment.

  57. It's a conservative snowflake pushing this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Randy Garber is a Republican. So looks like the right wing is still pushing this BS religious crap.

    100% chance that they will have something in place to ensure that he and his fellow Reps don't have to pay that porn tax...

  58. This won't crack down on human trafficking by scourfish · · Score: 1

    I believe that human traffickers need to be castrated, however a fee of $20 per device won't fund or be effective against human trafficking. Legalizing sex work between consenting adults will go farther to reduce it.

  59. LOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How exactly is this supposed to work? You're gonna tell me I can't overwrite your operating system?

    Oh wait, that's probably how it will work. No problem, replace the bios chips. Hot air station is ready!

  60. I needed zero more reasons NOT to go to Kansas by Hallux-F-Sinister · · Score: 1

    I needed zero more reasons NOT to go to Kansas, and here, they've come up with another one! Thanks, Kansas House of Morons!

    In the spirit of Bill Maher, here's a new rule:

    Until they've solved the problem of the corrupting influence of money in politics, ensured voting rights for ALL, and solved institutional/systemic racism, no legislature is allowed to do anything else, other than solving THAT. Unless it's raining FROGS. Then they can get the frog patrol to clean that up, and then IMMEDIATELY resume working on fixing corruption and the related issues I mentioned. No new bullshit bans on things, no new bullshit taxes legislating your personal hangups onto other people... just FIX YOUR GODDAMNED, BROKEN-ASS POLITICS, KANSAS, then worry about all the supposed "human trafficking".

    I promise you that governmental corruption, political "leaders" blowing corporations for money, corporations writing laws that gutless, dickless, heartless, brainless, spineless politicians just impose without so much as reading them, is a much bigger and more serious problem for all, than who's stroking what, or what they're looking at while stroking what. Pretty sure shit like that is going on in Kansas, since it's happening in most states, and also this is the only way a "bill" like this gets any kind of chance.

    Also, these bullshit filters can be gotten around, unless you just remove the computer part of the phone, and make it just a phone. In effect, the only way to make this happen, and have it work reliably, would be to outlaw smartphones, and computers. That's a great idea for Kansas. While they're at it, they should also abolish color, and just go back to black and white, like at the beginning of the Wizard of OZ. Then when people flee the state so they don't have to live in some benighted shithole that won't let them buy a computing device with nannystate mandated bullshitware on it, it'll be like when Dorothy steps out of her house and into the magical land of Oz, where they can actually have freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and stroke it to porn without the state reaching into their pockets to pay for the Morality Police.

    --
    Our reign has gone on long enough. Indeed. Summon the meteors.
  61. Violates the 1st Amendment by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

    Clearly and objectively government censorship. That's the first thing that'll kill this.
    If that doesn't kill it for some reason, there's the clear, objective truth that 'net nanny' software never works for one reason or another. It either censors the wrong content, allows the wrong content, or usually both. Then there's the little matter of someone else's sensibilities (such as they are in some people's case) dictating what 'is' and 'is not' pornographic. Someone could theoretically censor all access to Amazon.com because they sell books that they deem 'pornographic' (like Catcher In The Rye, or Stranger In A Strange Land, for instance), or, more relevant to the recent years, censor political content that they don't agree with. Don't even bother disagreeing with me because everyone damned well knows it'll happen.
    Then, even if all that never happens: anyone with access to Google will be able to bypass it in less than 5 minutes anyway.

    Why is it our politicians are so gods-be-damned dumb that they peridically, like clockwork, trot out nonsense like this, again and again? They're wasting our tax dollars on crap like this.
    If you don't want your kids to see some things on the Internet then PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THE INTERNET, don't force your damned choice on everyone else!

    1. Re:Violates the 1st Amendment by ozmartian · · Score: 1

      If you don't want your kids to see some things on the Internet then PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THE INTERNET, don't force your damned choice on everyone else!

      this right here is the fix... but its kind of hard to be paying attention to, most unwanted children, when off your tits on opiates... (sorry, i couldn't resist)

    2. Re:Violates the 1st Amendment by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 0

      Excuse me, but do I detect some racist undertones to what you just said?

    3. Re:Violates the 1st Amendment by ozmartian · · Score: 1

      huh? i agreed and then made a lame joke re parents not really being a part of their child's lives... no sarcasm either... not sure where you detected racism.. race wasn't even mentioned.. wtf?!

    4. Re:Violates the 1st Amendment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      [...] Why is it our politicians are so gods-be-damned dumb that they peridically, like clockwork, trot out nonsense like this, again and again? [...]

      The media does the same thing. I refer to it as "chummin'"; bait & wait.

    5. Re: Violates the 1st Amendment by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      Sure...if you see racist undertones in everything.

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    6. Re:Violates the 1st Amendment by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

      If I am mistaken, then I apologize.

    7. Re: Violates the 1st Amendment by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

      With as polarized as just about everyone is these days, and with out-in-the-open racism so prevalent, it should be no wonder that I might suspect someone of it. In this case there was not, however.

    8. Re:Violates the 1st Amendment by ozmartian · · Score: 1

      no apology necessary.. well intentioned and an understandable misunderstanding... cheers!

  62. Re:Suck it, libtards. by ozmartian · · Score: 1

    yes... real americans like you eh? your comment is both ignorant, uninformed and only helps to promote the idea that all "real" americans are idiots in the international community.... thing is, you're a troll and making me look bad for taking your crappy bait... my bad

  63. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But restaurants are open so you can get a good steak or some BBQ.

  64. It's all about money by Rastl · · Score: 1

    I RTFA even though I know that's not what we do here.

    One bill doesn't put a limit on what retailers can charge to have it deleted and has a $20 fee going to the state. They also have to maintain a way to report content and keep it current.

    The other bills require admission fees for anything remotely adult entertainment oriented to go to the state. Venues and stores have to keep a customer count and then pay up monthly.

    SCOTUS has already declared this sort of thing unconstitutional. So they're fighting a losing battle from the onset.

    They pull out the 'Think of the Children!" rag, they try to tie it to human trafficking, they try to say that they would be surprised if it wasn't hailed by the public as necessary. They're wrong on all counts. It's a money grab by the state and another way to show that Kansas legislators really have no idea how the world works.

    I wonder what a search of their browser history would turn up.... Not that I'm advocating any Anonymous group to do such a thing...

    1. Re:It's all about money by CanadianMacFan · · Score: 1

      I wouldn't count on the current SCOTUS behaving like previous versions of the court. If judges were truly unbiased then things would be much better in the US and you wouldn't have to be worried about these type of cases going to the SCOTUS. However, judges are heavily biased based on their background, religion, and political beliefs.

      (I'm not trying to troll but it's so weird for me to hear about judges who are Democratic or Republican or that they even lean left or right. The idea of a judge, at least as has been taught to me, is a completely unbiased person who is aware of their biases and tries to remove them from their judgements. In Canada we just refer to our judges as judges, not Liberal or Conservative or anything else.)

    2. Re:It's all about money by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      There's no such thing as an unbiased judge - and if there were, their career would dead-end at a lower level, because SCOTUS is just too powerful for either party to forgo a chance to embed one of their own supporters within it and secure a chance to shape the law for decades to come. The current concern is not that the Republicans are politicizing the court, but that they have gotten so good at it through a combination of lucky deaths and skilled maneuvering that they may have upset the balance of power for years or decades to come. The apolitical, neutral judge has about as much basis in reality as the rational actor in economic theory.

  65. Why wouldn't anybody like this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Perhaps, because most of us realize it's not the job of the government to raise / influence children ?

    To be honest, the only protections we the people actually need are protections from Government incompetence, stupidity and their never-ending desire to force their misguided ( and often religious based ) beliefs upon us all.

    Porn ? Really ? THAT is at the top of your "Top Ten Things We Need To Fix" list ?

    You sure there aren't a few other things that might be just slightly more important before you lose your shit about kids seeing naked people ?
    ( Teh Horror ! ) :|

  66. Would the filters even work? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Some of these legislators seem rather clueless about technology. Filters work in a environment where they can be administered and controlled like in a business setting. I am pretty sure personal devices owned by consumers who purchase them would challenge having a filter installed in every device that cannot be defeated.
    I would be pretty confident that these sort of filters could be defeated and would be challenged heavily that they are even legal to be required.

  67. Oh, how I hope so... by BankRobberMBA · · Score: 1

    Dear Universe,
    Please let this happen. Please.

  68. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by Ziest · · Score: 1

    I have seen more of this country then most. Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado is one of the most god forsaken places I have ever been to. Flat, ugly, brown, and no trees. In all directions as far as the eye can see, It gets, maybe in a good year, 15 inches of rain.

    --
    Another day closer to redwood heaven
  69. It's a proposed bill by BankRobberMBA · · Score: 1

    Literally nobody has voted for this yet. Or against it. Nobody.

  70. Supreme Court? by BankRobberMBA · · Score: 1

    This bill is unlikely to ever pass. It looks like a bill to pander to the Republican base.

    1. Re:Supreme Court? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This bill is unlikely to ever pass. It looks like a bill to pander to the Republican base.

      No, it's a common legislative tactic. You introduce a bill, call it something like "Protect the Innocent Children," fill it full of idiotic bullshit which guarantees it will never pass. Then when the Election Cycle starts, you can "truthfully" claim that not only did you attempt to "Protect the Innocent Children," but that your opponent Actively Voted AGAINST Protecting the Innocent Children.

      This type of shit gets eaten up like candy by voters on both ends of the political spectrum, trying to throw shade at Republicans only shows your own uninformed, partisan bias.

    2. Re:Supreme Court? by mentil · · Score: 1

      Considering Kansas just passed a new anti-abortion bill a couple days ago (which will almost assuredly be tossed by a supreme court), you're right on the money.

      --
      Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
  71. Wait by BankRobberMBA · · Score: 1

    It seems like companies would be rushing to set up shop in a state with super low taxes. Is the problem high corporate taxes, or a lack of skilled workforce, or poor government services (infrastructure and the like), or what?

    1. Re:Wait by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      The problem is Silver Gun's wild imagination.

    2. Re:Wait by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Likely the lack of skilled workforce is the major contributor. There are a lot of reasons they could lack that, and the backwards culture is probably the biggest.

      Also, one possible reason is that in Kansas, "Non-Compete agreements" are considered "not always enforceable" which makes it a complete non-starter as a skilled employee looking for a place to move. Most states with half a clue consider them "get the fuck out of my courtroom with that bullshit."

    3. Re:Wait by jeff4747 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Low taxes work for factory jobs where you only need to finish high school (or even elementary school) to do the work.

      Low taxes do not work when you require a much more educated workforce. Because that workforce demands things like schools, colleges and universities that do not suck, roads that are not riddled with holes, tap water you can drink safely, and so on. Those government services cost money, and when you race-to-the-bottom on taxes you can't afford to do them. This leads to a large recruiting and retention problem for employers, so they don't want to move. Plus the business frequently benefits from the better services that higher taxes can pay for.

      Which is why there's a whole lot of dying industrial towns that keep slashing their taxes, sure that someone will move their high-tech company from a high-tax state any day now. Any day. Maybe if we cut taxes a little more. Here they come. Any time now.

  72. Government mandated censorship by Dog-Cow · · Score: 1

    How would this not be a 1st amendment violation?

    1. Re:Government mandated censorship by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Under US law, 'obscenity' as legally defined does not have first amendment protection. If the filter was perfect in operation (an impossibility) then it might even survive a court challenge. In reality, it'd probably be struck down for placing an undue burden on free speech due to the filter over-blocking.

    2. Re:Government mandated censorship by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Under US law, 'obscenity' as legally defined does not have first amendment protection.

      Which, of course, the courts just made up. The First Amendment doesn't specify any such exception. It's called "interpretation."

      "When the Framers guaranteed freedom of speech and the press, surely they didn't mean smut!" As if porn didn't exist in the 18th century.

  73. Is this shit really legal? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't want government spyware or filters on my computers.

  74. Legalization by BankRobberMBA · · Score: 1

    Legalizing sex work between consenting adults will go farther to reduce it.

    Yes, and if you say to most conservatives you can actually watch their blood pressure go up. Laws against prostitution are universally about controlling women's sexuality. 100%.

    1. Re:Legalization by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Not always. They are also about controlling men's sexuality, by trying (ineffectually) to make sure they only have sex within the religiously-proscribed boundry of marriage.

  75. Which OS? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So how does this work exactly? The last three desktop machines I've bought did not have any operating system pre-installed.

  76. What About computer parts what = an computer by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    What About computer parts what = an computer and wore case each part will need it's own $20 fee? Or will places like newegg not sell in Kansas so they don't have to deal with paper work?

  77. I guess he hasn't heard about deepfakes by Babel-17 · · Score: 1

    In connection to how some porn aficionados might react. Nor, I suppose, has he consulted with Rick Santorum before proposing this. On the other hand, if his supporters are as upright as him, none of that will matter, as neither he nor they are at any risk of ever seeing how those in the porn universe react, within the porn universe.

  78. payed for by M$ no more linux must buy windows + by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    payed for by M$ no more Linux must buy windows + $20 fee and must be 18 or older to have Linux installed (at added cost and must still buy windows) Only other choice is apple and they change $30 on top of the $20 to cover there costs.

  79. kompromat by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    s/marketing/kompromat/

  80. intent is hard to prove unfortunately by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the interesting thing would be whether their is a criminal act involving knowingly and intentfully passing blatantly unconstitutional legislation (for tactical political advantage)

  81. Free Speech and unconstitionality of censorship by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Uhm, perhaps because it is blindingly stupid? Possibly unconstitutional?

    I hate to be mean, but I feel I have no choice here but to express the meaning of my hate for you.

    I consider you to be blindingly stupid (if and only if you are a US citizen of voting age), due to your choice of the word 'possibly' here. There are few things that are more obviously unconstitutional than this. This is censorship pure and simple. No ifs ands or buts. The fact that Free Speech got rectally fed at a CIA blacksite until it died a slow painful death... Yeah.

  82. Glad those republicans are standing up for by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Free expression and commerce again.

  83. Oblig. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In Soviet Kansas, children censor what adults can view, and cops shoot the innocent. Now I know why they call us a backwards state.

  84. Conservatives love big, hard, throbbing government by The+Evil+Atheist · · Score: 1

    Time and time again, it is conservatives who show they want real control over people's lives.

    --
    Those who do not learn from commit history are doomed to regress it.
  85. This fucker doesn't understand technology by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    "What it would do is any X-rated pornography stuff would be filtered."

    Yes, of course. Why not pass a law so that guns don't work when being used by thieves and murderers, while we're wishing for fantasy magical stuff with no basis in reality.

    https://xkcd.com/1425/

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
  86. Human Traffcking is Not Real by supercell · · Score: 2
    Human Trafficking is a almost fiction, made up crime to allow the government to deny the rights of citizens. Their are many laws already on the books that deal with kidnapping and all the crimes associated with "Human Trafficking".

    Their are many special interest that have organized around this buzz word and virtually non-existent crime to allow them get money, power and influence for all sorts of unrelated projects.

    Adult entertainment has nothing to do with "Human Trafficking". Zero. This is an attempt by certain people with an agenda to monetize the system. Human Trafficking is fiction.

  87. This bill by BankRobberMBA · · Score: 0

    Well, I never said any part of the left is immune to this, so, thanks for overreacting. I said this particular bill was designed to pander to the Republicans in the base (although re-reading it I could have more accurately said "the conservative base.")

    You want to know something funny? I was absolutely right! It was! Hahaha!

    And you were so triggered you had to reply with some bluster about how that wasn't what it was, at all! And then accuse me of partisan bias! Haha! You're hilarious. I love it!

    Thanks. I was in a bummed mood because of that shitshow around Linus Tech Tips, but your smug derpiness actually made me giggle.

  88. Censorship by justinlw · · Score: 1

    I'll manage my own censorship, thanks, Kansas. This isn't about protecting anybody. This is about control by religious nuts.

  89. Anti-prostitution laws by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... "It's to protect children," Garber, a Republican ...

    There's a fine line between 'user pays' and blaming somebody: This isn't a 'user pays' policy. This is a politician using a 'disreputable' business (pornography) to prove he's 'really concerned' and 'doing something'.

    ... No one under 18 would be allowed to have filter software deleted.

    I'm guessing that only adults can buy phones, making this rule pointless: The actual owner will never be under 18.

    ... have to pay a $20 fee to the state ...

    A Kansas Republican demanding more taxes, now I know he's blowing hot air. If he really cared, he would have funded "human trafficking programs" when the party demanded anti-prostitution laws.

  90. So.... what about guns in schools? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't care about the guns in schools, but can't go having boobies on a phone using filtering software that will be bypassed in about 4 seconds.

    Love the priorities.

  91. phones have cameras by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Kansans can make their own pornography in a matter of seconds.

  92. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn sta by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You could always close your eyes.

  93. Can I filter Kansas on the internet? by Required+Snark · · Score: 1

    I consider Kansas to be obscene and want to censor it from my internet experience.

    --
    Why is Snark Required?
  94. Would it work? by sgunhouse · · Score: 1

    Last I heard, there was no filter that could tell if a random file on some upload site was porn. So ,,, ban access to all upload sites? Ban the Tor browser (if that still exists) since you couldn't tell what it was accessing? Ban reddit since it has included some porn? (though last I heard they were trying to crack down on it)

    Even with some sort of AI, I don't see how it could work.

  95. Repuglicans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I thought Republicans want to get government off people's backs?!?

  96. Lives are ruined by pornography by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    www.yourbrainonporn.com

    Children need to be protected from seeing pornography and many other harmful and distressing images and videos on the internet. It sounds like none of you idiots have got children, or even understand how you came to hold the opinions that you do today - because somebody TOLD you something, that's how you came to have opinions about various things.

    We need to have a separate internet for children, which doesn't have to have everything that the 'real' internet does.

    1. Re:Lives are ruined by pornography by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you define "harmful" as "thinking in a way I don't like," then of course it does.

      Have you looked at the damage religion does to children lately?

    2. Re:Lives are ruined by pornography by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  97. Home of the "God Hates Fags" church by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...I'm not suprised Kansas would do this.

  98. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    But that's HOLY porn and violence, so it's OK.

  99. What a no fun blowhard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I bet his wife is sneaking out to fuck every man she sees, because who would get any pleasure in bed with this clown?

    1. Re:What a no fun blowhard by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      Remember to leave space for Jesus between you when you're f*cking!!!

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  100. does he realize ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How is he going to filter porn on a phone. There is no existing technology that can do that. Sure there are products that try to do it with blacklists and other half ass strategies. However they are far from 100%. What a dumbass bilble thumper trying run everyone else's lives. Most people like this are the biggest hypocrite s and frauds. . Youwhat jackass you want to tell me what to run on my phone you better be paying the bill.

  101. "Factory Jobs" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I wonder how many American factories would even hire somebody who didn't complete high school or get their GED?

    Unless you are talking about sheltered workshops for 'special' people?

    1. Re:"Factory Jobs" by jeff4747 · · Score: 1

      Depends on the factory and the job. "Use this to attach this thing to that thing" doesn't require a lot of book learnin', just some on-the-job training from someone.

      Still High School/GED tends to be required because they'd like to see you are stable enough to stick to something for a while.

  102. This isnt morality its a money grab by JustNiz · · Score: 1

    If they were actually trying to stop porn they wouldn't be doing this.

    > mandating adult entertainment businesses charge a special admissions tax.

  103. Charge admission tax at liquor stores by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why don't they charge $5 admission to the liquor store. The costs to society are significantly higher for DUI, Domestic abuse, Fetal Alcohol syndrome, yet I don't see anyone proposing this type of solution. I guess looking at boobs is somehow considered more dangerous than getting drunk.

    1. Re:Charge admission tax at liquor stores by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      Every state DOES charge a "sin tax" on liquor, duh!

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  104. Republicans: Always for small government by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and the non interference in free trade and capitalist markets....

    Until the church lobby needs to be pandered for by oppressing those doing "sinful" things.

    Does anyone here think that this tax will raise a damn thing? And how does mandating a filter on phones generate revenue for the state to "combat human trafficking" (A shibboleth of the trump suppoorters now, desperate for a way to pay for the wall mexico was always going to pay for, honest), the only way is if it is required to be licensed from the state government and paid for by the companies.

    Republicans, always for the free speech. Until they don't like it. They use the cowards' Voltair codicil: "I will fight to the death for your right to say it, as long as all I have to do is SAY I will fight to the death, not going to actually DO anything, just quote Voltair in 'support'"

  105. Yet you'll use "both sides are just as bad" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    when it suits your defelection away from the abhorrence of your side's actions.

  106. Is this finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the SJWs taking over ? Why do those mad libertards hate porn ?

    1. Re:Is this finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Is this finally the SJWs taking over ? Why do those mad libertards hate porn ?

      Because most porn is straight porn aimed at straight males. And feminists have clearly shown that ALL straight male sexual desire is morally equivalent to rape.

    2. Re:Is this finally by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      Why do you wankers like porn so much?

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    3. Re:Is this finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Why do you wankers like porn so much?

      Because real sex can lead to serious consequences like relationships.

    4. Re:Is this finally by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      I'm more worried about the "losing half my stuff" part... as in my ex literally walked into the escrow office and refused to sign the sales contract unless they immediately but her a check for half of the sales amount... and this was 2 days before the property went into foreclosure.

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  107. Yes there is. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Unbiased people who recognise their bias can circumvent it and not evidence their bias in their judgement.

    ADULTS can do this. YMMV

    Judges also, when they find that their bias, that they know about, will be unable to be suppressed for the judgement, do a thing called "recuse" and don't judge where they feel they cannot be impartial.

    What is really problematic about the current appointees is that they are either careless of their bias or REALLY believe that they don't have a bias (for them, reality has a clearly conservative christian bias, all reality to the contrary notwithstanding), so they may not recuse themselves or avoid their bias BECAUSE THEY REALLY BELIEVE THEY ARE UNBIASED. They "believe" that women really are whores if they had sex outside marriage, they "believe" that gays are a moral affront to reality, they "believe" that corporations can do no wrong because any done will be corrected by the invisible hand, they "believe" that no matter what government does, if it impacts private industry, government is WRONG. They don't see pro corporate, anti-women, anti-gay or pro-christian biases AS biases. So they won't try to suppress their bias.

  108. We're not in Kansas anymore... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Good thing you can just pop over the border to Colorado and buy your computer or phone and not have to pay their "morality tax"... Also, while I don't think there are any porn websites working out of Kansas (Not much of anything but cornfields exist in Kansas) they certainly are making sure that no such industry would ever spring up there...

    1. Re:We're not in Kansas anymore... by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      Great! I'm sure there are already pot shops on the border... now they can sell computers and phones too!

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  109. Don't filter sites at the end device by cordovaCon83 · · Score: 1

    Have the network provider filter the sites. The devices can be modified or imported from out of state, taking what little bit of fangs this legislation had in the first place. Get blasted on national news as people compare your state to China. Watch people easily circumvent your restrictions through VPN and other alternate modes of content delivery. Make sure it costs the citizens of Kansas lots of tax dollars so they can feel like they got a bang for their buck.

  110. Regulations! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What else can we give to the government to do for us? Let's give them some more regulations to do. Let's not leave it up to individual Choice. Don't we love government when they regulate everything?

  111. A chicken in every pot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "A chicken in every pot, and an APK on every phone!"

  112. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn sta by reanjr · · Score: 1

    Have you been to Yuma?

  113. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn sta by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So lesbian nunporn is okay then?

    Phew!

  114. Stupid idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    new internet-capable telephones or computers

    So what happens when there's a security issue with the software? Will the state of Kansas pay for my losses if my computer gets ransomware due to a bug in the filter?

    would have to pay a $20 fee to the state, and whatever cost was assessed by retail stores, to remove filters

    So if I want to wipe my new computer and put Linux on it, I'd have to pay $20 plus a blank cheque to the "retail store"?

    No one under 18 would be allowed to have filter software deleted.

    So nobody under 18 would be allowed to wipe the computer to install Linux or whatever?

  115. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by hamburger+lady · · Score: 1

    i've driven through kansas and slept through the drive as a passenger. and honestly, there's no difference.

    --

    ---
    Is this the MPAA? Is this the RIAA? Is this the DMCA? I thought it was the USA!
  116. Morons by atrex · · Score: 1

    There is no filtering software on the market that is anywhere near perfect at detecting pornographic material. This is just a lame cash grab after GOP Governor Sam Brownback bankrupted the state with his gigantic tax cuts.

  117. New business idea by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    Set up a consumers electronics store just outside the Kansas state line on all major highways!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  118. What if purchased online? by walterbyrd · · Score: 1

    What if you live in Kansas, but buy a laptop, or phone, from Dell, or through Amazon?

    Seems to me that this bill might kill electronic retailers, while doing nothing to stop porn.

    I suspect these filters will be easily defeated.

  119. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by wwphx · · Score: 1

    Southeast Oregon. Looks a lot like Arizona desert.

    --
    When you sympathize with stupidity, you start thinking like an idiot.
  120. Effectiveness? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Isn't this just the return of the "evil bit" from the early days of Internet related obscenity draft bills?

  121. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can confirm.
    Driving up the I25 and looking to your right is just a wasteland.

  122. Re: Guarantee you this dude has a kiddie porn stas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yup, porn dungeon in basement for sure.

  123. This will be used for political censorship by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    More importantly, this will be used for political censorship.

  124. Re: You're a moron Huxley by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Obsolete Cold War NATO shills sure do hate honest men like AHuxley.