Being annoying on the internet is a FEDERAL CRIME

[Newby]

http://news.com.com/Create+an+e-annoyance,+go+to+jail/2010-1028_3-6022491.html

What the FUCK?

[GameSnake]

Indeed. I already seen this coming: slowly, our rights will be chipped away untill it's too late to go back. This country should shame itself for "taking pride in freedom".

It's really starting to scare me now a days. Our freedoms are being creeped up on and demolished by a political and bussiness agenda. Mark my words: something will happen before George Bush is out of the office that will be irreversible and unwanted.

[trust]

something will happen before George Bush is out of the office that will be irreversible and unwanted.

I certainly agree. Before he is out of office, there will be an election...one in which he is not the winner, which means he will no longer be President.

I dread the day.

[Ergot]

That's what happens when uninformed/misinformed/inexperienced/illiterate people are left in charge of signing laws.

[trust]

I actually don't think this is totally wrong. I'd like to think we're sheltered from alot of the "dark" events that happen on the internet. Since, pretty much we all know each other/get along we sometimes "annoy" people for fun or as a joke, but not with harmful of malicious intent. But as we all know there are some crazy people on the internet.

For example, I don't think iago is going to report me to the Canadian horse police guys because I said his name on a seperate line on IRC which annoyed him and caused him to ban me.

(me: iago
 me: blahblah blah )

[CrAz3D]

Its more to prevent stalking, like phone stalking laws.

[Chavo]

this thread annoys me, I'm reporting all of you to your FBI

[iago]

Indeed. I already seen this coming: slowly, our rights will be chipped away untill it's too late to go back. This country should shame itself for "taking pride in freedom".

It's really starting to scare me now a days. Our freedoms are being creeped up on and demolished by a political and bussiness agenda. Mark my words: something will happen before George Bush is out of the office that will be irreversible and unwanted.

Plenty already has.  You're one of those psychics that predicts really obvious things, like "your marriage will go through hard times" or "your great great great grandma is dead". 

But yeah, I can't believe Bush signed something like this.  I didn't think he was THAT thick!

For example, I don't think iago is going to report me to the Canadian horse police guys because I said his name on a seperate line on IRC which annoyed him and caused him to ban me.

(me: iago
 me: blahblah blah )

See, you didn't do it once.  Once, I asked you not to.  Twice, I kicked you.  Three times, I banned you.  Plus, you were annoying me before you ever did that, so you basically gave me an excuse.  But you're right, I should call the police!

[Newby]

But you're right, I should call the police!

And you're right! He had intent to harass you.

[GameSnake]

Indeed. I already seen this coming: slowly, our rights will be chipped away untill it's too late to go back. This country should shame itself for "taking pride in freedom".

It's really starting to scare me now a days. Our freedoms are being creeped up on and demolished by a political and bussiness agenda. Mark my words: something will happen before George Bush is out of the office that will be irreversible and unwanted.

Plenty already has.  You're one of those psychics that predicts really obvious things, like "your marriage will go through hard times" or "your great great great grandma is dead". 

But yeah, I can't believe Bush signed something like this.  I didn't think he was THAT thick!

You never know I could become the next nostradomus or something?

[CrAz3D]

You can't blame anyone for this new law.  The internet is new & governing it is a new concept.  They're trying.

[deadly7]

Joe, you'd better leave America. ASAP.

[iago]

The internet as we know it is about 15 years old.  That's not very new. 

And Bush is the final signature on the law, so I can totally blame him. 

[Sidoh]

Joe, you'd better leave America. ASAP.

LMFAO

[Newby]

I BET KEYBOARD COMPANIES ARE GONNA DO GREAT BUSINESS. WHEN PEOPLE START GETTING SUED FOR HAVING A CAPS LOCK KEY STUCK THEY'LL SHELL OUT THE $20 FOR A NEW KEYBOARD!

EDIT --

LOVE,
JAMES (sue me now!)

[rabbit]

We can't sue you, we know who you are :\

[Newby]

We can't sue you, we know who you are :\

The whole point!

[CrAz3D]

The internet as we know it is about 15 years old.  That's not very new. 

And Bush is the final signature on the law, so I can totally blame him. 

New can be relative.
Congress writes the laws, Bush had nothing to do with it other than making it an actual law.  At least Capitol Hill is trying to do something.  Pretty hard to figure out where/how to start on it.

[GameSnake]

I think what everyone is missing is that we dont want the internet to be censored. You cannot start making and enforcing laws for something that isn't just one country's, this is an international thing.

[Screenor]

So this law would generally put community's like myg0t offline?

[MyndFyre]

So this law would generally put community's like myg0t offline?

Not to mention people like you in prison.

[Screenor]

So this law would generally put community's like myg0t offline?

Not to mention people like you in prison.

..

[Blaze]

www.meatspin.com
www.lemonparty.com

SuE mE, LOLOLOL!!! 11   

Oh wait, I don't follow American laws, ohh well - Better luck next time.

[Warrior]

Finally we can put Mangix and QwertyMonster in prison.

[deadly7]

God, America is full of dumbasses... [This should've been in my first post]

[CrAz3D]

I think what everyone is missing is that we dont want the internet to be censored. You cannot start making and enforcing laws for something that isn't just one country's, this is an international thing.

It isn't so much censorship, from what I understood it is more of a safety thing.  Like to prevent internet predators from stalking people, or at least making it illegal so that if you DO get caught you get punished.

You don't want them to be like "uhm, stop it, please?" & just let the perv continue harassing you, do you?

[deadly7]

I think what everyone is missing is that we dont want the internet to be censored. You cannot start making and enforcing laws for something that isn't just one country's, this is an international thing.

It isn't so much censorship, from what I understood it is more of a safety thing.  Like to prevent internet predators from stalking people, or at least making it illegal so that if you DO get caught you get punished.

You don't want them to be like "uhm, stop it, please?" & just let the perv continue harassing you, do you?

It's illegal to stalk somebody as it is, that law works well enough.  It's also illegal to be a pedophile and endorse child pornography.  Those are ruled out. Next?

[CrAz3D]

Article says its to prevent cyber-stalking.
I'm not sure what exactly the law does, I haven't read the law nor am I a lawyer (yet;)).

Although, the older wording sounded better ... "substantial emotional harm".
I don't understand why you wouldn't just ignore someone that is bugging you, but if it comes to the point of stalking I can understand be being annoyed/emotionally harmed

[iago]

Article says its to prevent cyber-stalking.

Isn't there some kind of strategy to say one thing and then do another, thus getting what you want in a dirty way?  I know that in a game I played on the weekend, I assured (and proved) to everybody that I couldn't possibly win this turn because I didn't have enough money.  Then on my turn, I won.  Just because I said I wouldn't win, and gave a pretty good reason that seemed to check out, I still managed to do it.

[Newby]

So this law would generally put community's like myg0t offline?

Yes. Hahaha. Poor myg0t.

[iago]

Finally we can put Mangix and QwertyMonster in prison.

Not funny anymore!

[GameSnake]

Lets put iago in jail!

[AntiVirus]

I don't even know why you guys are complaining.  It's not like it actually effects any of you.  It's not really some huge leap in censorship on the internet, it isn't that big of a deal. 

Stop complaining just to complain. 

Some of you might say "Well, this is just the foot in the door censorship will get worse", well I highly doubt it is going to get too much worse.  Censoring the intertnet will be nearly impossible to do with all of the things out there and all of the ways to get around.  It's too universal, so it's just not going to get that bad. 

I think that law is relavent to things going on now, and I think it's a good idea to have implimented it.  There are crazy people out on the internet, and they love to mess with ignorant kids and shit like that without any harm done to them, but now it's illegal and they will possibly think twice before being annoying because it affects them.

[iago]

If this law is used the way it can potentially be, then I can name at least a couple dozen people who are felons.  That's not a big deal?

[AntiVirus]

Seeing that you live in Canada, no it's not. It only affects us in the United States.

Also, please elaborate on how it can be potentually used.  I want to know what you think the laws potentual has.

[Newby]

You're annoying me AntiVirus. If you don't stop posting like an asshole I am going to sue you for harassment with intent to annoy.

It's that simple. I have a lawsuit.

(But since your name is Brandon and I live in Ron's basement in Canada[size=0pt]*cough*[/size] I can't sue you.)

[iago]

You're annoying me AntiVirus. If you don't stop posting like an asshole I am going to sue you for harassment with intent to annoy.

It's that simple. I have a lawsuit.

It's more than a lawsuit, he committed a felony. 

[iago]

By the way, here's the important texts of the original law:

Whoever—

(1)        in interstate or foreign communications—
    (A)       by means of a telecommunications device knowingly—
        (i)         makes, creates, or solicits, and
        (ii)        initiates the transmission of,
any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image, or other communication which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent, with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass another person; 

And here's the recent amendment:

(1)        The use of the term “telecommunications device” in this section—
....
    (C)       in the case of subparagraph (C) of subsection (a)(1), includes any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet (as such term is defined in section 1104 of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151 note)).'.

So yeah, you aren't allowed to send a "comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image, or other communication" on the Internet  "which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent" and have the "intent to annoy"

That sounds pretty bad to me?

[AntiVirus]

You're annoying me AntiVirus. If you don't stop posting like an asshole I am going to sue you for harassment with intent to annoy.

It's that simple. I have a lawsuit.

(But since your name is Brandon and I live in Ron's basement in Canada[size=0pt]*cough*[/size] I can't sue you.)

Lol Newby. 

I just don't care about the law, to be honest.

[CrAz3D]

You couldn't sue him anyway.

The law is a criminal thing, not civil.  You have him arrested, but you wouldn't be compensated for anything, I believe.

[iago]

You're annoying me AntiVirus. If you don't stop posting like an asshole I am going to sue you for harassment with intent to annoy.

It's that simple. I have a lawsuit.

(But since your name is Brandon and I live in Ron's basement in Canada[size=0pt]*cough*[/size] I can't sue you.)

Lol Newby. 

I just don't care about the law, to be honest.

You should.  With this and other recent laws, they're making pretty much everybody on the Internet a criminal.  They can find a reason to arrest just about anybody in the country.

Just imagine if an evil person managed to get elected president (it could happen!), at this point, this evil person can ensure that all his enemies are arrested, so he remains unchallenged.  Isn't that a scary thought to you?

[AntiVirus]

I'm still not worried.  I don't do anything like that on the internet.

Unless I am just unaware of it, which is possible.  And out of all honesty, I still don't see what *you* need to worry about.  You are canadian, and this is an American law. <3

[Chavo]

I just thought of something; under this law, it is now a felony to harass/shit-talk/greif/etc in an online game.  I could have fun with this....

[MyndFyre]

You're annoying me AntiVirus. If you don't stop posting like an asshole I am going to sue you for harassment with intent to annoy.

It's that simple. I have a lawsuit.

(But since your name is Brandon and I live in Ron's basement in Canada[size=0pt]*cough*[/size] I can't sue you.)

Lol Newby. 

I just don't care about the law, to be honest.

You should.  With this and other recent laws, they're making pretty much everybody on the Internet a criminal.  They can find a reason to arrest just about anybody in the country.

Just imagine if an evil person managed to get elected president (it could happen!), at this point, this evil person can ensure that all his enemies are arrested, so he remains unchallenged.  Isn't that a scary thought to you?

OMG, Ron, you're being as annoying as my mom.  You're lucky you live in Canada!

Furthermore, the person having all of his enemies arrested would also need to make sure the trials were successful and the law wasn't overturned.  At the first misuse of it, the law will be (it's too broad not to be).  I hardly think that the situation you describe will come to fruition.

[CrAz3D]

http://www.courttv.com/news/2006/0112/chatroom_suit_ctv.html
BWAHAH!

Doesn't have to do w/the law being talked about here but is the same sorta situation.
What a douchebag for suing someone cause he got teased online.

[AntiVirus]

And that, my friends, is an example on how stupid people act..

[iago]

And out of all honesty, I still don't see what *you* need to worry about.  You are canadian, and this is an American law. <3

Because you'e the next closest country, and what happens to you usually affects us, as well.  I think that one of these days we're going to have to free the US from their oppresive leadership and install a proper government, just like you guys did to Iraq

And that, my friends, is an example on how stupid people act..

When you're making a law, especially in the US, you have to take stupid people into account.  There are a lot of them in the world. 

[AntiVirus]

And out of all honesty, I still don't see what *you* need to worry about.  You are canadian, and this is an American law. <3

Because you'e the next closest country, and what happens to you usually affects us, as well.  I think that one of these days we're going to have to free the US from their oppresive leadership and install a proper government, just like you guys did to Iraq

And that, my friends, is an example on how stupid people act..

When you're making a law, especially in the US, you have to take stupid people into account.  There are a lot of them in the world. 

Well, unless your government impliments this law as well, it shouldn't affect you much.  And if they do then your government is just as bad as you say ours is.


And yes, there are a lot of stupid people.

[iago]

And out of all honesty, I still don't see what *you* need to worry about.  You are canadian, and this is an American law. <3

Because you'e the next closest country, and what happens to you usually affects us, as well.  I think that one of these days we're going to have to free the US from their oppresive leadership and install a proper government, just like you guys did to Iraq

And that, my friends, is an example on how stupid people act..

When you're making a law, especially in the US, you have to take stupid people into account.  There are a lot of them in the world. 

Well, unless your government impliments this law as well, it shouldn't affect you much.  And if they do then your government is just as bad as you say ours is.

If it affects the Internet, it affects everybody. 

[ZeroX]

And that, my friends, is an example on how stupid people act..

When you're making a law, especially in the US, you have to take stupid people into account.  There are a lot of them in the world. 

Quik and I have had several disscussion on this matter. Read my sig.

Anyways about the current Topic. NO COMMENT.

[CrAz3D]

I wonder if it would count if iago committed an offense according to this law while logged into a US server.  Maybe he could be extradicted then..hmm

[iago]

I doubt Canada would extradite for such a stupid law.

[AntiVirus]

And out of all honesty, I still don't see what *you* need to worry about.  You are canadian, and this is an American law. <3

Because you'e the next closest country, and what happens to you usually affects us, as well.  I think that one of these days we're going to have to free the US from their oppresive leadership and install a proper government, just like you guys did to Iraq

And that, my friends, is an example on how stupid people act..

When you're making a law, especially in the US, you have to take stupid people into account.  There are a lot of them in the world. 

Well, unless your government impliments this law as well, it shouldn't affect you much.  And if they do then your government is just as bad as you say ours is.

If it affects the Internet, it affects everybody. 

I don't see how it would affect everyone..  It would only affect the united states.  People in canada can go and *annoy* us, but since you are in a different country we can't do shit about it.

[iago]

I don't see how it would affect everyone..  It would only affect the united states.  People in canada can go and *annoy* us, but since you are in a different country we can't do shit about it.

Suddenly, you have to worry about where the sites you're at are located geographically, because if you offend somebody from an American site, it's a problem. 

Plus, Canadians sympathize with Americans a lot.  You're our closest neighbors, and best friends.  The more rights that are taken away from you, the less free the western world is, and the closer we come to the collapse of our way of life.  As American citizens, you should be fighting much harder to keep your basic freedoms, not let them be abused/thrown away whenever your government feels like it. 

[deadly7]

Personally, I think that anarchy should be the law for a while and just let people do it for themselves and then throw government back in.

[Sidoh]

Personally, I think that anarchy should be the law for a while and just let people do it for themselves and then throw government back in.

No.  The world would collapse if it was done like that.

[iago]

I think that some level of anarchy would benefit the world immensly.  Not so much anarchy, but Libertarian.  The government should get their nose out of private affairs where it doesn't belong. 

[Sidoh]

I think that some level of anarchy would benefit the world immensly.  Not so much anarchy, but Libertarian.  The government should get their nose out of private affairs where it doesn't belong. 

I agree.  Completely eliminating the government which the world currently relies so heavily upon would send everything into chaos.  While that would only be temporary, I'd personally rather avoid it and go about the matter in a more constructive fashion.

[AntiVirus]

If it gets worse than this, then I will step in and protest, but right now this law isn't a big deal.  It protects people from others that only want to cause harm and distress...  I see nothing wrong with that.

[Hitmen]

I think that some level of anarchy would benefit the world immensly.  Not so much anarchy, but Libertarian.  The government should get their nose out of private affairs where it doesn't belong. 

Woohoo, iago supports libertarianism. I didn't know you were that cool.

[iago]

If it gets worse than this, then I will step in and protest, but right now this law isn't a big deal.  It protects people from others that only want to cause harm and distress...  I see nothing wrong with that.

You're annoying me.  You're committing a felony.  Don't you see that possibility as a problem?

I think that some level of anarchy would benefit the world immensly.  Not so much anarchy, but Libertarian.  The government should get their nose out of private affairs where it doesn't belong. 

Woohoo, iago supports libertarianism. I didn't know you were that cool.

I think that libertarianism definitely has potential.  Why should the government get involved in places where it doesn't belong?  To each his own. 

[AntiVirus]

If it gets worse than this, then I will step in and protest, but right now this law isn't a big deal.  It protects people from others that only want to cause harm and distress...  I see nothing wrong with that.

You're annoying me.  You're committing a felony.  Don't you see that possibility as a problem?

I think that some level of anarchy would benefit the world immensly.  Not so much anarchy, but Libertarian.  The government should get their nose out of private affairs where it doesn't belong. 

Woohoo, iago supports libertarianism. I didn't know you were that cool.

I think that libertarianism definitely has potential.  Why should the government get involved in places where it doesn't belong?  To each his own. 

It can become a problem easily if they use it wrong.  But, the person wouldn't win the courtcase if they do accuse someone of doing that wrongfully.  And if they do by some chance win it, they too could just get accused, which would teach them.

Sure, I think it's some what of a problem that it could be that easy to get introuble, but I am sure the government has or will recognize this and eventually fix it.

[iago]

It can become a problem easily if they use it wrong.  But, the person wouldn't win the courtcase if they do accuse someone of doing that wrongfully.  And if they do by some chance win it, they too could just get accused, which would teach them.

Sure, I think it's some what of a problem that it could be that easy to get introuble, but I am sure the government has or will recognize this and eventually fix it.

So assuming that the Judge understands the technology and the implications, the law isn't very dangerous. 

Now, can you find me a Judge who understands technology?  I can't, at least, not around here.

[AntiVirus]

Lol, one of these days.  Technology is moving too fast for the law to catch up.  But, if the judge and jury are going to be fair they will have to learn more.

[Chavo]

Presenting the information necessary to make an informed decsion is the entire point of having lawyers in a trial/hearing.  How else can you expect a Judge or jury to make the correct decision in any case not directly related to their expertise.

Maybe they do things differently in Canada, but I find this

Now, can you find me a Judge who understands technology?  I can't, at least, not around here.

comment a bit naive. (no insult intended)

[iago]

I guess I'm the only one who's had to work directly with judges and technology.  They aren't fond of it at all, at least, not here.

[Chavo]

I'm not sure how you drew that conclusion, I talk to the Supreme Justice of Kansas on a regular basis.

[iago]

I did IT Security for the government.  The Judges were always the #1 most annoying group to do security before, because they know nothing about technology.  It's hard to explain, but I assure you that, around here, they were very anti-technology

[Chavo]

I feel sorry for you then.

[AntiVirus]

I feel sorry for you then.

Me too.  Because Ich leibe dich.