Apparently it's not enough that Democrats want to silence conservative talk shows, now the new Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, has introduced an amendment to S.1, the Ethics Reform bill, that
would require political bloggers with readership over 500 to register as lobbyists. If they fail to register, they could face criminal penalties up to one year in jail.
"Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, would require grassroots causes, even bloggers, who communicate to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and report quarterly to Congress the same as the big K Street lobbyists. Section 220 would amend existing lobbying reporting law by creating the most expansive intrusion on First Amendment rights ever. For the first time in history, critics of Congress will need to register and report with Congress itself," according to a statement from GrassRootsFreedom.com
Can't wait to see what they do next. Is that 100 hours over yet? UPDATE: Captain Ed says: not to worry
Whether or not one agrees with lobbyist registration, the definition obviously does not include bloggers, or at least those whose political activity is limited to blogging. One would have to make $25,000 in a quarter just to qualify for the registration
