Section 220 of S1.. How Serious is it?

[MKULTRA]

This recently passed in congress. We'll see if it holds up in the Supreme Court but with their recent track record, I wouldn't count on them protecting your rights. I'm not sure how it will be interpreted. It seems the clause in 220 only goes for paid clients but there is a lot of stuff there in legalese that is up for interpretation and a lot of people are saying it applies to non-paid entities as well.

Here is a link to a copy of the bill. You can google the bill yourself if you want to look at it. It is quoted here verbatim though.

Section 17's definition of lobbying is particularly disturbing

SEC. 220. DISCLOSURE OF PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING.

(a) Definitions- Section 3 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1602) is amended --

(1) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end of the following: `Lobbying activities include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, but do not include grassroots lobbying.'; and

(2) by adding at the end of the following:

`(17) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING- The term `grassroots lobbying' means the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same.

Basically, that means anyone. That means anyone of us, who communicate to 500 people or more are subject to this. Like I said, I'm a little confused on whether or not it is paid people or anyone. I'm pretty sure just paid groups but I'm not 100% on that.

Review of Senate Bill 1 (Section 220)

The grassroots lobbying section of U.S. Senate Bill 1 (Section 220) contains onerous reporting requirements (on a quarterly basis), and civil fines of up to $100,000 for failing to comply. The effect by AFA and other grassroots groups to get you information on any bill before Congress will be profound.

Anyone criticizing the government in front of 500 or more people, or just talking about the government, who does not register and report their activities quarterly, are subject to hefty fines and even prison time.


This..

(B) PAID ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR SEGMENTS THEREOF- The term `paid attempt to influence the general public or segments thereof' does not include an attempt to influence directed at less than 500 members of the general public.

`(C) REGISTRANT- For purposes of this paragraph, a person or entity is a member of a registrant if the person or entity --

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Originally Posted by MKULTRA

This recently passed in congress. We'll see if it holds up in the Supreme Court but with their recent track record, I wouldn't count on them protecting your rights. I'm not sure how it will be interpreted. It seems the clause in 220 only goes for paid clients but there is a lot of stuff there in legalese that is up for interpretation and a lot of people are saying it applies to non-paid entities as well.

Here is a link to a copy of the bill. You can google the bill yourself if you want to look at it. It is quoted here verbatim though.

Section 17's definition of lobbying is particularly disturbing

Basically, that means anyone. That means anyone of us, who communicate to 500 people or more are subject to this. Like I said, I'm a little confused on whether or not it is paid people or anyone. I'm pretty sure just paid groups but I'm not 100% on that.

Anyone criticizing the government in front of 500 or more people, or just talking about the government, who does not register and report their activities quarterly, are subject to hefty fines and even prison time.


This..

That will not stand up.
It is a blatant attack AGAINST FREE SPEECH.
The person responsible for adding that to that piece of legislation should be taken out , tied to the nearest tree and beat with a damn horse whip for at least 10 minutes!
Appears to be an all out attempt at censorship of American citizens.
If did pass, I would post on website myself to immediately challenge it!!!!!
Then I would dare any gestapo to come get me!--TZS

[Pro Street]

edit: it did pass. shame.

and these actually refer to actual registered lobbying firms, grassroots means the registered firms were sprung up from the general public.

even so I don't agree with it, but rerally they should report on the entire bill.

U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote

Write to your Senator if he/she passed it.

[Pro Street]

He hates me by now, I bother him with bills all the time. anyway, the formatting sucks but:


(and yes, I know I wrote Mr. instead of Sen. oops.

Mr. Byrd,
Can you please explain your position and rationale for voting "Yea" for S:1, more importantly this section (I've omitted irrelevant information):
SEC. 220. DISCLOSURE OF PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING.
(1) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end of the following: `Lobbying activities include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, but do not include grassroots lobbying.'; and
`(17) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING- The term `grassroots lobbying' means the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same.
---
Later on in the legislation, any "firm" (any public organization that has a coffer of $25,000 or more and tries to contact 500 or more people) must register quarterly or face fines?
I'm trying to understand why any political organization who takes any kind of donations should in any way be defined as such, or why they should register at all.
Please, clarify this for me as I see this as a breach of our First Amendment.
Please discuss this with Sen. Rockefeller if you have time.

Sincerely,

[AVengeance]

Originally Posted by MKULTRA

...
Basically, that means anyone. That means anyone of us, who communicate to 500 people or more are subject to this. Like I said, I'm a little confused on whether or not it is paid people or anyone. I'm pretty sure just paid groups but I'm not 100% on that.

Anyone criticizing the government in front of 500 or more people, or just talking about the government, who does not register and report their activities quarterly, are subject to hefty fines and even prison time.


This..

So if you have a blog with more than 500 hits...

[Galactic Gigolo]

Originally Posted by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot

That will not stand up.
It is a blatant attack AGAINST FREE SPEECH.
The person responsible for adding that to that piece of legislation should be taken out , tied to the nearest tree and beat with a damn horse whip for at least 10 minutes!

Your solution to anything and everything seems to be irrational violence.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Originally Posted by Galactic Gigolo

Your solution to anything and everything seems to be irrational violence.

ha ,ha, seems quite "rational " to me!
Violence gets a bad rap these days . The world functions with violence as an everyday force..
Some people deserve a little asskicking from time to time. Too bad they dont get it! Liberals come to mind when discussing this subject!--TZS

[Pro Street]

I'm bumping this because I got a reply today:

"This measure was passed by the Senate on January 18, 2007, without Section 220.... thank you for writing, "

so things turned out ok.