Well I thought the assault of the Internet had just begun.  I was startled with the propsal to fine and imprison bloggers who intimidate, coerce, etc.. , see Scott’s blog from The Liberty Journal.  It’s absolutely a restriction on the freedom of speech.  Then I learn of a proposal from conservative Judge Richard Posner, seventh circuit court of appeals in Chicago, to restrict bloggers’ ability to link to newspaper articles under copyright protection. It’s merely another disguise to stifle free speech, but with a twist.  To help the profits, or lack thereof, of newspapers as a result in the decline …

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Yes, they would be shooting themselves in the foot. Most of the on-line newspapers provide RSS feeds for the expressed purpose of embedding into someones website or blog. There are some on-line newspapers that do require a subscription for full access to their website. That seems to be a good approach.

We really don't need a law. A website can simply make their articles private and require a subscription, if they choose to do so. I think Judge Posner just doesn't get it. "Times they are a changin'" and you either move ahead with technology or get left behind.

I also think Posner is just afraid control over the message is being lost. Propaganda is readily and easily exposed by the blogosphere.

I really don't think this kind of law has a chance in hades of passing. I certainly hope that very few representatives on either side of the aisle would support this blatant assault on free speech.