Tennessee bans offensive pictures online.

[z31maniac]

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/06/tenn-law-bans-posting-images-that-cause-emotional-distress.ars

Basically it's worded to be so overtly broad that nearly anything could qualify. I'm sure they will use the "reasonable person" approach, but most of the stuff on the Internet is well past what any reasonable person would call offensive.

I'm sure there will be a court case coming up with this one.

[CorvallisBMW]

Glad to know the red-state south still respects freedom of speech and personal responsibility

[scabzzzz]

haha

Yeah, i'll make sure I watch my content posting from now on............

[Dozyproductions]

How is this not going to be abused? How is it constitutional?

[Maluco]

sometimes things are not necessarily republican or democrat, regardless of the state of the state....

These types of laws are being created at the federal level as well.

April 1, 2009, the Senate introduced two bills, endangering a free and open internet: S. 773: Cybersecurity Act of 2009 and S. 778 to establish a White House cybersecurity czar.

September 20, 2010, S. 3804: Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA) was introduced.

Last month Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011, PROTECT IP for short, this legislation would use copyright infringement as a smoke screen to take down web domains and institute rolling censorship.

International: Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)

it's just a continuation of the propaganda efforts to convince the American people that the internet will be used as a terrorist weapon of mass destruction etc and needs to be tightly regulated – for our own safety, of course, and that of the children. Opposition to an open, free, and government unregulated internet where alternative media opposed to their controlling devices are allowed to thrive.

[z31maniac]

^The next time I'm in the Dallas area I would like to buy you a beer or ten.

[Dominic49]

Friends-

We've certainly got their attention. The Motion Picture Association of America is trying to push back against Demand Progress and Internet freedom activists by claiming that we're just not really here. They claim that Demand Progress's 350,000-signature petition in opposition to the Internet Blacklist Bill (now called the PROTECT IP Act) is full of fake names.

Well, it's time to prove them wrong. Demand Progress has a new system in place that makes it easy for you to email House and Senate offices directly. (This is different from signing the petition against the bill, and I urge you to take this action even if you've signed the petition.)

Will you email Congress to urge them to oppose the PROTECT IP Act? Just click here-

http://act.demandprogress.org/go/198?akid=691.256560.vZqp8m&t=6

PROTECT IP would give the government the power to force Internet service providers, search engines, and other "information location tools" to block users' access to sites that have been accused of copyright infringement -- the initiation of a China-style censorship regime here in the United States.

By emailing your lawmakers' offices directly you'll make sure that they know that you're their constituent and can vote for or against them when they're up for re-election -- and you'll be calling the MPAA out for their cynicism and bogus charges against Demand Progress, its members, and all Internet freedom activists.

Will you email Congress to urge them to oppose the PROTECT IP Act? Just click here-

http://act.demandprogress.org/go/198?akid=691.256560.vZqp8m&t=8

Thanks!

[Wiglaf]

thanks for the link. I really am getting frustrated with the lack of people stepping up to these companies.

[Raxe]

The internet always evolves faster than the law. They close one door and ten more will open.

[joshh]

It's just people trying to control people as usual. The more vague they try to make it, the easier it passes the Constitutional test. More BS from politicians.

[rwh11385]

Does this include posting from a smart phone while trying through the state? Or is that federal if on the interstate? What about at the diner?

Be safe scabbies

[freeride53]

I think I might go volunteer!

[mrsleeve]

Not interwebz but very related, was going to make this is own thread but seems relevant this thread

TN also bans "offensive bumper stickers" Ummm really who determines what is offensive????? I mean really WTF this is not something I would have expected outta TN. But is more "save the children" bullshit. An more proof that politicians (dems in particular) think speech should be free only if you agree with them.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Starting Friday, Tennessee drivers caught with obscene or patently offensive bumper stickers, window signs or other markings on their vehicle visible to other drivers face an automatic $50 fine.

The law also includes movies other drivers can see playing inside of vehicles, including adult films.

Tennessee code 55-8-187 had allowed judges to decide on a fine from $2 to $50 based on their opinion.

Democratic State Representative Gary Moore, of Joelton, however, co-sponsored a House bill to stiffen the fine after he got several angry calls from constituents.

http://www.wkrn.com/story/15009792/s...w-takes-effect

[Dozyproductions]

so I can't show a picture of my auntie in TN?

[Wiglaf]

...An more proof that politicians (dems in particular) think speech should be free only if you agree with them..

oh please. If you want to make this into a right vs left thing, it's always the righty tighty bible belt that's trying to legislate morality on us and censor everything.

(and a quick google of TN voting history supports my statement.)