Arizona Internet Censorship Bill So Ridiculous, Even The MPAA And RIAA Are Against It

from the do-politicians-even-read-these-things? dept

Tue, Apr 3rd 2012 7:30am — Mike Masnick

A new bill has passed through the Arizona state legislature that would allow for broad censorship of the internet. As with many such bills, this one is weakly "disguised" as an attempt to deal with online "bullying" and "stalking." However, as with many such attempts to outlaw "being a jerk" online, this one goes way, way too far. It says that it's unlawful to "annoy or offend" someone online, for example. The bill is so bad that even Media Coalition -- a group backed by the MPAA and the RIAA -- is arguing against it.

The specifics of the bill take an existing law meant to stop harassing phone calls and applies it broadly to the internet. As Media Coalition points out, the bill:

... takes a law meant to address irritating phone calls and applies it to communication on web sites, blogs, listserves and other Internet communication. H.B. 2549 is not limited to a one to one conversation between two specific people. The communication does not need to be repetitive or even unwanted. There is no requirement that the recipient or subject of the speech actually feel offended, annoyed or scared. Nor does the legislation make clear that the communication must be intended to offend or annoy the reader, the subject or even any specific person.

As Eugene Volokh notes in his own discussion of the bill, a telephone is a one-to-one device. The internet is many-to-many, and it makes for a very different situation when you're talking about content designed to annoy or offend:

Telephones are basically one-to-one devices, so a phone call that uses profane language to offend is likely meant only to offend the one recipient, rather than to persuade or inform anyone; but computers used to post Facebook messages or send Twitter messages or post blog items can offend some listeners while persuading and informing others.
So, under the statute, posting a comment to a newspaper article — or a blog — saying that the article or post author is “fucking out of line” would be a crime: It’s said with intent to offend, it uses an electronic or digital device, and it uses what likely will be seen as profane language (see, e.g., City of Columbia Falls v. Bennett (Mont. 1991)). Likewise if a blog poster were to post the same in response to a commenter’s comment. Likewise if someone posts something in response to an e-mail on an e-mail-based discussion list, or in a chatroom, or wherever else. (Note that if “profane” is read to mean not vulgarly insulting, but instead religiously offensive, see City of Bellevue v. Lorang (Wash. 2000), then the statute would be unconstitutional as well.)

The same would be true if someone posts something lewd in one of these places in order to annoy or offend someone, for instance if he posts a comment on a police-run public discussion page that says something like “the chief of police can suck my dick,” to borrow subject matter from a prior Arizona telephone harassment case. And note that, given that case, the speech need not even be about one of the recipients, so long as it’s intended to annoy or offend one of the recipients.

It still amazes me that politicians think that these are good ideas. They're grandstanding against "cyberbullying", of course, but if they're going to pass laws that have a major impact on the internet, can't they at least talk to someone who understands this stuff first?

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Filed Under: arizona, censorship, cyberbullying
Companies: media coalition, mpaa, riaa

102 Comments

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Brian (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 7:47am

Wow
Never thought I'd see the MPAA and RIAA do something like this.
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MrWilson, 3 Apr 2012 @ 7:50am

Arizona has quickly outrun Virginia and Tennessee for coming up with the stupidest state laws. They've tried to piss off ethnic people, women, and now anyone with an internet connection. They keep expanding the demographic they're trying to drive out of the state out of sheer frustration. Soon the state will only contain a bunch of old white conservatives who don't use the internet, which is probably what they want.
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WysiWyg (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 7:58am

What's the cost?
I would guess that if this law would be passed, it would be subject to a lawsuit and most likely be found unconstitutional like so many others before it.

I was thinking; has anyone tallied up the monetary cost of all these crap laws and the lawsuits?
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Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:02am

Re: Wow
Well, how would their shills be able to troll pro-tech blogs anymore?
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Jay (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:03am

Re: What's the cost?
Even Google's servers don't calculate that high.
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jupiterkansas (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:06am

Would this make it illegal for politicians to run their offensive attack ads on TV?
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:08am

I believe that Eugene's waxing poetic about what he perceives as legal infirmities in the Arizona law, as amended, is quite a bit over the top aince some of his points may pertain to the law even in the absence of the amendment. It is regrettable that he commented about just the initial provision of the law without any attempt to apply the definition provision to it, not only with respect to the law as amended but also with respect to the law as unamended.
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Overcast (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:10am

Yeah, screw rights. Americans don't need rights.

This is about profits, good old boys, and agenda - what could be more important?
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:11am

what this shows is the complete lack of knowledge politicians have concerning the Internet, yet they are still trying to do through it what was happening in a 'real world' environment 20+ years ago. instead of continuously making total plums of themselves, why dont these idiots admit that they are clueless and either resign or go to evening classes! anything but this type of behavior!
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G Thompson (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:15am

I'm offended that this bill does not affect me. I mean what sort of tinpot legislature is this Arizona place that they can only legislate their small part of the world and cannot affect me, an Australian who would like to offend, annoy and call out idiots where ever they may be.

That's discriminatory, and not only annoys me but offends my sense of equality.
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:Lobo Santo (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:15am

Re: Patriots, man
People don't revolt until it becomes spontaneous thru shared hardship and anger.

The patriotic lawmakers in Arizona are just attempting to bring about the revolution that much faster.
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PaulT (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:19am

"It still amazes me that politicians think that these are good ideas. They're grandstanding..."

That's pretty much the answer to your own question. Something that seems to be quite common in politics is for a politician to make a "name" for themselves by tackling a controversial issue, try to force through some bad laws and then use the capital to further their own career. Whether the law would be effective or even counter-productive doesn't enter their minds if they can profit from it - those genuinely interested in the consequences would already have done their research.

This is neither something new nor something unique to American politics. I'm always reminded of UK politician David Alton, an utterly insufferable idiot whose reaction to the (false) tabloid link between Child's Play 3 and the Jamie Bulger murder case was to try and automatically ban any video rated 15 or over (US reader: imagine banning anything rated PG-13 and above). He failed, thankfully, but not long after trying to pull this crap he was granted a peerage.

I presume it's the same thing here... the exact cause being addressed changes, but the mindset of the career politician does not.
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fb39ca4, 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:23am

Will someone please think of the Trolls? What will they do if this bill is passed?
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nyctreeman (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:37am

Re: Re: Patriots, man
The patriotic lawmakers in Hawaii tried the same thing last year

And Clinton suggested that there should be a federal agency that monitors all internet postings for accuracy.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:44am

I'm offended and annoyed by Arizona's legislature and all the news stories they're generating with the crazy laws they're passing lately.

Does that mean if I call the police they'll arrest Arizona's entire state legislature for annoying and offending me?
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quentin, 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:48am

this bill apperres to violate the first amendment
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:55am

Re: Re: Re: Patriots, man
"Clinton suggested that there should be a federal agency that monitors all internet postings for accuracy."

That would solve the unemployment problem...
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 8:58am

I hope this passes. It will take about on hour before Reddit sues the entire political body of Arizona, personal and bureaucracy.
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el_segfaulto (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:01am

Re:
As a proud Geeky-American with a Hispanic background, I make it a point to not drive through Arizona for anything. They've made it perfectly clear that they don't want people with my particular skin tone in their state and I will do my best to comply.
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ZonieGuy, 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:01am

Seriously?!
I grew up in AZ and even came back here after I retired from the Air Force, but I tell ya, these nuts can sure make a person embarrassed to tell others where they are from. I think I'm gonna start saying I'm from California...
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:08am

What do you expect from a populace that drains their aquifers trying to grow grass in the desert?
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Baldaur Regis (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:12am

Well shit...
...next thing you know they're gonna ban smoking on the internet.
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Jeffhole (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:19am

What?
Where in the fuckin' shit did people in America get the idea that they have the right to not be offended?
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E. Zachary Knight (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:31am

Re: Seriously?!
California?!? I didn't realize Arizona was so bad that you would rather be from California. Personally, I would go with Nevada. I least they have Hookers and Blackjack.
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The Devil's Coachman (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:41am

I guess the Arizona State Legislature blows ponies
Or maybe dead iguanas. Fuck them where they breathe. What a bunch of over-reaching sacks of monkey shit they are. People who vote for bills like this should be thrown into an active volcano, and their offspring sent to Catholic orphanages.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:42am

Re:
Arizona's number one industry? Private prison's.
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fb39ca4 (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 9:45am

As Media Coalition points out, the bill:

... takes a fucking law meant to fucking address fucking irritating phone calls and applies it to communication on fucking web sites, fucking blogs, fucking listserves and other fucking Internet communication. H.B. 25-fucking-49 is not fucking limited to a fucking one to one conversation between two fucking specific people. The fucking communication fucking does not need to fucking be repetitive or even fucking unwanted. There is no fucking requirement that the fucking recipient or fucking subject of the fucking speech fucking actually feel fucking offended, annoyed or fucking scared. Nor does the fucking legislation make fucking clear that the fucking communication fucking must be fucking intended to fucking offend or fucking annoy the reader, the fucking subject or even any fucking specific fucking person.
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cjstg (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:03am

Re: What's the cost?
i am so embarrassed to admit that i am from arizona. it is such a beautiful place to live with a great climate. unfortunately, it is also filled with right wing extremist idiots. it is very difficult to be a democrat (even a conservative one) in this state.

i have sent messages to my state reps and senators as well as the governor urging her to veto the bill. however, it is hard to say how she will react. sometimes she couldn't find her ass with both hands, but occasionally she will rise up in moments of lucidity and veto these stupid bills. i guess it all depends on whether the bill's sponsors have something on her.

as mike was saying, the really sad part about this is that it modifies an existing law that addresses telephone communication. those laws might make some sense. but now that the bill has modified those laws it is entirely possible the the whole thing will be found unconstitutional. that would effectively remove the protections that the original law provided.

are there any nice blue states out there that i can move to?
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cjstg (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:05am

Re:
hmmm....i hadn't thought of it that way. now we are talking silver linings.
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Jeff (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:05am

Re:
fucking brilliant!
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cjstg (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:09am

Re:
i'm not sure i saw the section that you refer to. are you referring to another document. know that might really help with the conversation.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:44am

is not limited to a one to one conversation between two specific people. The communication does not need to be repetitive or even unwanted. There is no requirement that the recipient or subject of the speech actually feel offended, annoyed or scared. Nor does the legislation make clear that the communication must be intended to offend or annoy the reader, the subject or even any specific person.

Am I missing something here or does this outlaw every possible comunication?
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:02am

One thing leads to one thing then to another and then another and next thing you know, the offending WEBSITE will be shut down for anything that sheds a bad political light on those who are vested in a "good public image"......for instance, a cynical man might think
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toyotabedzrock (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:29am

What If
Would you help write a law that isn't overreaching since you complain about them so often???

Seriously
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Baldaur Regis (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:41am

Oooookay....
D. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE" INCLUDES ANY WIRED OR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND MULTIMEDIA STORAGE DEVICE.
Yeah, I totally get that, because my hard drives badmouth me all the time. Is the author of this bill on drugs?
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btr1701 (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:46am

Waste
Why do they waste all their time and taxpayer money passing laws which they know beyond a shadow of a doubt (most of them are lawyers, after all) will be struck down as unconstitutional before the ink is even dry on the governor's siganture?
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btr1701 (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:47am

Re: Re:
> Arizona's number one industry? Private prison's.

Private prison's what? Don't leave us hanging! What is it that prisons have that is Arizona's primary industry?
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khory, 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:59am

So they want to make it illegal to hurt someones feelings on the internet. Good luck enforcing that. Might as well arrest everybody.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:01pm

Multimedia, and other stupid terms.
I hate when lawmakers make laws with stupid terms. For example, when you put "Multimedia" in a law, are you excluding anything that is SINGLE media? "Your honor, this device clearly only accepts audio, and is incapable of video or text." "Case dismissed!"

And they really like "electronic" and "digital". I'm really struggling to think of why they care if the activity is done with something analog. Does this mean I can harass someone as long as I use 2 tin cans and a string, or carrier pigeons, or smoke signals?

And sometimes if they don't like what a word means, then instead of using some other word, or maybe using TWO words, they just say that word means something else. "'Immediate family member' means a spouse, parent, child or sibling or any other person who regularly resides in a person's household or resided in a person's household within the past six months." I never realized my college roommate was an immediate family member for 6 months after I graduated!

"A specific person's internet or wireless activity" - Now, I suppose it's possible that you could have a wireless system without Internet. But it's still stupid to phrase it this way. "Yes, your honor, I installed a keylogger on her computer. But it didn't monitor her Internet or wireless! And besides, her husband and children used the computer too, so it wasn't just a specific person!" "Well, you're probably guilty of something, but not under THIS law. Case dismissed!"
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:01pm

Re: Re:
Same document. What is shown above is the markup, with stikeouts for deletions and followed immediately with all caps for substitute language, and underlines for provisions newly added.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:04pm

Re: Waste
duh.........because their entitled, dumb dumb /sarc
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:17pm

Effectively, this law criminalizes all internet communication. You can't say anything without *someone* being offended or annoyed.
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tracker1 (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:19pm

Are microphones, and cameras electronic devices?
If a public speaker (congressional rep) within the state says something over a mic+speaker (electronic device), that annoys me, or is intended to annoy me or anyone else.. can I then sue? Can they be charged?
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Jon Davis, 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:26pm

*blushing*
I liked and believed in SB-1070. Being illegal is against the law, and we here in Arizona have a real problem with illegals.

However, this bill here makes me terribly embarrassed. After all the crap we just went through with SOPA ...
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ltlw0lf (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:36pm

Re: Re:
Arizona's number one industry? Private prison's.

That is funny...since according to wikipedia, it is Walmart, but you have your facts and the rest of the world has theirs.
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An Anonymous Nerd, 3 Apr 2012 @ 12:55pm

Maybe JUST MAYBE
The MPAA and RIAA will finally pull their heads out of their bums and see Censorship leads to LOTS OF BAD CRAP? Im just saying its possible
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clusterfucktothemax, 3 Apr 2012 @ 1:17pm

Arizona -- let it secede already
Why doesn't the state secede already? Those folks have been too long in the sun with their bumper crop of prisons, obsession with the birthers, immigration drama, sadist Sheriff Joe Arpaio ... and now they're worried about someone OFFENDING them? FUCK them. In fact, FUCK the entire state. Let the crazies secede already since they're so far detached from reality and the rest of the country. Let them have their own desert community/country and see how long they get along without federal funds. One good thing about Arizona ... its now making Flori-duh! look good by comparison. Fucking loons!
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jupiterkansas (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 1:31pm

Re: Re:
I'm sure they'll change it so the rules don't apply to incumbents.
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silverscarcat (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 1:33pm

Re: Are microphones, and cameras electronic devices?
Take 'em to court and find out.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 1:40pm

Re: Oooookay....
Now we know what they do with all the stuff they seize when it's brought over the border. They give it to the lawmakers.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 1:44pm

Re: *blushing*
"Being illegal is against the law, and we here in Arizona have a real problem with illegals."

Are you drunk?
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 2:12pm

Re:
That would be easy - just declare Earth as a prison and done. Takes maybe 30 seconds of writing.
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edward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 2:20pm

Re: Wow
yeah there against it because then it can be turned on them for the way they're bullying people... screw the mp-riaa
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 3:48pm

It looks like with this law everyone on 4chan is pretty much screwed.

Why I bet that under this law if I said the word goatse, someone who saw the original could be offended and I would be in legal trouble.

Now that's a goatse.
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Traytr, 3 Apr 2012 @ 4:06pm

Re: Re:
that isnt 100% accurate. not all arizonans hate hispanics, just mostly arpaio and the old folk
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 4:06pm

One-to-one is not the issue
"Telephones are basically one-to-one devices, so a phone call that uses profane language to offend is likely meant only to offend the one recipient, rather than to persuade or inform anyone; but computers used to post Facebook messages or send Twitter messages or post blog items can offend some listeners while persuading and informing others."

Emails are one-to-one, but it still wouldn't make sense to apply these kinds of laws to email communications. Far more important than the one-to-one issue is the fact that phone calls tend to demand the callee's attention while emails from a particular sender are easily blocked or ignored by the recipient. It's easier to harass somebody with a series of nasty phone calls than with a series of nasty emails.
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Traytr, 3 Apr 2012 @ 4:18pm

Re: Arizona -- let it secede already
i love how your loopings all arizonans together as crazy. not all of us are that crazy. i know plenty of fellow arizonans who are/would be utterly opposed to this bill. i thank you for not doing this in the future
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Zac, 3 Apr 2012 @ 4:40pm

Seriously
These politicians are fucking out of line
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The Moondoggie, 3 Apr 2012 @ 5:25pm

Re: Seriously
And no one will do anything about it, even less will care shit about it.

Seriously, like there will be no one in Arizona who will oppose to this and do something like KILL the guy who agreed to make it law.
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The Moondoggie, 3 Apr 2012 @ 5:26pm

Re: Re: Arizona -- let it secede already
Don't just oppose! ACT! NOW!
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the DUDE, 3 Apr 2012 @ 5:27pm

Re: Arizona -- let it secede already
I say we let the entire government secede and then make a new one where the lawmakers have to be competent.
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That One Guy (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 6:52pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Patriots, man
For the entire planet... all at once...
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That One Guy (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 7:00pm

Re:
Not just that hive of scum and villainy, but pretty much any and every site online. With a little time, you can find someone that will be offended by anything, guaranteed.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:26pm

Re: Re: What's the cost?
Move to Tucson. Southern Arizona is a blue state. The population has grown enough that it's 50/50 with Maricopa County. Flagstaff area is also blue. The only crazy area is Phoenix metro.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:30pm

Re:
What this shows is a complete lack of understanding for democracy and free speech. Most of these clowns got elected on a platform of freedom (guns), small government (where?) and economy - which Az continues to spiral downward there too. But they were elected and if given a choice, there is a good chance they will be elected again. That's the jaw dropper.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 10:38pm

Re: Re: Seriously
Arizona does not put bills like this up for public vote because they know it wouldn't pass. Same thing with SB1070 and 90% of the crazy legislation that's thrown it's economy into an even deeper spiral. The big question has been how do these people get elected?
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Anonymous Noel Coward, 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:06pm

Re:
If I was a goatse
ya ha de ha de ha
da ha de ha deedle doodle doy!
all day long I'd
diddle deedle yum-tum
if I was a goatse man!
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Anonymous Songwriter, 3 Apr 2012 @ 11:11pm

Re: Re:
When an internet troll
wants to trolololo
that's a goatse!
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SofaKing (profile), 4 Apr 2012 @ 12:32am

Arizona can suck my dick. Trololo Every cop in Arizona is a pedophile.

Oh noes! Dey be comin forz meh.

God damn :( I feel bad for everyone in Arizona. You know something is very very wrong if the RIAA & MPAA object to it lol...
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Bergman (profile), 4 Apr 2012 @ 1:04am

Re:
I am offended by attempts to censor free speech. If the bill passes and the text of it is posted online, can I get the people responsible for it charged with criminal conspiracy?
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The Moondoggie, 4 Apr 2012 @ 2:11am

Re:
Like a copyright free internet? They hate that right?
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sb101 (profile), 4 Apr 2012 @ 8:04am

Re: What's the cost?
WysiWyg: My thoughts exactly. They should tally the costs of the time to pass the bill, fight it in court and then publish that figure and then ask the citizens if that cost really couldn't have been applied to something truly needed and worthwhile in these days of tight budgets.

Also, aren't the Repubs into LESS government intervention in our lives. This is not a prime example of that.
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Chris (profile), 4 Apr 2012 @ 2:18pm

You have got to be kidding me!
This is such a waste of the taxpayers money. The bill is so broad that anyone couold get prosecuted for simply stating their opinion. Intent can be very difficult to prove. The first amendment of the constitution reads "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." How can I speak my mind and convey my point of view under this law? The short answer is that I could not because someone somewhere may be offended.
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George, 4 Apr 2012 @ 2:26pm

Does this mean Arizona will be monitoring movies on TV (AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE). It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use ANY ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person. Watch out Steven Spielberg!!!
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jett, 6 Apr 2012 @ 1:28am

can't believe arizona
Okay I'm officially against Arizona now. I said okay when they wanted to randomly check peoples licenses, but now I revert my decision I think Arizona is now going against peoples Constitutional rights. Stand up for your rights and tell government no.
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Kiljoy616, 4 Jul 2012 @ 4:16pm

offending arizona for been retarded
Oh Arizona the retarded capital of America, your so bad even Texas thinks your crazy.
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hiufhisuus, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:24am

Re:
Say, "fuck tf2 racist", and I'll let you go, you faggot
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FUCKYOUFOREVER, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:25am

Re: offending arizona for been retarded
SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU FUCKING FAGGOT HIDING BEHIND A COMPUTER SCREEN, YOU HAVE NO JUSTIFICATION, DICKSHIT
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UJISDCJS, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:26am

Re: You have got to be kidding me!
CALLING SOMEONE A RACIAL SLUR ON TF2 IS NOT AN OPNION, YOU FUCKING DUMBASS ASSHOLE
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:39am

Re: Re: Re:
ohohohohho, you're going to pull the "umad" trick? or what about the "it's the internet, get used to it, faggot, as I use this sentence to justify my right to shit everywhere" card? Fuck you, really.

While the dumbasses made this law needs to chill, you need to fuckiung control yourself on the fucking internet, you fucking kid. The reason why "annoy or offend" was stated in the bill, shows that we, as people, have had enough of bypassing you childrens and your fucking constant need to spam the text-chat on every tf2 with racial slurs. It's not offensive, it's pure fucking annoying, it's lame shitty trollery by 4chan's standard, it merits you less respect to an actual racist because chances are you are not an actual racist, just a wannabe racist lying for "lols" or whatever you call it. "ignore it, it's the internet, I have an advance degree on the internet dumbass", that won't solve shit, sherlock. People with so little whit can just take a fucking shit on the comment section, and can be fueled with silent attention, or no attention at all, they run and never come back to this website, like some sort of prank that involves with egg/toiletpaper. And if I want to exert my natural right to free speech, I will drown you in my own steam: PULL YOUR OWN WEIGHT, SHUT THE FUCK UP!
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:48am

Re:
ohohohohho, you're going to pull the "umad" trick? or what about the "it's the internet, get used to it, faggot, as I use this sentence to justify my right to shit everywhere" card? Fuck you, really.

Pull your own weight, you dumb shit. They need to not get offended easily and pass these laws, you need control yourself to not act like a fucking little shithead that can justify their actions because they are "trolls". This problem can be solved starting from the individual, so act up, and hopefully, shitheads like you will be minimized in the future, and because said individual would possess such traits, they will learn by themself not to get offended and go out to pass out these absurd laws. Then again, hypocrisy can be played, it's natural.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:49am

Re: Seriously
Then you be the politicians, too many "whiners", like you, say that as if it was their breath. Work as a politician, then change.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:52am

Re: Arizona -- let it secede already
You have no whit to claim justification, you toddler.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:54am

Re: Re: What's the cost?
I'm surprised by this comment. Why can't every whiny babies here can take a hint from you?
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:56am

Re:
Fuck off, you creten.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 3:56am

Re:
You just killed the F word. Great job, dickhole.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:13am

Re: I guess the Arizona State Legislature blows ponies
Or maybe dead iguanas. Fuck them where they breathe. What a bunch of over-reaching sacks of monkey shit they are. People who vote for bills like this should be thrown into an active volcano, and their offspring sent to Catholic orphanages.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU SHOULD BE STRAPPED ONTO A SLAUGHTERING DEVICE THAT RUNS ON INFINITE POWER, WITH COUNTLESS OF SHARP BLADES THAT SKEWERS TIME, BLUNT FORCES THAT SHATTERS MATTER, AND FLAMES THAT SETS THE SOUL INTO THE INFERNO, IT WILL KILL YOU, IN THE SLOWEST MANNERS AS POSILBLE, AS SLOW AS TO FILL EVERY METRIC SECONDS THAT HUMANITY CAN NOT THINK OF BE CONCETRATE OF MIND-RENDERING AND BODY MUTILATING PAIN, AND THEN AT THE LAST SECOND WHERE YOU ARE TO BE TO RECIEVE YOUR ETERNAL PEACE DEATH IN THE REALM OF NOTHINGNESS, A LIFE SUPPORT WILL BE ATTACHED TO YOUR VESSEL, WHICH ALSO RUNS ON INFINITE POWER, WILL SUSPEND YOUR LIFESPAN TOWARDS THE IMMORTAL, YOU WILL RECIEVE AN ENDLESS LIFE OF DAMNATION, YOU WILL BEG WITH EVERY LIMBS REMOVE, AND EVERY ORIFACE RAZED, AND WHATEVER YOUR TORMENTED MIND CAN CONJURE, FOR DEATH, TO END IT ALL. NO. YOU WANT DEATH TO OTHERS? THEN BE A SLAVE FOR THIS MACHINE.

You want to be an annoying stupid piec of shithead, using the internet to "voice out" behind the computer, with many absurd comments, to which you acknowdlegde them?i.e: A pussy? Then stay.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:15am

Re: Well shit...
... Please, moherfucker, be realistic, and don't make comments that you can respond in a snarky, yet predictable manner, you ego-fuck.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:18am

Re:
"Will someone please think of the Trolls? What will they do if this bill is passed?"

No, fuck them, they need a daily dose of consequence from their usual act of putting up an image as a racist who spams on every tf2 game-chat, and uses it's own trollery to justify its action.

I swear, why is this article full of children comments? Take a hint from hackernews commentors. But don't over do it.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:25am

Re:
"I hope this passes. It will take about on hour before Reddit sues the entire political body of Arizona, personal and bureaucracy."

That explain why there are so much shitty and vulgar comments, someone must've linked to a popular subreddit, and the redditors are going to celebrate and prove their toughness and rightneious by shitting out horrible comments that would be no different from male toddlers on steroids and a dictionary from southpark.
Pathetic.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:28am

Re:
"Yeah, screw rights. Americans don't need rights.

This is about profits, good old boys, and agenda - what could be more important?"

Fuck you, you're in it for making worthless snarky comments, that you lack the vocal and social communication to say it in front of a physical being. To you, it's their view of profits.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:35am

Re:
Arizona has quickly outrun Virginia and Tennessee for coming up with the stupidest state laws. They've tried to piss off ethnic people, women, and now anyone with an internet connection. They keep expanding the demographic they're trying to drive out of the state out of sheer frustration. Soon the state will only contain a bunch of old white conservatives who don't use the internet, which is probably what they want.

Give them some credit, you racist fuckhead, they think in terms of physical objects, unlike you where you value cat pictures and shitty out comments. I'm all in for freedom of internet, but you fucking dorks are fucking annoying, you can't even write a tolerable comment, go consult a fucking english teacher, you fucking immature brat. Hopefully, by talking into your langauge, you will be presauded. Either way, mdon't make shitty comments, and cite your source. fuckin. Persauded?
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:37am

Re:
... For fuck sakes, and important ruleo of making internet comments, don't obviously imply that you have an advance degree on the internet. You can't say spending your child in front of a computer for 10 years have helped, you undefined blob of muscle.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:39am

Re: One-to-one is not the issue
" It's easier to harass somebody with a series of nasty phone calls than with a series of nasty emails."
They are both the fucking same. You failed at defending your position as a troll, remind me to hire more bullies.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:41am

Re: One-to-one is not the issue
Don't try to hide it
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:44am

After reading all the comments here, I should work as a politican, get lotsa money and hire bullies to bully at school, because obviosuly you fucking nerds didn't recieve enough asskicking to stop you from making electronic comments with weak and pathetic hands. Nerds will not inheret the world, bullies will shape the world.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2012 @ 4:48am

You weak and pathetic nerds takes the internet too fucking seriously, I suggest you break you shitty addiction, and get a job that involves chopping wood. Break your stupid habit, and maybe you can develope friends with you voice, from your mouth. Scary, isn't?... Fuckers...
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WTF, 28 Aug 2012 @ 4:11pm

So, what? They can arrest or fine only people living in Arizona right? Trolls from every other state should unite to massively troll all websites associated with Arizona. That'd show 'em.
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classified, 29 Nov 2012 @ 2:33pm

WHAT THE HELL
On the internet swears are often used as jokes those idiots, i swear to god politicians get dumber by the day, speaking of which the unpassed and passed policies designed against piracy invade privacy are just stupid, the copyright infringements are usually used in ways that do not affect the sales but are jokes that might in fact introduce it, and the ones that are copyright infringements can easily get around blocks using simple add-ons, tricks, or simply post it in other areas, this will barely delay the piracy for a short period of time, it also removes a form of right to a fast and speedy trial from availability, not to mention just how easy it is to censor things that have nothing to do with piracy and claim it does
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JP, 11 Feb 2013 @ 7:20am

Not surprised.
I think the next dictator will hail from Arizona.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2013 @ 7:26am

Re:
Wow. How many bullies does it take to create an internet?
Infinity +1. Bullies are to stupid to create anything.
And yet, here you are. Too stupid to attack with words, too weak to bully people yourself.
Nerds have already inherited everything, worm.
Bullies don't shape anything except for the future of college sports.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2013 @ 7:29am

Re: Re: offending arizona for been retarded
All caps? Check.
Nearly 25% cursing? Check.
0% rational? Check.

Must be from Arizona.
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