News Blog for social, fiscal & national security conservatives who believe in God, family & the USA. Upholding the rights granted by God & guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, traditional family values, "republican" principles / ideals, transparent & limited "smaller" government, free markets, lower taxes, due process of law, liberty & individual freedom. Content approval rests with the ARRA News Service Editor. Opinions are those of the authors. While varied positions are reported, beliefs & principles remain fixed. No revenue is generated for or by this "Blog" - no paid ads - no payments for articles.Fair Use Doctrine is posted & used. Blogger/Editor/Founder: Bill Smith, Ph.D. [aka: OzarkGuru & 2010 AFP National Blogger of the Year] Contact: editor@arranewsservice.com (Pub. Since July, 2006)Home PageFollow @arra
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -- Plato
(429-347 BC)
Friday, January 19, 2007
Arkansas Senators Voted to Restrict Grassroots Free Speech
Grassroots Restrictions Removed from Ethics Bill which passed. In a victory for grassroots groups across the country, Republicans stood united Thursday night and helped strike Section 220 from the Senate Ethics Bill. This section would have put undue regulations on the activities of grassroots organizations free speech with their constituents. Almost all Democrats voted to restrict grassroots groups and free speech by keeping Section 220 in the bill including Arkansas Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor. (Senate Recorded Vote). The restrictions would have affected any group conducting the smallest amount of lobbying, and local issue advocates who didn't comply properly would face fines and jail sentences for noncompliance. Groups including National Right to Life, Family Research Council, American Family Association, Focus on the Family, Traditional Values Coalition, Gun Owners of America, "church pastors", and others, were worried about bill S. 1. retricting their rights to identify issues and to ask their constituents to express their congressional representatives. The provision were so onerous that even the American Civil Liberties Union sided with conservative groups in opposition to them. To review topic concerns view prior posts including: Grassroots freedom of speech threatened - Action Needed!Tags:Arkansas, free speech, grassroots, religious freedom, Senator
NRSC Press Release 1/19/07: "Mark Pryor has shown his true stripes in joining with some of the most liberal members of the Senate in a vote against freedom of political speech. The citizens of Arkansas deserve the right to petition the government for redress of their grievances and Sen. Pryor wants to take that right away," NRSC spokesperson Rebecca Fisher.
ACLU opposed language because it would have chilling affect on citizenry lobbying: "Section 220 would apply to even small, state grassroots organizations with no lobbying presence in Washington. When faced with burdensome registration and reporting requirements, some of these organizations may well decide that silence is the best option." (ACLU letter to U.S. Senators, Jan. 17, 2007)
'This is an issue about free speech, not an issue that is either Republican or Democratic,' said Marvin Johnson, legislative counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, during the coalition's telephone news conference yesterday." ("Senate Passes Ethics Package," Washington Post, Jan. 19, 2007)
Sen Blanche Lincoln also fits the same mold as Mark Pryor in her vote against freedom of political speech. Even the ACLU didn't agree with either of them. Fortuantely they were in the minority in seeking to limit speech by constituents who are members of grassroots organizations and who send them letters, emails and faxes on issues they do not agree with.
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NRSC Press Release 1/19/07: "Mark Pryor has shown his true stripes in joining with some of the most liberal members of the Senate in a vote against freedom of political speech. The citizens of Arkansas deserve the right to petition the government for redress of their grievances and Sen. Pryor wants to take that right away," NRSC spokesperson Rebecca Fisher.
ACLU opposed language because it would have chilling affect on citizenry lobbying: "Section 220 would apply to even small, state grassroots organizations with no lobbying presence in Washington. When faced with burdensome registration and reporting requirements, some of these organizations may well decide that silence is the best option." (ACLU letter to U.S. Senators, Jan. 17, 2007)
'This is an issue about free speech, not an issue that is either Republican or Democratic,' said Marvin Johnson, legislative counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, during the coalition's telephone news conference yesterday." ("Senate Passes Ethics Package," Washington Post, Jan. 19, 2007)
Sen Blanche Lincoln also fits the same mold as Mark Pryor in her vote against freedom of political speech. Even the ACLU didn't agree with either of them. Fortuantely they were in the minority in seeking to limit speech by constituents who are members of grassroots organizations and who send them letters, emails and faxes on issues they do not agree with.
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