Oh My God! I actually agree with the ACLU on something

From CNET:

A bill that Senate Democrats have touted as a means to curb corruption in Washington could instead target some political bloggers with new regulations and even criminal penalties.
...

Much of the bill's wording is obtuse. But one section says that certain political bloggers who make or spend $25,000 per quarter and who encourage readers to contact their elected representatives would be forced to register as lobbyists--or face up to 10 years in prison.

"You have a First Amendment right to contact your congressperson and you have a First Amendment right to tell others to do so," said Marv Johnson, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. "Now they're saying you have to report to the federal government if you're going to engage in this First Amendment-protected activity."

Now the chances of me ever making $25000 a quarter is somewhere in the vicinty of zero, but the entire purpose of the First Amendment is to protect political speech and this is a definite infringement on that right.

And will miracles never cease? Even John McCain, who never met a First Amendment restriction he didn't like is against this provision:

The growing outcry over Section 220, especially from conservative groups including Gun Owners of America, has led some key supporters of the overall legislation to defect and oppose that language. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has said that he will vote for Amendment 20 by Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) to strip out Section 220.

Technorati tags: Politics, ACLU, John McCain, blogs