An Internet sans anonymous posts?

A Kentucky lawmaker is pushing for a Web free of anonymous posts through a bill he filed that would require anyone who contributes to a Web site to register his or her real name, address, and e-mail. Under the proposed law, the site operator would be fined for violations, according to a Kentucky TV news site.

The story is from last week, but it was posted on the Drudge Report on Monday and, as a result, is still creating some noise in the blogosphere, particularly given the related First Amendment issues.

Read more from WTVQ.com: "Kentucky lawmaker wants to make anonymous Internet posting illegal"

[ewelch]

God save us from idiot lawmakers.

[thenet411]

What is it about Kentucky? Brothers and sisters getting married, fried chicken, and now they're electing retards. So, how is the site operator supposed to verify that someone is posting his or her real name, address, and email?

Dumb...just dumb.

[rcrusoe]

With easy access to software like TOR, anyone can post anonymously to any site. Email addresses can be created on the fly and physical addresses cannot be verified.

The fact that any elected official would even consider such a law is proof he doesn't know how the "tubes" work.

[spruceman]

What can you expect from a state where it is a crime to possess a radio receiver outside the home that is capable of receiving any frequency that can conceivably be used by law enforcement. OTOH, in the Western Hemisphere it's only the USA and Cuba that restricts the sale of radios that can pick up certain frequencies--joining the likes of Iran, North Korea, etc.

[Leria]

Stupid lawmaker is being KIND to this guy.... he really needs to learn that being anonymous is something that is GUARANTEED by the United States Constitution.

[notcarolsue2]

maybe it shouldn't be.at least on sites where people communicate back and forth.i am refering to the topix forum.we have people on the forum using the ip anonymizers to harrass others.they can block abusive talk if they can ban the ip address.but with the anonymizers,they just get a new ip and keep going.i believe in privacy,but not when it is used for harrassment purposes.

[mrcoder]

Better to monitor public servants and free the citizens.