A call to action – Friday night a tremor started from Alaska vibrating across the blogosphere that is now being felt around the world.  At risk are the rights of all bloggers to speak freely and keep their identies safe.  I posted about it on my other blog, Sanity Rant, but it important enough that I wanted to bring it to the attention of our readers here.  Any one who blogs about hot button issues needs to know the law and know that there are people, including unethical politicians and journalists, who may stop at nothing to uncover identies.  

What happened Friday to AKM, the anonymous author of the blog Mudflats, can happen to any of us.  I hope you take a few minutes to read about what happened, follow the links to get educated about the situation and the legal information.   AKM is a talented writer, and everything she/he wrote was backed with facts and research, she/he  has integrity and grace.  She/he did not deserve to be put in harms way because of a politician’s ego.  I hope you take a few moments to offer your support.   Also if you do contact legistrators or news sources to express your opinion, please be polite, and please do not use AKM real name.  Even though it has been made public illegally by a politican we in the blogging community respect her rights.

Democrat Representative Mike Doogan from Alaska used state office computers and email lists to stalk the blogger, AKMuckraker, who writes the Alaskan blog Mudflats, and then outed her/his real identity to the world. This is a clear violation of federal law and of the state common law right to privacy, as explained very concisely by Regina who writes the Palin-gates blog. This is clearly an act of vengeance on the part of Mr. Doogan, who is mistaken in his claim that “as soon as she (author of Mudflats) began to influence public policy she gave up her right to remain anonymous. ”

The fallout from his actions I’m sure will be great and I can only hope that he is held accountable, and is put in jail. I am stunned beyond words at this man’s actions.

Others are also going after bloggers, Palin supporters from SarahPAC and RedState and Conservatives4Palin have been harrassing another blogger, Celtic Diva, with all kinds of horrible “christian” violent types of threats in emails and Fox News is making threats to stalk and ambush her.

These are not idle threats. Bill O’Reilly of Fox News has recently stalked a blogger from Think Progress. I urge everyone to sign the petition to stop the O’Reilly Harassment Machine and if you have time to contact other sponsors and politely urge them to follow UPS who pulled their advertising from his show.

The implications of all this is staggering. I urge all bloggers to stand together, be strong, and support and defend the rights of all bloggers to keep seeking the truth, freedom of speech, and protect their identies. This is an issue that affects all of us, regardless of political party or ideology, and is something worthwhile to follow up on and keep up to date on what happens as the fall out from this unfolds.

If you would like to let Mr. Doogan know how you feel about his actions feel free to contact him – please be polite.

doogans@gci.net
email: Rep.Mike.Doogan@legis.state.ak.us
PHONE: (907) 465-4998
FAX: (907) 465-4419
ADDRESS: AK State CapitolRoom # 112, Juneau, AK 99801
Doogan’s NUMBER: 907.561.7990

Followups: Regina has posted a comprehensive list of links of contacts that are based on where you are located so that everyone who wants to help bring justice for AKM and protect all bloggers can do so, Fighting Back.

She also provided this extemely informative link: Anonymity Issues – The Electronic Frontier Foundation informs bloggers of their rights and helps in legal matters. EFF has fought for your right to speak anonymously on the Internet, establishing legal protections in several states and federal jurisdictions, and developing technologies to help you protect your identity. “Anonymous communications have an important place in our political and social discourse. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that the right to anonymous free speech is protected by the First Amendment. The tradition of anonymous speech is older than the United States. Founders Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers under the pseudonym “Publius,” and “the Federal Farmer” spoke up in rebuttal. ”

Examples of State cases upholding the 1st amendment protecting anonymous speech over the internet:  Reno v. ACLU, 521 U.S. 844 (1997); NAACP v. Alabama, 357 U.S. 449 (1958); Lovell v. Griffin, 303 U.S. 444 (1938); Talley v. California 362 U.S. 60 (1960).

Post on Huffington about the issue that does a great job of explaining why what Doogan has done is so wrong, definitely a must read, post is HERE.

There is excellant response to Mr. Doogan’s actions post on KOS, includes a letter written to Mr. Doongan, info. from a lawyer explaining the illegal actions of Mr. Doogan (“…a violation of federal law and of the state common law right to privacy. The fact that he did it on state time and in his capacity is what is called “state action” for a section 1983 civil rights claim.”) and info. on Mr. Doogan’s past as an anonymous writer of a political column.

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Several of our founding fathers wrote under pen names as a way of discussing the issues and not the person and to protect themselves and their families from potential harm.
 
Benjamin Franklin:
“During the eighteenth century, it was common for writers and journalists to use pseudonyms, or false names, when they created newspaper articles and letters to the editor. (Ben) Franklin used this convention extensively throughout his life, sometimes to express an idea that might have been considered slanderous or even illegal by the authorities; other times to present two sides of an issue, much like the point-counterpoint style of journalism used today.”

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I urge everyone to get educated, get active and most importantly stay strong and stay safe.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

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