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

Written by Lady RoseTags:blogging, first amendment, freedom of speech

Ugh!  It’s Monday morning and I can barely keep my eyes open.  I wanted to post to let everyone know I’m alive.  

Most of my blogging time for the past week (and weeks to come) is being totally consumed by the monstrous task of moving 100’s of posts from the diet pulpit on wordpress to it’s new location on my very own dot com domain (Diet Pulpit) (and also combining it with a huge amount of content over from one of the very first blogs I started (with Mama Kelly) – incredible shrinking ladies (about 12 months worth – why you ask - because I want a lot of history to the blog when it opens, and I’m probably insane and just don’t know it.)    Since most of these posts were written way back when before I had any blogging experience – I am taking the time totweak a lot of stuff.  Not to mention the giant learning curve to do even the simpliest thing – which can be so frustrating – for example it took me hours and hours just to figure out how to install a plugin so the youtube videos would work.   Once you have wordpress on your own - there are no more easy plugins, all that has to be found out on the web, downloaded, uploaded and then figure out how to use it – and since I barely understand the instructions it takes me forever to do the simplest thing.

The blog theme is still in the works by my designer - but that’s ok.  I at least want most of the info. moved and set before the big grand opening any way.    But with all that work I’m very very burned out and at times wondernig why the heck I blogged in the first place!      But that will pass I’m sure once it’s all set up.

This weekend was very very busy – Angelgirl had her black belt test, which went very well.  It was a 2 hour ride there and 2 hours back, and about 5 hours of sitting on school bleachers while she tested.   Needless to say we were all tired and sore.       Sunday my work had a huge family picnie (over 10,000 attended), there was a lot of walking and playing carnival games, which was fun – but I was exhausted.  

So this morning I can barely move and in need of a lot more coffee then my usual 1big cup that I have. 

I’ve also found another obessions – like I really need another one!    I found a place in New Jersey that certifies for Qi Chong healing.   It’s expensive (over $2200 for both levels of training), and would require a total of 5 weekends (and I’d have to take off work for 5 Friday afternoons in order to make it to the classes on Friday night on time).   It’s pretty far from my house – and I may have to stay at a hotel depending on just how far it is, which would be an added expense.

It’s totally crazy to think about — but I can’t help it.  At least there are no classes scheduled between now and Jan. that I can take so I have time to think it over.    Years ago I was certified in massage therapy – this is my true calling in life.  And I’ve been told I’m very good at it by everyone who has had a massage by me.  But the state has managed to make it impossible for me to practice – I can’t have a business out of my home (so I’d have to rent), the insurance costs are very expensive, plus I’d to take several classes over the years to keep certified – which puts the expense out of my reach for  the amount of massage I would do — which would only be a massage or two a month, probably at no charge.

At least with the Qi Gong for healing – it would be doing the kind of work I love which is helping people to heal and relax.  After the cost of the certification, there is no further expense, so even though I’d only work with others part time and most likely for free at least I would not have any on going expenses.   IF I decided to do the certification – I’d have to give up something else that I was looking into.  Right now I am taking life coach class – (it’s the basic starting course) and was going to continue on for more training – but if I take Qi Gong then I will not do life coaching.  I had been thinking of taking personal trainer classes next summer at the community college – but definitely would prefer Qi Gong.   

I don’t know – I hestitate to spend that kind of money.  But I do prefer Qi Gong to the other options I had planned to do.   I have to be honest with myself – that I will not quit my job, I will not be charging any one for these services no matter which way I go for training, so what ever I decide if I do take classes it should be classes that will be of the most use and benefit for me and that I would enjoy doing with others on a part time basis.

Every few years I get all these crazy ideas in my head to work on my own, and I decide it’s time for me to grow up and do something - but usually I start, never finish, and it never goes any where, and waste time and money and fail miserably.   Now I know better at least what NOT to do – but I still have the desire to find something in my life that I have a passion for.  I know it can’t be about money, and that I’ll never be able to quit my boring office job for a business of my own – but I still long to find a fulfilling “career” that I could do at least part time without the need to actually earn money doing it.     

I guess the best thing to do is just see what happens down the road.   All their indivdiual workshop type classes are during the week and during the day so I can’t even go check out the Qi Gong ahead of time to see if I really do like it.  Oh well, if it’s meant to be I guess I’ll know and if not then it will fade out of my life in time.

Let me try to wake up and get a little work done!  

Bright Blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:blogging, karate, qi gong

I have a blog, now what?

It’s my second day having a blog. It’s nice to see that friends have stopped by already to comment on my first entry — no pressure of course to be witty and creative! (just kidding)

Trying to decide what to blog about is an interesting mental exercise as well as a useful tool for a glimpse of the inner workings of one’s psyche.

My first goal is to learn a bit more about making the blog a little more interesting — like adding links, how to add a graphic, a few bells and whistles. I am beginning to wonder how I let Mama Kelly talk me into this. LOL

I guess the best thing to do with a new blog is just dive right in. I’m sure there will be days when I have nothing to write about, and others when I have too many topics to pick from. I just hope that I can at least occasionally be a little entertaining, offer a bit of useful information or insightful wisdom, or at least not be so boring some one falls asleep while reading the blog.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:blog, blogging