Not according to Rep. Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), and 14 other representatives, who have proposed the following bill: (ht: Volokh, by way of Reason)
Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both….
["Communication"] means the electronic transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received; …
["Electronic means"] means any equipment dependent on electrical power to access an information service, including email, instant messaging, blogs, websites, telephones, and text messages.
According to Volokh, this proposed legislation is broad enough that it could cover a number of possibilities that go against the very nature of the free speech we treasure, including criticizing politicians in blogs, editorials, etc; complaining and threatening to sue a company that gave you poor service, organizing a boycott, and sending hostile messages to an ex in hopes of making him/her feel bad.
Makes you wonder what they’re thinking.
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