From two opposite ends of the blogging political spectrum, Michael Krempasky of RedState.org and Markos Moulitsas Zúniga of DailyKos.com have jointly written a letter Congress in opposition of HR 4194.

Excerpt:

As bloggers from the right and left, we don’t often agree on much. But when it comes to free speech online, we couldn’t agree more. We urge you to oppose H.R. 4194, the Shays-Meehan “Internet Anti-Corruption and Free Speech Protection Act of 2005″. We oppose H.R. 4194 primarily because despite claims by its supporters - it does not in fact offer adequate protections for speech and political activity online. In particular:

• It would stifle technological innovation. H.R. 4194 would not adequately protect Internet activity which is not “blogging”, such as already-widely used technologies like podcasting, wikis and peer-to-peer networks, let alone the technologies of tomorrow. In the face of regulatory doubt, no one will want to invest in emerging technologies to enhance citizen participation not clearly protected by the law; and

• It offers no guidance as to the treatment of group political activity, potentially treating all group websites that discuss federal candidates as political committees, with voluminous filing and disclosure requirements, so long as members spent $1000 on server and other costs, an easily-reached amount;

• Its alleged protection to incorporated bloggers offers no real protection. In comments filed before the FEC, supporters of H.R. 4194 have stated explicitly that those websites which endorse, expressly advocate, and urge readers to donate funds to the election of preferred candidates do not qualify for protection under the law. In other words, rather than protecting popular sites like DailyKos.com or FreeRepublic, H.R. 4194 would actually force them to seek counsel and comply with voluminous campaign finance law requirements, stifling and chilling grassroots political activity across the Internet. For those members committed to extending the BCRA rules and regulations to the Internet, it would be preferable to pass no bill at all rather than H.R. 4194, which would only chill free speech and technological growth, and instead wait for the Federal Election Commission to complete its current rulemaking process.

If you’re a blogger and agree with the letter they have written, as I do, ping this.

Peoria Pundit is willing to go to jail.

I’m not going to alter my behavior one little bit. I’m still going to link top politicians’ Web sites. I’m still going to accept donations and run advertising, perhaps from the candidates themselves. Someone associated with a campaign is going to decide this is unfair and file a complaint and if these new rules are in effect, I will be told I must pay a fine. I will not pay that fine. I’ll be perfectly happy to let George Bush’s government pay my room and board for a while.

GM Roper: “Put a notice on your blog, send e-mails to friends letting them know. Do something or this media that we love will change and not for the better. If you really value the First Amendment, do this now!!!!”

Left in Lowell: “This blog site is in jeopardy - after all, I have guest bloggers, take donations and am considering allowing ads on the site to help offset the cost of hosting and the time I spend writing here - I could easily start making more than $1000 per year eventually. If you want to save political internet communities, take action NOW.”

ARC: “Perhaps if Congress had more conservative Republicans than Leftist Democrats, Kos’ 1606 would’ve passed… No doubt Kos will start campaigning for the GOP now. (It’s also intereseting to note that Bernie Sanders (Socialist-VT) who is a darling of the Left (and the most liberal congressman) voted against HR 1606. No doubt Kos will support Bernie’s candidacy for Senate.”

Others on board: Skeptics Eye, New Media Musings, DiGamma, Sneakeasy’s Joint, Matt Johnston, WMDiscussion, And Rightly So, The Cycling Dude.

Tapscott adds “The genuine article is The Online Freedom of Speech Act, H.R. 1606. Make sure your blog readers and your congressman know all the facts on the differences between H.R. 4194 and H.R. 1606. Your freedom of speech could depend upon their knowing the difference.”