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Politicians' Latest Grandstanding: Force ISPs To Hide Rogue Internet Pharmacies
from the haven't-we-been-through-this-before dept
The problem with legislators is that all they know how to do is legislate. Even if there are perfectly acceptable laws in place, you don't get re-elected for saying, "you know what, we didn't need any new laws this time around." No, you have to propose and support legislation that makes it sound like you're solving a big problem -- even if the problem isn't that big and your proposed solution will likely make it worse. The latest such situation concerns unauthorized internet pharmacies. Sure, there may be some problems with people getting access to prescription medicine they shouldn't be able to order, but even the DEA says that they don't need any new laws, as existing laws are perfectly well suited for shutting these pharmacies down. Of course, that won't stop the politicians from pushing forward. However, not only are they proposing more restrictions and penalties for such pharmacies, but also demanding that ISPs and search engines proactively block these sites -- and also block advertisements for these sites. Yes, despite the fact that courts throw out every attempt by politicians to force ISPs to block sites they don't like, the politicians insist that this time it won't violate the Constitution. Yes, despite the fact that those who really want to access these sites will get around the blocks, politicians insist they're useful. Even better, they got a law professor to claim that "It is no burden to (the ISPs). They know how to do it; they can do it in a minute." Trying telling that to the ISPs who would now be responsible for blocking content. Once again, the ISPs are simply running connectivity. They should have no responsibility for what's done over that connectivity. If the sites, themselves, are illegal, go after the sites. If the sites are offshore, then block the shipments through customs. But, requiring ISPs to waste time, effort, money and resources on putting up ineffective blocks that aren't needed won't help the situation. It'll just waste time, effort, money and resources so that some politicians can claim they were tough on illegal internet pharmacies during the next election.
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Imagine how many bank robbers there would be if the worst that could happen for trying is that they would have to give the money back if they got caught. It wouldn't be much of a deterrent to trying, would it? It is a similar situation with politicians who are sworn to uphold the constitution and then waste no time finding ways to try to subvert it. Now if voting for unconstitutional laws was treated as an act of treason and punished as such then I think politicians might be deterred from doing it as often. As it is they don't give a whit.
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You forgot the word "need" or maybe "want" between the bold words. I hate to be "that guy", but whatev. :P
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This clause no verb.
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If you are not a WEB whisperer then you are going to have problems that no amount of legislation will ever cure...
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Huh? Isn't saying the Internet is bigger than God against the rules in the bible or something?
Anyway, it should not be up to the ISP to block content to "save me". If I am dumb enough to get illegal prescriptions, then so be it. I'm tired of the government treating me like a criminal because I *might* get a hold of illegal prescriptions. These sites have been around for years, but I choose to go to my doctor if I need medications.
Maybe the better way would be for drug users, sexual offenders, and criminals to be denied access to the Internet. Then everyone wins!
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Help !
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Ain't it great that we as 'free' people aren't allowed to put a drug in our own body that the FDA doesn't sanction?
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