I’m pretty sure this legislation has to do with ACTUAL THREATS but there is already laws that protect them (and us) against those things. The First Amendment is pretty clear, if I am not threatening you, I can pretty much say whatever I want to, to you.
Get over yourselves.
You are legislators in a state that is ranked last in almost every category. Not only do we not want to do you physical harm, we don’t want to even think about you or know you. You are embarrassing.
Funny how Dems and Repugs support this together. Just shows that both parties don’t have a clue about 1st Amendment rights.
Should we call this the SD Legislature Bullying law?
“by suggesting a lewd or lascivious act”
would mean it is illegal to tell someone to go fuck themselves.
The scary part of the bill is the use of the word “annoy”. Anybody could be liable…even the honorable Bob Ellis.
Scott, only if that is the reason for calling. If it comes up during the course of discussion about something then it would seem to be quite legal. Oh before I go, go fuck yourself, in a non threatening or intimidating way. lol.
Ah, but note that it says “to contact another person.” That seems to distinguish e-mailing or texting or somehow making other direct contact from writing a nasty blog post or Tweet. So suppose I’m on Twitter and I write “Legislator X should go f*** himself.” Suppose someone else tweets, “@LegislatorX should go f*** himself.” Does the tweet using the direct message @ symbol fall under this law, while my general tweet does not?
caheidelberger, the bill says via phone or “other electronic communication device”. Besides a bad law, it’s also horribly written. That idiot Klaudt could have possibly used this in his insane lawsuits against the media.
This is open to pretty broad interpretation, and its bad legislation, imo.
I guess I will have to utilize my telepathetic powers in order to voice my opinion. It is amazing how many legislators whine that big Government and Socialism is taking away our God given rights and then try to pass laws to silence their own citizens.
Boy politicians are sure developing awfully thin skins. When you are in the limelight, you have to think before you speak or act, or else people might develop the wrong opinion and say so. Poor babies!!!
It sounds like all of the credit card bank debt collecting from this state is now officially over.
It’s clearly unconstitutionally vague. If an attorney with the research counsel drafted this, they should turn in their license.
“It sounds like all of the credit card bank debt collecting from this state is now officially over.”
LMFAO x 2!
I can see it now, “Teacher, constituent Jimmy called me a pee-pee head. Shouldn’t he go to jail for threatening me?”
If you run for public office and you win, voters have the right to call you out on your bullshit. They can’t threaten physical harm, but they do have the right to call you a dumbass, and you are ALL dumbasses for supporting an unconstitutional bill.
What bothers me the most is that Dems and Repugs both support this, but you know what they say, “Birds of a feather.” Pierre must be a really fucking miserable place right now.
Hmm, ‘telephone or other electronic device’. You can use snail mail or smoke signals without prosecution. You could cite this law to prevent prosecution when you use ‘The Finger’. Mine’s not electronic.