HICA*

(* Here It Comes Again, the usual greeting of Jeffraham Prestonian.)

Gimlet, a fellow Eschatonian, directed us to a rather interesting article on CNet. The article is ostensibly about a bill introduced by Senator John McCain to assist in the war on child pornography.

The point of the bill is to require web site owners to delete 'illegal' and 'objectionable' pictures and comments posted by those who would promulgate their evil pedophilic ways under penalty of substantial fines. Web sight owners would include not only "My Space" but also bloggers who allow comments on their site.

OK, it's pretty hard to argue against a bill that would thwart child pornography, even if the bill is so sloppily written as to violate First Amendment rights, but buried deep within the story is some telling information:

Next year, Gonzales and the FBI are expected to resume their push for mandatory data retention, which will force Internet service providers to keep records on what their customers are doing online. An aide to Rep. Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat, said Friday that she's planning to introduce such legislation when the new Congress convenes.

Cathy Milhoan, an FBI spokeswoman, said on Friday that the FBI "continues to support data retention. We see it as crucial in advancing our cyber investigations to include online sexual exploitation of children." [Emphasis added]

Say, what?

The Attorney General is using the cover of the exploitation of children to justify even more spying on American citizens who are exercising their right to free speech? And a Democratic member of Congress is greasing the skids?

Someone (or thousands of someones) need to let Rep. DeGette know that her bill is not particularly helpful to the cause of democracy in this country.