From the Olympian: State regulators ask: Can blogging be lobbying?

By CURT WOODWARD | Associated Press Writer • Published November 22, 2008

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Blogger beware? State regulators are wondering whether online political activism amounts to lobbying, which could force Web-based activists to file public reports detailing their finances.

I have difficulty imagining how this would possibly apply, considering, as mentioned in the article, that newspaper editors who write opinion editorials are not subject to PDC (Public Disclosure Commission) regulation.

Also, I have an even harder time imagining how any PDC regulation would apply to unpaid bloggers who work on a volunteer basis.

As mentioned in the article, lobbyists or lobbying organizations must meet a certain financial threshold before being required to disclose. And bloggers who fulfill some journalistic function would also be exempted (like newspaper writers) from disclosure requirements.

Hey. I would like it if newspaper writers were required to disclose.

Maybe full disclosure, for Internet based advocacy groups, for newspaper editorial writers, and maybe even for unpaid hobbyist bloggers, is not such a bad idea.

I told the representative staffers that I need Congressman Baird to do everything in his power to oppose an attack on Iran given the absence of transparent and thoroughly verifiable evidence that Iran might pose an imminent threat to the USA.

Given how the Bush Administration's use of false pretenses led to an unnecessary attack on Iraq - it's crucial that Congress, and my Congressman, do everything in their power to insure against another unjustified, unlawful aggressive attack.

[edit: This event was sponsored and organized by the local Olympia Council Moveon.org Operation Democracy team.]