Proving once again that Arizona is to inalienable rights what Florida is to pensioners, the state’s House of Reps has passed a bill making it a misdemeanor to essentially talk shit on the Internet.
“It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use any electronic or digital device and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person,” the bill reads. Beyond the fact that it’s poorly written, it contains the word “annoy.” Annoyance is now a crime in Arizona.
In case you’re wondering, a misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail. Using electronic devices—how else do you get online?—gets you a felony. And that carries a max of 25 years.
Oh, and, it’s currently sitting on the desk of Governor Jan Brewer for approval. She’s the one who signed off on SB 1070.
[via Gizmodo]
