27 March 2006 >> Wired News reports that the Federal Election Commission has decided to treat online journalists no differently from those in print or broadcast media:

The decision means that bloggers and online publications will not be covered by provisions of the new election law. Internet bloggers and individuals will therefore be able to use the internet to attack or support federal candidates without running afoul of campaign spending and contribution limits.

“It’s a win, win, win,” Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub said, adding that the rule would satisfy concerns of campaigns, individuals and the internet community about whether the campaign finance law applies to online political activity.

[...]

FEC Chairman Michael E. Toner said the new rules give a “categorical and unqualified” exemption for all individual and group political activity on the internet, except for paid advertising.”

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Bloggers would be entitled to the same exemption from the campaign finance law that newspapers and other traditional forms of media receive.

“There will be no second class citizens among members of the media,” Toner said.

27 March 2006 >> Sean Penn has an Ann Coulter doll that he uses for performing ritual mutilation:

In an interview with The New Yorker magazine, Penn reveals, “We violate her. There are cigarette burns in some funny places. She’s a pure snake-oil salesman. She doesn’t believe a word she says.”