jennerationx

The Republican Party of Michigan had better put a stop to this before the Democrats take up the idea. Bruce Patterson (R) Canton introduced bill 1323, (Establish “Michigan Registered Reporter” registration and screening criteria) on May 11th, 2010.

Shut up, Americans!

This is the type of thing that really ticks off the tea party people. The idea that our lawmakers are supposed to protect us from ourselves. NO! You lawmakers are supposed to protect our rights and our borders, pay the bills on legitimate spending set forth in the Constitution AND NO MORE!

What are we doing here?  Did I wake up in China?  I suppose the moderates in our party thought this was a grand idea.

According to Fox News, the law would:

… regulate reporters much like the state does with hairdressers, auto mechanics and plumbers.

According to the bill, reporters must provide the licensing board proof of:

–”Good moral character” and demonstrate they have industry “ethics standards acceptable to the board.”

–Possession of a degree in journalism or other degree substantially equivalent.

–Not less than 3 years experience as a reporter or any other relevant background information.

–Awards or recognition related to being a reporter.

–Three or more writing samples.

Reporters will also have to pay an application and registration fee.

That’s crazy, but this is even crazier:

Patterson, who also practices constitutional law, says that the general public is being overwhelmed by an increasing number of media outlets–traditional, online and citizen generated–and an even greater amount misinformation.

He practices constitutional law hey?  Um, hey Brucie, I’m just a seamstress, but I know damn well that Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.  Would you like a pocket Constitution, I have three extra from the Heritage Foundation.

The senator said that he feels that there’s no way to tell who’s a legitimate journalist and who’s just rewriting other reporters’ reporting and twisting facts.

“What’s the definition of a reporter? I haven’t been able to find out? What’s a reporter? What’s a journalist?” Patterson said. “I thought you had to have a degree in journalism but apparently not. I could retire and be a journalist.”

Yes, see we are all stupid, and we can’t think for ourselves, so Bruce wants us to be able to click on the reporters name and find out every thing about them so we can then make a judgement on whether they have sourced material. Do we do that on a national level?  Does Keith Olbermann sound like he came out of journalism school?

Obviously, if I cite a source and take quotes from the source, it’s sourced.  It is then up to the reader to click the sources ie. the highlighted words and phrases that take them to the original news source.

But my point in writing about all of this is that Bruce Patterson is a Republican.  The Republican party is supposed to be on the side of limited government and adherence to our founding principles.

Bruce Patterson probably should retire and become a journalist, he is term-limited (Thank God) and practicing Constitutional Law would be way over his head.