Tim Couch, the politician, hates what you write

Kentucky State Representative Tim Couch (R-Hyden) and I are in agreement on something. Wait a minute? Did I seriously just type that? Stop the presses! Tell Page One! No, wait, don't tell Page One...tell the now-defunct Bluegrass Report! Actually, you know what? Tell 'em all! Blog commenters should post under their real name, not some pen name like Mark Twain or Shalom Aleichem, and be proud of their comments. But where we disagree is fining these people and forcing them to register.

Kentuckians couldn't post anonymous comments to Web sites anymore under House Bill 775, filed Tuesday by Rep. Tim Couch, R-Hyden.

Couch's bill would require anyone who contributes to a Web site to register their real name, address and e-mail address with that Web site. Their full name then would be used whenever they posted a comment.

Web site operators who violated the disclosure law would be fined $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

Okay, I actually read the thing now...um, what the frick? What's next, requiring our legislators to submit for a steroid test?

Couch on Wednesday readily acknowledged that his bill raises First Amendment issues regarding free speech, so he won't be pushing it.

Then why in the bloody heck are your filing it, you dumb son of a *****! Put your money where you're mouth is!

It gets fishy.

Couch said he, too, has been the subject of anonymous online roasting, and while he doesn't enjoy it, he doesn't think there's much the legislature can do about it.

You think you are helping to stop the problem? But what can I say? They are just words...