...when I read that there is now a federal law against annoying people via the Internet. I mean, I'd probably get fifty to life. Or consecutive life terms, to judge by some of my commenters.

But then I saw the loophole, that says it's OK to do it, as long as you don't do so anonymously.

But what will Atrios do?

[Update on Tuesday morning]

A lot more discussion on this here.

It seems to be possible to read the law as applying to Internet telephony only (perhaps to extend existing anti-harassment laws that apply to phone calls to VOIP, but it's vague enough that we can be assured of some pretty broad prosecutions that will result in court interpretations (hopefully interpretations that the law is unconstitutional nonsense).

[Late morning update]

Orin Kerr confirms that it is a VOIP issue.

It's a misnomer. It appears to be an extension of phone-harassment laws to the internet.

Atrios has been out as economist Duncan Black for 18 months now - testifing before congress will do that for you.

I actually cant think of any major political blogger who is still is fully anonymous-this last election cycle made it a little impractical.

Just be sure you are not anonymously annoying 6 moths before a federal election. That would be some serious trouble.

This one is a non-issue, I think CNET and the author need to make an immediate correction/retraction before this turns into a complete circus.
http://bluecrabboulevard.[at that place Mr. Simberg blocked].com/2006/01/call-for-immediate-correction.html