You Commit Three Felonies a Day

Interesting commentary on a new book by Harvey Silvergate called "Three Felonies a Day". The article also touches on the notion that "Under the English common law that we inherited, a crime requires intent.", saying:

"Sometimes legislators know when they make false distinctions based on technology. An "anti-cyberbullying" proposal is making its way through Congress, prompted by the tragic case of a 13-year-old girl driven to suicide by the mother of a neighbor posing as a teenage boy and posting abusive messages on MySpace. The law would prohibit using the Internet to "coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person." Imagine a law that tried to apply this control of speech to letters, editorials or lobbying" (from Wall Street Journal)