Who's behind the "AG-GAG" legislation in a dozen states? ALEC, of course.

[cali]

Taping of Farm Cruelty Is Becoming the Crime

<snip>

But a dozen or so state legislatures have had a different reaction: They proposed or enacted bills that would make it illegal to covertly videotape livestock farms, or apply for a job at one without disclosing ties to animal rights groups. They have also drafted measures to require such videos to be given to the authorities almost immediately, which activists say would thwart any meaningful undercover investigation of large factory farms.

Critics call them “Ag-Gag” bills.

Some of the legislation appears inspired by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a business advocacy group with hundreds of state representatives from farm states as members. The group creates model bills, drafted by lobbyists and lawmakers, that in the past have included such things as “stand your ground” gun laws and tighter voter identification rules.

One of the group’s model bills, “The Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act,” prohibits filming or taking pictures on livestock farms to “defame the facility or its owner.” Violators would be placed on a “terrorist registry.”

<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/07/us/taping-of-farm-cruelty-is-becoming-the-crime.html?pagewanted=all

[Newest Reality]

1. We

are subject to much kochery these days.

See: Alecification

[highplainsdem]

2. More info on ALEC's involvement in this legislation

in various replies in my old compilation topic on ALEC:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x591230

For instance, reply 89 is about Washington State legislation.

Reply 109 is about Florida legislation, which I also posted about in a separate DU topic:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x643719

Reply 121 (a comment on 109) is about Bill Berkowitz having written about ALEC's role in these laws as early as 2003):

http://dissidentvoice.org/Articles5/Berkowitz_Animal-Activists.htm

Reply 255 in the compilation topic (about Will Potter's 2011 HuffPo article "What Is Big Ag Trying to Hide?&quot links to this separate old DU topic:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x952080

[denverbill]

3. As usual, the nanny-state, big government ALEC-allied Republickers pushing fascism.

The only amendment that matters to them is the 2nd. To hell with freedom of the press, freedom of speech, right to jury trial, etc.

If their corporate master want it, no government intrusion is too big.

[hootinholler]

4. Kicking because this needs more cowbell! n/t