Iowa passes bill to "discourage" undercover farm videos

[Martok]

Link


I have to admit, I find this to be a little chilling.  Not that I care about the issue itself overly much -- I realize livestock aren't exactly gong to live lives of luxury -- but the way our southern neighbor has responded to it really bothers me. 


Yes, animal activists are often annoying (sometimes even dangerous) f***-sticks, and I appreciate that ag operations don't like people snooping around surreptitiously filming animals' living conditions.  (Also, I freely admit I myself care much about how livestock is treated, so long as it's delicious once it reaches my plate!) 

However, this bill smacks too much of inhibiting free speech and/or discouraging whistle-blowers.  I don't understand how the bill could even pass constitutional muster in its current form (much less the more stringent version that apparently existed before its revision). 

It seems like Iowan legislators and the ag industry are responding to the wrong problem.  Analogously, it'd be a little like if the Catholic church were to have responded to the sex abuse scandal by threatening excommunication to any victims who came forward with their story. 

What am I missing here? 

[Windigo]

1/. There is no other industry in the world as protected as agriculture.
2/. There is no other industry in the world as steeped in religion as agriculture.
3/. There is no other industry in the world as profitable as agriculture.

and 4/. There is no other industry in the world as important to to mankinds continued existence as agriculture.

Farming interests/Agri industry totally dominate in a ninja like manner, the USA national political landscape. One just looks at the senate and how it votes and why to get an understanding of this. The only time you ever hear from ag is when times are bad and/or they want another subsidy.

You ever see or hear of an Agricultural state or province that acknowledges the support it gets from the general public?

A "thankyou city slicker for paying 20 cents a gallon more in taxes for ethanol gasoline that comes from the corn I grow" ??

No you don't.

Self entitlement and an attitude that says stay out of my business - no matter how bad the business is makes for an arrogance that is completely at home in a bank board room.

[LongBlade]

Interesting article, Martok.

I doubt this will pass Constitutional muster.

The free press (and investigative journalism) were considered to be more or less the 4th branch of government. Exposing bad or detrimental business practices is part of their duty.

[Windigo]

Interesting article, Martok.

I doubt this will pass Constitutional muster.

The free press (and investigative journalism) were considered to be more or less the 4th branch of government. Exposing bad or detrimental business practices is part of their duty.

politicians won't touch it, but the courts will beat the shit out of it