Suppressing Free Speech, Indirectly

For John, BLUF:  Everything is politics and it never ends.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

From The Daily Caller and Reporter Kathryn Watson, we have "California AG Threatens Non-Profit Donors’ First Amendment Rights".

California Attorney General Kamala Harris is being deluged with requests from non-profit officials to withdraw her “unconstitutional” demand for public disclosure of donor names because it creates a “back door” around the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United.

Harris’ critics claim her demand violates the First Amendment and privacy laws, compromises donor privacy and security, and makes it easier for government officials and agencies to pressure dissenting groups challenging particular policies and programs.

Non-profit donor disclosure discourages contributions and undermines the Citizens United ruling that upheld political contributions by corporations and unions as exercises of First Amendment speech that government agencies like the Federal Election Commission cannot limit.

This is an indirect approach to defeating the US Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United.  I applaud the California Attorney General for her ingenuity,  I am disappointed that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has sided with Ms Harris.

This Government intrusion into the lives of private citizens, this "criminalization of opinion" must be resisted.  There must be no more Lois Lerners.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff