What in the hell ever happened to teaching kids the old line that "sticks and stone may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?"  Apparently not only have we abandoned this idea, now we've decided to try and criminalize this behavior.  At least Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) has.  She has introduced House Resolution 6123, a bill seeks to criminalize the following:

Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

This includes "email, instant messaging, blogs, websites, telephones, and text messages."  Mind you, this will likely never past constitutional muster.  I mean, under this law, if I text you to tell you that your husband/wife is a cheating on you, because I don't like you, I could go to jail, even if it's true.  Eugene Volokh (where I found this nonsense) has more on this here.

I am astonished that an elected official thinks this is even remotely acceptable legislation. I hope all of you living in the 39th Congressional District are proud of your selection.