TSA Ridicule Criminalized?

How far will the Democrats go to get people to take our eyes off the ObamaCare Repeal? Pretty far, the latest attempt is H.R. 3011 - Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act of 2011.  The current language of the bill will criminalize anything that would “convey the impression” or use the name or abbreviation of the Transportation Security Administration.

SEC. 295. PROTECTION OF THE NAMES FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL AND ADMINISTRATION:

Whoever, except with the written permission of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security (or the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service for issues involving the Federal Air Marshal Service), knowingly uses the words ‘Transportation Security Administration’, ‘United States Transportation Security Administration’, ‘Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘United States Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘Federal Air Marshals’, the initials ‘T.S.A.’, ‘F.A.M.S.’, ‘F.A.M.’, or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or the likeness of a Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service badge, logo, or insignia on any item of apparel, in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or with any play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in a matter that is reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the wearer of the item of apparel is acting pursuant to the legal authority of the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service, or to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or such play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service .(Emphasis added.)

The First Amendment offers protection for satire and parody. Copyright law allows for a limitation referred to as the "Fair Use Doctrine."  This bill currently has no limitation for parody or satire similar to "Fair Use" and creates broad prosecutorial discretion.

The bill's Democrat authors are as follows:

• Rep. Michael Rogers [R-AL3]
• Rep. Mo Brooks [R-AL5]
• Rep. Chip Cravaack [R-MN8]
• Rep. Peter King [R-NY3]
• Rep. Daniel Lungren [R-CA3]
• Rep. Timothy Walberg [R-MI7]

All Republicans? Wait, what? With Constitutional friends like these, who needs the Democrats?

Additional sources and perspectives:
http://whtc.com/blogs
http://www.hstoday.us
http://www.freerepublic.com