The ACLU has put out an important Press Release: 03-01-01 — Limits, Limits and More Limits: Why McCain-Feingold is Wrong for America. Whether McCain-Feingold represents a double-barreled attack on political freedom in America or not is open to question, but the ACLU certainly articulates some really important concerns about the restrictions on publishing information about candidates. As I said earlier, I really wouldn’t mind seeing the fund-raising activities and 30-second ads of citizens’ groups — or corporate interest groups — die in favor of their get-out-the-vote organization and personal contact with legislators. However, if the act comes through in such a way as to prevent all distribution of issue-based advocacy near elections, then it will be a stranglehold on outsider activism and become what Rush Limbaugh has dubbed it, the Incumbent Protection Act. (It’s a strange, sad day when I find myself quoting Rush Limbaugh).

Salon.com is announcing a for-pay premium service, proving that free content on the web is officially dead. Jakob Nielsen ought to jump all over this as proof of the need for micropayments, and I would heartily agree. But, in the meantime, I would advise subscribing if you’re an avid Salon reader, unless you really look forward to more !@#$ing pop up flash ads…