FTC Plans To Monitor Blogs For Violations
By Wyatt Earp | June 22, 2009
Attention bloggers. President Obama’s goon squad is targeting you. I guess he didn’t like the cracks about his big ears and Michelle’s resemblance to Aunt Esther from Sanford and Son. Either way, the Federal Trade Commission is planning to monitor blogs for claims and payments.
Luckily for me, I don’t exactly get sent free stuff from the good people at Mountain Dew. Boy, do I love their product!
That’s right, everyone hold on to their wallets. .
Savvy consumers often go online for independent consumer reviews of products and services, scouring through comments from everyday Joes and Janes to help them find a gem or shun a lemon.
What some fail to realize, though, is that such reviews can be tainted: Many bloggers have accepted perks such as free laptops, trips to Europe, $500 gift cards or even thousands of dollars for a 200-word post. Bloggers vary in how they disclose such freebies, if they do so at all.
Hey, why the Hell haven’t I gotten any freebies from you people! I want my bloody laptop!!!
The practice has grown to the degree that the Federal Trade Commission is paying attention. New guidelines, expected to be approved late this summer with possible modifications, would clarify that the agency can go after bloggers — as well as the companies that compensate them — for any false claims or failure to disclose conflicts of interest.
It would be the first time the FTC tries to patrol systematically what bloggers say and do online. The common practice of posting a graphical ad or a link to an online retailer — and getting commissions for any sales from it — would be enough to trigger oversight.
So, I probably shouldn’t mention the Phillies season tickets and the gift card for ten free bikini waxes that The Girl gave me.
Oh, I’ve said too much.
Topics: Snarkasm | 12 Comments »
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 am
Hey, maybe I can get free household items for my new house if I promise to say everything rocks! I’ve always wanted to review a solar-heated and run, salt-water in-ground, indoor pool.
Just thought I’d put that out there.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:48 am
Anymore of the hope and change business and there won’t any hope we can change it back to the way it was someday.
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:34 am
Damn thought police….
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Wyatt and bikini wax are two things that should never be mentioned in the same sentence.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:53 am
Hmmm where were those Fed investigators when $400
million came into obambis coffers from overseas internet transactions a few dollars at a time 24/7 for months from just a few accounts? Maybe you can use the Big O approach Wyatt, and get one or two pennies per transaction several thousand times per minute 24/7 and thus keep it under the Fed radar? Or did the One order this because he doesn’t want anyone else using his methods?
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
What is it with the democrats and wanting to put everyone’s name on a list? Oh yeah, they data mine those lists when then set out to punish those who oppose them.
I guess the key to imposing a liberal agenda is:
1. vilify conservatives
2. compile enemy lists
3. leverage enemy lists as compliance initiatives
4. repeat as necessary
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
These were the same people crying out about the Patriot Act, no?
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Scary thing Jason is that we will all be on the 2010 census list that his ACORN peeps are going to do. Maybe those two guys at the polling place, the ones with the truncheons, will be along to enforce things this time too.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Be careful. The
StormAcornTroopers will come for you if you criticize theFuhrerOne.The Barack Obama Lied
Flag high! Ranks closed tight!
The Acorn Troopers march with bold, firm step.
Homeland Security Batallions
March together within our ranks.
Clear the streets for the Acorn battalions.
Clear the streets for the Socialist men!
Millions already look hopefully up to the Messiah.
The day is breaking for hope and change!
For the last time now the call is sounded!
Already we stand all ready to fight!
Soon the Obama banners will flutter over the streets.
Our enemies won’t last much longer!
Flag high! Ranks closed tight!
The Acorn Troopers march with bold, firm step.
Homeland Security Batallions
March together within our ranks.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:20 pm
We can get perks and freebies for blog reviews?
Hmmm…. The steel roofing company is terrific! Wonderful people and quick, professional service!
The solar water heater makers and installers are great. Top notch!
The whole house solar heat system is absolutely divine. The middle of a midwest winter with sub-zero temps makes the system all the more great. Especially if your normal heat is 100% electric.
Let’s see… What else do I want???
Think any of those companies will notice and give me a few freebies? heh.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
RT – Our friends Kevin and Deanna had a salt water inground pool in AZ. It was fantastic!
Admiral – Yeah, sometime in 2016. Obama WILL be reelected. Guaranteed.
Sully – Rat bastards.
Doghouse – Sorry to ruin your breakfast.
Jon – And those donations were low enough to not be identified. Convenient.
Jason – And they destroyed Nixon for his “enemies list.”
RT – They were indeed.
Jon – Sure, they won’t be spending any jail time!
Echosix – Heh, nice.
Kim – Yeah, right about the minute that Mountain Dew and PlayStation 3 start sending me free crap.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
He ain’t gonna like what he reads. That is OK by me. I don’t like what he says. My family has been here longer and we are meaner. If he has a problem with it he can come and talk about it. Hussein! Don’t make us come down there! You will not like it.