'Stop Government Propaganda Act' to be Introduced in Senate

It's really sad that this needs to be codified into legislation:

The Stop Government Propaganda Act states, "Funds appropriated to an Executive branch agency may not be used for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States unless authorized by law."

"It's time for Congress to shut down the Administration's propaganda mill," Lautenberg said in a statement. "It has no place in the United States Government." The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Jon Corzine (D-N.J.).

This ought to put a stop to it. Just imagine how bad a representative/senator would look if they vote against it. And if Dubya has any small shred of dignity left, he'll have to sign it (on a Friday afternoon, no doubt.)

And the proposed legislation has teeth, too!

The act would allow citizens to bring qui tam lawsuits on behalf of the United States government when the Department of Justice does not respond.

If the matter is taken to court, the bill proposes that the senior official responsible would be fined three times the amount of the "misspent taxpayer funds" plus an additional fine ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. And if a citizen's qui tam suit is accepted, the bill proposes that the plaintiff receives between 25 and 30% of the proceeds of the fine.

Under this legislation, you could have bought a house in most parts of the U.S. if you had taken Armstrong Williams down. All paid for by Karl Rove (probably.) Not bad for a few days' research, no?