Bill would ban Photoshopped heads on nude, lewd bodies

The 2012 session of the Legislature isn’t an hour old yet, but a bill likely to become a water-cooler favorite has already made its debut:

H.B. 680, filed by state Rep. Pam Dickerson, D-Conyers, would make it a misdemeanor to Photoshop an unsuspecting – or heck, even suspecting – individual’s head on the nude or lewd body of another, and posting the image on the Internet.

Such an act would be a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or a year in the hoosegow. Read the details here.

There is a presumption in the legislation, of course, that the head would be the offended body part in these cases. No recourse would be offered to Matthew McConaughey’s torso if it suddenly should find itself topped with the head of Mitt Romney.

- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider

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99 comments Add your comment

Disgusted with Legislators

January 9th, 2012
10:55 am

Just when I thought the Republicans had the market cornered on idiocy in this state!

ByteMe

January 9th, 2012
11:06 am

“First Amendment be damned!”, she says.

Democrats should toss her out. She belongs with the authoritarian party.

Me

January 9th, 2012
11:11 am

Yep folks, this is what they do all day at the capitol.

dre

January 9th, 2012
11:12 am

Sheesh – she was probably freaking out and chomping at the bit to get in there and file this bill.

Bobby

January 9th, 2012
11:14 am

One thing the Georgia Legislature proves without fail. Both parties are as stupid as the other.

Ol' Timer

January 9th, 2012
11:15 am

Mental illness is contagious. Hang around with crazy Republicans and you’ll catch it, too.

findog

January 9th, 2012
11:16 am

A better bill would be to make it a felony to write these idiotic ideas into proposed laws…

Pipp

January 9th, 2012
11:16 am

Our tax dollars at work!

victor

January 9th, 2012
11:18 am

all you have to do is vote her out of office… plain and simple. this imbecile is a drain on this state, society and taxpayers money. she belongs in the garbage with all the other political trash.

JiMiFLiX!

January 9th, 2012
11:18 am

Does Pam Dickerson REALLY have nothing better to do up there in Conyers than to worry about Photoshop issues? There are carjackings, robberies, home-invasions, murders and a garden variety of other high crimes and misdemeaners going on over there that deserve her attention rather than worry about some pimple-faced teenager posting gnarly pictures on the internet. C’mon, Pam! Get real!

dre

January 9th, 2012
11:19 am

Too true, Bobby.

Smokewagon

January 9th, 2012
11:20 am

So a Republican governor is supposed to stop legislation from Democrats? Whatcha smoking these days?

victor

January 9th, 2012
11:21 am

ah, people, she’s a full fledged Democrat, from Conyers no less. Nothing to do with the Republican party, not that they’re are any better.

double

January 9th, 2012
11:26 am

We need this Pam gone.Not only is crap like this a drain,it’s also a destroyer.Ther won’t be anyone to turn out lights.

bingo

January 9th, 2012
11:29 am

The article (Galloway) did a great disservice to the “rest of the story” by not saying why the legislation was proposed. Maybe you would see it different if it was your wife or daughter whose “head shot” was attached to another person’s nude body and put on the internet against there wishes. But on second thought, from reading some of the comments, maybe it would be better for the rest of us if you don’t have children.

Atlanta Native

January 9th, 2012
11:30 am

So if the head is superimposed on a CLOTHED body it would be okay, right?
But really, how is a person going to prove that a particular nude body is not their own? Plaintiffs will have to strip naked as evidence in the courtroom in front of the jury… wow, this could be interesting! So the bill would actually promote further ‘lewdness’, thus backfiring on this trusted lawmaker…

double

January 9th, 2012
11:33 am

Originally from new orleans a real CA.If Jay was partial(centrist)he would never printed this.Also this proves you need not be too sharp to be in business for self.

Look before I leap...

January 9th, 2012
11:41 am

Classic case of democratic overreach. Let’s create a law to address a non-existent problem.
Has there been an epidemic of mean-spirited photo-shopping?
Or is this silly twit simply responding to some whiney-pants constituent?

There are already remedies available to people whose likenesses end up on the internet.

Why waste time trying to pass a bill that will get tossed out on 1st amendment grounds the first time it comes to court?

Old Violin

January 9th, 2012
11:41 am

How Wonderful ! We elect people to pass laws that mean something ! Right now I would think that the economy would take front stage ! But, what do I know…..i’m just an old violin…….

dman

January 9th, 2012
11:42 am

This is a favorite tactic of kiddie porn types. They go into places like Facebook copy the images of children from family photos, etc. and Photoshop the heads onto existing inappropriate child porn images. This will give law enforcement another tool to use to arrest and prosecute these predators.

The Ghost of Lester Maddox

January 9th, 2012
11:42 am

How ’bout a friendly amendment to allow for string bikinis? Or maybe topless but with “pasties”.

What’s a “pastie” you ask? Just run that question by the legislators (and their lobbyist of choice) – they’ll be glad to explain….or to show you one (or two).

Yep

PC

January 9th, 2012
11:47 am

I am glad they are taking on the important issues

rsc

January 9th, 2012
11:47 am

It’s too bad most of you can’t see that this is an attempt to protect the innocent; rather, it’s easier for you to make smart-a$$ comments that don’t amount to nothin’. People are so wrapped up in his/her own party to see what’s right or wrong. Truth is, most of you so-called Republicans out there are the first to hold your hand out. Gimme this and gimme that. But you want to be “associated” with the Republican party because it’s the affluent/popular crowd, when in fact, money burns holes in your pockets because you got the attitude…gotta have the latest and greatest gadgets, etc., etc., etc. Don’t look the the real Republicans when YOU need a bail-out.

ByteMe

January 9th, 2012
11:49 am

Maybe you would see it different if it was your wife or daughter whose “head shot” was attached to another person’s nude body and put on the internet against there wishes

No, what I’d see it as is what it is: potential litigation already covered under civil laws. We already have laws against misrepresentation, copyright laws, slander laws. All of which don’t require the full force of the state to enforce… just a good lawyer.

Hypocrite Hunter

January 9th, 2012
11:50 am

dman @11:42, law enforcement already has enormous reach and incredible tools to battle the terror of child porn. Further overreaching on an already tattered 1st amendment isn’t going to improve either the safety of ourselves or our children. We have a budget crisis, focus on paying our bills first, then and only then figure out how to get every police department in the country a Photoshop proctology specialist.

Hypocrite Hunter

January 9th, 2012
11:53 am

rsc@11:42 protecting what innocent? The innocent whose picture is already naked on the internet…nope. The innocent whose picture is photoshopped onto an already naked body? If the picture is porn already, then the current laws already cover it (pardon the pun)

double

January 9th, 2012
11:59 am

Would think this would be more civil,than criminal.

Marlboro Man

January 9th, 2012
12:03 pm

She would be the poster child to photo shop and spread on the web. Get set, get ready, go.

COBBIT

January 9th, 2012
12:07 pm

We voted for these yokels to waste their time on stupid things like this? Please.

Aquagirl

January 9th, 2012
12:07 pm

This will give law enforcement another tool

There’s a lot of frustrated authoritarians out there begging for tools. Handing them one makes you an idiot.

td

January 9th, 2012
12:08 pm

ByteMe

January 9th, 2012
11:49 am

Dang, I actually agree with your comment. Do not criminalize stupid. If the person offends you then sue them for money.

curt

January 9th, 2012
12:13 pm

Is this all the goofballs we send to represent us have to worry about? Why does it always come from the same people who whine about the nanny state and keeping government out of our business?

juan carlos diego raul shanchez

January 9th, 2012
12:15 pm

i bet someone photo shopped a wiener on state Rep. Pam Dickerson, D-Conyers…

RowdyYates

January 9th, 2012
12:18 pm

Going out on a limb and guessing the proposed law is related to this ……
http://archives.postandcourier.com/archive/arch11/0311/arc032311672807.shtml

Georgia Native

January 9th, 2012
12:18 pm

Okay, let’s get down to business already. Start photoshopping Pam Dickerson’s head onto all kinds of bodies already – animal, vegetable, mineral, it doesn’t matter, and plaster it all over the web. Then have her be the first one to strip naked in front of a jury to prove her innocence.

Fred

January 9th, 2012
12:20 pm

Time to some some seriously wicked photo-shopping on this mindless trollop Pam Dickerson……..

Georgia Native

January 9th, 2012
12:21 pm

What are we waiting for? Let’s just start photoshopping Ms. Dickerson’s head onto all kinds of bodys – animal, vegetable, mineral – it doesn’t matter. Then she can be the first one to strip naked in front of a jury to prove her innocence.

Jack

January 9th, 2012
12:23 pm

Maybe Dickerson will introduce a bill outlawing the internet.

Fred

January 9th, 2012
12:23 pm

@Rowdy Yates: The link you provided has nothing whatsoever to do with the topic under discussion. your link was some dork posting a girls phone number on a porn site next to an existing picture. Try to keep up.

Art

January 9th, 2012
12:24 pm

Write the assemblywoman here to express yourself: pam.dickerson@house.ga.gov

Minus Clous

January 9th, 2012
12:24 pm

Hey you f00ls, the lady proposing the bill is a Democrat!!!! Keep blaming republicans for all your trouble and you will remain in the dark. Every political party has corruption especially Democrats.

erik

January 9th, 2012
12:24 pm

This is why we( the country) are in debt.

I wonder

January 9th, 2012
12:27 pm

Thank God this problem is being addressed. What a bunch of morons. Like we don’t have real problems in this state/country?

ls1z28chris

January 9th, 2012
12:27 pm

Thank you for at least linking this woman’s page, where she has graciously provided us with an official portrait for use until this bill gets passed.

Get to work, internet!

Bronc62

January 9th, 2012
12:27 pm

Poor Pam probably just jealous that she will never be photoshopped..

RowdyYates

January 9th, 2012
12:33 pm

@ Fred: Really?!? The girl and her dad, who is a former GBI agent, just happen to live in Dickerson’s district. Plus, the girl wishing that a law existed to punish such crimes. 2+2=4 Just saying.

blackhemi

January 9th, 2012
12:36 pm

SHES A DEMOCRAT! Typical D’s!

George Orwell

January 9th, 2012
12:38 pm

If this becomes law say goodbye to your first amendment rights and say hello to the internet police.

manna

January 9th, 2012
12:41 pm

Ah Geez, I just made one of you Jim. Thanks for the Headshot above.

xbagger

January 9th, 2012
12:43 pm

Once this heinous crime is prevented, all the rape, murder, and theft will just vanish, like magic. Why didn’t they think of this sooner?

richerthantedt

January 9th, 2012
12:47 pm

Hey, what does this say abouth Conyers? They voted for this idiot.

Omishianna

January 9th, 2012
12:47 pm

Minus Clous
January 9th, 2012
12:24 pm
“Hey you f00ls, the lady proposing the bill is a Democrat!!!! Keep blaming republicans for all your trouble and you will remain in the dark. Every political party has corruption especially Democrats.”

Concur 100% except for dignifying some Dem female as a ‘lady’. Lib sweathogs are usually not ladies. Just sayin’.

Joe Smith

January 9th, 2012
12:55 pm

I’m far more surprised that a yokel from Conyers knows what photoshop is than I am about this bill being introduced by a liberal moron.

Look before I leap...

January 9th, 2012
1:00 pm

I don’t think the Democrats have a monopoly on stupid and useless legislation. Nor do they have the market cornered on corruptness.

cg

January 9th, 2012
1:03 pm

Hey you idiots. First of all if you sorry liberal thinkers had enough moral fortitude to do things that were kind, considerate, and decent, then laws wouldn’t have to be written to keep you from “living out your fantasy”. I’m sick of immoral pieces of crap who get angry because the mainstream of folks doesn’t approve of their behavior. It’s your disdain for decent things and your desire to do things that are immoral and sorry (in a garbage sense of the way) that have moved our government to start putting on the skids. You should have used restraint if you wanted to keep your freedom. FOOLS! Now you’ve ruined it for the rest of us. I won’t be able to Photoshop a donkeys ass on a liberal and post it.

AUSKIP07

January 9th, 2012
1:05 pm

Thats it. im photoshopping this bitches head on to a naked mans body. Pam the tranny.

timthebrave

January 9th, 2012
1:12 pm

It should be a 1000 fine for coming up with bills this stupid

HCCynic

January 9th, 2012
1:13 pm

OH CRUD, the legislature is back in session, how did I overlook this? I knew something was up though as air in the City has a more “earthy” and “gamey” smell to it this morning.

I will be back to comment in an hour, but for the moment, I must race home, put chasity belts on my kids, and hide my farm animals…the annual pillaging of the citizens has begun.

T

Voting for future

January 9th, 2012
1:16 pm

To the Dems, lets get the real problems out of the way like the issue above so you can continue with the important things like spending this country into a 3rd world country and depleating our military so we cant defend ourselves for more then one conflict at a time. Then you can continue to put the homeless, unemployed job seekers, people living off foodstamps and welfare who should not even be in this country and people losing their homes day in and day out where you have keep them the last several years. At the bottom of this list of things to do.

To whomever voted this idiot into office in the first place, I expect to see them take elections seriously and vote her out when the time comes.

cp

January 9th, 2012
1:17 pm

How many years do you get if you paste a head with a brain in it on to a politician’s body?

Federal News

January 9th, 2012
1:29 pm

If a sleazebg ever photoshops my pic they won’t have to worry about a law if I catch them!

The Great and Powerful Community Organizer

January 9th, 2012
1:31 pm

OOOOoooh BOY! Our own little Pelosi.

Bobo is Not the Problem

January 9th, 2012
1:32 pm

Case in point that the government has WAY too much time on its hands.

Reality

January 9th, 2012
1:36 pm

What a freakin nutjob!

I get it

January 9th, 2012
1:37 pm

I believe the we all know why she has a (D) behind her name. Geeeeez!

Tebow's Boyfriend

January 9th, 2012
1:43 pm

You could vote her out of office, but presumably there’s a Conyers Republican who is twice as dumb and thinks her bill is great waiting to take her spot.
All we can do in the meantime is photoshop her head on nude/lewd bodies and post them on the internet. Clearly this is the kind of attention her bill was designed to get.

Just.... wow

January 9th, 2012
1:51 pm

Attn Conyers- You obviously need to elect a new Representative next time.

wut?

January 9th, 2012
1:54 pm

Tebow’s Boyfriend

January 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
“You could vote her out of office, but presumably there’s a Conyers Republican who is twice as dumb”

How’s that?

OMG For Real!!??

January 9th, 2012
2:07 pm

Hahahahahahaha, whew, gotta love politicians!!! If this is how the year is beginning I should have a severe cracked side from laughing so much by the end of 2012…

The Goobernator

January 9th, 2012
2:12 pm

What if someone posted an image of someone’s A$$ on Ms. Dickerson’s shoulders?
Would that apply?
That is the only image in my mind of her right now. LOL.

Hollis

January 9th, 2012
2:17 pm

MAN CEN’T HAVE ANY FUN ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!

Carol

January 9th, 2012
2:20 pm

How is this any worst than the bill legislators wanted to pass that would make it a crime to implant a microchip into a person without their permission? I’m not saying either were good. There are certainly far more important things to think about. But both sides can come up with some doozies.

Tomhere

January 9th, 2012
2:28 pm

They’re gonna stick her head on James Brown. Dang! Wish I had photoshop.

Tom

January 9th, 2012
2:29 pm

Do they not have more important things to do? I wouldn’t worry too much if this law is passed. The first time it is enforced, a lawsuit would get it thrown out as unconstitutional. Speaking of the Constitution, somebody might suggest to Rep. Dickerson that she read it.

Even Better

January 9th, 2012
2:33 pm

That’s almost as good as the time the Cobb COunty School Board put stickers in textbooks saying that Evolution was just a “theory” and din’t explain the history of the Universe as well as sweet baby jesus.

Honky Talkin

January 9th, 2012
2:36 pm

Dang! No more Sarah Palin nude photos.

Mom of One in Covington

January 9th, 2012
2:38 pm

This bill was brought about by a family in Oxford whose teenaged daughter was posted on a pornographic website–or at least her head was posted on someone else’s body. Her phone number was also posted. This post was by a student at the Citadel and there is a lawsuit pending. The problem was that even though the girl was underage–there was nothing that could be filed against the person that did it because it was not her body. Most legislation comes out of outrage at something that happened but could not be prosecuted (that is what happened in this case).

CAPT-ATL

January 9th, 2012
2:41 pm

The people of Conyers should be ashamd that they voted for such nonsense. This woman could give Cynthia McKenny a run for most useless political nut job in GA

Real Picture

January 9th, 2012
2:44 pm

That’s taking H.B> 680 out of context Gallerway. It has nothing to do with Mitt and Matt and deals primarily with Envy and Endowed!

diad

January 9th, 2012
2:59 pm

I think it’s a valid law. Many celebrities, women in particular, can be the victim of this odious type of photo-shopped picture. Then they are in the position of having their careers impacted, and they have the burden of proving to the world that it’s not them! It’s hard for a non-celebrity to appreciate this. But also high-school or college age girls could be devastated by this kind of fraudulent activity.

Saul Good

January 9th, 2012
3:08 pm

Say what you want…but this is EXACTLY the kind of nonsense one gets when they elect REPUBLICANS (and that goes for the state AND federal levels)… reminds me of them passing an important job creation stroke bill like “in zeus we trust”

Real Picture

January 9th, 2012
3:16 pm

If they outlaw Bobble head dolls, I’m moving to Mexico.

US Constitution

January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm

There’s just.. something about this that doesn’t seem right… huh.

PLEASE TAKE US BACK 2 DA 1950'S GUD OLE BOY DAYS

January 9th, 2012
3:29 pm

LIKE THE PICTURES OF BUSH AND DICK CHENEY KISSING!

Chappy

January 9th, 2012
3:37 pm

@byteme-

A good lawyer?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Oh! Oh my gosh, Thank you!!!!! The best laugh of the day!!!!

A good lawyer….. Hahahahahaaaaaaaaaa.snort.hahahahahahahaha

I needed that! Thanks. Weep.hahahahahaha

Garry Owen

January 9th, 2012
3:44 pm

A waste of their time and our money!

Democratic Plantation Dweller

January 9th, 2012
3:45 pm

Hey, we elected her…she’s a great woman. This bill is needed.

Slayer

January 9th, 2012
3:48 pm

Okay I guess all the women can stop posting Kim Kardashian’s head on their bodies now? Geez what a busybody this dimwit legislator is!

Bernie

January 9th, 2012
3:49 pm

This is a prime example why all Georgia State Legislators should be drugged tested on a regular and routine basis. You mean to tell me with all of the issues this state and its citizens are faced with in this economy, this kind of nonsense should be enacted into a LAW! We all certainly deserve better than this!

Real Picture

January 9th, 2012
4:03 pm

Come on. People can tell the pics are fake anyway. It’s like putting David Ralston’s head on the body of a skinney guy.

Brecko

January 9th, 2012
4:04 pm

Why do you people keep electing these idiots?

Paul Wilson

January 9th, 2012
4:37 pm

JD

January 9th, 2012
5:12 pm

This bill would also say depicting someone as gay is defamation. We covered it a few weeks ago. Remember when they insinuated Rick Perry as gay in the photoshop? That would be obscenity now.

http://gapolitico.com/2011/12/09/hb-680-a-bill-to-censor-the-internet-of-homosexuality-in-georgia/

woodrow

January 9th, 2012
5:12 pm

Photoshop is a tool used for artistic expression. We should not have laws against artistic expression of any kind. If someone feels slighted by a rendering of themselves, they must take this up with the artist/publisher.

Allyanaz

January 9th, 2012
6:48 pm

Is there nothing more intelligent to discuss by our lawmakers, like care for the elderly, medical assistance for the poor, jobs creation, infrastructure problems? Really?

vuduchld

January 9th, 2012
10:04 pm

Wow, you pilgrims in Jawja seem to be problem free. I mean you have these legislators with zero times on their hands that they can up up with reaaly smart ideas like this one.No wonder your state continues to be the poster child for dumb, fat Teabeggin welfare cheats.

E Haubrich

January 9th, 2012
10:14 pm

They should Photoshop the names of anyone that votes for this off the next ballot.

Tom Zarrilli

January 9th, 2012
10:25 pm

GaTech MBA 2014

January 9th, 2012
11:26 pm

“Disgusted with Legislators” – I almost fell out of my seat when i read your comment…that is just too funny!