They are going after Bloggers.

A Michigan lawmaker wants to license reporters to ensure they’re credible and vet them for “good moral character.”according to Fox News
Senator Bruce Patterson(This idiot is a Republican too. If you want to contact him, click here) is introducing legislation that will regulate reporters much like the state does with hairdressers, auto mechanics and plumbers. Patterson, who also practices constitutional law, says that the general public is being overwhelmed by an increasing number of media outlets--traditional, online and citizen generated--and an even greater amount misinformation.

It is not just Michigan. The Federal Trade Commission wants Federal Control.

Mark Tapscott, over at the Washington Examiner says.....

* Journalists must understand that there is no way the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press will survive if the federal government regulates the news industry as envisioned by the FTC. Those who accept at face value protests to the contrary or the professions of pure intentions by advocates of government takeover of the news business are, at best, incredibly naive.

* Journalists who remain silent or apathetic about what is being prepared by the FTC for their profession become unintentional accessories in the strangulation of independent journalism.

* Journalists who support or assist, for any reason, the FTC process are accomplices in the strangulation of independent journalism.

I sent a quick email to this State Senator...

I don't know if you read the Constitution recently.
The 1st amendment says....
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That applies to Michigan Senate too.
All it will do is put the licensing of the press into hands of politicians and bureaucrats and we can say good-bye to the First Amendment. It will close down blogs, alternative media, and talk radio. It will close down freedom.
If journalists were licensed in the 18th century, we would not have had Thomas Paine, or the Federalist Papers.