Charity Marie Is Going to Jail…
According to recent California law (effective January 1, 2011), anyone using a false name (“e-personation”) on the internet can be fined as much as $1000 and spend a year in jail. That’s anyone who “poses as another person online with malicious intent.”
Victims of such miscreants would be allowed to file civil suits. New York and Texas have similar laws. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill in September “that makes impersonation in cyberspace a crime. Under SB1411, it is now a misdemeanor to impersonate someone online with the intent to harm, intimidate, threaten or defraud. The bill, which passed the Legislature unanimously, essentially expands impersonation laws to include online behavior.” (Source: SFGate.com)
Now, you may be wondering, how will this land Charity Marie Doggy-Dog in jail? Being of a sweet disposition (except to delivery persons), there cannot possibly be a malicious bone in her body. Her brother Rocky, a well-known thief and chewer of valuables, is a much more likely candidate, no?
According to the language of the law, anyone who uses a false name “for purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person” would be guilty of breaking the law. How does this relate to two dogs with whom I may or may not be acquainted (don’t ask, don’t tell)?
Well, Charity Marie--like countless other canines--has her own Facebook account. The rumor is that these dogs (or humanitarians on leashes) opened accounts so that they could “friend” and be “neighbors” with people playing Zynga games.
Apparently, not that I would know, the more neighbors you have, the more virtual dollars you can earn to buy more virtual junk. Charity’s brother, Rocky, on the other hand, is only a few months old and can’t read or keyboard yet—so no Facebooking for him.
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