The states of Utah and Michigan passed laws creating “don’t-spam-this-kid” lists, and everyone had to shrug and ask why? Besides the fact that the whole thing would be an administrative nightmare and tough to police, a few thought it might actually provide a backdoor for all kinds of scumbags to gain access to children.

Of course, high and mighty politicians don’t think of these things. They just pass laws and presume everyone will obey.

Now the Federal Trade Commission has weighed in on the matter, and have come to a very simple and logical conclusion: those state laws are making children LESS safe from spam.

Call the politicians extremely naive or downright fricken stupid, it doesn’t matter to me (as it is probably both).

If you send an email to a child in Utah or Michigan, beginning this week you could wind up in jail.

The two states are starting up their child “do not mail” registries, and those who send email to kids on that list face stiff penalties and fines.

Policing these rules is going to take massive efforts. I suspect there are going to be a lot of accusations flying when Uncle Pauly sends nephew Nick daily fishing updates from Florida.