"We want to keep our kids safe when they're on the Internet"

One of the old excuses by Democrats to have government become involved in something: it's for the children.

Operators of Web sites with racy content must label their sites and register in a national directory or be fined, according to a new U.S. Senate proposal that represents the latest effort among politicians to crack down on Internet sex.

The requirements appear in legislation announced Thursday by two Senate Democrats, Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Max Baucus of Montana, that they say will "clean up the Internet for children."

The proposal, which the senators describe as a discussion draft, relies on the idea of embedding a new tag--such as --in all Web pages that the government deems unsuitable for minors. Then future Web browsers used by minors could be configured to reject L18-labeled Web pages.

I have two daughters, so naturally I don't want them wandering to filthy sites. However, I'm going to do what's necessary to make sure they aren't able to get to those sites. I don't need the government doing something for me, now matter what it is. It's insulting for these senators to say they are doing something for the children, as if parents have no responsibility for that. It's the theory behind the action that I don't like: We are governmental officials, and we are the only ones who can look out for your children's welfare.