I’m off to buy InvestigateAndImpeachHeThatShallNotBeNamed.com

So I’m working with a client on a new website

“InvestigateAndImpeachObamaNow.com”

Just so we could make the petition signups secure I went to GoDaddy and attempted to purchase an SSL certificate for that very domain name.

I promptly get an e-mail back that says in part

"Please send us documentation that supports your legal use of the term: [ obama ]"

I need legal permission to securely organize against an elected official? Do I copy and paste them the 1st Amendment?

So I started looking for the contact info for the White House Consul’s office to see if they have a form letter that GoDaddy will accept. But I said – hey – why not give GoDaddy a call yourself and make you understand them correctly?

Talked with a nice lady – and it’s an absolute no-go. Even for – as I put it – “A 1st Amendment Right of Assembly Type Site”.

I guess the right of assembly must be covered by the warning about

"Your digital certificate request was chosen for additional review and documentation because your common name, website, or company name contains a word or words used commonly by illegal internet phishing scams."

I understand the need to avoid phishing and all that but I really think that the possibility that anyone is going to mistake my site for the Obama reelect site is pretty small.

Humm….I wonder – How real is this apparent policy against securely using the names of my political overlords.

20 minutes and $50 later I get the answers back from GoDaddy

"We have successfully completed the authentication process and issued your SSL certificate for the domain:


secure.investigateandimpeachCANTORnow.com."


"We have successfully completed the authentication process and issued your SSL certificate for the domain:


secure.investigateandimpeachBOEHNERnow.com"

Seems the Speaker of the House and the Majority Whip are free game (BTW - Eric – it’s for sale – call me…)

So apparently GoDaddy thinks you have the right to securely assemble against Republicans and Conservatives. But all communications against Barry have to be unencrypted - sounds reasonable.
------------------------------------------
This is the actual e-mail I received

Dear Secure Certificate Customer,

Your digital certificate request was chosen for additional review and documentation because your common name, website, or company name contains a word or words used commonly by illegal internet phishing scams.

Please send us documentation that supports your legal use of the term: [ obama ]

If you have a registered company who's name includes the term above, please send a copy of the registration document.

If you are working on behalf of a registered company or using a protected trade name or brand or company name, you will need to have them send us a formal letter on their printed letterhead that specifically authorizes you to use their protected word(s) for a domain name or Organization name.

Once we have received the documentation, we will call the signer and or company to validate its authenticity.

Please respond within 24 hours to avoid denial of your certificate request.

If you encounter any problems or have any questions, our Customer Support department is ready to help, around-the-clock, seven days a week.

Customer Support:
E-Mail: ra@godaddy.com
Phone: 480.505.8852
Fax: 480.393.5009

For further information, log in to your account at https://certs.godaddy.com.
Twitter @ActivistManager