[olug] congressman Terry needs more attention

[Brandon Petersen]

First Amendment Rights? This seems to be a bit of a stretch.

The First Amendment guarantees the right of free expression; including the
freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and freedom
of speech. I'm at a loss to where you're ability to express yourself would
be limited?

It would be different if the proposed law limited your ability to create a
Parody of someone else's work. Then I can understand how your Freedom of
Speech is being infringed in that case, you would be kept from creating your
own content.

The issue at hand is how much control the Copyright Holder has over the
content you receive. It's a 'Fair Use' issue, I'm at a loss where
Congressman Terry is attempting to directly attack your Freedom of Speech. I'm
not pro-DRM or anything, but this argument is very tenuous.

--
Brandon Petersen, http://www.brandonpetersen.com

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On 11/8/05, Jeff Hinrichs <JeffH at delasco.com> wrote:
>
> Rep. Terry doesn't appear to be open to having his mind changed via
> persuasive arguments and facts.
>
> It appears that if you really care about this issue it's going to take
> some old time spot-light shining.
>
> Here is the ugly:
> 1) Even though he is in favor of the BF, he wants to vote that the FCC
> (non-elected) be given permission to modify and limit our first
> amendment rights, namely "fair use." The MPAA and RIAA know that if
> they don't hide this decision in some non-elected committee that it
> would never pass in an open Congressional session. This is a blatantly
> cowardly act, orchestrated by the MPAA/RIAA and one that only serves to
> harm us, the electorate.
> In a nutshell, "Terry favors abridging First Amendment Rights"
>
> Last Avenues of Influence:
> A spotlight needs to be set on the congressman and we need to point out
> the negatives that affect voters locally and in the pocketbook. To that
> end: Letters to the Editor in the OWH would help. Any Radio air time
> that anyone can get, especially stations like 89.7, Z-92 etc.
>
> A media event such as a demonstration in front of his office with lots
> of news crews. Maybe the EFF could give some pointers on what would be
> effective in getting news crews to attend.
>
> We will need a website to promote that will instruct the motivated on
> what they can do.
>
> Anyone up for some old fashion politicking?
>
>