What is Digg?102 Comments
- JoshuaWood, on 10/12/2007, -4/+54I urge everyone to join IPAC, donate if you can, and show our representitives that they need to keep our best interests in mind.
- IPac, on 10/12/2007, -1/+48I want to thank everyone that has written or called their Representative, but I want to add a bit of inside baseball on how Congress works. There is an order of importance when dealing with a constituent. The least likely to be dealt with are those that email. The most likely to be dealt with are those that call and particularly those that call a Representative's district office.
When you call make sure to be polite, but firm. If the person on the phone doesn't have an answer for you ask to speak to someone that does. If nobody has an answer for you, make sure to ask them to call you back when they do have an answer. Note the time of the call and all the people at the office you spoke with. Once you’ve spoken to their office, please leave us a note at IPac's web site or send us an email so we can track where each Representative stands. - kludwig, on 10/12/2007, -1/+39I agree. Don't forget to contact your state's senators and your congressional representative to let them know they'll lose your vote unless they denounce bills like this.
- Yankees368, on 10/12/2007, -8/+43New Procedures for Watching Television:
1) Bend Over
2) Spread Cheeks - siekosunfire, on 10/12/2007, -1/+27This was from /. but the information contained within is important:
@author: verisof (970392)
I just read the bill and was disgusted by what I saw. Like most of us here at Slashdot, I work in the IT field and have had way too many brushes with Homeland Security demanding data they have no right to get just because they want it. Our civil liberties are getting gobbled up and we, as Americans, are letting them do it.
So, everyone on here, PLEASE call Joseph Gibson, Lamar Smith's Chief of Staff at (202) 225-4236. Call him TODAY. He told me that NO ONE had bothered to call them regarding this bill. That I was the FIRST person who had actually talked to him about how heinous some of the provisions are in this bill. Make sure you actually read the Bill before you call so you can make your intelligent objections. Otherwise, we all come across like a bunch of people who just want to rip off IP from other people. And make sure you tell them that you are vehemently opposed to this bill and will raise public awareness about the loss of our Fair Use rights.
I spent a lot of time talking to the Mr. Gibson about the Sony Betamax ruling with regard to Fair Use rights and how Business would have missed out on the multi-billion dollar video industry if they hadn't lost that case. Also, about how creating legislation to keep a monopolistic cartel (RIAA & MPAA) in a position of power is ANTI-free market. (Businesses in a free market have to adapt to survive, I certainly know that I have to play by those rules. . . .)
Other things we can do include:
* Sending emails out to everyone we know to contact the Congressman's office. Let's flood his office with emails, phone calls & letters.
* Contact the news desk at your local newspapers and make sure that they are covering this item. It makes for good copy if they actually KNOW about it.
* Do anything you make the NON-geeks out there understand the rights they lose with this bill. How would they like it if music ripping software was illegal and they could no longer put the music from their LEGALLY PURCHASED CD's on their iPods?
* Also take the time to write a letter. Every one letter represents 1,000 constituents who have the same problems, but just couldn't find the time to write.
Also, please Mod this reply up to make sure that people GET THE MESSAGE. Thanks!!! - slithy, on 10/12/2007, -6/+32you forgot 3) Emtpy wallet
- Bigcat1021, on 10/12/2007, -1/+20This is great advice, and should be followed by everyone on Digg who complains about "the system." Remember, you can affect the system only if you participate in it.
- Xopl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+20You know I was just reading the email I got from the EFF when I signed up as a monthly donor. This is what it says:
"You and almost 9,000 EFF members make this work possible through your generosity..."
9,000?!?!?! That's it?! A lot of people on Digg need to stop the ineffectual bitching and start putting some money down on the table.
If 1% of Digg readers who agree with my position and the position of the EFF on these issues became donating members of the EFF, these issues would start to take care of themselves. Seriously. Think about it. Just give them $10 over paypal. That's a lot less than you're gonna pay for a CD or DVD. - klang, on 10/12/2007, -1/+176) Thank your fellow voters ... oh, you didn't vote? (go to 1)
- joeyjojo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17"The 3 times that I have written emails to Congressman Issa(California) he has personally written me back. In which case we then spoke on the phone. So I guess that is your personal opinion on "importance" not necessarily what happens."
The problem is that leaders that are competant enought to use email understand that DCMA crap is just that. Crap.
It's the leadership that can't figure out their fax machine from a typewriter that are our concern and they certainly aren't going to be very swayed by email. (They likely don't even read it.) - Chewie67, on 10/12/2007, -2/+185) Thank the MPAA, RIAA and Congress for ALLOWING you to watch.
- norris, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15Freedom has become the ultimate commodity. The more you pay, the more you have.
"Don't have $20M to donate for the Senator's reelection? Well... that's ok. You didn't need that right anyway." - IcanFLY, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15"Dugg to hell" or are the Hollywood cartels trying to keep you from seeing it!
- agreen, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12I have been a life-long republican and still consider myself a conservative because i love the free market and what american innovation stands for. If this bill passes, i will never vote republican again. this is absolutely tragic. as Dvorak says, this is the sovietization of american culture. please support ipac if you can. seriously, this is a really sad day for american innovation.
- endgame, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12It really feels like as I get older the Government & corporations are trying to screw you at EVERY turn in your life. I'm all for capitalism & fairness but between the corporations & the Government it seems they really are out to get ALL your money & take away your rights.
- Terc, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16@JoshuaWood
it took you 2 minutes to do this eh? (kludwig's post was 2 minutes before JoshuaWood's)
Well, there you go people, 2 minutes and you can do your part. - JoshuaWood, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13kludwig... Done and Done!
- 5blocksfree, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12IPAC aren't trying to legitimize piracy, they are trying to maintain the notion of fair use - something that is being less and less recognized every time a content company has their way with someone in DC.
- JoshuaWood, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Actually I did it earlier than when it showed up on Digg. I submitted a story about IPAC on Friday that went no where, and donated some money to them as well. I've always had great respect for EFF and now that they have a way to influence politicians more directly as a separate PAC then as a non-profit, I wanted to make sure that I add to their arsenal.
- WickedDrag0oN, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11The 3 times that I have written emails to Congressman Issa(California) he has personally written me back. In which case we then spoke on the phone. So I guess that is your personal opinion on "importance" not necessarily what happens.
- umdigger, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10That's right, this is a democracy. If enough people shout they will listen. We control what happens, not Hollywood. If it passes everyone should stop renting/watching movies and see how long it takes them to realize they are the ones killing themselves.
- The42, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9During a speech in November, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales endorsed the idea and said at the time that he would send Congress draft legislation. Such changes are necessary because new technology is "encouraging large-scale criminal enterprises to get involved in intellectual-property theft," Gonzales said, adding that proceeds from the illicit businesses are used, "quite frankly, to fund terrorism activities."
See, THIS is what pisses me off. Used to fund terrorism activities. Really. What large-scale criminal enterprises? What organizations are profiting from IP theft? In fact, who is profiting from IP theft at all? No one. All the software used for this purpose is FREE, much of it distributed under an open liscence with source code. This is *****. Classic example of the use of a buzzword to fool people into accepting something blindly. Terrorism? ***** them. - quasipalm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Here's the link:
https://ipaction.org/
The least you can do is sign up for their email alerts. It'll scare more people in congress if a lot of people sign up. A donation is that much better.
And don't forget the non-political sister of iPac: the good ol' EFF. - ahhell, on 10/12/2007, -13/+204) Think warm thoughts cause it's cold and it's going deep.
- RexKwando, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I agree. It is easy to write/call/email our representatives and let them know or discontent. I try to bitch out... I mean write my senators at least once a day.
- Xopl, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8http://www.eff.org/
? - rebrad, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7They don't give a ***** if you see it or not. It will soon be a crime to criticize or even write about the details. They want to know who you are so they can confiscate all your stuff (under sealed file of course).
The only way to stop it is to not buy their *****. Don't do iTunes, don't buy from Best Buy. Don't go see that ***** slash movie, don't rent or anything. Until you tell them to ***** off and not give them money they will ***** you like a dog. You can live without their garbage anyway. You don't have to have it.
When asked to buy, rent or try, just tell them to ***** off and turn your back and walk away. - tomkinsc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7When a bill is going to hit the floor that you want to voice your opinion on, I urge everyone to physically mail, fax, or call your congressional representative. Calls are hard to ignore and pieces of paper are more likely than email to be read before being removed from the pile.
You can find your representative (and their office address) at the House by using this website:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
The office addresses of your senators can be found here:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
If you contact both of your senators and the representative for your congressional district, using a physical paper letter it will cost $1.17. That's all it takes to let the most powerful people in Washington know your stance on an issue.
If you are unsure of how to format a letter to your congressional representative, the tips at About.com are pretty good:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa020199.htm
In short, the tips About.com recommends the following for writing to your congressional representatives:
Write a three-short-paragraph letter.
1. Say why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials." (If you want a response, you must include your name and address, even when using email.) Credentials could be anything from a PhD in public policy or voter registration in their district or state.
2. Provide more detail. Be factual not emotional. Provide specific rather than general information about how the topic affects you and others. If a certain bill is involved, cite the correct title or number whenever possible.
3. Close by requesting the action you want taken: a vote for or against a bill, or change in general policy.
Writing your congressional representative is something you can do to make yourself heard and set yourself apart from the hoards of politically apathetic and unmotivated citizens. It can make a huge difference and if enough people do it, the stage upon which issues are debated can be reshaped to include the electorate's interests, not merely those of well-funded lobbying groups.
Make a difference; participate in government!
Best of luck in contacting your senators and reps!
-Chris T-T. - concreteclam, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8"The bill as a whole does a lot of good things," said Keith Kupferschmid, vice president for intellectual property and enforcement at the Software and Information Industry Association in Washington, D.C. "It gives the (Justice Department) the ability to do things to combat IP crime that they now can't presently do.""
IP (the so called "intellectual property") crime sounds very, very similar to thought crime. Replace IP crime in that paragraph with thought crime and see how scary things are getting. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8ipaction.org is Dugg to hell. Anybody got a Cache?
Also, I am going to call my representative today or tomorrow about the RIAA and related bills. - OBKenobi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6"Hollywood" should declare themselves a sovereign state. So that we can bomb them off the face of the Earth. Otherwise, they have no business influencing law.
I guess in America, $$$ is more important than justice. - nosebleed, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Oh dear, this is depressing. First the net neutrality BS and now THIS. Our freedoms are just being flushed down the toilet so "Bill Lumbergh"'s stock can go up a quarter of a point. Well I won't have it! And I love how they just HAVE to use "terrorism" as a scapegoat for these things. If you don't agree with it, you hate America and are with the terrorists. Kill me now.
- jolionessness, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6sites down and the diggs are still goin up
- thewise1, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7"The 3 times that I have written emails to Congressman Issa(California) he has personally written me back. In which case we then spoke on the phone. So I guess that is your personal opinion on "importance" not necessarily what happens."
Yeah, the congressman most likely didn't write it though. They employ interns to sit there and respond to people and make them look good.
Your experience may vary, of course, but that's generally the case. - pope7, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6This type of thing scares me something fearsome.
Done. Defazio contacted. Oregonians should follow suit. - nsbomb, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6yes
- xijio, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Bill summary that is linked from the article:
http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6064016.html?part=rss&tag=6064016&subj=news - nullmind, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Where can I find out how to contact my reps? I live in Oregon and I know a lot of people at the college that would love to show their support.
Thanks,
Kris - joelito, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Already contacted my representative....
Problem is that he has no voting power(Puerto Rico) and he's got issues that I know are of higher priority to him. But hopefully IF I can get enough people to react and write about this he'll throw a rant. - 5blocksfree, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5There are none. It's all political double-talk. That's about all we've seen since November 2000.
- CapnCornflake, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5You're all going to get sued when this is over, because that bill is copyrighted to the MPAA under the DMCA. You stole it all and kept it in your cache files, and digg is helping to distribute it.
- phlux, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Since its dugg - can someone who read the site tell me what it says that "is worse than we imagined"
What are some details on this thing....
Thanks - Xopl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5blkadder, that's total FUD. Maybe they lose their cases because they can't get the lawyers they need, or spend the time they need, or do the research they need, [or buy off the judges they need, or buy off the politicians they need (oh wait, that's how the RIAA/MPAA works, my mistake)] because they DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.
You're just repeating what you read somewhere. And it was written by somebody who has a vested interest is people not giving money to the EFF. You should stop repeating it.
Also, the ACLU is focused on civil rights in general. They don't have a specific focus on the digital realm. - tech10171968, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5@iiftmlis: no but, damnit, we don't have the right to complain if we just sit here and do nothing. Words are ***** if they're not backed up with action. I'm writing my congressman - NOW.
- mliving, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Making fair-use MORE illegal is NOT going to solve the cartels problems.
Forcing consumers to pay repeatedly for the same garbage will not work.
Forcing consumers to watch commericals or pay won't work.
Writing your corrupt representatives won't work.
STOP BUYING THE CARTELS GARBAGE!
Cancel your cable tv.
Don't buy the cartels CDs and DVDs.
Don't go to the cartels concerts and movie.
Don't download the cartels "almost" free TV offerings.
Remember we're talking about music and movies here. If these *****' id10t5 make it virtually impossible for consumers to watch tv because of intrusive technology, consumers will find other ways. Let AT&T restrict their users from access sites that don't pay their toll. The internet will simply find away around them.
By the people for the people ended with Bush 2.0 and his band of corrupt pirates and its going to get A LOT WORSE before it gets even the smallest bit better so tighten your backsides kids its going to be a "tough summer" according to "W"! - Ribald_Jester, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Does the erosion of our rights *ever* end? I could care less about maFIAA and their copywrights. Aren't they the ones that keep pushing for Copywrights to be extended and extended - just so they can milk millions more out of the franchises (ex Disney)?
I fear we are going to have to vote with bullets if this keeps up... - BadDolphin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4""Dugg to hell" or are the Hollywood cartels trying to keep you from seeing it!"
An RIAA spokesman once stated in an interview that they will resort to DOS attacks if necessary. - RomeyRome, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Somebody got a template? I'm not sure if I can get the point across in the best manner.
- wastrel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@blkadder: That "EFF loses a lot" meme is incorrect. It really got rolling with this hit-piece in the register about the Sony rootkit case (which they ended up winning) "EFF volunteers to lose important suit over Sony 'rootkit'" : http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/06/eff_needs_to_die/
Here's a nice /. thread with some discussion about it if you're interested: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/12/06/166248 - siekosunfire, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@nullmind
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
As mentioned by IPAC, the most effective measures will be taken if the state representatives are actually called and emailed. -
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