Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Senator Gillibrand Thinks PROTECT IP Is About The Internet Kill Switch
techdirt ^

Posted on 07/18/2011 7:16:08 PM PDT by Gomez

Last week, we wrote about how Rep. Anna Eshoo (whose district covers much of Silicon Valley) is apparently so incredibly out of touch on what PROTECT IP is about (despite it having a huge impact on the economy of her district) that she thought it was really about immigration. We were willing to chalk it up to a busy staffer sending out the wrong form letter, but there's growing evidence that our elected officials simply don't know what PROTECT IP is about at all.

David Segal from Demand Progress was kind enough to pass on that they've been watching the responses from elected officials to letters sent via their form about PROTECT IP and nearly 50% of them seem to be about things totally unrelated to PROTECT IP. Are Congressional staffers really that busy or are our elected officials just clueless?

As an example, they sent over this letter, sent in response to someone who wrote to Senator Kristen Gillibrand protesting PROTECT IP, which, you'll note, has nothing to do with PROTECT IP, but is instead about the "internet kill switch."

Thank you for writing to me with regard to legislation that would give the federal government the authority to turn off portions of the internet in the event of a major cybersecurity incident. I understand your concerns.

In the 21st Century, access to the internet has become an indispensible communication tool and a forum for vigorous public discourse. We have seen the power of the internet leveraged to promote democracy and topple repressive regimes in North Africa. While the internet has become a great tool for good, it has also provided new opportunities for criminals to exploit individuals, disrupt commerce and attack governments. For that reason, Congress and the Administration are working on various proposals to better protect the United States against cyberattacks and cybercrime. This is necessary if we are going to be vigilant against existing and emerging online threats and ensure a coordinated and coherent U.S. approach to cybersecurity. In addition, I have sponsored legislation to foster greater international cyber cooperation and ensure that the United States is working with other governments to address the threats emanating from overseas....
It goes on in that nature, but never once mentions anything having to do with PROTECT IP. It's pretty sad that our elected officials can't even be bothered to understand this bill that so many people are against.


TOPICS: Government; US: California; US: New York; US: Utah; US: Vermont
KEYWORDS: annaeshoo; california; davidsegal; kristengillibrand; newyork; orrinhatch; patrickleahy; protectip; utah; vermont

1 posted on 07/18/2011 7:16:11 PM PDT by Gomez
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Gomez

Another control freak...


2 posted on 07/18/2011 7:18:34 PM PDT by Sprite518
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gomez

No surprise there- none of the congresscritters who voted for obamacare and/or the PATRIOT act ever bothered to read the legislation.


3 posted on 07/18/2011 7:32:04 PM PDT by Squawk 8888 (Tories in- mission accomplished)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gomez

okay.....so, um..... What is PROTECT IP all about then?


4 posted on 07/18/2011 7:34:48 PM PDT by TaxPayer2000
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

U.S. Senator for New York, Democratic Party (figured you hated the suspense).

Thanks Gomez. BTW, she appears to be not guilty, dare I say it?


5 posted on 07/18/2011 7:38:37 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Yes, as a matter of fact, it is that time again -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

http://www.google.com/search?q=PROTECT+IP+site:freerepublic.com

Protect IP copyright bill faces growing criticism
by Declan McCullagh
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20069824-281/protect-ip-copyright-bill-faces-growing-criticism/


6 posted on 07/18/2011 7:41:45 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Yes, as a matter of fact, it is that time again -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Gomez

The staff of the Barnum & Bailey Circus would do a better job than our present Congress.


7 posted on 07/18/2011 7:47:18 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (There's gonna be a Redneck Revolution)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gomez
Last week, we wrote about how Rep. Anna Eshoo...

Gesundheit!

8 posted on 07/18/2011 7:53:14 PM PDT by VoiceOfBruck (Welcome to Costco. I love you. Welcome to Costco. I love you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gomez

Clearly these morons are “A” student products of government schools.


9 posted on 07/18/2011 8:02:14 PM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is another agitator for republicanism like Sam Adams when we need him?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gomez

gillibrand is a tool.


10 posted on 07/18/2011 8:03:45 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("America will cease to be great when America ceases to be good." -- Welcome to deToqueville.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gomez

You are missing the point.

What you are seeing is proof that they DO NOT LISTEN to us.

They have employees look for a few key words in a communication, and then send out a canned response that they think pertains to the subject you contacted them about.

With emails, I would not be at all surprised to find that this process is fully automated.

I bet your “representative” never saw your communication, is not aware it exists, and doesn’t care what you think.


11 posted on 07/18/2011 9:03:47 PM PDT by Nik Naym (It's not my fault... I have compulsive smartass disorder.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson