[free-sklyarov] Writing Congress does help! (was Re: courses of action)

[Robert A. Knop Jr.]

> I was thinking that convincing our congresspersons through letters,
> protests and petitions may fall on deaf ears.  After all, DMCA wasn't
> passed in our best interests, who's to say that they care at all.

This is WRONG!

Yes, if just a few of us write letters, they won't make any difference.  The
digital copyright industry has overpaid lobbyists pushing their warped
agenda.  Individual letters from people like us get filed and ignored by
congressional staffers.  It will fall on deaf ears... UNLESS there are
enough letters; then it will begin to make an impression.  There will never
be enough letters if each of us doesn't write our one!

I read a recent interview with Rick Boucher in which he stated that part of
the reason the DMCA passed as it was is because the people like us, people
hurt by it and opposing it, simply weren't there.  Hollywood and music
industry lobbyists were all over, making themselves heard, but there was
basically nobody speaking on the other side.  He even made the assertion
(which I personally doubt) that campaign contributions weren't even the
issue; it was simply who Congress heard and thought had a stake in the
issue.

Deciding that it's hopeless is the worst thing to do.  If enough people
write letters, it will begin to raise awareness in Congress that the
copyright industry is way the hell out on a limb on this one.  If we don't
try to be heard, we won't be heard, that much is sure!

The things you suggest to do instead of writing letters are all good things
to do.  But EVERYBODY, WRITE THOSE LETTERS.  Tell your representatives and
senators what you think of the SSSCA.  Write politely and intelligently, but
WRITE.  It's the least any of us can do, and if enough of us do it, it might
really make a difference.

-Rob Knop

-=-=-= Rob Knop =-= rknop at pobox.com =-= http://www.pobox.com/~rknop =-=-=-

   Free Skylarov!  Repeal the DMCA; preserve free speech in the USA
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