It’s responsible citizenry..
Right now several major websites are holding an Internet blackout over Congresses coquettish attempt at regulating the web for the IP industry. Sites like wikipedia have decided to ‘blackout’ their website in order to raise awareness about this issue. Maybe they’re succeeding, maybe they are not. At this point it doesn’t really matter.
Last weekend, in response to petitions made via We the People on WhiteHouse.gov the Obama administration clarified what they would and would not support in an anti-piracy bill; which means they wont be supporting the two bills that congress is debating (unless they are changed drastically). This is a good example responsible citizenry influencing policy, using tools available to express their will to their government. Effective democracy effectively killed these bills before sites like wikipedia could put together their high profile protest.
So rather than use the moment to highlight a bill that is already dead in the water, I’d rather use the moment to point out this tool.
For issues related to privacy, freedom of information etc, EFF generally has petitions that you can support. They make it easy for you and do the legwork. EFF.org and (http://blacklists.eff.org for this issues specifically)
"We the People" is an online tool that the White House set up to allow the citizenry to petition the administration to take action on any issue. Petitions with enough support are reviewed by White House staff, sent to appropriate policy experts, and garner an official response. You might also consider checking the Open Government Initiative website as it has links to Federal Agency websites that may have similar tools.
Last weekend, in response to petitions made via We the People on WhiteHouse.gov the Obama administration clarified what they would and would not support in an anti-piracy bill; which means they wont be supporting the two bills that congress is debating (unless they are changed drastically). This is a good example responsible citizenry influencing policy, using tools available to express their will to their government. Effective democracy effectively killed these bills before sites like wikipedia could put together their high profile protest.
So rather than use the moment to highlight a bill that is already dead in the water, I’d rather use the moment to point out this tool.
For issues related to privacy, freedom of information etc, EFF generally has petitions that you can support. They make it easy for you and do the legwork. EFF.org and (http://blacklists.eff.org for this issues specifically)
"We the People" is an online tool that the White House set up to allow the citizenry to petition the administration to take action on any issue. Petitions with enough support are reviewed by White House staff, sent to appropriate policy experts, and garner an official response. You might also consider checking the Open Government Initiative website as it has links to Federal Agency websites that may have similar tools.
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