Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.) who, in the last election cycle, took money from Sony Pictures Entertainment, Time Warner, Universal Music, Viacom, Fox, the RIAA, and The Walt Disney Company, says:
"We're spending a good deal of federal resources in terms of helping universities with their technological improvements, directly and indirectly," Feeney said. "Is it responsible for a Congress that wants to protect intellectual property rights to continue to fund network enhancements for universities if some of those enhancements are indirectly being used in fact to promote intellectual property theft?"We like Greg Jackson, CIO of the University of Chicago, and Illinois State University dean of libraries Cheryl Elzy's responses:
"So long as the right thing remains more daunting, awkward and unsatisfying than the wrong thing, too many people will do the wrong thing," Jackson said, referring to the digital rights management technology used widely in legally purchased music files....According to CNet, "Universities receive tens of billions of dollars a year in federal research money, and the Department of Education handed out $82 billion in 2007 in new grants and loans to students." —MEGHANN MARCO ]]>"If we rely on technology too much, it's going to interfere with legal uses of peer-to-peer technologies," Elzy said. Some of her own library files can be quite large, she added, and "I'd like to not have those blocked."
No, I just enjoy keeping up on current science.
]]>You're still not approaching this correctly.
If you're going to make the argument that Feeney knows polysci better than either of us, I can make the argument that actual political scientists know it even better, and the consensus is pretty much that lobbyist's money does little to sway votes.
See:
http://www.google.com/search?q=political+science+buy+vote+...
http://www.publicpolicy.umd.edu/IPPP/Finance.htm
ad infinium...
The rest of your argument about the lobbyists bringing this issue to Feeney's attention is nearly exactly what I said. Feeney is already inclined to vote in their favor, so all they have to do is bring his attention to bear on the matter. Their money makes little difference.
The layman's view on this matter isn't backed up by current science.
]]>I just wrote my representative regarding this. I suggest you let your reps know about this guys stance.
Here's how to contact them: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
If you need something to write, this is what I wrote. You can use it if you like:
"I'm writing you for a very important reason. I read an article this morning about Rep. Tom Feeney's stance to cut fed. funding to educational institutions based on whether they cut/limit/monitor file sharing on their networks. Say this is not so. The responsabilities of these networks are a private matter and the institution should not pay the price for a student's involvement in online piracy. I am a major advocate for education as I believe it holds the answer to a more civil, educated, wiser society. It is what makes our culture stand as a respected nation in the world and what justifies our movement of open communications to the globe. To limit any form of gov. funding to any educational institution is an act of aggression toward a body whose only purpose is to benefit society. Please consider what Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) is trying to do and understand that some in your constituency are opposed to his view. I'm finishing my Masters Degree right now. I do not think it would be right if my school and its student body had to pay a price based upon the actions of small group of people.
Thank you for considering this and I hope you agree with my point,"
]]>God bless America.
]]>So, what this means is, Feeney is suggesting that not only do we penalize our universities for not "snapping to" when the RIAA comes knocking, but also that we direct all federal research monies towards private industries.
It's a GOP one-two knockout combo.
FAN-tastic!
]]>^^ does that not right there sort of make it clear that this guy is being the puppet for the major companies that "own" him -.-
This is a conspirators dream, some beefcake taking in money from RIAA backing companies being told what to say and what to do. This beefcake is the guy that asked a programmer to make a program that is able to alter the votes in voting machine mainly like the ones in the 2004 election.
http://www.seminolechronicle.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/...
Just like brianala pointed out
I just cant see how evil people that like to exploit others for there gain can continue running in congress, well they are do that don't they -.-
]]>having said that, i would like to cut my funding to the federal government. i do not want copyright and i do not wish to waste my money on a pointless system (along with the repression of drugs, elective wars of aggression, etc). i'd rather pay a bit extra for things like college rather than throwing away half of my income to fund oppression.
]]>Your logic is flawed. The existence of the lobbying "industry" does not prove that votes are bought.
The lobbying industry helps maintain favorable seats. It has little effect on politicians voting record. In other words, this politician would be a douchebag whether he was receiving the RIAA's money or not.
Additionally, wishing personal ill will on others isn't a good way to make your argument appear stronger.
Your resort to stereotyping does little to bolster your argument.
]]>Anyone who works for a lobbyist in any form or fashion receives no sympathy from me for any personal tragedy that may arise.
]]>Thermo--He's a Republican, for Chrissake. He doesn't have a position until he sees the name on the check.
]]>Special interests donate money to candidates who ALREADY AGREE WITH THEIR POSITIONS.
This is accepted political science from what I can tell.
]]>To stop illegal downloading, so that companies that make billions of dollars can make more money, they will (or are threatening to) take funding from universities. Is this correct?
That's the most fucked up thing I've ever read.
]]>Contact info for "Rep (Riaa)" Tom Feeney:
campaign@tomfeeney.com
or
Write to Feeney here: http://www.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep
(use 32129 zip if asked and www.fakenamegenerator coupled with his FL office address below when prompted)
Washington Office
323 Cannon House Office
Building Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2706 (202) 226-6299 fax
Port Orange Office
1000 City Center Circle, 2nd Floor
Port Orange, FL 32129
(386) 756-9798 (386) 756-9903 fax
Orlando Office
12424 Research Parkway, Suite 135
Orlando, FL 32826
(407) 208-1106 (407) 208-1108 fax
Titusville Office
400 South Street, Suite 4-A
Titusville, FL 32780
(321) 264-6113 (321) 264-6227
Those well-edumacated academic types are behaving in ways that can only be described as "un-American". Ship them all off to Gitmo now!
]]>so therefore we can take away the money you receive from the riaa, because it's being indirectly used for your luxuries.
]]>
People like him just show more and more evidence how easily it is to show a link between 3rd party fundings and those companies getting laws passed they want.
http://www.seminolechronicle.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/...
]]>should we stop improving them unless the states clean up the highways?
... As if public universities weren't under-funded as it is. This guy should be kicked out of office...
]]>We're not letting up guys.
]]>