Senator Kerry returns iPod
Well Senator Burns isn’t the only one to reject our campaign contribution. I got Senator John Kerry’s iPod back with this note:
It was nice of Senator Kerry’s campaign to actually have someone put their name on it and sign the letter, but I was hoping for a more detailed reason why Friends of John Kerry ''respectfully declines' the iPod. Kerry has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from Hollywood cartels not including the $3 million he raised when running for President. So we’re sending Friends of John Kerry a letter asking for clarification on why they returned the iPod.
6 Comments:
I sure hope that IPAC reserves its broadsides for those who actually vote the wrong way, or who intoduce or co-sponsor onerous bills, rather than engaging in guilt-by-association witch hunts through donor lists.
Sending the iPods seems like a silly stunt. What are they, bribes for correct votes? Congress should not be accepting gifts generally.
Also, I hope they don't see the Lessig podcast which is rather lame. I can see them wondering why they should worry about protecting such sophomoric "works" as anime/MTV mashups. Can't some better examples be found of what truly vital creativity would be affected? If not, then maybe it's best to pack it in.
Hoping to see some MoveOn-style unseatings of politicians who really deserve it.
Methinks Anonymous above is a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat. Relax and get off your partisan high-horse. Of course it's a silly publicity stunt--that's the idea genius. It's meant to make a point and maybe get some "buzz" going. Even though it's a longshot, it might even get some politicians to start thinking about this stuff.
By the way, you should put the returned Ipods up on Ebay with the rejection letter.
I suspect that they might consider the possibility of being viewed as a brand endorsement. I doubt being seen with an ipod would help them politically.
The point remains--what has Kerry done to restrict digital rights? Go after the real culprits, and they are about equally Democratic and Republican, and forget the guilt-by-association witch hunts--particularly as a childish response to a member of congress rejecting a gewgaw *gift* for christ sakes. They should not be accepting such things.
From what I see the politicians most likely to support DRM are those from states with big recording industries like California, Tennessee, and New York and of course that will include many Democrats. Take for example House Resolution 4861, to implement the audio broadcast flag. The cosponsors of that bill are:
Rep Ferguson, Mike [R NJ-7]
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [R TN-7]
Rep Bono, Mary [R CA-45]
Rep Davis, Lincoln [D TN-4]
Rep Gordon, Bart [D TN-6]
Rep Terry, Lee [R NE-2]
Rep Towns, Edolphus [D NY-10]
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [D CA-30]
That where to start, not attacking politicians at random for not playing along with silly stunts--not a good sign for this effort I would say.
As a constituent, I am very dissappointed to hear that Senator Kerry did not accept the video iPod sent by IPac. I think its essential for our representatives to have a better understanding of technology and the legislation put forth related to technology. I am very disappoint in Senator Kerry's actions.
Every American can benefit from fair use, realistic copyright laws, and a patent system that fosters innovation.
It cannot be seriously disputed that the iPod gift is one of the best lobbying ideas ever.
1. Relatively inexpensive gift.
2. Intent of the gift is clearly educational and issue awareness related, not quid pro quo.
3. It is an in-kind gift as opposed to just cash.
4. Senators routinely take expensive donor-paid trips for "educational purposes." These iPods are better, more legitimate versions of that.
Last point, the Senator may be returning it because he already has one or legitimately has no interest in using one. But, he should state his reason for the record. A no comment return is shady, and swearing-off donations is BS.
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