I'm interested in hearing how he squares the circle regarding his position on net-neutrality and an "open internet" (a la telco bashing) and his position on IP protection as the defender of Hollywood interests.
I really like the man but have become very critical of the disconnect he maintains related to IP protection of 'content' vis-a-vis the need for IP openness of the technology. I feel I understand the issues (TPP, piracy, etc..) but feel that having .gov become the watchdog and protector of the Studios and their (mostly) crappy $100M blockbuster movies is a massive fail. I probably amounts to no less than regulatory capture. I've tried via letters, call-ins, etc.. to try and make the case that his position is more counter-productive than not; to no avail. I do not think there is any way to change his mind (retirement ambitions?). I'm also getting a bit weary of his staunch defense of all things DNC; his MO is to go on the attack when its RNC in the WH; but Obama can seemly do no wrong; despite his 180 on just about everything he campaigned for. I suppose you don't get to St.Pat's position w/out knowing which battles to choose. Below is a letter i received from him recently (interesting how he caps his signature): From: Senator Leahy <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: From Senator Patrick Leahy Date: Fri, 30 May 2014 14:24:10 -0400 Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Dear Mr. D'Luz: Thank you for contacting me about "net neutrality." I appreciate hearing from you on this issue. Today, many Vermonters have no choice in broadband access service, while others have only two options. Discrimination against certain websites and Internet content by broadband providers is a real threat precisely because of this lack of competition in the market. Such discrimination would represent a dramatic shift in the policy that has propelled the success of the Internet. I am committed to policies designed to promote an open and neutral Internet. The Internet is the ultimate marketplace of ideas. Everyone has equal access; every voice can speak, and be heard. It is a place where a better idea, a better service, or a better product can succeed on its merits -- not because it has a special financial relationship with one or two broadband providers. [snip, snip...] The most troubling aspect of Chairman Wheeler's proposal is the possibility that new rules will allow broadband providers to charge websites or applications tolls for access to end-users. Paid arrangements between providers and websites do not reflect open Internet principles and I will not support any effort by the FCC to condone those kinds of agreements. The very essence of net neutrality is that a better idea or service should be allowed to succeed on its merits and not have to pay tolls to reach potential customers. Open Internet values have allowed the Internet to grow into the ultimate marketplace for ideas and they must be protected. The debate on how we craft new net neutrality rules is just beginning. I have heard from hundreds of Vermonters who have expressed concerns about weak net neutrality rules. I share those concerns and I want to hear more about the impact these proposed rules would have on businesses and consumers, which is why I announced that I will be holding a Judiciary Committee field hearing in Vermont the first week in July to more closely examine how we can protect an open Internet. You can be sure that I will continue to be a voice in Congress for strong net neutrality rules that promote an open Internet and protect consumers. Thank you again for contacting me. Please keep in touch. Sincerely, PATRICK LEAHY United States Senator On Thu, 2014-06-26 at 11:15 -0400, Mark Engelhardt wrote: > I hope some of the VAGUE folks can go to this: > > (TUESDAY, June 24, 2014) -- Senator Patrick Leahy Tuesday officially > announced that the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, which Leahy > chairs, will hold a field hearing in Vermont on “Preserving an Open Internet: > Rules to Promote Competition and Protect Main Street Consumers.” The hearing > will be held on Tuesday, July 1, at 10 a.m. at the Davis Center on the campus > of the University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vt. > > Full press release here: > > http://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/leahy-announces-witnesses-details-for-july-1-us-senate-field-hearing-in-vermont-on-open-internet-rules > > Mark Engelhardt >
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