Senator Saxby Chambliss Responds to Broadcast Flag Issue

terrywfrazier@gmail.com — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 21:01:35 GMT

Today I got a surprise telephone call - I mean a real surprise - from Heather Riley in Senator Saxby Chambliss' office. On Wednesday I sent an e-mail to my Congressman and both Senators regarding the Broadcast Flag issue I saw on Copyfight:

Public Knowledge has a fresh all-points-bulletin and action alert on the Broadcast Flag, which as Cory pointed out earlier this week, will have to be killed a dozen more times before our representatives finally understand that copyright cartel-crafted/government-mandated DRM is a terrible idea.

Here's PK's sample letter to the members of the two committees that will consider Broadcast Flag legislation:

I write to you today to ask you to oppose any "broadcast flag" or "radio protection" legislation offered in response to the recent U.S. Appeals Court decision striking down the Flag Order issued by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). These protection schemes will hurt me as a consumer: not just by harming how I like to use my consumer electronics and computers, but harming my choice of new and affordable products in the market place.[...]

Heather called to tell me that Senator Chambliss received my e-mail, that they are aware of the Broadcast Flag amendment in a reconciliation bill coming up for consideration, and that the Senator will try to have the amendment removed when they take up the bill after recess. According to Heather the Senator agrees with consumers - this bill needs to be debated on its own merit, not slipped in under the radar attached to some unrelated matter.

Thank you Senator Chambliss. I routinely complain about my representatives voting for big business and against consumers. It's nice to be surprised.

b.cognosco

Senator Saxby Chambliss Responds to Broadcast Flag Issue