ASHDOWN OPPOSES HR 4194

ASHDOWN OPPOSES HR 4194

"A prime example of the lack of Congressional technology chops"

SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- Pete Ashdown, US Senate candidate (D-UT), today came out
against HR 4194, the "Internet Anti-Corruption and Free Speech Protection Act
of 2005." While understanding the intent, Ashdown decried the bill as
comparable to Senator Hatch's failed "INDUCE Act" in the way that it
circumscribes all non-blog on line political activity.

"While I support the efforts of Representatives Shays and Meehan to close
soft-money loopholes, this is not the way to do it," Ashdown said. "The
mistake it makes, and this is the same broad clumsy brush that painted Hatch'
s INDUCE act, in that it refers to "web logs" only. INDUCE referred to "P2P"
technology without bothering to define it. P2P can equally cover the
technology behind email, instant messaging, and legal file transfers, all
which would have been made illegal by INDUCE." Senator Hatch introduced the
INDUCE Act after he said the government should be "destroying [illegal
downloaders] machines." (Ted Briddis, Associated Press, June 17, 2003) "HR
4194 seems to think that all political communication on the Internet is done
over "web logs" and therefore only that should be protected speech. Never
mind mailing lists, Usenet, web bulletin boards, audio, video, and other
technologies down the road."

Ashdown lauded Internet users for working to expand democratic discourse
through the net. "For the first time in the history of democracy, the
Internet presents the opportunity for all to have an equal voice in lobbying congress and political action. What disturbs me about the Congressional and FEC actions is that it appears they are attempting to curb that freedom."

For Ashdown, HR 4194 was just another example of a Congress that does not understand today's on line environment. "Some staffer thought the only speech that needed to be free was 'web logs' and therefore we have our amendment to protect 'that Internet thing'."

While condemning the practical effects of HR 4194, Ashdown praised the efforts of campaign finance reformers. "While I do not endorse this bill, I do wholeheartedly endorse the concept of campaign finance reform. However, I feel that reform efforts should be focused on the FEC, making it a competent, responsible agency that gives all Americans the assurance their democracy is not for sale."

When he is elected, Ashdown pledged to bring the ideas and knowledge of the technology community to the Senate. "What remains to be seen is whether the political efforts of on line communities will ever result in the election of a candidate who understands what they\'re talking about. I want to be that candidate, but I need the support of on line and off line communities to do it." What disturbs me about the Congressional and
FEC actions is that it appears they are attempting to curb that freedom."

For Ashdown, HR 4194 was just another example of a Congress that does not
understand today's on line environment. "Some staffer thought the only speech
that needed to be free was 'web logs' and therefore we have our amendment to
protect 'that Internet thing'."

While condemning the practical effects of HR 4194, Ashdown praised the efforts
of campaign finance reformers. "While I do not endorse this bill, I do
wholeheartedly endorse the concept of campaign finance reform. However, I feel
that reform efforts should be focused on the FEC, making it a competent,
responsible agency that gives all Americans the assurance their democracy is
not for sale."

When he is elected, Ashdown pledged to bring the ideas and knowledge of the
technology community to the Senate. "What remains to be seen is whether the
political efforts of on line communities will ever result in the election of a
candidate who understands what they're talking about. I want to be that
candidate, but I need the support of on line and off line communities to do
it."

INDUCE Act: http://www.corante.com/importance/archives/004563.html
Release: http://peteashdown.org/media/releases/20051115-HR4194.html
Blog: http://peteashdown.org/journal/2005/11/10/online-speech