New PAC Tackles IP and Tech Innovation

oddlyenough writes "I've been helping to launch IPac, a new political action committee that works on IP policy and technical innovation. We're supporting six candidates in the current election, including a Senate candidate (Brad Carson) who says he's in the "Lessig School" when it comes to IP. You can check them out and donate here. We started this IPac because despite all of the wonderful, important work of groups like EFF, Public Knowledge, et. al, there wasn't a way to funnel the energy they create into the electoral process. You can read some coverage on us here."

Comments

Excellent Idea

[ravenspear]

It's common on Slashdot to continually lament politicians' lack of intelligence when it comes to technology. What's not so common is to suggest or put into action good ideas to change that situation.

Why not just help the EFF?

[Anonymous Cowdog]

If as you say there wasn't a way to funnel the energy the EFF creates into the electoral process, why not help them find a way? Did they reject your help?

I trust the EFF. With a new organization, you have to earn credibility from scratch. I'm not passing judgement, just wondering about how you decided to form yet another organization.

Re:Why not just help the EFF?

[oddlyenough]

Good question. Actually, EFF is a 501(c)(3) organization, so they're precluded by law from doing any campaign work. Public Knowledge, et. al, also fall into this category. IPac was formed specifically because there are no active organizations working to connect the work of those orgs and the people in these kinds of forums to political campaigns. Hope that helps!

Damn, I was hoping for an Internet Protocol PAC

[Marxist Hacker 42]

but IP stands for Intellectual Property instead- totally ignoring the natural resource crisis in the lack of IP addresses! Won't somebody think about the poor little robots?
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The previous message is endorsed by Mom's Old Fashioned Robot Factory :-)

*Fantastic*

[0x0d0a]

This is wonderful. I've been hoping that someone would put up a website with "top-ranked" IP and tech legislators for a while. This makes it *much* easier for Slashdot to be politically influential.

I'd like to see IPac also try to produce a scorecard for *any* represenatives that vote on IP and tech related issues. Some of the folks out there vote very contrary to my views, and if I can't vote in favor of a representative, at least I can vote against a negative one in favor of a neutral one.

I think most Slashdotters know about Rick Boucher (Virginian representative, fantastic tech and IP voting record). I've heard of Doolittle before in a positive light, but the other names don't ring a bell. I'd be very interested in hearing opinions of other Slashdotters on them.