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Broadcast Flag Back in Congress

Posted by Zonk on from the write-call-email-protest dept.

Tyler Too writes "When the broadcast flag was smacked down in court, it was only a matter of time before the MPAA tried to ram it through Congress. The first attempt in June failed, but the EFF reports that they are gearing up for another try. From Ars Technica's write-up: 'This latest attempt involves tacking on an amendment to a budget reconciliation bill. Since reconciliation is about cutting spending--something that always sounds good--such legislation cannot be substantially changed by the Budget Committee once it is presented, nor can it be filibustered.' Looks like it's a good time to call your congressman."

11 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. If something gets shot down once... by Pichu0102 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...Why is it legally allowed to try again? I mean, it seems like no matter what, if someone wants something done that people don't like, it's not a matter of if it will happen, it's a matter of when it will happen.

    1. Re:If something gets shot down once... by HikingStick · · Score: 5, Insightful
      ...Why is it legally allowed to try again?

      The ability to try again with failed legislation is one of the greatest strengths of our political system, but at the same time it is one of the biggest problems.

      The number of other provisions and amendments that make it through in this manner is probably staggering. The only thing that could be done to curtail this practice would be to require single-purpose bills that can't be loaded full of non-related crap. Of course, that would require a major change in our our legislative process works...
      --
      I use irony whenever I can, but my shirts are still wrinkled...
  2. Say what? by lucabrasi999 · · Score: 5, Funny
    smacked down in court

    Hey! I saw that match! The Rock crushed the MPAA with the People's Elbow.

  3. Bill riders by lightyear4 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Non-germane riders snuck into bills shall be the death of this country.

  4. Re:if not legitimately, then by subterfuge by ivan256 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We need a constitutional amendment that disallows text in a law that doesn't fit the spirit of the law's title.

    It would make for some amusing titles, and some great TV on CSPAN.

  5. Not Parental Control - Copyright Enforcement by Mr+Guy · · Score: 5, Informative

    This isn't to let you block "Debbie Does Backdoor Prison Slut Vixxxens 7", it's to let the people broadcasting the SuperBowl enforce their "right" to prevent you from rewinding to rewatch a play, or CBS to enforce their "right" for you to watch CSI only once and then find it in syndicate or buy the DVD if you want to watch the episode again. It's HBO enforcing their "right" to prevent you from taping "Hitchhikers Guide To the Galaxy" off HBO, or Comcast preventing you from recording something off pay per view.

    This has nothing to do with your rights. This has everything with broadcasters trying to sell the same content more than once, and preventing you from keeping what they've broadcast.

    --
    Never confuse volume with power.
  6. Re:How long... by gcatullus · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This has already happened, witness the "Real ID Act". Ostensibly to streamline drivers' licenses, this act is described as "To establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence.' It was attached to HR 1268, which was a nescessary spending bill to fund troops in Iraq. No one has woke up yet it apears.

  7. Grant me a vent, please. by abscondment · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Someone seriously needs to organize a giant, demonstrative protest.

    We could all crap in tupperware and ship our excrement straight to the MPAA/RIAA, with a signed note saying "Thank you for shitting on the law making system in America".

  8. Re:if not legitimately, then by subterfuge by JBHarris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The article is extremely short on details. What senator (from what state?) introduced this bill?
    What is the bill's title? Number?
    How can I verify this article?
    I will not write an email to my Senators unless I can present myself as an informed citizen.


    This article is lite on 'information', therefore doesn't really inform me of anything.

  9. Re:Line Item Veto by bofkentucky · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've come to the conclusion that the president should personally call out the offending pork loader when he vetoes the bill. Post on the white house website what a moron senator X is for ruining a good bill. If we've got 50 24 hour news channels, why not put them to use for ridculing politicians.

    --
    09f911029d74e35bd84156c5635688c0
  10. Obligatory Simpsons Quote by cmburns69 · · Score: 5, Funny

    From Bart's Comet:

    KENT BROCKMAN
    With our utter annihilation imminent, our federal government has snapped into action. We go live now via satellite to the floor of the United States congress.

    SPEAKER
    Then it is unanimous, we are going to approve the bill to evacuate the town of Springfield in the great state of--

    CONGRESSMAN
    Wait a second, I want to tack on a rider to that bill - $30 million of taxpayer money to support the perverted arts.

    SPEAKER
    All in favor of the amended Springfield-slash-pervert bill?

    FLOOR
    Boo!

    SPEAKER
    Bill defeated.

    KENT BROCKMAN
    I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply doesn't work...

    --
    Online Starcraft RPG? At
    Dietary fiber is like asynchronous IO-- Non-blocking!