MetaFilter posts tagged with congress and brokenlink

Zoe and the DMCA

skallas — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 17:18:32 -0800

Rep. Zoe Lofgren's BALANCE act attempts to protect "Fair Use" rights from harmful legislation like the DMCA. Some related links: [summary] [whats wrong with the DMCA?]

risenc — Mon, 26 Aug 2002 07:16:18 -0800

Administration Says It Can Attack Iraq without Congressional Approval Not a new story, per se, but this Post article lays out pretty well the arguments behind the administration's case, one being simply Bush's role as commander-in-chief. It's strange how closely this issue reflects earlier attempts by the administration to avoid Congressional and/or public scrutiny (Cheney's Enron meetings, for example). Why this aversion, and why fight so hard? And I have a sneaking fear that Bush will seek Congressional approval only after invading, and he will bully votes by claiming that reps have a patriotic duty to support a president in a time of war.

Dirjy — Fri, 31 May 2002 20:21:43 -0800

"It would no longer be a marketplace; it would be a kind of a jungle, where this one unlicensed instrument is capable of devouring all that people had invested in and labored over and brought forth."

Good ol' Cryptome has been kind enough to post Jack Valenti's original congressional testimony against the insidious VCR Threat of 1982. Now we can see his famous 'Boston Strangler' quote in context and pick out a few new favorites. So kick back, substitute the word 'Internet' for 'VCR' and wallow in the sweet irony.

(And don't forget to check out Jack's cool 80s-era Japan-bashing. Keep fightin' the good fight, Jackie-boy!)
[via Slashdot]

insomnyuk — Thu, 11 Apr 2002 21:39:06 -0800

U.S. Representative James Traficant (D-Ohio) has been found guilty on all 10 charges he faced, including kickbacks, fraud, bribery, and racketeering. The Congressman, known for his hatred of the IRS(God bless him) and his love of pork barrel projects, has lit up the Congress with his bombastic behavior since he was elected in 1984. Controversy has never been far from Traficant, he still claims that the trial is due to the bizarre, humorous, and grotesque story of his mob-funded election to Sheriff of Youngstown. He claims that he will run as an independent in the newly formed 17th District in the next congressional election. Will he be out of jail? Does he have a chance? What is Congress going to do with him? Fascinating background information courtesy of investigative journalist Dan Moldea's website

scottymac — Wed, 16 Jan 2002 14:18:32 -0800

Happy November 31st! Senators and Congressmen Order Botched Calendars With an Extra Day.

jameschandler — Sat, 08 Dec 2001 00:07:06 -0800

I'm Running. How stupid is this man? Does anyone think Gary Condit could/should win reelection to Congress?

Sal Amander — Fri, 19 Oct 2001 12:09:33 -0800

Congress on Thursday chose not to extend a 1998 ban on taxes that target the Internet, meaning that, theoretically, state and local governments could begin imposing Internet taxes on Monday. Wow, we've been watching over our shoulders for terrorist and congress slips us a fast one!

thescoop — Tue, 25 Sep 2001 14:22:27 -0800

Silicon Valley backs Senate bill that would allow companies to report computer network attacks to the government without having to worry about the public finding out. The reasoning: it would encourage more companies to report the problems and help the government track down the culprits. A similar bill is in the House.

Shadowkeeper — Tue, 17 Jul 2001 12:29:49 -0800

It's that time of year again! Yes kids, it's time once again for the annual introduction of the Flag-Protection Amendment, currently being debated in the House of Reps. Last year the bill passed the House 305-124 and was defeated in the Senate by only six votes. It's again expected to pass the House and again expected to get shot down in the Senate, but considering the zany sitcom that 21st century American politics has become, who knows what that wacky Legislative branch will do?

Gilbert — Fri, 29 Jun 2001 08:03:36 -0800

Muslim congressional intern removed from White House During a meeting between Muslim community leaders and the White House office of faith-based initiatives, too. Random administrative error, or religious profiling?

Dean_Paxton — Mon, 04 Jun 2001 06:09:38 -0800

Chinese-American congressman denied entrance to Department of Energy offices U.S. Rep David Wu (outspoken and rather instrumental in the Wen Ho Lee case) was denied entrance twice, despite having Congressional identification. "Energy Department officials told Wu's office the caution was justified because congressional IDs are easy to fake... But Capitol Police recalled only one incident of possible congressional ID forgery, 20 years ago and never proven."

tweebiscuit — Sat, 26 May 2001 10:42:11 -0800

Congress reaches deal on tax cut. OK folks, remove all jewlery and footwear before stepping into the ring. Libertarians vs. Socialists! GO!

baylink — Wed, 04 Oct 2000 13:18:21 -0800

FLASH! Sanity breaks out in Congress! Doesn't sound like grandstanding to me; sounds like these guys have a clue on software and business method patents. "Healthy skepticism" sound like real friendly words to me.

aaron — Tue, 27 Jun 2000 09:52:46 -0800

Another day, another piece of unconstitutional net-censorship legislation in Congress. And this time it's authored by your pal and mine, John "Watch Out for Charlies!" McCain. Perhaps we should start a deadpool for all these bills, giving out some cash to whoever guesses the dates on which the courts throw them out?