Alaska for Internet Freedom

Top Priority for AK: Set up Meetings

There aren't any public events yet, so the most important thing is to get meetings with Senators. Here's what you need to do:

• Fill out this form to meet with Senate Begich, who has no public position on PIPA.
  
• Call 907-456-0233 to meet with Senator Murkowski, who has no public position on PIPA.

Be polite and professional, and request a meeting on behalf of Alaska for Internet Freedom (the folks in this forum) to discuss the PROTECT IP Act and SOPA.  Make it clear that you want to meet with the Senator during the January recess, and that you'll be bringing others from your group.  Have your calendar open when you call, so you can pick a time that works for you.  When finished, post a report-back. 

For example: "Hi, my name is ________, I'm with Alaska for Internet freedom, and I'm calling to request a meeting with Senator _______ during the January recess.  The PROTECT IP vote is happening on January 24th, and I wanted the Senator to understand my concerns before the vote happens."

Report back by posting a comment below

IMPORTANT: If you do get a meeting, post another message. That way others can join you in your meeting.  If there's any other specific information we should include in this post, message us and we can add it. 

gregwhitworth

So I submitted a meeting for Senator Begich and this is the notification I received:

Meeting Request Form
Thank you for your online meeting/event request submission.  Due to the high volume of requests we receive, please allow for up to two weeks for processing.  We will do our best to accommodate your request.  In the event that Senator Begich is unavailable, a member of his staff will be happy to meet with you.  Should you have any additional questions please contact our DC office at 202-224-3004 for DC requests and our Anchorage office 907-271-5915 for all other Alaska requests.

Sincerely,
Senator Begich Scheduling Department

I wanted to meet on January 14, not sure if we will have a chance to meet before the 24 due to the minimum timeline of 2 weeks (January 20). Hopefully I will get one.

gregwhitworth

I also left a phone message for Senator Murkowski and will update you on the results of that call.

gregwhitworth

Ok, just sent congressman Don Young an email as well concerning SOPA.

o0Anonymous0o

well gregwhitworth.. when you do get a chance let me know.. i will gladly come with you. we need to get a group together, even a petition if possible. Thank you.

StopSOPA-HQ

@gregwhitworth - great job, keep us informed here so that other people (like @o0Anonymous0o ) can attend with you!

o0Anonymous0o

I do really need to know ASAP when the scheduled date will be. My roommate works for the news, he will spread the work to get alot of people to come... so please.. keep us informed.. thanks

gregwhitworth

Unfortunately I haven't heard from any of them, I say Anonymous that you submit as well so at the very least they are hearing from multiple opponents to the legislation. If I hear anything I will report back. 

o0Anonymous0o

ok. thnx

StopSOPA-HQ

@o0Anonymous0o - make sure to mention that you're with Alaska for Internet Freedom! The more they hear the group name, the more likely they are to grant a meeting.

o0Anonymous0o

alright. the request was sent. i recieved the same auto message. i did mention i was part of the alaska for internet freedom. so we will see how this goes. we need lost of people for this. i dont want to loose anymore of my rights..

StopSOPA-HQ

would you want to call to follow up and see what they are doing with your request? @o0Anonymous0o

gregwhitworth

Hey guys, Lisa Murkowski's office called and said that she couldn't meet but wanted to know what legislation it was concerning (PIPA and SOPA) and what my opinions were on the matter. I voiced my concerns to the obvious work arounds to their proposed solutions and more importantly to the security issues and possible abuse under the proposed legislation

I got a voice mail from Senator Begich's office and they said that he will not be able to meet as he won't be in Alaska until the beginning of February but that his staff may be able to meet concerning the legislation. I will be contacting them today and will inform you of the outcome. Unfortunately I have yet to hear from Congressman Don Young's office as of yet.

StopSOPA-HQ

That's unfortunate @gregwhitworth. Did you ask if it was possible to meet with a member of her staff about the issue? If not, it might be worth calling the office nearest to you and asking about that possibility. Getting face time with staff members is a great way to show that constituants are very concerned about the legislation. The same should be done with Senator Begich (who is probably abroad with the Intelligence committee).

@o0Anonymous0o - did you get a similar response? 

gregwhitworth

Good to note, I've got to admit that this is the first item I have strongly shown political action on legislation so any tips you have a greatly appreciated.

AFlyingNunAttack

I sent letters to Lisa Murkowski, Mark Begich, and Don Young. I got no response from Young, but both the senators responded, although Lisas response wasn't much. All that Murkowski said was what the bills are and that when it comes to voting she'll keep my suggestions in mind. Begich said this "Thank you for contacting me about legislation currently pending in Congress related to the Internet, online commerce, piracy and intellectual property rights.  I support a free and open Internet.  

With online commerce continuing to grow and evolve as a significant portion of our country's economy—as well as day-to-day life for many Americans—it is important we maintain the free flow of information while at the same time protecting citizens against the threat of cyber theft or attack.  The debate about how to protect intellectual property rights on the Internet has been going on for over a decade. 

Currently there are three bills being considered in Congress which have received a large amount of attention from consumers and companies who are concerned about the impact on innovation and the flow of information online.  I believe intellectual property rights should be respected and we should address how they are enforced.  However, I do not feel the protections should restrict the flow of information through search engines or other online resources. 

I am continuing to monitor the development of online commerce, which I believe will help grow businesses in Alaska.  Online privacy and the protection of free speechare important to Alaskans, and I appreciate hearing your comments on pending legislation."

gregwhitworth

Ok, so far I have had a quick phone call with Murkowski's secretary on what I want her to vote on, but I now have received an email from Begich's staff that we will be having a phone meeting with his staff (unfortunately he can't attend) to go over my concerns about SOPA and PIPA. So that information would be helpful. The phone conversation will be happening on Jan. 18 or 19. Thanks again guys.

I have seen enough about this bill and from people that understand the nets framework enough to understand the collateral damage, extra cost to admins, and easy abuse that can happen if this bill were to pass. The one thing that I would like a little bit more information on is the problem with security and due process. Thanks.

o0Anonymous0o

I got a message back from Mark Begich's office.Here it is copy pasted..

Hi Ms. Jackson,

 

Thank you for sending a meeting request to the office of Senator Mark Begich to discuss PIPA and SOPA. We agree this is an important bill and have time to discuss your concerns next week. Are you available for a telephone call on Jan. 18^th at 10am, or the 19^th at 11am, Alaska time?

 

Regards,

Andrea

 

Andrea Sanders

Legislative Assistant

Office of U.S. Senator Mark Begich

Andrea_Sanders@begich.senate.gov

(202) 224-3004

 

so tell me what is better for everyone.. I want us to all get together and have this call. its something.

StopSOPA-HQ

@gregwhitworth - is there anyway to get more people onto this call? If not, we totally understand. As for more information about security concerns, I'd recommend these posts:

http://cdt.org/files/pdfs/73106069-Napolitano-Response-Rep-Lofgren-11-16-11-c.pdf

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/199435-mandates-cant-alter-facts

http://cdt.org/report/SOPA-Rope-a-dope

http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/1115_cybersecurity_friedman.aspx

Alternatively, you can join us Monday at noon EST for briefing call with Public Knowledge's Legislative Director, who is extremely informed and experienced with the issues and these kinds of meetings!

gregwhitworth

@anonymous and @stopsopa:

It seems like he is getting the same setup as I am talking with them on the 19th at 11:30 am. They also informed me to send an in-depth email them at their DC office with more in-depth information. Unfortunately I will be working on Monday at noon-est. Will you have a summary of his suggestions? 

Thanks for the links I will read them this weekend.

CrazyRus29

Hello from Russia! We are support you! Good luck!

censored_

SOPA/PIPA cheat sheet, useful as reference or to pass on to the uninformed on Jan 18th.

http://pastebin.com/wq0hFnkh

Included are
* Contact information for Sen. Begich, Sen. Murkowski, Congressman Young
* links to limited, but informative coverage in the media
* links to written coverage of SOPA & PIPA (two may be offline today)
* key points highlighting threats and collateral damage that SOPA & PIPA present

StopSOPA-HQ

@o0Anonymous0o @gregwhitworth Good luck on your calls - we're all rooting for you! (and please post back here to let us all know how they went)

divedeep

always respect the ocean and the ocean will respect you !!!

gregwhitworth

@anonymous and @StopSOPA From Sen. Murkowski's FB page: "The PIPA legislation proposed in the Senate was envisioned as a way to fight intellectual property theft online. However, the bill raises serious concerns about our civil liberties. That’s why next week I plan to oppose the current PIPA bill."

Got an email from Begich's staff: "Begich Opposes Current PIPA Legislation

 

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today said he does not support the current version of the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) that is scheduled to be voted on next week in the Senate.

 

“While we need to protect American-made products and intellectual property from being stolen by on-line thieves and pirates, we have to protect a free and open Internet.

 

“The theft of intellectual property and copyrighted material is a serious problem and we need to find solutions that strike an online balance between creativity, property protection and Internet freedom.

 

“I know there are efforts underway to re-write this legislation with a more balanced approach. I look forward to seeing what the bill looks like when it finally gets to  the Senate. But the current version is unacceptable.

 

“As a Senator, I have fought for a free and fair Internet by standing up for privacy rights of Facebook users and am working hard to bring broadband Internet access to our nation’s most remote communities, many of which are in Alaska.

 

“I will continue to work in Congress to protect the rights of Internet users and universal Internet access that helps create strong classrooms, better health care and grows small businesses.

 

”I look forward to Wiki’ing again tomorrow.”

 

###

StopSOPA-HQ

@gregwhitworth Thanks for the updates - this is great news! Keep the emails and calls coming, though: we can't let up the pressure until this bill has been officially dropped from consideration. So if you have a minute, please let Murkowski and Begich know how grateful you are that they've chosen to oppose the bill.