Hawaii for Internet Freedom

Top Priority for HI: 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:

• Call (808) 541-2542 to schedule a meeting with Senaotr Inouye, who has no public position on PIPA yet.
• Call (808) 522-8970 to schedule a meeting with Senator Akaka, who has no public position on PIPA yet.

Be polite and professional, and request a meeting on behalf of Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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. 

cat

aloha kakou,

i asked a few contacts on mine if they wanted to meet to discuss and ask a meeting together.
please keep me posted if anyone else gets involved and ask a meeting or just comment if interested in joining this conversation.

mahalo!
cat

dsghi

I'll participate

BRW

I'm in i suppose. More the merrier! 

StopSOPA-HQ

Sounds like you already have enough people to request a meeting! Could one of you (or, better yet, all of you) submit requests? The more requests the Senators' offices get, the more they'll realize how widespread the opposition to these bills is. Thanks for getting involved!

STOPSOPA

Any thoughts or opinions about this? 

I would like to ask them if they mind if individuals like myself use online advertising to Educate the public on how they vote on these types of issues? 

For example… 100,000 banner ad impressions per month that are geo-targeted to Hawaii that will educate the public on how this issue was voted on. 

“Reminder: Congressman Whoever voted “YES” on the “Notarealname Bill of 2012. Click Here to see the official congressional voting record”

Seriously… Banner advertising is dirt cheap. An Educational banner ad campaign like that only costs about $100 per month. (Depending on the list of keywords you’re targeting)

For $100 per month; I could easily afford to run an Educational ad campaign like that for several years.  

I’m still checking into this right now with the Federal & State Campaign Finance Commissions… I’m not a lawyer… I am an online advertising professional.

As far as I can tell… This type of Educational message is considered to be “Free Speech” Not “Political Advocacy” or “Political Advertising”.

As far as I can tell… This sort of Purely Educational Advertising does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal or State Campaign Finance laws.

As far as I can tell… There is no need to report anything to anyone. No need for disclaimers. You can spend an unlimited amount of money on Educational advertising 100% anonymously. (Again – Not a lawyer - This is what I’m double checking on)

To avoid “Political Advertising” - These are the guidelines that I’m trying to get legal verification on. (Everything looks good so far.)

1) DO NOT - Tell people how to vote or who to for or against.

2) DO NOT - Solicit donations.

1) DO - Spend your own money Only.

4) DO - Advertise Publicly Available Facts Only.

5) DO - Avoid any and all opinions.

6) DO - Link to politically neutral and factual landing pages that verify the facts posted in the advertisement.

wsmith

I'll try to call to get an appointment.  I'll post results of call back here.  Please post here if someone esle gets an appointment.  Thanks

Bicycleman

I'm on board! 

StopSOPA-HQ

@wsmith - thanks for calling! Let us know how it goes (or went, if that is the case).

SurferEli

I wish to participate also! email me! elisprogaming@Gmail.com ASAP!

Joe

If you can arrange a meeting, I'd like to attend.

HWD

I'm in as well. Who ever gets a meeting, please post information here.

iamzoran

I am on Maui and i am in.

Glory_avalon

I would like to be updated as well.  I'm usually not into this sort of thing, but this is something worth fighting for. 

StopSOPA-HQ

Everybody who's offering to come to a meeting: have you all submitted meeting requests of your own? If you all call/email separately, but ask for a meeting as "representatives of Hawa'ii for Internet Freedom", the Senators' offices will know (a) that there are a lot of people that care about this issue, and (b) that they can't ignore ALL of you. It's typically easier to get meetings set up if you make it clear that you're operating as a group.

REdGfx

I'm in Maui, but if there's anything I can do besides calling I'm in.