Texas for Internet Freedom

StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
edited January 2012 in Individual State Discussions
Top Priority for TX: Set up Meetings

Try and schedule more meetings in other offices:
  • Senator Hutchison's staff are very willing to meet with constituents about PIPA, please call Scott at 214-361-3500 to schedule an in-person.
  • Email megan_dornan@cornyn.senate.gov to meet with Senator Cornyn.

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


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. 
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Comments

  • FlipFlip
    Email sent. 
  • textdogtextdog
    Awesome. let us know how it goes. Probably best to call tomorrow to find out if they'll grant the meeting.
  • Derek4RealDerek4Real
    I sent an email requesting an appointment with Senator Cornyn and will advise asap if I receive a response. We have to be successful in killing anything as invasive as SOPA/PIPA. Although from looking at Cornyn's voting record, he is going to be a hard one to convince; Big business has him in their pocket already.
  • ExpertDanExpertDan
    edited January 2012
    Am I correct in assuming they want to meet in their hometowns? Senator Hutchison is from Dallas. Where does Senator Cornyn live?
  • JasonJason
    Senator Cornyn operates out of Austin according to this. Should we all set up individual meetings or try to meet as a group?
  • kelioskelios
    If a meeting is set up in Dallas I definitely want to attend.
  • ExpertDanExpertDan
    @Jason: The point is to setup a single meeting for a group of people. Read instructions above.

    If Senator Cornyn is in Austin I'll meet with him too.
  • BentenseBentense
    Curious to know where these meetings will be. I can attend one in Houston, but probably won't be able to make it to Austin or Dallas.
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    Group meetings are preferable, if only because they are easier to schedule. However there might be some logistical issues in terms of where to meet. If anyone has a conference room that can hold 10+ people that might be a start...
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    Also, when meeting in Austin, keep in mind that SXSW is huge for the city's revenue and stress that SOPA could seriously harm the festival in many different ways.
  • Derek4RealDerek4Real
    edited January 2012
    @Jason  We can all send individual requests (might as well flood them to
    show we are serious) but as long as we all mention that we are with "Texas for Internet freedom" they we know we are a group. Then whoever is free and in that particular city when the meeting occurs can attend...

    @ExpertDan  Good to hear. If we can get a meeting, we can then cross the
    next steps and decide on exactly what we want to say. Can't just show
    up and go 'Ummm well because it's a bad a idea..."

    @StopSOPA-HQ  Good point about SXSW.

  • JeffJeff
    Sent an email to Mr. Cornyn. Very interested to ask him how many constituents have come to him asking to pass SOPA. I believe success in this argument is not to try to make him understand the internet (though I have a ton of facts on internet job creation vs. piracy job killing), but to force him to represent the voice of his constituency. 
  • AlexAlex
    Just sent an email to Ms. Dornan and will call Scott with Sen. Hutchison's office tomorrow.

    I'll report back if I get anywhere with setting up a meeting and I'll be watching this forum closely in case anyone else gets through.

    FWIW I live in Austin so I could pretty much make any meeting there and I would be willing to drive to Dallas as long as I get enough advance notice that I can take some vacation time - if that helps.
  • AlexAlex
    btw, if the website admins are watching this, the "share on Twitter" provides a bad link.  it shows 'http://ameriancensorship.org/meet'...it should be: http://americancensorship.org/meet
  • JohnJohn
    Email Sent
  • SriSri
    I'm currently a student who's located out of Dallas until the 14th of January and then will be in Austin thereafter. If there are any meetings taking place, I'd like to be involved.

  • mrumelha_2000mrumelha_2000
    I live in Houston - but if someone is able to get a meeting with Cornyn in Austin I might be able to get up there to join.
  • HarbirHarbir
    Alex, I'll join you in Dallas.  I'll also call Scott today.  Once we get a date, lets post it up here. We can set a pre-meeting for Dallas a few hrs before.
  • Austin_DAustin_D
    I just emailed Megan asking for a meeting with Senator Cornyn. I live in Austin, so that's easiest for me if he's based out of Austin.
  • ExpertDanExpertDan
    @Alex @Harbir I'll gladly join you in Dallas as well if you can give me a ride.
  • Austin_DAustin_D
    edited January 2012
    Just received a response from Megan (see below). I'd be more than glad to get together with anyone in/around Austin to go and meet with an aide. I'll also send an email to Senator Cornyn.

    Austin,

     

    Thanks for your email regarding your concerns with the PROTECT IP legislation.  The Senator always welcomes the opportunity to hear your views.  I would encourage you to contact whichever of our seven Texas offices is closest to you to schedule a time to come in and visit with one of the Senator's aides to share your views.  Additionally, you're also welcome to write, fax, or email the Senator.

     

    Have a nice day,                               

    MPD

  • PK_DallasPK_Dallas
    I'm in Dallas. Want to join a pack if someone has the ball rolling. 
  • MarissaMarissa
    If anyone's organized a meeting with Cornyn in Austin, I would definitely be willing to attend.
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @Austin_D - Interesting. Getting the ears of Staffers and Aides in person is still a good way to get the Senators attention. If you choose to meet with them (which we would high suggest), you should try and get a group together to show the aide that there are lots of constituents who opposed the bill. Basically, we need to find a way to make staffers tell their boss that a yes-vote on PIPA will be a bad idea.

    @Alex - thanks for the tip! We've already fixed it.
  • AlexAlex
    @Austin_D I got the exact same email reply. Im going to contact the Austin office but recommend others contact their closest office as well.

    Regarding Sen. Hutchison.  If a meeting can be setup in Dallas im happy to drive and @ExpertDan you can have a ride from Austin.  I may have additional room for others too.
  • Brandong954Brandong954
    Eh, I'm just going to write a letter to both offices on behalf of this organization. There's no point in waiting around for a date to sit down with these Senators. They're always "too busy." The vote is right around the corner, we need to get our message to the Senators ASAP!
  • AlexAlex
    OK, some success.

    I have set up a meeting with Sen. Cornyn's Regional Director - Sandy Edwards - at 3:30pm next Friday (1/13) at the Senator's Austin office (221 W. 6th St).

    Ms. Edwards really tried to steer me to just sending an email but I politely mentioned that I think this issue requires a dialog.  At that point she mentioned that it's the Senator's Judiciary Staff that is fully briefed about this legislation and that they are currently in Washington DC.  I mentioned that we are a grassroots organization and it's possible folks could meet with that staff in DC (I can't I'm afraid).  She then actually brought up the idea of a teleconference which would be sweet.

    She then said she had some time on Friday Jan 20th to meet with us.  I again politely pointed out that the PIPA bill is due to be brought to the floor for a vote that following week and that would be cutting it awfully close given our concerns will need to be taken to the Senator and we wanted to make sure he had enough time to process/digest them before the vote.

    Here's the rub though - she mentioned their conference room only holds 8 people total so we can have 7 of us in the meeting.  I obviously will attend since she has my name and contact info now and I would like to bring along a friend of mine who is VERY knowledgeable about DNS and other technical aspects of the Internet to a degree way beyond me.  So that leaves 5 spots...who's in?

    It also seems like if people are interested we can meet in advance here in Austin to help tighten up our concerns and perhaps get them down on paper.  It occurs to me some people might not have the ability to make the meeting but would like to express their concerns and have them included so I'm all for an advance meeting.  Also it will give us a chance to meet each other.  Ms. Edwards did say that would be helpful for her to convey to the Senator and I think it would be a good idea to have something written down in a clear, professional manner that highlights our collective concerns about this law.

    This is my first time with this kind of civic action FWIW so if anyone has any experience with organizing focused campaigns with legislators, please chime on in!!

    Given this development, I will probably focus my efforts in Austin with Sen. Cornyn.  Hopefully some others can make some progress with Sen. Hutchison's office.

    Also if you're in one of these other cities that Sen. Cornyn has an office: DC, Houston, Harlingen, Lubbock, San Antonio, Dallas, or Tyler (http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=OfficeLocations) setting up local meetings would also help get the message to the Senator.

    sorry for the uber-long post but felt I had to get all the info out there...
  • EainalaEainala
    @Alex.  That is awesome that you've gotten that all set up.  I'm in Austin, too, and would love to attend, but I'll actually be heading out of town that day.  Is there anything I can do to help?  Would it help to have a list of people who wanted to attend but couldn't due to the size of the space?  Or maybe some statements from others that couldn't attend?
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    Awesome job Alex! I'm going to update the main posting with the Date, Time, and number of spots remaining. It's fantastic that you're bringing someone well versed in the specifics of DNS and DNSSEC, that is a point that should really be talked about. Also, Congress loves to talk about job creation, so anyone else who works for a tech start-up in the Austin area should tag-along (especially if you're the founder of said start-up... small businesses are a good talking point).

    As for a something to give Ms. Edwards that could be passed up the chain, letters from other people in the area could be effective, especially people employed in the technology sector. Don't forget to include The EFF's info sheet: https://www.eff.org/sites/default/files/SOPA-PIPA-one-pager.pdf

    Here are some other links that might help you come up with an agenda for the meeting and/or prepare talking points:

     
  • textdogtextdog
    @Eainala -  you could help find more people who can attend the meeting.

    @Alex, that's super good work! amazing.
  • textdogtextdog
    Also, can people say if they can attend in comments here? Thanks!
  • EainalaEainala
    @Textdog - I'm actually writing a blog about it now and am encouraging everyone to sign up and check out this forum.  :)  (but that is great advice.  Thanks!)
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @Alex @textdog Mike from TechDirt is asking some of the tech CEOs around Austin if they'd be interested in attending this meeting. Would it be alright if one of them hopped the meeting? They could really help make this a high profile outing. It sounds like Cornyn is very unsure about supporting the bill, specifically because there are so many start-ups coming out of Texas, so this meeting could make a huge difference, especially if we had people talking about both DNSSEC and business implications.
  • AlexAlex
    @StopSOPA-HQ - Absolutely.  Anyone including a local CEO that wants to join would be MORE than welcome.  To be honest I don't have that kind of juice (I'm just a concerned citizen) so something like that would be FANTASTIC.  Incidentally, my friend who will be attending is also a small business owner here...I agree that emphasizing the impact on our economy is a smart thing to highlight.  

    thanks for the resources as well.

    @Eainala - spread the word!  Also if people think it's a good idea to meet before Friday you'd be welcome to attend that.
  • MistyMisty
    I live near Waco, but I work from home and I'm very concerned about this bill.  I am also in the process of starting an online business selling the very sort of thing that this bill is supposedly designed to protect, according to what I've heard (in my case, ebooks).  I'm really a lot more concerned with how this is going to affect freedom of speech over the internet than I am about the possibility that one of my books might be pirated.  

    I'm willing to drive to Austin or Dallas to attend a meeting to "fill out the ranks."  Or both, if there's enough time in between.  
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @Misty, if you can make a meeting in Austin on the 13th, talk to @Alex. He's got one set-up, and you sound like you're a great candidate to tell them that Internet Freedom is more important to you than IP regulation!

    I will admit to knowing nothing about the geography of Texas, so if Waco is too far, you could try and find an office closer to you and set up a meeting there.
  • Derek4RealDerek4Real
    @Alex. Awesome to hear. My modem died around noon and it took Time Warner until now to get it fixed but I've been following the updates via my smartphone (I just couldn't post a reply til now, it wouldn't let me via cell). Anyway, I live in Austin and would be interested in taking one of the remaining spots -- but only if no one with more technical expertise claims it. I'm just a self-employed web designer who is worried that SOPA is the first step on a very slippery slope, so I know I don't have much weight to throw around, but if you need numbers...
  • davedave
    How big will the meeting in Austin be? Or rather, how many people can attend?
  • AlexAlex
    @dave - we can bring 7 people total.  As of right now we have three confirmed attendees (including myself) so there are four open slots.

    @Derek4Real, @misty, anyone - if you'd like to attend and can commit you are more than welcome!

    I'm also continuing to reach out to people I know in the local Austin/SA tech community to get their input and perhaps encourage them to attend the meeting and will continue to report back.

    Keep in mind that Sen. Cornyn has 6 other offices spread throughout Texas and I don't think anyone has contacted Sen. Hutchison's office yet.  I think it would be a nice statement if we were able to set up meetings in multiple Texas cities not only with Sen. Cornyn's staff but also Sen. Hutchison's. 


  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @Alex - we're talking to the CEO of Boundless Networks (a very quickly growing Austin area start up) about getting him to the meeting. He's very eager to chat with a member of Sen. Cornyn's staff, and could definitely help bring a small business angle to the meeting. I've pointed him to the forums so he can organize with you all.

    It might help to take the discussion of the meeting to e-mail. These forums have a direct messaging function. If you click on a user's name or avatar, it will take you to a Facebook style profile page where you can message the user privately.
  • AlexAlex
    @StopSOPA-HQ - awesome!  He'd be a great addition.
  • Jeremy_LangleyJeremy_Langley
    I'm an IT Specialist with Baylor University if you need some help with DNS questions and other innovations .  I'm in Waco.  @Misty and I could carpool.
  • MistyMisty
    @Alex - I can definitely come.  I'm going to talk to my brother about coming as well (he lives near Houston) because he actually knows more details about this than I do.  I will keep you posted if he can come.

    @Jeremy_Langley - We can definitely carpool.  It'd be nice to split the cost of gas for the trip with someone.  :)  
  • textdogtextdog
    @StopSOPA - definitely! everyone should remember to turn on email notifications, that helps.
  • PatrickPatrick
    I would be happy to support in any way.  I am an internet marketer and actually used to intern with Sen. Cornyn in highschool.  Let me know how I can help out.
  • KokopelliMiaKokopelliMia
    edited January 2012
    I'm sure I'm not that helpful since I'm only a 9th grader, but loads of students at my High School greatly disagree with this. We'll have to do 'old school' researching they say. Teachers use sites that this Bill may close...
    Plus, I'm an Artistic type kid. Sites that this bill will mostly close, are the sites I go to daily, and inspire me to be an artist. They are the sites that help/support/boost creative minds. I wouldn't be where I am, made the friends I did without those sites. My creative mind and friends (many others I bet) are threatened by this bill. It'll destroy that and I really don't wont that and I'm sure they wouldn't either. 
    Gosh, I sound cheesy.
    I'm in the Austin area, Cedar Park, and I kinda doubt I'd be able to go to any Govt. meeting for my age since I'm not an adult (Come one, just four more years!!). I support you guys in this meeting, I'd love to go, My family supports you guys (especially my mom), my friends support you greatly. 
    And again, this bill will most likely my downfall from all the new friends I've made, and will destroy my artistic career. 
    It really saddens me that this government doesn't seem to see that with these bills being passed, they destroy modern time kids, adults lives in a way. They don't seem to see that people can express themselves, show their true colors with the internet. To be honest- the internet has made me seriously social with others, even offline. I use to be the shy kid off in her corner away from everyone, never talking. This internet site, the artistic sites I go to, the writing sites, they saved me, inspired me, helped me. But limits... loosing the sites I love, it ruins the expressive, creative mind. I learn from the internet, others do as well I'm sure. 
    (I'm cheesy again!)
    It's hard to express myself at the moment, so much to say. I feel frustrated, angered, disappointed at at own Govt. and the governs who proposed this. I fear that I'll log onto my laptop, go to the lovely life-savior-website and find out it's gone. My friends, my expressing work, my stories. Just gone. When that happens... I'll feel lost, angry, and furious with my own Government for taking away my first right. To limit it like they owned me, to make me feel so small and powerless against them. To have no voice.
    Good luck guys! Save my artistic career!
    P.S. My Dad works for ASML with Samsung, would they be affected? I don't think so with them making the technology... but still.
  • Derek4RealDerek4Real
    edited January 2012
    @KokopelliMia Very well put. I'm glad you are at least informed. So many others are not -- even people 2x and 3x your age! But don't be too eager to become an adult, its not as much fun as its cracked up to be. I'm only in my 20s but already sometimes wish I could go back to the carefree high school days LOL
    @Alex Thanks again for taking the reins with this one, sorry I can't make it to the EFF meet tonight but I'll contact you to see what I missed afterwards.
    @Patrick Think Sen, Cornyn will remember you? Interested in coming to the conference this Friday the 13th?
  • ExpertDanExpertDan
    @Alex I'd like to attend on Friday. We should have a meeting tomorrow or Thursday to organize ourselves. I can be reached at dan at driverdan dot com.
  • AlexAlex
    @ExpertDan - great, sent you a message this AM.

    Agreed about a meeting Wed/Thurs to organize our thoughts.  I would like to suggest Thursday evening or even Friday morning if that's better for the folks coming in from Waco.

    @Patrick - do you wish to attend the meeting?

    At this point I'm waiting on folks to confirm that they are 100% on board for the Friday meeting so if you have not done so yet, please do ASAP.  We really need to lock the attendee list as soon as we can.
  • KateKate
    edited January 2012
    If you still have room, I'd love to come. I'm a math professor at Texas State, and have been getting into the world of Open Educational Resources.  My husband is a programmer, so I can talk a little about that side of things (he's a bit shy, so he doesn't want to have to talk himself.)
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