A letter from my Congressman

I wrote to my congressman, Adam Schiff, about my concerns about electronic civil liberties several weeks ago. While I was at SXSW, I received this reply:

—–Original
Message—–

From: Congressman Adam B.
Schiff [mailto:[spamhole]@mail.house.gov]

Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 2:01 PM
To: michael@pusateri.org
Subject: Reply from Congressman Schiff

February 20, 2003

Mr. Michael A. Pusateri
1914 Marengo Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030

Thank you for contacting me regarding some of
your concerns about the internet and computer technology. I appreciate
hearing from you and welcome your input.

The first issue you brought up was the
regulation of unsolicited commercial email, commonly known as "spam." I
share your thoughts that we should use technology to block unwanted emails
from our computers. During the 107th Congress, Rep. Heather Wilson
introduced H.R. 718, the Anti-Spamming Act of 2001. This bill would
provide criminal penalties for intentionally transmitting 10 or more
unsolicited commercial emails. During consideration of this bill in the
House Judiciary Committee, on which I sit, I offered an amendment that
would require the subject line of any email correspondence to include an
"ADV:" – or advertisement notification. This amendment, however, was not
approved by the committee. As the 107th Congress has come to a close, H.R.
718 must be reintroduced in the 108th Congress. Please be assured I will
continue to work on this issue and look for other opportunities to stop
unsolicited commercial emails. 

You also mentioned your opposition to the
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and your concerns about copyright
and patent laws. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I am currently
working with my colleagues to examine ways in which we can ensure that
intellectual property rights are protected, while at the same time
encouraging consumers to take advantage of new technologies now available
in the digital age. Please be assured that I will continue to monitor this
issue, and I will keep your views in mind as related legislation is
considered in the House.

Finally, you mentioned your opposition to the
Total Information Awareness (TIA) program. As you may know, the goal of
TIA is to develop technology that will identify the presence of terrorist
networks, their plans, and potentially define opportunities for disrupting
or eliminating the threats. I share your concerns about the broad
implications of the TIA program. One of Congress’ duties as we fight this
war on terrorism is to ensure that our nation’s enhanced security measures
do not infringe on our Constitutional rights. Striking this careful
balance will not always be easy, but we must preserve the civil liberties
that are the hallmark of our great democracy. Currently, TIA is only a
research program and has not been implemented. In addition, Congress acted
this month to curtail or mandate strong Congressional oversight of the
proposed program. Please be assured that I will certainly keep your views
in mind should Congress consider any similar programs in the future.

An on-going job of a Representative in
Congress is to help his or her constituents solve problems with federal
agencies, access services, or get questions answered fairly and promptly.
For this reason, I have designed a "Guide to Constituent Services" which
details some of the help my office can provide to you as a constituent.
Please know that you can always reach me at (626) 304-2727 or via the
website at

www.house.gov/schiff
which includes an electronic version of the guide.

Again, thank you for your input. If I can be
of any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 



I was suprised to see that it’s not a complete form letter and does state the Congressman’s position on the issues. I am hopeful that not everyone in congress is oblivious to the issues. I wonder what Howard Dean & John Edwards thoughts are on these issues…

I suggest you contact your Representative too.

Author

4 thoughts on “A letter from my Congressman”

  2. I used to write letters like that for a living, for an embattled Republican Congressman in a liberal Chicago district. Notice how his answer to the second point talks about “striking a careful balance”? That means he’s voting against you.
    Straight out of the playbook.
    Whatever staffer wrote the letter does seem to have a higher-than average understanding of the issues, at least.

  3. cool letter.
    and very cool insights, mike w. it looks like i might be writing those letters this summer, but it sounds like you had a rough time.
    still, at least it’s not a form letter, which i have gotten, and it does matter what words you use to say, “thanks for your concern, i’m voting against you.”

  4. I have been amazed at the direct and caring response I have received from many a state representative. I was certain it was someone representing my representative. Until I actually was called on the phone. I have enjoyed long term relationships with these people. Even after they were no longer in office. While we do not always agree, it is comforting to know that some are sincere about public service. This is what is great about America. ( I won’t get into all the bogus fund raising garbage on both sides of the party.)

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