A reply - A Meeting of Minds

Allen · Jan 23 2012, 07:20 PM

When MoM shut down in protest of the SOPA & PIPA bills recently, I followed the links provided by our Webmaster to write to my Congressional members. I received a reply from Senator Roy Blunt today. Here it is:

Dear Allen,

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 698, the Protect IP Act.

I do not support the Protect IP Act as it is currently written. American innovation is a cornerstone of our nation's economic growth, and job creators have lost $135 billion in revenue annually as a result of rogue internet sites. While I believed the bill still needed much work, several months ago, I cosponsored the Senate version of the Protect IP Act because I support the original intent of this bill – to protect against the piracy of lawful content.

Upon passage of this bill through committee, Senate Judiciary Republicans strongly stated that there were substantive issues in this legislation that had to be addressed before it moved forward. I agree with that sentiment. Unfortunately, Senate Leader Harry Reid sought to push forward with legislation that is deeply flawed and still needs much work.

That's why I withdrew my co-sponsorship for the Protect IP Act.

The right to free speech is a foundation of our democracy, and I strongly oppose sanctioning Americans' right to free speech in any medium – including over the internet.

I continue to believe that we can come to a solution that will cut off the revenue sources for foreign websites dedicated to counterfeiting and piracy that steal American jobs, hurt the economy, and harm consumers. But the Protect IP Act is flawed as it stands today, and I cannot support it moving forward.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I look forward to continuing our conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SenatorBlunt) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RoyBlunt) about the important issues facing Missouri and the country. I also encourage you to visit my website (blunt.senate.gov) to learn more about where I stand on the issues and sign-up for my e-newsletter.

Sincere regards,

Roy Blunt
United States Senator

GinnyStar · Jan 23 2012, 08:16 PM

Thanks for sharing this!

Brenda · Jan 24 2012, 07:25 PM

Hey, that's good to know about Blunt!

Allen · Jan 24 2012, 07:52 PM

I thought it was good of him to reply. He has my vote when the time comes.

Here are two other links to get the message to Congress:

Vote For the Net

Stop American Censorship

I figure every little bit helps, because right now, the votes are only delayed, not killed.

Jan 23 2012, 07:20 PM	#1
Allen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Last house on the left, across from the cemetery Gender: M Fan of: The Pern Series Now Reading: Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing	A reply When MoM shut down in protest of the SOPA & PIPA bills recently, I followed the links provided by our Webmaster to write to my Congressional members. I received a reply from Senator Roy Blunt today. Here it is: Dear Allen, Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 698, the Protect IP Act. I do not support the Protect IP Act as it is currently written. American innovation is a cornerstone of our nation's economic growth, and job creators have lost $135 billion in revenue annually as a result of rogue internet sites. While I believed the bill still needed much work, several months ago, I cosponsored the Senate version of the Protect IP Act because I support the original intent of this bill – to protect against the piracy of lawful content. Upon passage of this bill through committee, Senate Judiciary Republicans strongly stated that there were substantive issues in this legislation that had to be addressed before it moved forward. I agree with that sentiment. Unfortunately, Senate Leader Harry Reid sought to push forward with legislation that is deeply flawed and still needs much work. That's why I withdrew my co-sponsorship for the Protect IP Act. The right to free speech is a foundation of our democracy, and I strongly oppose sanctioning Americans' right to free speech in any medium – including over the internet. I continue to believe that we can come to a solution that will cut off the revenue sources for foreign websites dedicated to counterfeiting and piracy that steal American jobs, hurt the economy, and harm consumers. But the Protect IP Act is flawed as it stands today, and I cannot support it moving forward. Again, thank you for contacting me. I look forward to continuing our conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SenatorBlunt) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RoyBlunt) about the important issues facing Missouri and the country. I also encourage you to visit my website (blunt.senate.gov) to learn more about where I stand on the issues and sign-up for my e-newsletter. Sincere regards, Roy Blunt United States Senator __________________ *All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.*

Jan 23 2012, 08:16 PM	#2
GinnyStar Dolphineer Craftmaster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wausau, WI USA, Central Standard Time Gender: F Fan of: Pern, other SF works Now Reading: Dragonback Bargain	Re: A reply Thanks for sharing this! __________________ Lover s s, s and friends Lover of and beads, http://www.change.org/profiles/GinnyStar Dragoncave GinnyStar2 Jellied Dragons Lair of Dragons http://dragcave.net/user/GinnyStar2 Thanks! Others: None at this time WIP http://archiveofourown.org/works/252259 http://www.daisy.org/learning-difficulties

Jan 24 2012, 07:25 PM	#3
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis Gender: F	Re: A reply Hey, that's good to know about Blunt! __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Jan 24 2012, 07:52 PM	#4
Allen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Last house on the left, across from the cemetery Gender: M Fan of: The Pern Series Now Reading: Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing	Re: A reply I thought it was good of him to reply. He has my vote when the time comes. Here are two other links to get the message to Congress: Vote For the Net Stop American Censorship I figure every little bit helps, because right now, the votes are only delayed, not killed. __________________ *All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.*

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