[Wikimedia-l] Update on the CISPA drafting process, and its significance to the Wikimedia movement.

[Jussi-Ville Heiskanen]

On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 11:29 AM, Alec Meta <alecmeta at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Fri, Apr 20, 2012 at 8:37 AM, Jussi-Ville Heiskanen
> <cimonavaro at gmail.com> wrote:
>> There have been drastic changes to the CISPA language, (and
>> here "drastic" is an understatement).
> ...
>> At this point I think *any* action by Wikimedia would be misinterpreted.
>> There is no-longer any text there that would affect Wikimedia directly.
>
> I think we should take our cues from the American Library Association.
>  Wikimedia is really an outcrop of the Public Library movement.   If
> the librarians oppose it, we are on solid ground opposing it to.
> Indeed, we can justify our opposition merely by pointing to the ALA's
> position--   Librarians are like the Military in the US-- everyone
> loves librarians.
>
> Going full black may not be justified, but releasing a statement of
> some kind (or a small banner of some kind) might be appropriate.
>
> Also, remember that we are a global organization.  If the US
> 'legitimizes' universal cyber-surveillance, it could have deep
> ramifications for our readers editors living under authoritarian
> regimes.  Even if the US is a good steward of these new powers, non-US
> users are unlikely to be so lucky.
>
> The language is reportedly in flux.  I strongly suggest taking our
> cues from the ALA.   If they librarians oppose it, let us oppose it
> too.
>

I totally agree with all of the above, butI think we have a good opportunity
to frame the argument as one of Obama and the People against a corrupt
system on the Hill. Not Wikimedia as a nine-hundred pound gorilla against
the peoples duly elected representatives.

-- 
--
Jussi-Ville Heiskanen, ~ [[User:Cimon Avaro]]