Comments on: Lamar Smith Can't Hear You http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 09:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Dave Nalle http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1315357 Dave Nalle Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1315357 I have much more positive word on this.  Sheriff Richard Mack who is a well known pro-liberty activist is challenging Smith in the Republican primary - and with his district he has to be beaten in the primary.   It makes much more sense to support Sheriff Mack than to support a Democrat challenger who cannot win.   You can find out more about him at http://www.sheriffmack.com And SOPA only scratches the surface of the terrible bills Smith has passed and the great harm he has done to the nation. His powerful position in the judiciary committee has let him kill many positive bills and here are some highlights of his record: Author of the PATRIOT Act Author of REAL ID Author of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, including expanded federal warrantless wiretap powers Author of E-Verify, which includes a back-door national ID requirement Author of the Stop Online Piracy Act, which will authorize shutting down internet sites and networks with no due process Killed the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act in Committee Dave I have much more positive word on this.  Sheriff Richard Mack who is a well known pro-liberty activist is challenging Smith in the Republican primary – and with his district he has to be beaten in the primary.   It makes much more sense to support Sheriff Mack than to support a Democrat challenger who cannot win.   You can find out more about him at http://www.sheriffmack.com

And SOPA only scratches the surface of the terrible bills Smith has passed and the great harm he has done to the nation. His powerful position in the judiciary committee has let him kill many positive bills and here are some highlights of his record:

Author of the PATRIOT Act

Author of REAL ID

Author of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, including expanded federal warrantless wiretap powers

Author of E-Verify, which includes a back-door national ID requirement

Author of the Stop Online Piracy Act, which will authorize shutting down internet sites and networks with no due process

Killed the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act in Committee

Dave

]]> By: modevs http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314675 modevs Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314675 Companies do something about their convictions, people usually don't.  Companies do something about their convictions, people usually don’t. 

]]> By: Listener43 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314515 Listener43 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314515 Humperdink! Humperdink! Humperdink! Humperdink! Humperdink! Humperdink!

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314445 Guest Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314445 1) awesome 2) can't be accidental 1) awesome
2) can’t be accidental

]]> By: MRKiscaden http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314405 MRKiscaden Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314405 Fact of the matter is, it shouldn't matter how many companies "endorse" or "oppose" a particular piece of legislation, it should be the people that matter. But we all know the people don't matter at all. The people's interests are not represented in congress. Fact of the matter is, it shouldn’t matter how many companies “endorse” or “oppose” a particular piece of legislation, it should be the people that matter. But we all know the people don’t matter at all. The people’s interests are not represented in congress.

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314397 IronEdithKidd Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314397 I guess it's time to hold a few rallies where we all dress in our flag-wear with our visibly holstered guns and hold up misspelled, Godwinning signs.   In other words, the opposition is large, but not nearly obnoxious enough. I guess it’s time to hold a few rallies where we all dress in our flag-wear with our visibly holstered guns and hold up misspelled, Godwinning signs.
 
In other words, the opposition is large, but not nearly obnoxious enough.

]]> By: haaggus http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314303 haaggus Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314303 Lamar Smith is a big-government Republican. He repeatedly blocks any attempts to reform the war on cannabis, possibly due to his ties to the Alcohol and Tobacco lobbies. As a person who prefers less government intervention, I fully oppose Lamar Smith. His sponsoring of the notorious SOPA (internet censorship) bill should mark him as a prime target for small-government conservatives in Texas looking to change the status quo. Lamar Smith is a big-government Republican. He repeatedly blocks any attempts to reform the war on cannabis, possibly due to his ties to the Alcohol and Tobacco lobbies. As a person who prefers less government intervention, I fully oppose Lamar Smith. His sponsoring of the notorious SOPA (internet censorship) bill should mark him as a prime target for small-government conservatives in Texas looking to change the status quo.

]]> By: jhertzli http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314295 jhertzli Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314295  He's in the same party and state as Ron Paul. As far as I know, Rep. Smith and Rep. Paul only agree on immigration. If we add in Dubya, we get three politicians in the same party and same state who, among them, agree on absolutely nothing.  He’s in the same party and state as Ron Paul. As far as I know, Rep. Smith and Rep. Paul only agree on immigration. If we add in Dubya, we get three politicians in the same party and same state who, among them, agree on absolutely nothing.

]]> By: Dan Cornish http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314289 Dan Cornish Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314289 This is not a republican or democratic issue. This is a issue between corporate interests. I am a stanch conservative-libertarian  and this is an example how bad republicans can be. I am tempted to stand outside his office on Bee Caves Road with a sign. There must be thousands of people who work in tech companies who pass it every day. This is not a republican or democratic issue. This is a issue between corporate interests. I am a stanch conservative-libertarian  and this is an example how bad republicans can be. I am tempted to stand outside his office on Bee Caves Road with a sign. There must be thousands of people who work in tech companies who pass it every day.

]]> By: Jason Thomas http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314236 Jason Thomas Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314236 Damn, I am literally 3 blocks outside of this joker's district.  =/ Damn, I am literally 3 blocks outside of this joker’s district.  =/

]]> By: Incipient Madness http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314219 Incipient Madness Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314219  Pretty typical in Texas. Notice how urban voters in San Antonio and liberal voters in Austin's northern suburbs  get diluted by a huge rural area. Pretty common in most urban areas of Texas. I think there are only four US congressional districts in Texas  that consist almost entirely of urban area. With less gerrymandering there could easily be many more urban districts, but then more Democrats would be elected, most likely of browner hues. BTW, I notice that Smith's Austin office is on Bee Caves Road. I believe that is the area were <i>Office Space</i> was filmed.  Pretty typical in Texas. Notice how urban voters in San Antonio and liberal voters in Austin’s northern suburbs  get diluted by a huge rural area. Pretty common in most urban areas of Texas. I think there are only four US congressional districts in Texas  that consist almost entirely of urban area. With less gerrymandering there could easily be many more urban districts, but then more Democrats would be elected, most likely of browner hues.

BTW, I notice that Smith’s Austin office is on Bee Caves Road. I believe that is the area were Office Space was filmed.

]]> By: MostlyDifferent http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314195 MostlyDifferent Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314195 And just how small is the vocal minority that convinced you to push the bill in the first place, Mr. Smith? And just how small is the vocal minority that convinced you to push the bill in the first place, Mr. Smith?

]]> By: Ryan Thompson http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314162 Ryan Thompson Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314162 What's that? I can't hear you over all the censorship. What’s that? I can’t hear you over all the censorship.

]]> By: Bartolome Feliciano http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314150 Bartolome Feliciano Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314150 Does SOPA breach any terms of service for any service providers that congress and other gov't agencies use? Does SOPA breach any terms of service for any service providers that congress and other gov’t agencies use?

]]> By: borjo http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314146 borjo Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314146 it's even funnier for greek readers because SOPA (σώπα) translated in greek means "hush now" or "be silent" it’s even funnier for greek readers because SOPA (σώπα) translated in greek means “hush now” or “be silent”

]]> By: Mari Lwyd http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314115 Mari Lwyd Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314115 According to http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Texas'_21st_congressional_district_elections,_2012 the next election is 6 November 2012 The Democratic challenger is Elaine Henderson http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Elaine_Henderson I am unable to locate a website for donations to her campaign. edit: I've contacted info@traviscountydemocrats.org for more information. According to http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Texas'_21st_congressional_district_elections,_2012 the next election is 6 November 2012

The Democratic challenger is Elaine Henderson http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Elaine_Henderson

I am unable to locate a website for donations to her campaign.

edit: I’ve contacted info@traviscountydemocrats.org for more information.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314110 Guest Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314110 that means they are not legitimate nor large in number, even if they are. that means they are not legitimate nor large in number, even if they are.

]]> By: Joshua Zelinsky http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314103 Joshua Zelinsky Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314103 Has anyone declared that they are going to run against him either in the Republican primary or in the general election? At this point, I'd be willing to give money to both.  Has anyone declared that they are going to run against him either in the Republican primary or in the general election? At this point, I’d be willing to give money to both. 

]]> By: B E Pratt http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314084 B E Pratt Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314084 I live in Texas. We used to be Democratic. Conservative   yes true but still.... On the other hand, I live in Austin. The legislators hate us. We be the blue dot in the big red state. I live in Texas. We used to be Democratic. Conservative   yes true but still….
On the other hand, I live in Austin. The legislators hate us. We be the blue dot in the big red state.

]]> By: frank shapiro http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314080 frank shapiro Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314080 Money is speech. He can't hear you. Connect the dots. Money is speech. He can’t hear you. Connect the dots.

]]> By: silkox http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314076 silkox Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314076 Wow, it really is a ridiculously gerrymandered district: http://lamarsmith.house.gov/District/InteractiveMap.htm . Wow, it really is a ridiculously gerrymandered district: http://lamarsmith.house.gov/District/InteractiveMap.htm .

]]> By: cellocgw http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314072 cellocgw Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314072 This *is* the same Texas that elected Shrub and Perry as governors, and that red-shirts junior high school-age football players.   And you think they'll run this pondscum out of office?   This *is* the same Texas that elected Shrub and Perry as governors, and that red-shirts junior high school-age football players.   And you think they’ll run this pondscum out of office?  

]]> By: Andrew Singleton http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314055 Andrew Singleton Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314055 Share everywhere folks. This is the face of the modern corporate puppet in washington. Granted his leash holders are probably banking on us not finding out who THEY are and if this guy gets voted out they lose a puppet (and gain a lobbiest.) Boycotte everyone on the pro-sopa list. Share everywhere folks. This is the face of the modern corporate puppet in washington.

Granted his leash holders are probably banking on us not finding out who THEY are and if this guy gets voted out they lose a puppet (and gain a lobbiest.)

Boycotte everyone on the pro-sopa list.

]]> By: abstract_reg http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314053 abstract_reg Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314053 I hate the double standard: "It’s a vocal minority. Because they’re strident doesn’t mean they’re either legitimate or large in number." would apply just as well to the tea party but you don't see anyone ignoring their cries. I hate the double standard: “It’s a vocal minority. Because they’re strident doesn’t mean they’re either legitimate or large in number.” would apply just as well to the tea party but you don’t see anyone ignoring their cries.

]]> By: Ianto_Jones http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314051 Ianto_Jones Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314051 It's not that he can't hear you, it's that you aren't paying him enough to hear you.  He's getting boatloads of cash directly from the entertainment industry to pass this bill, and if it passes he is guaranteed a lucrative post-congress career either working or lobbying for the entertainment industry.  Why would he listen to a bunch of worthless rabble like us when he stands to gain so much financially by obeying his corporate masters? It’s not that he can’t hear you, it’s that you aren’t paying him enough to hear you.  He’s getting boatloads of cash directly from the entertainment industry to pass this bill, and if it passes he is guaranteed a lucrative post-congress career either working or lobbying for the entertainment industry.  Why would he listen to a bunch of worthless rabble like us when he stands to gain so much financially by obeying his corporate masters?

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314041 Guest Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314041 Yeah, appropriate if we had ever "hope"d for more from the douche. Yeah, appropriate if we had ever “hope”d for more from the douche.

]]> By: April Arcus http://boingboing.net/2012/01/08/lamar-smith-cant-hear-you.html#comment-1314040 April Arcus Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137788#comment-1314040 Good luck. His ridiculously gerrymandered district has a PVI of R+14. Before Texans can actually choose their representatives, they'll have to stop partisan redistricting. Good luck. His ridiculously gerrymandered district has a PVI of R+14. Before Texans can actually choose their representatives, they’ll have to stop partisan redistricting.

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