URGENT: Call now to stop the Broadcast Flags!

Danny sez,

The RIAA and MPAA have been jostling to get the
broadcast flag *and* the audio flag into the monster telecoms reform bill.

They got it into the official Republican version, which is being considered in
committee tomorrow (Thursday). But Senator Sununu (R-NH), who peppered the MPAA and
RIAA with tough questions when they spoke to the committee, has filed an
amendment to get the flags thrown out.

We think Sununu is in with a chance – Democrats are angry at the anti-consumer
tone of the final bill (which also lacks strong network neutrality
provisions), and Republicans are chafing at entertainment industry’s yearn to
over-regulate.

These are the bills that the
Corruptibles cartoon describe – not futuristic theories about what
Hollywood could do, but actual laws being considered right now.

If you’re in the States below, call your Senator NOW, and ask him or
her to support the Sununu amendment to remove both TV and audio flags (he also
has an amendment to modify the audio flag, so be clear you want to kick out
both flags). If your Senator is a Republican, warn them about giving the FCC
extra powers. If your Senator is a Democrat, explain how bad this is for
consumer rights. Either way, tell them that entertainment industry requests
have no place in a telecoms reform bill, and they need to be kept out.

Chairman Ted Stevens (AK), (202) 224-3004 John McCain (AZ), (202) 224-2235 Conrad Burns (MT), Main: 202-224-2644 Trent Lott (MS), (202) 224-6253 Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), (202) 224-5922 Gordon H. Smith (OR), (202) 224 3753John Ensign (NV), (202) 224-6244 George Allen (VA), (202) 224-4024 John E. Sununu (NH), (202) 224-2841 Jim DeMint (SC), (202) 224-6121 David Vitter (LA),(202) 224-4623 Co-Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (HI), (202) 224-3934 John D. Rockefeller (WV), (202) 224-6472 John F. Kerry (MA), (202) 224-2742 Barbara Boxer (CA), (202) 224-3553 Bill Nelson (FL), (202) 224-5274 Maria Cantwell (WA), (202) 224-3441 Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ), (202) 224-3224 E. Benjamin Nelson (NE), (202) 224-6551 Mark Pryor (AR), (202) 224-2353 

Link

(Thanks, Danny!)