Marta:
What legislation is in place, or proposed, that requires filtering
systems on Internet accessible computers at the public schools for
these school district to be eligible for Federal or State funding.
Anne: marta hold that
question. sen. leahy is not on line yet, it is his staff member,
jeff Marta:
need to get charlie in Senator
Leahy: Marta Sen McCain passed a
law to keep federal dollars from schools that don't have filters. I
opposed that and thought John McCain was wrong. Won't work and will
cost libraries a fortune Anne: marta, do you have a
follow up? Marta: has it been
implemented Senator Leahy: If they are worried about
children and computers put the computers in the main reading room.
What teenager is going to download Wanda's Wicked Whips with their
parents and teachers walking by? Anne: Nick, your question
next Nick: With the lack of country
borders on the internet, how is the Senate Judiciary Committe
working with Industry professionals and delegations fromother
friendly countries to reach some international consensus and
consistency about online privacy laws and
regulations? Senator
Leahy: There is a lag time for
the FCC to implement rules - frankly I fel this, like the attempt to
ban encryption, fails because technology moves too fast [please
excuse the typos] Anne: follow up
Nick? Anne: If not, Barbara
next Nick: thats
fine. Nick: thank
you. Barbara: Senator, what is your take on the Napster ruling? Not
privacy, really, but a pervasive issue. Senator Leahy: Nick some countries take
a parochial and evne xenophobic attitude toward the net [some of the
activities of France come to mind as well as China] but that is
going to be a greater problem for our State Dept and for
industry Senator Leahy: The Eu privacy directive
has some good ideas and we should work with them for the best
without being too regulatory Anne: But isn't it a whole
different ball game in singapore and china? Senator
Leahy: Napster - the ruling was
not unexpected . Creators of music are entitled to compensation but
this can become a win-win situation. Let's realize that Napster
technology could bring more content online and if it is compensated
the choices become even greater Anne: followup
anyone? Senator Leahy: Singapore and China are
different but they are going to find what the U.S. has finally found
- that the internet grows so fast that censorship is ultimately
impossible. Anne: thanks, charlie have a
question? Anne: how about
bill? Bill: Yes... Bill: Senator:If you were to make some predictions about
where this country is going regarding the Internet, given the
current legislature and administration, in terms of addressing
privacy, personalization of web sites, and filtering, what might
they be? And what would you recommend that the public do to either
help these predictions along or get in their way? Senator Leahy: I met with Shawn Fanning
last week. Told him his technology could well become the basis for
music sales in a digital age but content providers will expect
compensation even if at a different rate than currently [Napster is
moving that way] Bill: Any predictions about how far we will go wiht
personalization and what limits the government might try to
implement? Senator
Leahy: There will be a greater
emphasis on privacy in the future. Internet communications are
becoming like your conversations at home which is why I have
expressed concern about Carnivore. We have to be secure in our
private dealings. Senator Leahy: What do you mean by
personalization? Bill: I likied your comments about Carnivore. And what a
name! Senator Leahy: I think the FBI
reassigned the person who named it Carnivore! LaxISM: Should have..Personalization...the ability for sites to
make them relate to you and your interests Anne: Any other threads? If
not, Charlie, your next Charlie: Senator Leahy, Vermont has seen some success in
technology careers, IBM, IDX, the new program with Putnam
Investments. However it seems that this an area where we should be
more aggressive since it is non-polluting, high wage, embraces
educational investment, etc <More> Charlie: The lack of
telecommunications infrastructure (i.e. bandwidth) seems to be
holding us back. Do you agree, and what steps are being taken
through your office and the State government to get the
infrastructure Vermont will need to play a leadership role in the
21st century? Senator
Leahy: I personalize some of my
sites for particular news, weather, flights etc. I want technology
to allow me to determine what I want and not the other way
around. Bill: Thank you. I appreciate your
positions. Senator
Leahy: Technology - I am having
a business luncheon next week in Vemont where this is on the agenda.
I helped get the start-up funds for Vt Interactive TV and now we
heped pass a satellite bill to bring greater bandwith for internet
to Vermont Senator Leahy: There is no quesstion
Vermont needs greater bandwith accessible everywhere to create the
jobs we need. Anne: charlie? follow, if not,
aaron Charlie: Do you feel the IBM's, the Verizon, the AT&T's
will step forward with investment $$? Senator Leahy: These companies are going
to have to invest in their own interest and will. The state of
Vermont should also consider further investment and I will continue
to bring federal dollars to play. Aaron: Senator Leahy, this is a great honor and I applaud you
for your handling of the recent confirmation hearings.
Charlie: That's great! Thank you, Senator. Anne: Aaron, your
question? Anne: Sen. Leahy, Do you believe
the Network Advertising Initiative prompted by the FTC investigation
goes far enough to protect the privacy of individuals on the net,
especially since after the initiative came about Nortel announced a
new technology on Jan.. 31, 2001, that could secretly track
customer's online movements. Senator
Leahy: Thank you - everyone in
the office worked very hard on the Ashcroft hearings. Many in the
staff worked around the clock to make it work. As you can imagine
there are some who think I should be thrown out of office for
questioning the nominee but I felt the Attorney General should be
for ALL Americans and not for a particular wing of one
party. Senator
Leahy: I am happy to see private
sector efforts for privacy like the Net Adv Initiative but there has
to be a legal framework to go after the bad actors who don't follow
the voluntary rules. If you don't have this kind of backstop
consumers lose confidence. Anne: The enforcement action in
the initiative seems kind of weak with the self
policing Anne: what law, if any do you
see coming about on privacy, the senate or house
version Senator Leahy: Self policing is a good
start and gives some direction but as a former prosecutor I like
knowing I have a law I can fall back on for those who don't follow
the rules. Anne: Well, how far would you
go on privacy? Senator Leahy: Neither the House or the
Senate have a final version on privacy - of course whatever final
version comes out has to be agreed to by both bodies. Senator
Leahy: Internet users should be
able to determine how much privacy they have. No one questions that
you have a right to the privacy of your papers, conversations etc in
your home - the internet should be the same. Anne: john, you have a
question John: Hello Senator Leahy,Thank you for visiting with
us this evening. The health care industry is stepping up pressure on
the Bush White House to delay sweeping new rules aimed at protecting
the privacy of patients, hoping to undo one of the Clinton
administration's final directives. John: Do you think this will
happen? Senator
Leahy: I have talked with many
people about the regs on privacy. We still need a law and the
COngress dropped the ball in not passing one. Regs can be undone
easier than laws and I hope the Republican leadership of the House
and Senate would realize Americans want more privacy not
less. John: Are you hopeful Anne:
follow? Senator
Leahy: I will keep pushing for
privacy legislation - would help if the new President did
too! John: Thank you Anne: How do you think your
peers on the Hill's thinking has changed about the internet over the
past five years? Senator Leahy: Good question. Five years
ago many did not understand it and wanted to censor it. I started a
bipartisan group to educate Members and it has helped a lot. As more
use the net the education becomes easier [I starte the group after
the ridiculous so-called Communication Decency Act
passed] Anne: What are your favorite
web sites for privacy and in
general Senator
Leahy: Not sure I understand the
question but I find myself slipping off to see the Irish Times and
the Grateful Dead website. Senator Leahy: Ever read the
Onion? Anne: No, Diane: yes - very
funny! Senator Leahy: Thanks Dianne - I was
worried for a minute! Rob: very
funny Charlie: The Onion is a riot!! Aaron:Do you agree with the outcome and process
of this case? Do you think there are grounds for a mistrial and
lastly was Vermont one of the states that originally brought this
suit against Microsoft? Bill: There is a first part of this question from
Aaron: Bill: I realize this is somewhat off topic but I hope you will
indulge me. I am in full agreement with the government's case and
subsequent legal findings against Microsoft. I am, however, somewhat
concerned about the comments of Judge Jackson that have recently
been brought to the public's attention.... Senator
Leahy: Don't know whether
Vermont was in the original Microsoft case but it is now before the
appeals court and i hope it gives a definitive ruling soon. Because
of the stakes involved this is not a case that should drag on for
long periods of time. It will be interesting to see what AG Ashcroft
does with it on appeal. Anne: some people are locked out of the room, sen. leahy
because it is full...they are AIMing their messages and we are
forwarding them to the chat Aaron: Thank you very much! Senator Leahy: I am very concerned with
Judge Jacksons comments. He should not have spoken to the press the
way he did but the publication of these comments may give both
parties an opportunity to seek a fair settlement. Senator Leahy: Sorry about those being
locked out. Will have time for a couple more questions and than I
have to go back to the Senate floor. Anne: Sen. Leahy, thank you for
joining us. I'm the teacher of this group and we're so pleased to
have you. Clearly you are a legislator who "gets it" in terms of
technology and privacy issues. Anne: remember attending via
the Web in Cambridge, MA an anti-CDA rally in San Francisco. It was
an eye opener in terms of how the Web would change politics. How
else has it changed, particularly in how candidates market
themselves online -- and how advocacy groups use the Web and
email? Senator Leahy: I am enjoying it - it
sounds as tho you have a great class and they a great
teacher. Senator Leahy: Fortunately the CDA was
found unconstitutional in its most important aspects. Some advocacy
groups and candidates market themselves well but keep in mind that
just because it is on the net does not mean it is dredible. Everyone
still must make up their own mind. Butch: This has focused on
Privacy, however, what position do you take about the taxation of
internet purchases? What is your sense about where congress will go
in this manner? and finally .. do you think the internet deserves
special protection - from interstate sales taxes?
Senator
Leahy: Taxation - Sen Wyden,
Cong Cox and I have introduced follow - on legislation on internet
taxation. My whole statement is on my web site and would be quicker
if you took it off there when we get done. Butch: thanks - I will visit
Anne: Sen. Leahy, we know you
have to go. And we thank you so much for this opportunity to chat
with you Senator Leahy: Time for one
more Anne: the floor is
open Rob: do you feel that the
COPPA can be put into effect for adults? Rob: There seems to be many
principles there that should be for everyone Senator
Leahy: COPPA - their commission
said filtering isn't the answer and Congress still passed the McCain
filtering law. Congress should first learn to listen
better. Senator Leahy: Great to be with all of
you and now I do have to go . Enjoy Vermont and i will be there in a
few days. John: On behalf of all of the Internet Strategy
Management Section, I would like to thank you for your devotion to
Internet issues on the Hill Anne: thanks Marta: thank you
Senator Charlie: Senator drop in to Brattleboro and vist
sometime! Diane: Thank you,
Senator! Jen: Thank you! Butch: Thank you Senator
Leahy Nick: thank you very much,
Senator Leahy. David: Thank you
Senator. Bill: Senator: Thank you so much. I am proud to have you as
our Senator Rob: Thank You
Senator Barbara: thanks Kale: Senator Leahy -- keep up
the good work in DC and we'll keep graduating savvy internet
strategists to make Vermont the Web capital of the
world.
