Al Franken on Technology

DFL Jr Senator (MN)

21st-century communication methods helped win recount

Norm Coleman was in the house--the criminal defense lawyer [in him liked being] there for the judges to see. They did notice him. Looking around the courtroom, he didn't see Franken on this day, or ever. Franken was briefed nightly by his lawyers. Over time, being absent from the trial seemed more senatorial than being present.

As Coleman looked around the courtroom, he should have noticed something more troubling than a missing Al Franken. Franken's counsel table was filled with three laptops, all fitted with wireless Internet antennae. Franken's lawyers were wired to each other, and to Franken headquarters. Through e-mails and instant messaging, the lawyers at the table received and sent suggestions. At Coleman's legal table, only 20th-century yellow legal pads were in use. It was a precursor of a technological deficit that was going to turn day one of this trial into a disaster for Coleman and his lawyers.

Source: This Is Not Florida, by Jay Weiner, p.174 , Sep 16, 2010

Invest in our nation’s physical infrastructure

After the collapse of the 35W bridge, we were all reminded of the importance of investing in our nation’s physical infrastructure. But we shouldn’t forget to invest in our nation’s human infrastructure, either. Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.AlFranken.com, “Issues” , May 14, 2008

Require websites to police for copyrighted materials.

Franken co-sponsored PIPA: PROTECT IP Act

Congressional Summary:Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act, or the PROTECT IP Act, or PIPA (in the House, Stop Online Piracy Act or SOPA) :

Authorizes the Attorney General to seek a court order against an Internet site facilitating online piracy to require the operator to cease and desist further activities constituting copyright infringement, unauthorized trafficking of sound recordings or videos of live musical performances, or trafficking in counterfeit labels.
Allows an intellectual property right holder harmed by a US-directed website used for infringement, to first provide a written notification identifying the site to related payment network providers and Internet advertising services requiring such entities to suspend their services.
Requires online service providers, Internet search engines, payment network providers, and Internet advertising services, upon receiving a court order relating to an AG action, to carry out preventative measures including withholding services from an infringing website or preventing users located in the US from accessing the infringing website.

OnTheIssues Notes: SOPA and PIPA, proponents claim, would better protect electronic copyright ("IP", or Intellectual Property). Opponents argue that SOPA and PIPA would censor the Internet. Internet users and entrepreneurs oppose the two bills; google.com and wikipedia.com held a "blackout" on Jan. 18, 2012 in protest. An alternative bill, the OPEN Act was proposed on Jan. 18 to protect intellectual property without censorship; internet businesses prefer the OPEN Act while the music and movie industries prefer SOPA and PIPA.

Source: HR3261/S968 11-S968 on May 12, 2011

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