Tuesday, July 08, 2003

The FCC Versus Democracy: Round Two

You remember: in this corner, the FCC and a few media friends; in the opposite corner, everybody else.

Some attention needs to be paid today.

Today, Tuesday, July 8, regular citizens and media activists - people just like you - are taking a few minutes out of the day to phone up their Congressional representatives. They want to make sure these politicians have not forgotten the public's outrage. They're looking for action, because you see, talk is cheap and we not only want that bill out of committee - we want the darn thing passed in both the Senate and the House. If we don't act, all of our hard work will have been for nothing.

That's the indefatigable and delightful Lisa English of Ruminate This speaking.

She explains all the background stuff here.

And she makes it supremely easy for you to do what needs to be done here.

Lisa did all this for all of us while she was also moving. Think back to the last time you had to move your household to a new place. To be able to think about any higher purpose than getting your books unpacked and not sitting on the toothpaste is the mark of a true activist. Without such people, no good changes to the world would ever get made.

I always feel better after a visit to her site.

You'll feel so good after you call your Senators and Congressperson.

The high rollers are betting in the end Democracy's going to lose this one, to Billy Tauzin, yet. If we can get a bill through Congress undoing what three Republican appointees and their assorted media friends did by turning the regulartory process inside out, then we, the people, could start to be a contender again.

A last thought: One of the best things about MoveOn, they are always able to tell you how many calls they generated, how much money they raised. If you have the time, why not let us know in the comments here, or in Lisa's that you got through, to someone. Then we can report back. Good idea? Bad idea? Let me know.