Congress is working RIGHT NOW to finish the bills appropriating funds to run the federal government for next year. One of these bills -- covering the Labor, Education, & other departments -- is being used to launch a
sneak attack on Internet free speech!

Without any hearings or debate, Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) added language that requires ALL computers purchased or operated by schools or libraries with federal funds to install and use filtering software to "ensure" that minors are prevented from accessing material that is either obscene
or child pornography.

Local schools and libraries are better able than the federal government to decide the best way to keep children safe and to help them have positive, age-appropriate experiences online. Filtering technology is one option, but not the only choice available, and the federal government should not
lock schools and libraries into a single technology choice that may become obsolete in a few years time. This is especially true given the unavoidable facts that filtering software cannot "ensure" that minors are protected from viewing material that may be illegal, and will doubtlessly prevent access to some constitutionally protected Internet speech.

There are three steps you can take to oppose this threat to the Internet.

Your representative needs to hear from you!

First, call Rep. Stupak at (202) 225-4735. Tell his or her office your concerns. Use these words if you feel tongue-tied:

   Staffer: Hello, Rep. Stupak's office.

   You: I'm calling to oppose the federal mandate on using Internet filtering software in schools & libraries. Please tell Rep.Stupak to oppose those provisions that Rep. Istook snuck into the Labor appropriations bill, H.R. 3037, without any debate or hearings. Local schools and libraries should make their own decisions about how to provide children with Internet access --  not the federal government!

   Staffer: Thanks, bye!

If you have any questions or comments about this action, feel free to
contact me. Michael

--Michael Clark, Assistant Webmaster
Center for Democracy and Technology
1634 Eye Street NW, Suite 1100    Washington, DC 20006
voice: 202-637-9800    fax: 202-637-0968
mclark@cdt.org          http://www.cdt.org/