[d at DCC] Our petitions compared to other petitions...

[Russell McOrmond]

   I often listen to CPAC in the background, and I have been amazed at how 
many people have been signing certain petitions.  The one I most often 
hear are petitions to "restore" what petitioners call the "traditional 
definition of marriage".  The other I've seen many signatures tabled in 
the last week is from the Canada World Youth trying to get federal 
government support for youth volunteer programs. More than a few MPs have 
indicated bundles of hundreds and some thousands of signatures in their 
own ridings.
   http://www.cwy-jcm.org/en/aboutus/petition


   I am looking for help to increase the number of people aware of and 
signing our two petitions.  I'm able to convince multiple MPs to table 
signatures, but we need more help in collecting signatures Canada-wide!

   Petition for Users Rights (in Copyright)
   http://www.digital-copyright.ca/petition/

   Petition to protect Information Technology property rights
   http://www.digital-copyright.ca/petition/ict/


   While a copyright bill is clearly not going to be tabled "in the fall" 
as the Heritage Minister intended (Parliament will likely adjourn on 
Wednesday until January 29), it is still something the government intends 
to move forward on.  We want to make sure that as many MPs as possible are 
made aware of the perspective we bring to the issue, including ensuring 
they realize that DRM opposes -- not protects -- property rights.

   Ideas?  Is it possible to get people having their family and friends 
signing the petitions over this holiday season?

   CLUE recently endorsed both petitions as part of the recent Copyright 
policy summary http://www.cluecan.ca/node/472.

   Is it possible that people who are members of various Linux and Unix 
Users groups can check with their executive and memberships to see if they 
would be willing to endorse the petitions as well?  It would be great if 
the groups could advertise the petitions to their membership, and speak to 
the petitions at meetings.


   Yesterday I handed a batch of 87 Calgary-area signatures at the office 
of Art Hanger, MP for Calgary Northeast. 
http://www.digital-copyright.ca/node/2835

   I sent a message a few weeks ago to all Calgary area MPs, and received 
replies from staffers for Mr. Hanger as well as Diane Ablonczy (M.P. for 
Calgary--Nose Hill, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of 
Finance).

   I wanted to ensure the signatures got to the Private Members Business 
Office before Wednesday, so the signatures will be back in the hands of 
the MP when they return at the end of January.  I am now wanting to 
collect an additional batch so that Ms. Ablonczy would be tabling area 
signatures as well.

   Tonight is the December meeting of the Calgary Unix Users Group -- 
http://cuug.ab.ca/  - is it possible that the 2 petitions could be 
circulated so that we would have something to bring to Ms. Ablonczy's 
office?   Most important is the Petition for Information Technology 
Property Rights which is important for the Conservatives to know about.

Thanks.

-- 
  Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/>
  Please help us tell the Canadian Parliament to protect our property
  rights as owners of Information Technology. Sign the petition!
  http://www.digital-copyright.ca/petition/ict/

  "The government, lobbied by legacy copyright holders and hardware
   manufacturers, can pry my camcorder, computer, home theatre, or
   portable media player from my cold dead hands!"