Lessig For Congress? 137
luge writes "With the unfortunate passing of Congressman Tom Lantos, parts of Silicon Valley and San Francisco will be holding a special election in June to send a replacement to Congress. Given the area, it would be great to have someone who is both tech- and policy-aware fill the seat — and it looks like that just might happen. Lawrence Lessig has apparently bought 'change-congress.com.' A 'Draft Lessig' group is forming on Facebook, featuring some of Lessig's old co-workers at Harvard and Jimmy Wales, among others. No word from Lessig himself yet, but he's been increasingly vocal about politics of late. If it happens, it would be a huge step forward for the representation of technology in Washington."
Copyright or corruption as his platform? (Score:5, Interesting)
Obama + Lessig = Win (Score:5, Interesting)
In the potential future where Lessig runs and wins, and Obama wins, we'd have two more Slashdot Moral Values-friendly politicians in office. Of course, there's already people like Dick Boucher of Virginia.
[1] Of course, who knows how committed Obama is to his tech platform, and/or how much he'd have to compromise to appease the Congresscritters who've been bought by the telecom and copyright cartels.
Intellectuals in politics (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Obama + Lessig = Win (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Real chance? (Score:3, Interesting)
Fantastic! (Score:5, Interesting)
For instance, I would feel much better about food safety legislation designed by a Congresswoman who was an actual FDA scientist. Then I could be reasonably sure that facts played a large role in her decisions.
Re:Intellectuals in politics (Score:2, Interesting)
Honesty isn't We have enough folks that engage in "dialogical engagement with other experts" and the greatest contribution that provides is hot carbon dioxide - and this is something you feel we need more of?
I'll tell you what - YOU vote for Lessig... oh, wait! You're not eligible!
Next?
Comment removed (Score:3, Interesting)
Don't Waste Out In Congress! (Score:4, Interesting)
Sure, maybe he could have a little more impact working from the inside, but I'm cynically afraid that he'd soon be disgusted and burnt out against the rot in there.
Berman may be promoted off the subcommittee... (Score:2, Interesting)
... on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property on account of this unfortunate event. See this article [arstechnica.com]. Getting him off and getting Lessing on this committee, even as a junior Congressman could have a huge effect in getting good legislation to the floor of Congress that is currently blocked.