Editorial Comment Requested

[tom poe]

Hello:  Here's a statement in Hollings' opening statement on Feb 28, 2002:
"Senator Stevens and I [Sen Hollings] are planning legislation that
would place a deadline on affected industries to come together to
solve these problems in private sector talks. If they do, we will
empower government enforcement so that all consumer devices comply
with the private sector's solution."

As I understand it, the CPTWG was formed to do the same thing with the DVD 
issues back, what, six years ago?  Senator Hollings formally recognizes the 
group as a private sector group, and from his statement it is clear that he 
says, he will provide government enforcement of the specs that are placed in 
front of him.

So, my thinking, and tell me if I'm wrong, here, is that this formal group is 
charged with the responsibility of providing a working set of technological 
specs for the subcommittee to enforce.  By extension then, these specs must 
reflect the constitutional respect for "Fair Use".  By extension then, these 
specs must NOT trample on individual privacy rights. And, finally, these 
talks are a formal response to the charge declared by Senator Hollings to get 
those specs and bring them to him, or he does it himself.  With all that, 
then, why is this group able to work in secrecy?  Why is the Press excluded?  
Well, they're not, and the Press can't be excluded from work on behalf of, 
and for public elected officials.  

So, can we find that little esoteric thing about legislating in the sunshine?
Thanks,
Tom 
http://www.studioforrecording/
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/
http://renotahoe.pm.org/