My message to the Democrats

Here's a letter I wrote to the DNC in response to their appointment of an RIAA executive as Deputy CEO for Public Affairs for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

As a registered Democrat, I am writing to protest the appointment of Jenni Engebretsen as Deputy CEO for Public Affairs for the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Engebretsen is currently the Director of Communications for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), an organization that was recently voted the "worst company in America" by a reader poll on The Consumerist.

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/04/12/dnc_appoints_riaa_sh.html

The RIAA sues college students, fights network neutrality, and lobbies against technological innovation. Currently they're fighting anti-pretexting legislation in California. You don't have to be a downloader to realize that this organization represents a force against technology, against free culture, against free speech, and against progress.

http://consumerist.com/consumer/riaa/

This appointment is a poor choice for the Democratic party. As a response, I plan to withhold any financial support I would have otherwise given to Democratic candidates for the 2008 election. I could change my mind, if the party takes positive steps towards endorsing a pro-innovation and pro-free speech platform.

Sincerely,
John Markos O'Neill


Technorati tags: RIAA, Democratic Party, DNC, Democrats,