<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;">Fyi<br><br>--- On <b>Mon, 11/22/10, James Rucker, ColorOfChange.org <i><info@colorofchange.org></i></b> wrote:<blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"><div id="yiv516387822"><style>
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Dear Jenifer,</p>
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If we don't act quickly, Congressman Bobby Rush — a longtime opponent of a free and open Internet — could become a key leader on the House panel in charge of telecommunications.<sup>1</sup> <b>It could spell disaster for net neutrality.</b></p>
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The new Republican majority is certain to continue to assault Internet freedom — and the House Communications, Technology and the Internet (CTI) Subcommittee is the first line of defense. <b>Not only is Rush one of Congress' biggest recipients of telecom industry donations — he has previously worked with Republicans to kill net neutrality.</b><sup>2</sup></p>
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi has the ability to influence leadership assignments, and she should know that Rep. Rush is not fit to lead the committee with power over network neutrality.</p>
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<b>Can you call Speaker Pelosi today and urge her to oppose Bobby Rush's bid for this key position?</b></p>
<p style="margin:1em 0px 0px 20px;">202-225-0100 (if after 3pm PT/6pm ET call 415-556-4862)
</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;">
Here's a sample script you can use:</p>
<p style="margin:1em 0px 0px 20px;">
<i>I'm calling to ask Speaker Pelosi to oppose Bobby Rush's bid to become ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. CTI needs a leader who will stand up for an open Internet, but Congressman Rush's record shows that he's the wrong person for the job.</i></p>
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After you've called, please click below to let us know how it went:
</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;">
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://act.colorofchange.org/go/591?id=2143-1141418&akid=1724.394109.0aycsn&t=1">http://www.colorofchange.org/rushcalls/?id=2143-1141418</a></p>
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Congressman Rush has repeatedly supported the interests of the telecommunications industry over the interests of regular people, and he has been a fierce opponent of network neutrality. In 2006, Rush worked with Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) to kill a key network neutrality amendment. And in the last year, he has supported multiple efforts by Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) to prevent the FCC from instituting network neutrality rules.</p>
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In addition, Rush has been a major recipient of telecom contributions. AT&T, America's oldest and largest telecommunications company, has long been one of the largest donors to his campaign coffers. And from 2001 to 2004 the company donated $1 million to a community center Rush founded in Chicago — an off-the-books donation that raises further questions about the Congressman's independence.<sup>3</sup></p>
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Speaker Pelosi earlier promised that any legislation to gut net neutrality is "not going to be a Democratic initiative." But letting Rush assume leadership in the CTI Subcommittee would a send a message that Congressional Democrats just aren't serious about Internet freedom.</p>
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Please call her, and let her know that Rush is not an acceptable choice for this key position:
</p><p style="margin:1em 0px 0px 20px;">202-225-0100 (if after 3pm PT/6pm ET call 415-556-4862)
</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;">
After you've called, please click below to let us know how it went:
</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;">
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://act.colorofchange.org/go/591?id=2143-1141418&akid=1724.394109.0aycsn&t=2">http://www.colorofchange.org/rushcalls/?id=2143-1141418</a></p>
<p style="margin:1em 0px;">
Thanks and Peace,
</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;">
-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team<br>
November 22nd, 2010</p>
<b>Help support our work.</b> ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU — your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don't share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:
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</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;">
References:</p>
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1. "Bobby Rush wants to lead tech panel Dems," Politico, 11-12-2010
<br><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://act.colorofchange.org/go/589?akid=1724.394109.0aycsn&t=4">http://act.colorofchange.org/go/589?akid=1724.394109.0aycsn&t=5</a>
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2. See above
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3. "Sweet News Story: Bobby Rush conflict with SBC/AT&T," Chicage Sun-Times, 4-25-2006
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://act.colorofchange.org/go/590?akid=1724.394109.0aycsn&t=6">http://act.colorofchange.org/go/590?akid=1724.394109.0aycsn&t=7</a>
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