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Joe Biden's pro-RIAA, pro-FBI tech voting record

news.cnet.com — By choosing Joe Biden as their vice presidential candidate, the Democrats have selected a politician with a mixed record on technology who has spent most of his Senate career allied with the FBI and copyright holders, who ranks toward the bottom of CNET's Technology Voters' Guide, and whose anti-privacy legislation was actually responsible for the

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  • DTJunkie07, on 08/24/2008, -90/+51I like Joe Biden as the VP choice. He brings a lot more to the table than he takes away. No one is perfect. He has said some things he probably didn't mean to say....so do we all. It isn't something that should reflect so heavily on this man. He is a good person, with good morals. He still takes an 80 min, each way train ride into DC to conduct this senate business and is one of the poorest people in the senate. This is a good man people, for the two reasons listed before as well as many many others and I for one can overlook his shoddy record on "technology" issues. If all we as a nation had to worry about was this mans tech. voting record I wouldn't have bothered commenting here. Dig me down if you must but at least have an open mind toward this man, especially when considering the alternatives.
    • spinchange, on 08/24/2008, -1/+74I like Biden on a personal level too, and I personally agree with a lot of your sentiments. Unfortunately "tech" issues are about more than just tech. They are largely about civil liberties and personal freedoms. Biden did recently reverse course and his 'legislative character' on some of these issues by voting against the recent FISA act/Immunity deal, and by speaking out against Bush's warrantless wire tapping program. His previous legislative positions (going back to the 1990's and early 2000's) would seem to be firmly *in support* of both of them. That sucks, but I can accept a change of heart or deferral to Obama on this.

      I think he, and more importantly Senator Obama really need to clarify/telegraph to their net-roots base, where they stand on civil liberties - digital and otherwise. This is much broader than just file sharing or copyright. He was worked in the past to weaken and outlaw encryption technologies. That's a huge deal.
      • mikelieman, on 08/25/2008, -9/+15Senator Obama *ALREADY* clarified his stand on civil liberties.

        When he voted to be SOFT ON CRIME and supported retroactive immunity for elite white collar criminals who CHOSE to break the law and spy on innocent people without warrants, he clearly came down AGAINST Liberty and Freedom and Law and Order.

        He ( and Biden ) wouldn't have been invited to the dance, if it wasn't KNOWN they would behave.
      • Andrwmorph, on 08/25/2008, -2/+1WHY do you use CAPS lock EXCESSIVELY?
    • Shoegaze99, on 08/24/2008, -4/+21The issue here is about much more than "technology" -- to dismiss it as such offers a misleading picture of what the kind of legislation he has sponsored means. His Omnibus Counterterrorism Act of 1995 was a precursor to the Patriot Act -- you know, the intrusive legislation Bush critics are so quick to point to -- and he has introduced legislation making it easier for the FBI to snoop, collect data on people, and so on.

      This is a man who supported wiretapping laws giving the FBI broader, more sweeping powers. He only recently backed away from that position, only when the issue became strictly partisan.

      He "technology" policies are not relevant because of the technology angle, they're relevant because of the anti-privacy angle.

      If you're against the Patriot Act and all that surrounds it (as I am), you CAN'T be in support of this man.
      • TrellSaracen, on 08/25/2008, -3/+5Wasn't it recently revealed that the Patriot Act was written up over 20 years ago, and left in a drawer somewhere waiting for the right opportunity to be put before congress?
        The story was here on Digg a couple of months ago.
      • TrellSaracen, on 08/25/2008, -1/+5Dugg down for asking a simple question? Oh, noes!
        http://digg.com/security/Internet_Censorship_is_On ...
        http://www.yff365.com/profiles/blog/show?id=216228 ...
        "The Patriot Act is huge and I remember someone asking a Justice Department official how did they write such a large statute so quickly, and of course the answer was that it has been sitting in the drawers of the Justice Department for the last 20 years waiting for the event where they would pull it out."
    • Gloony, on 08/25/2008, -3/+1Shill shill, shillity shill shill shill.
    • catcher6250, on 08/25/2008, -3/+1CRY CRY CRY NO MORE FREE MUSIC

      Get the ***** over it, we have more important things to worry about.
    • alittlebrookie, on 08/26/2008, -0/+3So how he gets to work is MORE IMPORTANT than his voting record?

      No way.

      He's a horrible choice for someone claiming to represent 'Change'.
  • tsitneics, on 08/24/2008, -22/+303***** THE RIAA!
    • bonds, on 08/25/2008, -4/+7THE RIAA, *****!
    • Neiby, on 08/25/2008, -1/+18And ***** Joe Biden. I keep hearing about his great foreign policy knowledge. How has it helped us? Did he do one single ***** thing to stop the Bush administration from raping our Constitution? Did he do one single ***** thing once he found out for *certain* that Bush lied?

      No. He didn't. This man has no balls. I'm seriously pissed off that Obama chose him for VP. I should have known that the "change you can believe in" slogan was ***** all along.
      • didiman, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1I am no fan of Obama, but the pick of Biden just doesn't make any sense. He should have went with someone like Kaine or Richardson, which would have been actual change. People on the right would be hammering them even more on lack of experience, but I would have respected that ticket a lot more.
    • TheInformer, on 08/25/2008, -1/+22Don't you just love it that Obama chose for his veep a person that is as "establishment" in Washington DC as a person can get.

      Change, change, change....
      • dougmc, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Change is only good if it's change for the better. Change merely for the sake of change could easily go the other way ...

        In any event, if we were to elect a president that was *too* far from the establishment, then he wouldn't get anything accomplished. Congress would thwart his every move. We need a president that can work within the established system to improve things (perhaps including the system itself), rather than one who will try to do it all by himself and eventually achieve none of it.

        Not that the choice of VP really has much to do with any of that.
    • colto, on 08/25/2008, -1/+8Sexual intercourse with the Record Industry Association of America
      • dougmc, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Considering all the people that the RIAA has *****, generally without a condom or even lube, do you really want to risk all the diseases you're likely to get?
    • omarqaz7, on 08/25/2008, -9/+8YEAH ***** THE RIAA AND OBIDEN!!!! VOTE FOR MCCAIN HERO OF THE INTERNETS!
      • TKidd, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2You mean Ron Paul?
      • jedicurt, on 08/26/2008, -0/+1because there are multiple internets... there is basic commodity internet (the internet you know) then there is National Lambda Rail, and Internet2... just to name a few here in the US
    • Photokon, on 08/25/2008, -3/+5Change you can believe in, AM I RITE?!
    • pigfister, on 08/25/2008, -1/+7stop saying RIAA/MPAA call them what they are, and maybe ppl will start to boycott the mf's:

      The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.

      The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.

      The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!

      The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

      And all media trade bodies world wide are controlled by these same companies.
      • freebird09, on 08/25/2008, -0/+6***** SONY THEN!
      • Nosferotu, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Seriously ***** Sony. And not just for this crap. Sony made a great system with the Playstation 2, and they've made decent sound equipment for a long time, but their OBSESSION with creating proprietary formats for things stifles technology and has been ***** us as consumers for a long time. If I want to use one sony product, I am almost FORCED to use 7 others (memory sticks, anybody?) because they are so hot-and-bothered to try to corner the market. They've been losing at it since betamax, and the fact they finally got a hit with BluRay just makes me scared about the future.

        And the PS3 would have been like $200+ cheaper if they'd just used standard tech instead of FORCING their BluRay technology into it so they could corner the market. So I don't get a PS3 because it's INSANELY F'ING EXPENSIVE all because they're using it as a carrier to try to put themselves in a position to dominate a market for the next X number of years? ***** them.

        ***** SONY and ***** PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY!!!
    • cmasterchoe, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2My theory is that he'll be too busy as VP worrying about all the crap that's hitting the fan everywhere else that he won't have time to worry about technology, the file sharing business, et al. And... now that he's VP, won't that strip him of his congressional vote?
      • jedicurt, on 08/26/2008, -0/+1just makes him the chair of the Senate... still pretty influential in any congressional debate involving the topic
    • Nosferotu, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2I know this post is just pandering to the crowd, which usually drives me insane ("Why so serious?" anybody?), but I'm still gonna digg you just because I never get tired of the sentiment of this statement.
    • bcclist, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Why is stealing music, movies, software, etc. legal?
  • dreicher, on 08/24/2008, -13/+95Me thinks this is going to be a fun discussion thread!
    • Shoegaze99, on 08/24/2008, -4/+66Nope. This will be largely ignored and Biden will be given a pass for policies that would cause folks on the other side of the aisle to be shouted down as fascist oppressors.
      • connieLingus, on 08/25/2008, -5/+14don't forget, if obama gets too far behind, the media is going to start playing the race card...as in "well, the nascar-loving american public is just not ready yet for a black president" wink wink.
      • Tbyrd073, on 08/25/2008, -0/+9Yep I am a big ole racist because I dont like Obama. I love that excuse in the Media for why Obama lags in polls.
      • Charlotte_Web, on 08/25/2008, -1/+11Right, never mind the fact that Obama wants to bring more socialism to the US. If I don't support Obama, it has to be because I'm a racist...
    • sockpuppets, on 08/25/2008, -3/+15Popcorn's on me.

      om nom nom nom nom
  • johnnyfistfight, on 08/24/2008, -75/+228It's awfully quite in here. Where are the obamabots? Burying their heads in the sand?
    • RonnyN, on 08/24/2008, -17/+88Yeah. It's QUITE QUIET...
    • TheDHC, on 08/25/2008, -4/+41yea what the *****, I got out my lawn chair just to watch the potential mud slinging in this thread. i'm disappointed

    • sacr3dc0w, on 08/25/2008, -3/+29Yes, Family Guy is on.
      • UltraMegaFilms, on 08/25/2008, -4/+1I'd rather sit through Fox News. That show is worth a baby dick in January.
      • StrangeFamous, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Yeah, well, if a rooster can pull a train, you'd best get on board.
    • falstaff, on 08/25/2008, -6/+56Remember when all the Obama supporters vowed to withhold their votes after the FISA debacle? It took a week or two to come up with some reasons to excuse him for it, but they're almost all back in his corner. Same thing here. Give them a few weeks for the shell shock to wear off, but they'll be back.
      • aigulf, on 08/25/2008, -1/+27I haven't excused him yet, I just know I can't vote for McCain (the 2000 McCain, maybe...the 2008 McCain, not a chance in hell). I'm debating whether or not to write in Ron Paul...and this news about Biden doesn't comfort me.
      • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -3/+4Whats McCains stance on FISA? Im sure he has one. Id like to know.

        I do support Net neutrality and I hold it with a much higher regard and of much more importance than the support of an anti piracy firm. Both McCain and Ron Paul want government intervention in the internet. Simply unacceptable and dangerous.

        Looking forward to the reply on the FISA stance.

        Thanks,

        Shift
      • Gherald, on 08/25/2008, -0/+4Here's an interesting Q&A with Obama about the war and FISA: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_di ...
      • koko775, on 08/25/2008, -6/+3ALL the Obama supporters? I think not. Take your shallow view of Digg's userbase elsewhere please, thanks.
      • swoopdog, on 08/25/2008, -3/+4Shiftgood you said this about Ron Paul

        "Both McCain and Ron Paul want government intervention in the internet. Simply unacceptable and dangerous. "

        Actually Ron Paul wants nothing to do with controlling any aspect of your life. He believes the market and private business can look out for itself.
      • UltraMegaFilms, on 08/25/2008, -3/+4@swoopdog: He also believes that the world was created 10,000 years ago and that most of the people on this thread will most likely burn for eternity in some imaginary place called hell.
      • falstaff, on 08/25/2008, -2/+6And Shiftgood does exactly what I said people do. Obama's support (on Digg anyway) was built not so much on liberal idealogues, but on people sick and tired of the two party system that compels you to vote for the lesser of two evils; people who thought he was genuinely different, who wanted to vote FOR something rather than against something else.. Once faced with the notion that he's just the same as every other politician, the excuses start. "Well, he's still better than the other guy." And now the transformation to the dark side is complete. You are just another lesser-of-two-evils voter. Exactly the thing you were decrying just a few months ago.
      • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -1/+41.WTF how come nobody answered my question? Whats McCains stance on FISA!?

        2. falstaff: Im a moderate. Not a strong left liberal, I actually like Obama for his policies and compromises.

        3. Swoopdog: Ron Paul vs Net Neutrality i used this source:
        http://www.2decide.com/table.htm

        Care to answer my question now? you wouldnt want to "bury your head in the sand" would you?
      • UglyBunny, on 08/25/2008, -1/+4Shiftgood,

        No one will tell you what McCain's stance on FISA is because no one knows. See, he didn't bother to vote on the bill. Maybe it was because he was too busy being the most absent Senator, or perhaps because he was too much of a coward to show an opinion on the issue. I mean, I feel for him there: a vote of yes alienates people who love civil liberties and personal freedom, but a vote of no alienates his base who demand he be "hard on terrorism."

        EDIT: Source: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_li ...
      • Andrwmorph, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Regardless of Joe Biden's voting record, most people that previously supported Obama still agree with him on the majority of important issues.
      • koko775, on 08/25/2008, -1/+2I'm being dugg down because I object to an inaccurate, sweeping generalization? Come on, Diggers. You can be more tolerant than that. I'm positive that there are many other diggers who, despite their misgivings, still want Obama as their next president, and intend to vote for him.

        Hmm. Should I have included "I'm probably going to be dugg down for this"?

        I'm probably going to be dugg down for this.
    • airwalke, on 08/25/2008, -8/+10Like I said down below, didn't Biden vote against FISA?
    • fuzzmeister, on 08/25/2008, -10/+30No, we just realize that, unfortunately enough, there are issues far more pressing than copyright that the next president must deal with.
      • InfiniteNothing, on 08/25/2008, -2/+10So there are people that think there aren't more pressing issues than copyright. I'm not sure why you're being buried.
      • riseabove, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5b,b,but i dont wanna pay for music!
        /s
      • LordRedSnake, on 08/25/2008, -3/+2Just wait until you're wrongfully accused and have to pay thousands of dollars in extortion fees just to get on with your life. It'll affect your life more directly than Iraq, the housing slump, or rising gas prices.
      • UglyBunny, on 08/25/2008, -1/+2LordRedSnake,
        Say that to the family who's son is dead because we went to war over nothing. Say that to the family who lost their home because loan officers got bigger bonuses when people defaulted. Say that to the family that can no longer afford to drive to their job or school.

        Honestly, net-neutrality is a Congressional issue, not a Presidential issue. If you want to protect the internet you should be calling your congressmen and women every day telling them to pass legislation which would protect internet freedom.
      • Anonchrist, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2**** you! Two of my friends died in a war over nothing...

        Wow... That was probably in bad taste, but laughing at people dying is still better than being the neocon sending them to die and that is why I said it.
    • zenithmbr, on 08/25/2008, -13/+11they're busy spelling quiet properly
    • haydukeqc, on 08/25/2008, -9/+2no, their just burying this
      • aigulf, on 08/25/2008, -0/+13they're...they are...it's not that difficult.
    • caeser5786, on 08/25/2008, -8/+23dugg for the obamabots, my new favorite word
      • takua108, on 08/25/2008, -1/+12And their arch-rivals, the Republicons.
      • Tbyrd073, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5The government is controlled by Transformers?
      • sethorama99, on 08/25/2008, -5/+4Obamabots...

        DOO DOO DEE DOO

        Obamabots?

        DOO DOO DEE DOO DOO DOO

        Obamabots!

        DOO DOO, DEE DOO DOO, DEE DOO, DOO DOO DEE DEE DOO DOO
      • Dymaxionpz, on 09/24/2008, -0/+1+s for making me lol today
    • wastern, on 08/25/2008, -11/+9It sucks, but what are you going to do, vote for mcCain? no.

      I guess we just have to hope Obama has more sensible views and pull Biden away from some of those outdated views. I really have trouble seeing how the RIAA will remain around over the next 4 years
      • swoopdog, on 08/25/2008, -5/+4I guess there is only 2 choices for president huh?
      • sat0shi, on 08/25/2008, -0/+9Where've you been living for the past... well, forever swoopdog?
      • Dymaxionpz, on 09/24/2008, -0/+1I guess we could each vote for the candidate closest to our principles regardless of party...
        for me that Bob Barr.
    • liquisoft, on 08/25/2008, -9/+4Ignoring your atrocious spelling of "quiet," I concur.
      • IllBeBack, on 08/25/2008, -1/+5Spelling? He spelled "quite" quite correctly.

        Since when is using the complete incorrect word a spelling error? If you're going to correct something, you had better be, uh, correct also.
      • swoopdog, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3seriously, spelling?

        what is this 3rd grade. Look at me im liquisoft I go for cheap shots because my arguments are shallow and irrelevant I'm also a neo-nazi grammer fascist!
    • WasabiBomb, on 08/25/2008, -3/+11How did McCain vote on FISA, again?
      • Cloud7654, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5He didn't vote on it
      • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -1/+5Better question: What is his stance on FISA. He must have one, and you must know if you support him.

        regardless of his failure to vote. what is his stance?
    • jwoulf, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Most likely.
    • IJstickI, on 08/25/2008, -2/+1yea really?! this is front page....holy crap!
    • RaidenWoW, on 08/25/2008, -3/+2"Quiet"
    • Pandatot, on 08/25/2008, -3/+1What is wrong with you people?

      You bitch and complain that there are no negative posts on Obama, and you also bitch and complain when there are.

      Sounds like you just like to bitch and complain.
      • aigulf, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3Digg is not a monoculture (except when it comes to the presence of girlfriends).

        Some people will bitch and moan when there are no negative comments, others will bitch and moan when there are, and a few will actually have meaningful things to say.

        Lumping digg's userbase into broad groups isn't going to foster any intelligent discussions...it's just flamebait.
      • Pandatot, on 08/25/2008, -0/+0Except my comment was replying to a specific user who I've seen complain in both scenarios(The user I replied to). I was using 'people' because there are others that I also notice doing the same thing.
    • LordRedSnake, on 08/25/2008, -1/+11As a victim of RIAA extortion, I refuse to vote for any ticket with their boy Biden on it. Obama picked a real Washington insider who has spent decades under the thumb of lobbyists. Looks like I'll be voting libertarian.
  • WafflesID, on 08/24/2008, -43/+21Uhm, in the end he would still be the VICE president. And with the exception of Dick Cheney when did the vice president REALLY have that much say in what was going on.

    You can easily overlook some of his misgivings mostly because in the end it is still Obama's call when it comes down to it.
    • dreicher, on 08/24/2008, -6/+42"when did the vice president REALLY have that much say in what was going on?"

      Let's see. How about the NINE times the VP has taken over the job.
      • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -5/+1...and were politically hamstrung until/unless they won re-election.

        You think a guy who takes over as prez because the real prez died is gonna start trying to ram through some wild-eyed agenda that his predecessor would not have been on board with? If so, please feel free to cite examples where this has happened.
      • locojones, on 08/25/2008, -3/+3What about the 34 times the VP hasn't taken over the job?
      • sandbags, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1@stagmire :

        Lyndon Johnston
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy

        Do a search for the word "reversal".
      • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -1/+2Uhh, you're going to argue that Johnson was "reversing" Kennedy's Vietnam policy by escalating the conflict immediately after Kennedy himself had Diem assasinated? If Kennedy wanted out of Vietnam so badly, why was he actively toppling its heads of state in early November, 1963, just weeks before Kennedy himself was assasinated? Don't you think it's worth noting that Kennedy's order to withdraw 1000 troops - upon which this whole "reversal" claim is founded, was issued BEFORE Kennedy decided to have Diem whacked? If anyone had a change of heart about Vietnam, it was clearly Kennedy. Perhaps that's what the article you linked to means to say when it states that " It remains a point of controversy among historians whether or not Vietnam would have escalated to the point it did had Kennedy served out his full term"
      • sandbags, on 08/26/2008, -0/+2Nice to see you actually read the article. I would like to sit here and argue history with you all day but the statement made previously was that no VP had ever made a significant change to the policy of the President before him. This statement is untrue.
    • Shoegaze99, on 08/24/2008, -5/+30"when did the vice president REALLY have that much say in what was going on?"

      Let's see, there was that guy before Cheney ... Al Gore. Yeah, that's him.

      Or there was that guy with Reagan who made the jump to president. What was his name? Oh yeah, George Bush.

      And that's only recently.
      • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -3/+1What were Al Gore's major policy initiatives under Clinton? I'm talking about policy initiatives that he undertook on his own, wholly separate or in conflict from with Clinton's agenda? Cite some specific examples.
    • ileftfark, on 08/24/2008, -3/+14Then why even bother? Why make a huge deal about it? Why have your supporters sign up to get ***** TEXT MESSAGES when the running mate is announced?

      I've been on Digg for quite a while on this lazy Sunday, and I would have to say your comment was the most idiotic one today. So congrats on that, I guess.
      • WafflesID, on 08/25/2008, -2/+1That's my question also. Why make a huge deal about it?

        So if we're both thinking the same thing, and apparently it's the most idiotic thing you've read all day...what does that say about you?
    • brycelb, on 08/25/2008, -1/+5That's convenient.
    • WafflesID, on 08/25/2008, -4/+1Oh, my bad. Guess the VP really is more important that I thought. So ... I guess someone can tell me the last time a VP was able to veto a bill? Oh...hmmm. Well ok, Lesee, the only REAL power they have is being able to give a tie breaking vote in senate. Ok, so when was that last used?

      Ok, so 9 times the VP has been sworn in as the president...Lesee, last time was....Gerald Ford!! And he wasn't even elected as president when his term was up.

      Christ, 7 VPs died while in office, and 2 resigned, so they become even LESS important by that logic.

      I'm still not seeing how it REALLY matters who the VP is.

      It's like a spare tire on a car. It's nice to have around, but the odds of you actually using it are pretty slim. Maybe if it's a real nice spare tire you'll put it on your next car.
    • dkdevine, on 09/20/2008, -0/+2Yeah, and that's why Palin is getting so much attention right? Because she'd just be a VP...
  • michaelpinto, on 08/24/2008, -33/+13McCain is going to far worse on any tech issue - how can you trust a man who doesn't even know how to use AOL?
    • spinchange, on 08/24/2008, -5/+24At the moment, I'm seriously wondering what's worse: someone who doesn't even know how to connect to the internet, or someone wants to outlaw encryption and control it!

      /Obama supporter.
    • jstohler, on 08/25/2008, -3/+21Are you serious? I have no clue how to use AOL, and I'm in the IT industry. Show me someone who DOES know how to use AOL and I'll show you a ***** moron.
    • jack104, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Silly man, AOL uses you!!!
    • bdigital24, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2LOL? AOL blows.... you just lost all credibility with that one. I'm also in IT and I agree wholeheartedly with the poster above.. AOL is for moron noobs, ESPECIALLY now..

      I love the people that pay $60/month for comcast internet and then another $20/month for AOL "so they can get on the internet"

      ***** hilarious
    • noname500, on 08/25/2008, -2/+3but but but.... McCain is worse!!!! QQ

      Disclaimer: I do not support either candidate, it's all up to lesser evil now.
      • Dymaxionpz, on 09/24/2008, -0/+1Ah, but by that logic, the lesser of two evils gets elected and becomes the more powerful evil.
        In the grand scheme of (probability) things your vote rarely matters.
        Just vote your conscience.
        ~~Bob Barr supporter
  • cool8man, on 08/24/2008, -12/+296-Biden returned to the business of targeting P2P networks this year. In April, he proposed spending $1 billion in U.S. tax dollars so police can monitor peer-to-peer networks for illegal activity.

    -Biden signed a letter that urged the Justice Department "to prosecute individuals who intentionally allow mass copying from their computer over peer-to-peer networks." Critics of this approach said that the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America, and not taxpayers, should pay for their own lawsuits.

    -Last year, Biden sponsored an RIAA-backed bill called the Perform Act aimed at restricting Americans' ability to record and play back individual songs from satellite and Internet radio services. (The RIAA sued XM Satellite Radio over precisely this point.)

    -nobody in Washington was surprised when Biden was one of only four U.S. senators invited to a champagne reception in celebration of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act hosted by the MPAA's Jack Valenti, the RIAA, and the Business Software Alliance.

    Good to know the RIAA would have this administration wrapped around it's finger. :(

    Extremely disconcerting stuff in this article.
    • Medicamusic, on 10/28/2008, -4/+56Well... *****.
    • davidg11, on 08/25/2008, -7/+61It's amazing you Obamabots believe Biden is the change you can believe in.

      He IS the establishment.
      • brianjlowry, on 08/25/2008, -3/+15I'm sure McCain will stand up for us then? Right? Oh, that's right. He's utterly and entirely against network neutrality.

        That's the problem, man. We are so screwed either way.

        I think I may stop worrying about it and duck my head out of politics I had so recently become energized about.

        /cries
      • btschul, on 08/25/2008, -1/+9There are other choices. http://www.bobbarr2008.com
      • nalen33, on 08/29/2008, -2/+3Why is it that whenever someone brings up a point about Obama and his choice of Biden being the complete opposite of "change" all I hear coming from Obama supporters is "Well you think McCain is better?"
    • suprememilo, on 08/25/2008, -18/+9Im anti DRM and pro opening up all digital content, but most fileshareing is stealing weither you believe in copyright or not. . .
      • Gloony, on 08/25/2008, -0/+7I'm (Apply Teflon Here) and (Apply Teflon Here), but (Break Out Flamethrower).

        (Duck and Hope sh*t doesn't stick)
    • Sil369, on 08/25/2008, -1/+10Haha we're all going to jail.

      They do have Digg in jail....Right?

      Riggght!!?
      • lamiaconfitor, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1and access to bittorrent!
      • darkamster07, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1i actually woulden't be surprised if they did, just depends on the prison
    • gregharmon, on 08/25/2008, -13/+3Eh, I think there are much more important things at stake in this election, than the RIAA and issues related to the RIAA / DRM, etc. I'm not saying it's not important and should be ignored but really, what are people going to do? Vote for McCain instead? Hell no, that'd be much worse.

      This election is, again, the lesser of two evils. Although, in my personal opinion, the Obama side isn't nearly as evil as some other administrations.
    • oldgal, on 08/25/2008, -6/+4FISA upset me, but this not at all - Obama will be setting the agenda not Biden. It's not like McCain is on my preferred side of these issues either.
      • Nintendesert, on 08/25/2008, -2/+8Just like everyone believes Cheney sets agendas and not Bush...
      • oldgal, on 08/26/2008, -0/+2If Obama wanted a VP to set his agenda he would have named Hillary for VP.
    • Lunarsight, on 08/25/2008, -2/+5I guess that does it then - I'll have to vote Green, since I've completely lost confidence in both McCain and Obama.

      I was leaning towards Obama, but this whole Biden thing reminded me that I -had- emailed the Democratic National Convention and told them I wouldn't support therm because they had hired somebody from the RIAA to do their public relations for the event,

      Odd how they have the RIAA influence at the DNC, and we suddenly get a Vice President who is one of their lapdogs. Who would have seen that coming?



      • WasabiBomb, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2So you were going to vote for Obama, but because he chose Biden, you're now going to vote for a third party. Let's say you find a couple of thousand people who are going to do the same thing. Great- the third party (be it Green, or whatever), now gets a couple of thousand votes it wasn't going to get before! Democracy in action!

        However, McCain is still going to get the same number of votes he was going to get in the first place. Biden's VP post won't affect him in any way whatsoever.

        Also, the third party STILL doesn't have enough votes to win.

        The only thing you've done is that you've taken away a couple of thousand votes for Obama.

        Congratulations- because you disagreed with Obama's VP's stance on technology, you've now got McCain for the next four years... who is even MORE anti-tech than Biden.
      • Lunarsight, on 08/26/2008, -0/+2Wasa - It's a tossup to me.

        Mccain with a 31% tech voting record, versus Biden who's only slightly higher at 37%, AND happens to be one of the RIAA's #1 legislative b*tches in Congress.

        So, I don't see a 'lesser evil' situation here, not in terms of technology or in general. I see straight up lose-lose.

        And when things are stacked up like that, I have no qualm voting third party. I'm perfectly aware they won't win, but I won't soil my vote on a Democrat or Republican when neither party has offered up anybody decent.
    • Xcel, on 08/25/2008, -1/+6Everyone! Lets here a HOO RAH for Change!
    • Gephoria, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2let's pirate biden if it becomes an issue, o wait, would people want a peice?
    • Doubledown, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3I bet Biden was behind the Muxtape shutdown...
    • hnsez, on 08/26/2008, -3/+2OBAMA ENDORSED BY PIRATE PARTY

      http://torrentfreak.com/pirate-party-endorses-obam ...

      NUFF SAID
  • spinchange, on 08/24/2008, -8/+223Forget about the RIAA stuff for just a second...he actually takes credit for the Patriot Act !?!?

    "I introduced the terrorism bill in '94 that had a lot of these things in it," he bragged to NBC's Tim Russert on September 30, 2001. "When I was chairman in '94 I introduced a major antiterrorism bill [sic]..." "I drafted a terrorism bill after the Oklahoma City bombing. And the bill John Ashcroft sent up was my bill."

    Source from 10/2001:
    http://www.tnr.com/columnists/story.html?id=ba9b09 ...

    • fajitamelt, on 08/25/2008, -20/+4So he supported what could have prevented 9/11 seven years before it happened. Are you retarded?
      • septicmadman, on 08/25/2008, -1/+12No he isn't, but apparently you are.
      • fajitamelt, on 08/25/2008, -8/+1Oooooookaaay, do you wanna explain why you feel that way instead of just digging me down?
      • spinchange, on 08/25/2008, -0/+4Is subversion of due process necessary to prevent the next 9/11? How about military tribunals and secret prisons & evidence? That's the kind of stuff that was in the Omnibus Counterterrorism act of 1995 and also in the Patriot Act of 2001. There's more, but those are some of the more egregious offenses of American principles that in no way, make us "safer"
    • TheInformer, on 08/25/2008, -2/+19Funny how this support will be ignored by the Obama myrmidons. On the other hand, if McCain's veep supports/supported the Patriot Act then Huffingtonpost, Dailykos, Thinkprogress, and the other spewage sites would have a collective spastic fit and put out an unending amount of "articles" (thoroughly researched, I'm sure) highlighting this.

      On a side note, I bet Biden and Obama aren't seen on the same stage together a lot. When they were together, Biden's size made Obama look like a skinny little kiddie.
    • DavidtheDuke, on 08/25/2008, -1/+5haha, Obama, the magician. He used Digg and other people who just want to see America better, and now he's gathering around him people WHO TOOK CREDIT FOR THE PATRIOT ACT WTF ***** ***** I THINK I MIGHT JUST START PLAYING WOW ***** IT ALL
  • earthforce1, on 08/24/2008, -46/+104Might this be a good time to recommend an alternative to the corporate owned republicrats:

    http://www.bobbarr2008.com

    • CommonSense2k8, on 08/25/2008, -20/+14it's a waste of a vote until this system we have is changed
      • earthforce1, on 08/25/2008, -6/+26Voting for a lesser evil is a wasted vote. Vote with your conscience, and if enough others do it we can at least deny Obushma/McShame the legitimacy of claiming a veneer of democratic representation.

      • CommonSense2k8, on 08/25/2008, -11/+4Agreed, having to choose which candidate will be worse is no way to run a democracy...
        voting makes no difference, the election isn't chosen by the voters anyway. the media decides who shall win.
        yet still, voting for Barr or any 3rd party is as productive as staying home.
        At least Obama doesnt want to start WW3.... at least we hope he doesnt.....
    • Farik, on 08/25/2008, -3/+28Barr really needs to lose the pedostache.
      • brianjlowry, on 08/25/2008, -2/+3At the top of his list is "lowering the drinking age".
    • TonyLocNE, on 08/25/2008, -10/+34Bob Barr is nothing but a ***** neo-con shill.. As a libertarian, I do not believe he resembles anything the party stands for.
      • langdonalger, on 08/25/2008, -4/+10you mean your party doesn't stand for barr's crusades to rid the military of wiccans? FOR SHAME!
      • seraph582, on 08/25/2008, -2/+14IRRELEVANT - it doesn't matter what he stands for - you vote for this man to make your vote count: if he gets 5% of the popular vote this election, the libertarian party gets to run as a REAL PARTY next election.

        THATS WHAT I CALL REAL HOPE AND REAL CHANGE
      • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -17/+4Ron Paul too. Read his "We The People Act." It's nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to circumvent the due process and establishment clauses of the constitution by allowing states to violate them at will and evade federal court scrutiny. Absolutely sickening. And his retarded supporters are so clueless that they actually call him "the constitutional candidate."

        Every time I bring this up one of his ***** followers claims it's all "consistent with what the founding fathers wanted" or some such nonsense. Yeah, I'm sure the founding fathers wanted the first, fourth, and fourteenth amendments to have absolutely no force against the states. It makes soooo much sense to enshrine certain freedoms in the constitution and then allow the states to flout them completely. I'm sure that's EXACTLY what the founders intended.
      • WasabiBomb, on 08/25/2008, -12/+3And that was exactly how Bush got into the White House in 2000. Don't get me wrong- I'd LOVE to have a third party as a viable option. However, a vote for a third party is a vote for McCain. Burying my comment won't change that fact.

        No, I'm not happy about it, either.
    • Spoomeister, on 08/25/2008, -12/+6Vote for the driving force behind the Clinton impeachment? No, thanks.
      • Bith8654, on 08/25/2008, -3/+12If he pushed for impeachment because Clinton lied under oath than I'm all for that. There's nothing wrong with someone who holds the president accountable, I wish more of our current politicians would do the same with Bush. If he pushed for impeachment because Clinton got a blow job then I have to agree with you.
    • fuzzmeister, on 08/25/2008, -6/+3Why would a libertarian be any better? The libertarian platform is to deregulate business, which would allow content companies to essentially do whatever they want in terms of copyright.
      • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -10/+499% of libertarians know ***** all about our system of laws. They're just as bad as the neocons, seeing everything in black and white with no sense of how the real world works. They think "the free market" has some absolute, definitive meaning, and they rant and rave about how it's the solution to all life's problems. I'm sure the same dumbasses had no problem when Enron took advantage of "the free market" to tell its shareholders that everything was just swell and profits were sky high while Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling dumped their shares and renewed their passports.
      • Qumahlin, on 08/25/2008, -0/+6"which would allow content companies to essentially do whatever they want in terms of copyright."

        Actually no, because the government wouldn't be involved which would make "doing whatever they want" quite a hard task. The only reason the RIAA/MPAA get away with their current tactics is due to the government officials and agencies that help support them. Without any backing they would need to find new tactics as they can't continue their current strategy without government help.
      • Dymaxionpz, on 09/24/2008, -0/+1@stagmirestagmire
        The Enron shenanigans were fraud.
        Lay & Skilling were tried and convicted, remember?
        Deregulating S-Ox is a far cry from removing fraud from the law books.
        I know its hard to do on digg, but let's all try to be sensible & reasonable, eh?
        ~~Barr supporter
    • newms32, on 08/25/2008, -1/+0Nope, still not a good time.
    • TheDeepFriar, on 08/25/2008, -0/+7Ron Paul > Bob Barr
  • earthforce1, on 08/24/2008, -12/+46At least you should know what who you are voting for:
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_displa ...

    You then won't be shocked to watch Obama/Biden take your online rights away, just as surely as McCain + whoever.

    • fuzzmeister, on 08/25/2008, -10/+12Read up on Obama's technology platform, it is quite different than Biden's:

      http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/

      A candidate doesn't have to agree with his running mate on everything.
      • WasabiBomb, on 08/25/2008, -2/+8I'm not really sure why you're being Dugg down. It's true- the President has more control over policy than the Vice President.

        Well, except with Bush/Cheney, but that's primarily because Cheney IS Bush's brain.
    • Arcueid01, on 08/25/2008, -1/+4This is true because both factions will take those precious rights away, rest assured! Dont' expect Obama to save *****. He talks a good line but remember is FISA vote? Yeah he is useless rhetoric and McBlow just lies period.
  • OffPiste, on 08/24/2008, -16/+2Game on people, re-create 98.
  • spamcrusher, on 08/24/2008, -30/+157But..but...but...McCain! Evil!
    • zeroeffect, on 08/25/2008, -14/+37So McCain is anti-RIAA and anti-spying? Yeah right!
    • hivoltage815, on 08/25/2008, -7/+40McCain has never been one for piracy. He thinks that copying a phonograph cylinder severely ruins the quality of the track.

      Are the old jokes tired yet?
    • Yookji, on 08/25/2008, -5/+16Just vote for a third party. Honestly, this country has had enough of both the Democrats and the Republicans.
      • WasabiBomb, on 08/25/2008, -5/+5Which is exactly how we got Bush in 2000.
      • soapyeyejoe, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3@WasabiBomb

        No, it's not. There's no evidence that Nader ever helped Bush's chances. Some overly-zealous democrats were just quick to place their blame elsewhere.
      • Stunatra, on 08/26/2008, -0/+0Amen. Vote for the lesser of the 2 evils, vote Independent!
    • destron, on 08/25/2008, -12/+27There's always Ron Paul.
    • playmusic, on 08/25/2008, -2/+3Actually, just senile.
    • DeFex, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5they are all evil. dont you understand, the people who want the jobs of power are exactly the same people who should never be given those jobs.
  • ACwriter, on 08/24/2008, -8/+3Interesting.
  • Regbooker, on 08/24/2008, -29/+116Whichever candidate wins, America, an thus the entire world, is *****.
    • Mattwdj, on 08/25/2008, -3/+15Hey at least your positive.
    • fuzzmeister, on 08/25/2008, -2/+27You know, of all things that make the world "*****", I'm not sure copyright is at the top of the list.
      • karaokekidd, on 08/25/2008, -1/+7It's not just copyright. Both parties are corporate shills, CFR shills, Israel shills, etc etc. Nobody is representing THE PEOPLE. Prepare to have surveillance society like England, a shot economy, a war with Iran which may require a DRAFT. Regbooker is right, if a bit dramatic. Your life may be -ok- after all these things, but the world would be *****.
      • selectodude, on 08/25/2008, -1/+3it's odd that people say our economy is "*****". It's actually doing quite well when you take it in context that there's been something like 1 trillion dollars in writedowns that have happened in the past year. those perfect european governments are the ones that are ***** right now.

        read some news that isn't on digg.com for a change.
      • bacchante, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1What selectodude said. If you take into account that our economy is "*****" to the tune of 1 trillion dollars we're actually doing quite well. And by "actually" he means "my breath smells of *****".
    • Gutterpunk, on 08/25/2008, -5/+2America has been ***** for at least 4 years now.

      The world? Not so much.

      Weird eh?

      • nalen33, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3Oh, so the price of food, oil, and many other products only went up for us here in the US! I didn't realize that. Thank you for enlightening me with your informative views.

        The world economy is slowing just as ours is/was. Try facts next time.
    • Qumahlin, on 08/25/2008, -2/+2Sorry to break it to you, but America is not the world. It's that attitude that has caused the rest of the world to despise us. We actually are dumb enough to believe that god forbid something happen to America that the rest of the world will suddenly collapse....it won't.
      • Regbooker, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2I'm Finnish for your information and YES whatever happens in American politics will inflict seriously in the world economics and politics. That's what happen when a country is the sole world superpower. That's the reason why here American elections news are displayed everyday.
  • rahgz, on 08/25/2008, -14/+63Well, Obama said he wanted someone that would disagree with him.
  • Coolkid11, on 08/25/2008, -14/+195Sweet! Obama and Biden make an excellent team. Biden helped make the Patriot Act, Obama voted to re-instate it! Biden hates medical marijuana, wants to continue the drug war, loves the RIAA, and wants to suspend your civil liberties.
    • naberator, on 08/25/2008, -2/+18damn, except for iraq that covers everything that diggers care about
    • TheInformer, on 08/25/2008, -3/+19Change change CHANGE Change change CHANGE Change change CHANGE Change change CHANGE Change change CHANGE Change change CHANGE

      Can you feel it?
    • RuffRidr, on 08/25/2008, -4/+10And they both want to do away with the 2nd Amendment as soon as possible. Police state, here we come!
      • tomarocco, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2What are you talking about? We're already there.
  • uselessexpert, on 08/25/2008, -21/+137This election year, it won't matter which way we vote, because we'll get ***** regardless.
    • TonyLocNE, on 08/25/2008, -12/+24gee wizz.... Ron Paul just keeps looking better everyday.
      • NotYourProdigy, on 08/25/2008, -3/+17He always looks good
      • Lunarsight, on 08/25/2008, -3/+3Ron Paul looks great, except his followers still have this delusion that he could win the Republican National Convention.

        He should have done what I told him to do months ago - run as an independent.

        I'll vote for whatever third party candidate looks like they have the most wind under his sails prior to the election.
    • RajAtWork, on 08/25/2008, -4/+20err, write-in Ron Paul? This is still a democracy, you know.
      • SugarCoatedSalt, on 08/25/2008, -7/+4like he is gonna win. get real, as much as I'd like him to win...
    • AshKetchum, on 08/25/2008, -3/+1This is what people said about Gore vs. Bush. You can't tell me the situation would not be different with Gore as president.
      • btschul, on 08/25/2008, -4/+3No, we would be spending billions of dollars per year on "fixing global warming", except it would be more like "Fixing Gore up with some new houses and cars and hookers and coke and whatever else rich people buy"
    • richmomz, on 08/25/2008, -0/+7This election year? Every election in my lifetime has had this problem. The two party system is a farce - the only real choice we have is which person gets to further the agenda of the firmly rooted Washington establishment.
  • DJetson, on 08/25/2008, -26/+23All I have to say is who do you would rather have making informed decisions about technology issues:
    This guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4yVlPqeZwo
    or
    This guy: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/mccain-ad ...
    And for the record, these are the first results I got for "obama, computers" and "mccain, computers" from Google. But there is a definite theme.
    • ryan83189, on 08/25/2008, -2/+7I would really like to have the one who makes the decisions honor the first amendment. Their knowledge about computers is irrelevant unless they know about networks, protocols, DPI and all of that stuff. The fact is who ever gets elected, a bill about this is going to hit their desk, titled "Fast internet for America" or "Al qaeda Off Line" or some other good but misleading name, they will peruse it, have their aides parse it, and they will give it the thumbs up because they are dip-***** Then they sign it because it will "help our children". And thats if it is not snuck into a bill that actually is useful.
    • Twoje, on 08/25/2008, -1/+5Holy *****, a YouTube video that's over an hour long?
      • Gutterpunk, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Who are you to be ignorant about this? McCain?
    • Yookji, on 08/25/2008, -5/+6Obama's video was added in November 2007. He's drifted considerably to the right since then.
    • cnot3, on 08/25/2008, -6/+10When you link to Huffpost your argument loses any shred of validity it might have had.
    • latinjones, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2I'm sick and tired of the "who would you rather...." arguments (and 'lesser of the two evil' arguments as well). Vote for a third party candidate. The republicans and democrats are going to get us nowhere.
    • benbfree, on 09/13/2008, -0/+1Hmm, great job making fun of a guy who doesn't use a computer because of POW injuries caused by torture in Vietnam. Btw, he's quite intelligent about the role of technology in the world.
  • kemp34, on 08/25/2008, -17/+123Vote third party. The two party crap is killing our country.
    • Tomboys, on 08/25/2008, -2/+18I agree!
    • quandrum, on 08/25/2008, -0/+12Implement range voting!

      We'll never get rid of 2 parties as long as we have plurality voting.
      • WasabiBomb, on 08/25/2008, -6/+2Precisely. I want a third party as much as anyone- but with our current election system, a vote for a third party is a vote for the Republicans.
    • DoctorDuckey, on 08/25/2008, -1/+6Party politics in general are counter-productive. Third party candidates are virtually useless.
    • monkeystick, on 08/25/2008, -1/+5Agreed.. People in this country treat elections like its a sporting event.


      • Bith8654, on 08/25/2008, -1/+6Yeah and sadly many would rather to root (vote) for their home team (party) rather than taking some time to disregard political party and look at all the candidates individually.
      • locojones, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5I only wish people treated the elections like a sporting event. At least sports fans are educated about their teams, which is more than you can say about the average voter's knowledge on either isues or candidates.
    • SaperKain, on 08/25/2008, -5/+1For all 3rd party voters I have four words for you. Ready? VICE PRESIDENT MITT ROMNEY. ::shivers::
    • richmomz, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Paging Dr. Paul... liberty is calling!
    • weltschmerz, on 08/28/2008, -0/+1Two-party domination is a symptom of our horrible plurality voting method, which incentivizes us to only vote for our favorite OF THE TWO FRONT-RUNNERS so we don't "throw away" our vote.

      If you want to change all that, you have to implement Score Voting (aka Range Voting). If we break two-party duopoly, we may eventually even see proportional representation in our house and senate, so that parties get a share of the seats proportional to their voter base.

      It is astounding that people have been making these same complaints for decades or maybe even centuries, and yet people rarely realize that the voting method is the culprit, and makes a bigger difference (in most cases) than even election fraud and other oft-cited maladies.

      So let's all start talking about SCORE VOTING -- frequently, and sternly, in forums and od-editorials far and wide.

      See http://rangevoting.org/
  • zeroeffect, on 08/25/2008, -20/+38Where does McCain stand on these issues? I'm pretty sure he is much worse.
    • HappyScrappy, on 08/25/2008, -3/+5See my post below. There are "tech voting record ratings" for all representatives. Biden scores 37.5%. McCain scores 31.5%. Obama scores 50%.
    • brycelb, on 08/25/2008, -3/+5That sounds like a typical digg fact to me
    • Sil369, on 08/25/2008, -1/+2"P2P you ask? is that...what is a... a Peertwopehear?"
    • radiofrequency, on 08/25/2008, -12/+10I don't know where McCain stands on those particular issues but when it comes to taxes, health policy, foreign policy, environmental policy, energy and the economy McCain is much more practical than socialist Obama.
  • dildoolielly, on 08/25/2008, -30/+101America builds more prisons than schools
    America builds more prisons than ANY OTHER COUNTRY per capita.
    America imprisons more of their citizens for non violent "drug" crimes than ANY OTHER COUNTRY per capita.
    America manufactures and exports more weapons than ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

    Where is "Joe" on this? Well, he is the chairman of Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
    He is also the co-chairman Caucus on International Narcotics Control (co-chairman)
    Biden wrote the laws that created the nation's "Drug Czar," who oversees and coordinates national drug control policy. This created literally millions of victimless crimes and created a huge privatized monetary prison system!

    He is still busy creating legal sanctions against marijuana which in turn fuels a worldwide black market and pour money into gangs and criminal organizations.

    Two minutes of research will reveal this unconstitutionalist for who he really is

    Listen Folks, all these assholes, Bush, McCain, Obama, Biden, Clinton, all of them, are corporate lobbyist whore shrills. They have no understanding of reality. Which is why they should never be allowed anywhere near the seat of Gov't.

    These psychopaths belong in the Looney bin!
    • hivoltage815, on 08/25/2008, -2/+25I agree with everything but the fact that they are psychopaths. The fact is they know what they are doing and are driven by greed. And we can't really do anything about it. I feel like I'm the crazy one.
    • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3But Jerome Corsi says Obama still does coke. I don't get it.
    • biggerapple3am, on 08/25/2008, -1/+0Dude, and I'm being completely serious, go to Canada.
    • richmomz, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1The two party system is a farce, and election season has turned into little more than a sporting event, with people voting for their chosen "team" regardless of whether they actually represent their interests or not.
    • staunchcentrist, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Then who do you suggest we vote for? Cynthia McKinney?
    • SupremeBeing, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Accusations with out links to sources...
    • Skellatina, on 08/26/2008, -0/+1And "We the People" get to pay for ALL of it!
  • spamcrusher, on 08/25/2008, -10/+22Hm.. I've seen stories that are anti-McCain that hit the front page today with only around 100 diggs. This one has yet to become popular with 225.
    • DeathJux, on 08/25/2008, -2/+5Correlation = causation, obviously.
    • dilpil1, on 08/25/2008, -1/+9It has been established time and time again that the front page is not based soley on # of diggs.
  • stits, on 08/25/2008, -25/+20OMG a Politician against people stealing and rule of law!!!!!!! That is just insane. Yes, the laws are way over protective and this is in no way me supporting this candidate but still.........why is this news?
    • benologist, on 08/25/2008, -2/+2Because Obama was supposed to be for change..... like making music and movies for free instance.
    • jaymzdean, on 08/25/2008, -2/+9Because just because it's illegal to do certain things with your penis doesn't mean the feds can put a live-feed camera on it just in case.
      • whatwhatwhoa, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1wow very well said. should be comment of the day!
    • Lunarsight, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Stits - To me, the big issue here isn't him being against 'stealing'. It's the fact that Biden has been playing the legislative equivalent of a drug mule for all the bills the RIAA wants to get passed.

      I would -never-, and I mean NEVER want to see the RIAA with friends that high up the proverbial ladder. If they did, that would be it. Fair use would get thrown out the window, and P2P would be obliterated, regardless of whether it's used for legal reasons or not.

      The RIAA via SoundExchange has already used its influence to nearly destroy internet radio, by trying to create an uneven playing field between internet radio royalties and that of airwave radio.



  • TheGreatBelow, on 08/25/2008, -6/+7Welcome to America.
  • chrisvanhornnnn, on 08/25/2008, -17/+104***** JOE BIDEN!

    wait.... right?
  • PainToad, on 08/25/2008, -7/+75Douche Vs. Turd Sandwich
    • doctorgrim, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5I think I'm gonna pass on both of these.

      ...lost my appetite.
    • richmomz, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Sums up just about every election in recent memory.
  • mrb4b00, on 08/25/2008, -13/+17RIAA should be the least of our concerns in this election when we have issues such as Iraq, Environmentalism, and the Economy.
    • brycelb, on 08/25/2008, -1/+9"Environmentalism"

      If I only knew what that meant. Why didn't you put Humanism in your list?
      • Protonz, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2What about the childrens!?!
      • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Because no one's ever heard of a humanist activist.
    • pintomp3, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2i hate having to look the other way on certain issues, but you are right. it's hard to compare laws about encryption to war.
    • minoss, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5Yes, expanding the war in afganistan and more ethanol subsidies is a great idea.
  • cakesecret, on 08/25/2008, -28/+75Spin this one, nanny-state government loving Obamabots...

    Joe Biden is a disaster - he represents the Obama candidacy's death wish.

    Please note: If you spend half your day digging up anti-McCain stories thinking it will help Obama -- then your life is also a disaster. Reconsider yourself.
    • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -12/+9Here ill spin it for you.

      its trivial. and we all know pirating is wrong, perhaps the RIAA is overprotective, but the law of the land (and the 10 commandments) is on their side.

      McCain is against net neutrality. You think that that is better than supporting the RIAA? you're insane.

      Obama also wants someone who has differing views than him, and maybe has experience in places that he doesnt, so when they work together, they arrive at solid conclusions that take into account both sides of the story.

      arguments breed understanding. I digg up both anti-obama stuff and pro-obama stuff, because we need to talk about both.
      • cakesecret, on 08/25/2008, -1/+6Obviously I am also against net neutrality. Keep the nanny state out of the internet!

        Anyone who wants to invite government regulation of the net is the real insane one.
      • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -5/+1You're right. The internet is pure freedom of information, and with that free information we, the people, wield all of its power.

        It seems most of our other channels of communication are somewhat corrupt, biased or infiltrated somehow by decision makers in very high places.

        If we give up the internet to these decision makers, we will have essentially given up all of our freedoms in information. What we know will literally be filtered and controlled.

        Both McCain and Ron Paul are for government control of the internet. Obama is not.

        FISA isnt going to die so quickly. In our current political environment, voting against FISA is just a throw away vote. McCain skipped voting. Im sure he would have voted for it too. But republicans feel free to criticize obama about it with no sense of regard for McCains position.

        He will have to answer up at the debates however. So it should be interesting.
      • AllyOfReason, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Ummm excuse me? Ron Paul voted against net neutrality moron.

        Net neutrality is nothing more than a good concept packaged into a horrible implementation.

        McCain voted against it as well, but it highly doubt it's because he doesn't want government regulation of the net.
    • Neiby, on 08/25/2008, -1/+7I agree with you. Obama selecting this guy as his VP is like throwing in the towel already. It is handing the Presidency to McCain, gift wrapped with a nice little bow on top.

      Democrats may love Biden. I am an independent and can't stand the man. I certainly don't speak for other independents who were supporting Obama, but this effectively ends my support for him. I wish I could retract my donation.
      • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -3/+1Im curious as to why you hate the man so much.
      • spinchange, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2@ shiftgood, I'm not trying to troll you, but did you read the article? You mentioned elsewhere that you're all about net neutrality, because the internet is ultimate freedom or whatever and that we can't allow people to control it....again, did you read the article? Biden would like to outlaw digital encryption - No truly secure, private digital communications channels - He wanted to make it a felony to install certain kinds of software on your computer.

        I don't 'hate' Biden, but I don't think you have a handle on why this is such a big deal. It's much bigger than the RIAA stuff.

      • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Im honestly looking to find out why. Id like to know the weaknesses or faults of the person im voting for. If there is something major that i haven't taken into consideration, I might be persuaded to reconsider.

        The only problem is. Biden is a VP against neutrality (but also against FISA). Hes not the decision maker... Paul and McCain are both running for the fist spot (president) and will make the decision against net neutrality no questions asked.

        Again, is there something else i need to konw about Biden? besides him plagiarizing a speech like 20 years ago? I want to know why this completely sealed the deal for this other person.

        I have a feeling they are just a "plant" independent thats trying to persuade other independents based on emotions...
  • yellowfish04, on 08/25/2008, -4/+14..D'oh
  • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -17/+18I am going to laugh at you all when you look back in 3-4 years and realize the grave mistake you made by not voting for the only real person opposing McCain.
    • cakesecret, on 08/25/2008, -6/+4Joe Biden is the real deal?
      • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -3/+7John McCain is the real deal???

        I fear that many people would vote against Obama because of this, they don't realize what a foolish decision this would be.
    • Protonz, on 08/25/2008, -3/+14Ron Paul
      • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -4/+9Couldn't win 5% of the primary vote in his home state.
      • AllyOfReason, on 08/25/2008, -1/+4Hmm and mainstream media didn't have anything to do with that right?

        It was just all the crazy ideas that got him shut out of the spot light, right?
    • choppasizzle, on 08/25/2008, -4/+3the grave mistake is supporting obama
  • mysticalone, on 08/25/2008, -12/+4Lets see, go to war or give up file sharing.. drafted or be sent to prison and pay copyright fines... There is no lesser evil, what do we do in this situation?
    • cakesecret, on 08/25/2008, -2/+12It is not McCain or even Bush discussing the draft. It is democrat politicians such as Charlie Rangel of New York who are gung-ho to bring in a draft.

      Our military is by far the greatest the world has known, primarily because it is a volunteer force.
      • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -8/+2Um... In case you didn't hear, it was McCain who brought up binging back the draft last week.
    • davidg11, on 08/25/2008, -6/+2We won the war thanks to McCain's surge.

      When's the last time you heard a story about 20 civilians killed or american servicemen killed in Iraq?

      • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -3/+3LOL the jihadists want a Republican in power, so they simply stopped attacking. Just wait until the election is over :)
      • cakesecret, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3Biden wanted to sub-divide Iraq into three countries -- guaranteeing sectarian war for another 100 years.

        Since when can anyone claim this idiot has any credibility on foreign affairs?
      • AllyOfReason, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Just because you don't "hear" about it doesn't mean it isn't happening.
    • locojones, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1I'm pretty sure having to giveup your indulgence for violating copyright is much less of an evil than being forcefully conscripted and being sent to die in some foreign land for no purposeful reason.
  • loganro, on 08/25/2008, -6/+0This would matter if a republican voted like this, but when someone that is with the nutjob of America its OK!
    • jaymzdean, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Actually, it wouldn't matter to YOU if a (R)epublican voted like this.
  • Mattwdj, on 08/25/2008, -22/+16I like biden and obama but in reality what ever bidens views are dont really matter. Hes still the VP and Obama the President.
    • cnot3, on 08/25/2008, -2/+2Uh, I don't think it's irrational to believe that Obama faces the very real possibility of assassination if he gets elected, and I sure as ***** don't want Biden running the country.
    • reaper527, on 08/25/2008, -2/+3"Hes still the VP and Obama the President."

      not yet he isn't. he may THINK he's president, as he showed in germany, infront of a crowd gathered for a concert held prior to his speech, but he has a long way to go.

      obiden is a terrible ticket, and hopefully it will tip the scales away from them.
    • AllyOfReason, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2And so is Cheney.
  • Theod48, on 08/25/2008, -5/+21ug one more thing that makes me nervous about obama
  • bicyclefence, on 08/25/2008, -20/+44***** FOX NEWS!
    • broncfan23, on 08/25/2008, -2/+0obligatory:
      ya ***** FAUX news........
  • HappyScrappy, on 08/25/2008, -3/+22Tech voting record "rating" for all representatives.

    http://news.cnet.com/2009-1040-6130830.html

    Biden scores the same as Feinstein and Boxer, which isn't good. Both of them are in the back pockets of big media.
    • Shadic, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Cantwell of Washington is the highest-scoring Senate Democrat! Awesome!

      ..Wait, a Republican has over 10% better than her..? I'm confused. Off to look at policies of that guy.
    • stevo9er, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Jesus Christ, I read Feinstein as Feingold and almost ***** myself.
    • xerigen, on 08/25/2008, -1/+3Highest Scoring House Republican (and overall): Ron Paul 80%
  • airwalke, on 08/25/2008, -5/+30Didn't Biden vote against FISA?
  • Feep, on 08/25/2008, -18/+13In the future, maybe we'll have the luxury of considering a vice-presidential candidate's stance on technology and copyright issues a dealbreaker. This is not the future. There are more important personal liberties at stake, as well as the fate of the world's economic progress, and the incredible idiocy of starting wars with countries just because we want their *****.

    They ain't perfect, folks, but Obama/Biden '08. And as much as you'd like to send a message by voting for Barr, you aren't. You're throwing away your vote.
    • Protonz, on 08/25/2008, -0/+9"Throwing your vote away."

      What a unique and insightful comment. I haven't heard that before. Especially not every single election.
      • Feep, on 08/25/2008, -5/+2Who said it was unique? I don't like the two-party system, but it is absolutely impossible under the current circumstances to get anywhere close to the amount of Americans needed to give a third-party candidate a chance in hell.

        If voting for Obama truly and absolutely offends your morals and ideals, then maybe you'll vote Barr. And if Obama wins, that's fine. But if McCain wins, know that satisfying your own personal agenda of morality may have cost hundreds of thousands of people their lives, just so you could sit there with a smug little grin on your face, knowing you did the right thing.
      • TheInformer, on 08/25/2008, -0/+4Research the candidates and their positions past and present, note their character, and become educated to be able to foresee the results of actions taken. Do that and vote for the candidate that matches what you believe to be the best choice. If you do this, more power to you.

        If however you vote for someone only because of slogans, or TV appearances, or other nonsense, well......

        As I've always said, when one goes to vote they should be given a choice: 10 free lottery tickets or vote. That should eliminate a good part of the problem.
      • Tbyrd073, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3I would rather satisfy my own moral agenda by not voting for either Obama or McCain and consider it throwing my vote away then choose which way to best screw myself. Because if you're right and I am throwing my vote away on Bob Barr then I will be screwing myself either way.
    • mesasone, on 08/25/2008, -0/+4Er, given the way the RIAA seems intent on holding the nation hostage via costly and lengthy litigation, I think it's a bigger issue than you let on. Not to mention Biden's stances on the "War on Drugs" which is a complete ***** disaster, and a serious problem in our nation that does not get nearly enough attention. I haven't been overly enthusiastic about Obama to begin with, but Biden is a total buzz kill. This is shaping up to be a very disappointing election, imho.

      I agree with you on Barr though, you can vote for him on election day but who knows what party he will be in by the time Inauguration day comes.
    • smotpoker1, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3I will vote thrid party now that obama has selected a crooked congresspunk.***** biden he's in the pockets of the lobbyist and doesn't deserve a vote at all.I was going to vote for obama because he is better than McNeedaBrain but with this biden douche bag at his side he lost my vote and McNeedaBrain will never get my vote because he's a bush clone.So throw away my vote I will vote Nader /Ron Paul/Dennis Kucinich any of those are better than what either party is passing off as a winner.
  • duggdowncatisad, on 08/25/2008, -13/+7Thanks for posting this to Digg. I now know that I need to vote for John McCain to keep this guy from being a heartbeat away from the presidency.
    • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -2/+11You can't be serious...
    • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -4/+2McCain = No net neutrality.

      ??????

      you confuse me. If the RIAA is such a big issue for you, technology must be a major factor in your decision for who runs for president. But Obama clearly gives more freedoms to - and encourages the growth and spread of new technology.

      so you see why im confused? Its like you think one way and then vote the other.
  • MetalGear7, on 08/25/2008, -17/+17Ah...the left is so funny always switching their ideas and second guessing their decisions and causes....ha
    • stagmire, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5Gotta admire the right wingers - always ready to fall in line behind their leaders and never willing to admit that anything they do is ever wrong.
    • swoopdog, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1I'm one of those left wingers....

      only I will be voting for Ron Paul. See how that works conservatives...But no the Right wing picked Mcsame. ***** all yall
  • ThinkIcouldburn, on 08/25/2008, -15/+8Vote for the Lesser of Two Evils. That is the American Way. And by lesser of two evils I mean Obama. Please show me there is some logic left in the human race and do not elect McCain!
    • RedPhalanx, on 08/25/2008, -0/+5Remember back when we had good candidates, rather than just the "lesser of two evils"? No, I don't either. Probably because the parties figured out they don't have to put forth a "good"candidate, just one slightly better than the other guy.
    • Ryan32, on 08/25/2008, -5/+1I honestly don't think Obama/Biden is the lesser of two evils... I actually think McCain is, only based on the hope that he's going to be so content with winning, that he's not actually going to do much.

      Our country needs time to just chill out, McCain stands a better chance of making that happen than Obama/Biden, who want to make so many changes it's hard to keep track.
      • jesusmurphy, on 08/25/2008, -1/+4Were you listening at all when McCain said the generals would run his white house in the Saddleback forum?

        This man on the world stage doesn't scare you? He's anything but chill.
      • Anonchrist, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Come on, he is going only going to rage war to the gates of hell. I for one welcome our warmongering overlord and hopes he takes us with him.
    • Shiftgood, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Its hard to please all the people all the time. or, "can't"...

      But if McCain gets elected, im leaving this country and watching it die on TV.

      Any recomendations? I hear Australia is pretty cool.
      • Ryan32, on 08/25/2008, -5/+2Just leave now.... If you think the outcome of a single election is going to "kill" America, then America doesn't want or need you.

        You ***** tool. You should move to North Korea, Russia, or Africa for that matter if you think we have it so bad.
      • ThinkIcouldburn, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1I'm with you on this one. Anywhere is better then this morally corrupt hell hole.
  • WeirdEdsel, on 08/25/2008, -14/+2The office of the vice president is irrelevant. The vice president only has one (1) constitutional duty: break tie votes in the senate. His voting record means jack. Unless he becomes president, which is unlikely.
    • Dustin00, on 08/25/2008, -0/+58 years ago I would have agreed.

      I'm going to hold my nose and hope Obama is picking up Joe purely for the international issues.
  • haydukeqc, on 08/25/2008, -20/+51where's your god now hippies?
    • NotYourProdigy, on 08/25/2008, -11/+4Obama fans are hippies? Boy do you have a broad view on the world.
    • haydukeqc, on 08/25/2008, -4/+9stop taking yourself so seriously
    • CraigReed, on 08/25/2008, -1/+2no... NO! I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!!!!!
  • davidg11, on 08/25/2008, -6/+40Biden isn't change we can believe in. Not only is he establishment...he is one of the longest serving in the establishment
  • lolupissed, on 08/25/2008, -23/+83Ron Paul....someone had to say it
    • godinster, on 08/25/2008, -19/+3And someone is a moron

      And by someone I mean anyone who supports Ron "Goldmember" Paul
    • swoopdog, on 08/25/2008, -1/+11Ron Paul!

      seconding
  • DeuceDiggalow, on 08/25/2008, -12/+25Democrat is the new republican
    • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -2/+7Republican is the new Fascists.
      • cnot3, on 08/25/2008, -0/+4Mussolini described Fascism as, essentially, corporatism. Therefore, both parties are fascists.
      • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1True, but at least one party is less fascist than the other. Remember, this all works on a pendulum. If the left started winning elections, then the right would have to respond with a shift to the left. If we really want to see anything other than a two party system, then we must switch over to a parliamentary type of system. This will not be beaten from the outside, it MUST be defeated from within. If you want to ensure the corporate deathgrip on society, try to fight this from the outside. You will become the convenient "terrorist" they need to stay in power.
    • Jareth86, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Jumping the gun much?
      • RuffRidr, on 08/25/2008, -1/+2That will be impossible once they've all been confiscated.
      • Jareth86, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1You are completely retarded if you think Obama is going to do that.
        First of all, it would assure he'd never win another swing state ever again; political suicide. Secondly, a mass disarmament is impossible. Specifically, since they're all armed.
    • spinchange, on 08/25/2008, -1/+3no, it actually appears that after 9/11, Republican became the old democrat.
      neo=new, con=conservative
      paleoconservatives, FTW
    • HippyJM, on 08/25/2008, -1/+3Or for Lieberman, Republican is the new Democrat.
  • Charlie117, on 08/25/2008, -10/+32Biden cheated in college, and a bribe from his dad kept him there.
    Nuff said
    • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -4/+12McCain (who is a real candidate) cheated on his first wife, and accepted a bribe from John Keating. Also, graduated fourth from the bottom at west point, and the fact that he was the bloodline of a long line of admirals kept him there.
      Nuff said.
      • wrathofg0d, on 08/25/2008, -1/+20They're both pieces of *****. Nuff said.
      • dilpil1, on 08/25/2008, -0/+9Yeah McCain sucks too, but that is yesterday's news.
      • zeusthemoose, on 08/25/2008, -4/+1Question is: who is the bigger piece of *****. Back when we had a piece of ***** and a turd sandwich, we all saw what the piece of ***** gave us. Do the democrats suck, yes they do. But the Democrats represent a hope. The problem with a lot of thinking here on digg is that individuals are all about themselves. They want it their way, right now, no matter what anyone else says. The Democrats have shifted to the right for one reason, to win elections. If you really want to get rid of the patriot act, and make it harder on the RIAA, then vote nothing but democrat. Shift the pendulum back towards the left. When it shifts, keep working to get YOUR ideas enacted. You have to convince the majority of the American people to get on board with you, not just members here on digg.
  • Jordan117, on 08/25/2008, -18/+26Good thing the Vice President of the United States only casts tiebreaking Senate votes and therefore has almost no real impact on legislation.
    • MScrip, on 08/25/2008, -12/+5Exactly. We've voting for Obama... Biden is his running mate.

      I'll have to do more research on Joe Biden... but I still love Obama.
      • swoopdog, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Wait? We are voting for Obama?

        I thought I was voting for Ron Paul?
      • Tbyrd073, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2Is We've even a contraction?
      • RedPhalanx, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1We've would mean "We have", so it doesn't make sense even if it's a real contraction.
      • MScrip, on 08/25/2008, -0/+1Oh my. I made a spelling mistake! I'm sorry!

        I meant to say We're... meaning we vote for the person who is going to be president... the running mate is just an accessory.

        Proof? People already know they are voting for McCain.... and he has no running mate yet.
    • RedPhalanx, on 08/25/2008, -1/+28Tell that to Dick Cheney
      • doctorgrim, on 08/25/2008, -0/+2You took the words right out of my mouth Red. ***** had a LOT of influence over Bush and always had the last word. Same could be true of Obama/Binden. Only time will tell.
      • darkamster07, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1^ good point but i doubt it, one of the reasons Cheney had such a grip was because his superior was a weak, stupid, greedy man, which Obama is not, he's just misguided about a few things; Biden on the other hand...
    • cnot3, on 08/25/2008, -2/+9or Lindon Johnson... it's not irrational to believe Obama faces serious threat of assassination if he is elected.
      • Doubledown, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3Now you are being watched by the FBI, CIA, and RIAA (because they can)
    • Neiby, on 08/25/2008, -2/+3Good thing you haven't been paying attention the past eight years.
    • AllyOfReason, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1Guys cool it. He forgot the "/sarcasm".
    • doom777, on 08/25/2008, -1/+1also