Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
You can wait if you want, but why not just do a bit of research instead? It is apparently quite real. The question I have is why would the government consider this a secret? Since this has immense implications for every citizen owning or using a personal computer, this should be all over the news here in the U.S.
We also understand that there is a possibility that other sections of ACTA may propose the discussion of “best practices” including future government-imposed private sector agreements on subjects that are either inconsistent with existing U.S. laws or would inevitably lead to changes in U.S. law. As you are aware, numerous discussions on best practices are already occurring between companies in many different countries as part of private commercial agreements in the marketplace. Government-led negotiations roping in different private industry sectors are inappropriate for an international trade agreement. These kinds of discussions will result in international governments picking industry winners and losers, accommodating a long list of changes to law at the expense of consumers and other important industry sectors.
1. It was written last year, when Bush was in office
2. It is not written by White House, so even Bush is off the hook
3. It says it is the corporations, not White House who want to monitior internet traffic, and this memo specifically points out the legal issues with such monitoring
The memo is written by American Free Trade Association, which is an association of businesses. It is not a governement organization.
Who We Are
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is an agency of over 200 people, a highly committed group of professionals who have decades of specialized experience in trade issues and regions of the world. They negotiate directly with foreign governments to create trade agreements, resolve disputes and participate in global trade policy organizations. They also meet with governments, business groups, legislators and public interest groups to gather input on trade issues and explain the president’s trade policy positions. The agency was founded in 1962 and has offices in Washington, Geneva and Brussels.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
I don't know what else to say. That's the act he is referring to. It's called ACTA.
If you read it, it says it was written by AFTA American Free Trade Association:
AFTA is a national trade association with an effective, industry-wide voice for parallel market (or secondary market) traders, their employees and their customers.
For nearly 25 years, AFTA has represented vendors, distributors and importers, all of whom work to provide consumers with alternate sources of competitively priced, brand name merchandise.
AFTA has been and continues to be well-recognized and visible in the debate over parallel market issues.
AFTA has offered testimony to Congress, filed comments and met with federal agencies, and appeared as amici curia in federal and state courts throughout the country, including the two leading Supreme Court cases on parallel market issues: the 1988 Kmart decision and the 1998 L'Anza decision.
AFTA's constituency provides American consumers, throughout the country, with competitively priced, secure, unadulterated, and genuine merchandise.
AFTA is committed to ensuring a competitive and fair domestic commercial marketplace.
AFTA works with legislators and federal agencies to ensure the safety and integrity of consumer products throughout the supply chain.
AFTA believes that legislation and regulations must fairly, consistently and transparently balance the rights of consumers, retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers.
AFTA fights to eliminate all barriers which restrict and control access to brand name merchandise
The news outlets today are Atwater's wet dreams come true. Likes of FoxNews and Drudge serve as the posterchild of the trend, spreading lies, spewing misrepresentation and misinformation. And when questioned, they (or their pawns) turnaround and ask they be proven wrong.
They give a whole new meaning to "media". Also worth noting is that they actually speak against the very family they belong, for simpletons to buy the rhetoric.
The news outlets today are Atwater's wet dreams come true. Likes of FoxNews and Drudge serve as the posterchild of the trend, spreading lies, spewing misrepresentation and misinformation. And when questioned, they (or their pawns) turnaround and ask they be proven wrong..
That is what has been bothering me laterly. Crap is thrown on the wall, and then a demand is made to others to prove it wrong. Isn't the crap slinger supposed to prove their own information correct?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
ACTA 
