The Jeff Pulver Blog: Some Praise for Senator Sununu (on issues only tangentially related to the Internet and Communications):

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December 27, 2005

Some Praise for Senator Sununu (on issues only tangentially related to the Internet and Communications):

I have long admired Senator Sununu for his commitment to, and knowledge of, new technology, the Internet and communications. He has proven to be the most dynamic and eloquent champion of the Internet and advance communications.

As far as I can tell, he is also that very rare politician who puts policy above politics. I was especially thrilled to see the courage that Senator Sununu showed last week during the debate over the Patriot Act. Senator Sununu, along with three other Republicans, broke party ranks in the debate over extension of Patriot Act. He refused to blindly cave to Administration and Leadership pressure, and I think he did this because he believes in the need for critical discourse and a full airing of the issues with proper deference to democratic and legal processes. E.J. Dionne, writing in the Washington Post, summed up the situation nicely, and underscores the courage and independence that Senator Sununu demonstrated last week in trying to strike a better balance in advancing national security while preserving individual liberty due process of law.

Indeed, it was quite an impressive week on multiple fronts for Senator Sununu, who did at least two things to gain my further admiration and to demonstrate his commitment to technology, to the Internet, to communications, to privacy, to liberty. First, he dug deep into his bag of tricks and chits, challenged the political and business power structure, and tried to move the Senate's E-911 for VoIP Bill, which would have lifted much of the regulatory fog that currently hangs over the VoIP industry as it attempts to deploy advanced, Internet-based modes of communication. He apparently took this action knowing that he might antagonize Senate and Party leaders. A very courageous move for a junior Senator. I don't think he had much to gain (and probably burned some political capital) by pushing for what he knew was the right policy result.

I was also pleased to see that, even on issues that do not directly implicate my own professional interests, Senator Sununu has demonstrated an independent streak and a willingness to break party ranks to achieve the best result for all Americans, not just his party bosses.

With regard to the Patriot Act, Senator Sununu refused to tow the party line and refused to shut off debate on the bill. According to Senator Sununu, "We should not be afraid of a judicial review or setting the appropriate standards of evidence...We need to be mindful of Ben Franklin's words over 200 years ago: 'Those who would give up essential liberty in the pursuit of a little temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security.'"

E.J. Dionne succinctly points to Sununu's courage: "Imagine: a Republican insisting that the president negotiate seriously with Congress. Because Sununu, Feingold and their allies stood up, the checks and balances we regularly praise as part of our constitutional system are, once again, alive and well. It's an act one would expect from patriots."

Once again, it would have been easier for Senator Sununu to tow the party line and support extension of the Patriot Act without further debate and without consideration of the consequences on our democracy, our liberty, our legal system, our system of government. But Senator Sununu has proven to be bigger than that and willing to engage in the necessary critical dialogue. It is that same courage and desire to dig into the issues, that has also made him the champion of the Internet and advanced communications.

Whether or not you agree with the path Senator Sununu has taken on the Patriot Act (and some of my peers and colleagues might indeed come from a different place on the issue), I think we have to admire his courage and independence.

I also think that those of us who are trying to advance the Internet, to improve the communications experience, to promote individual autonomy and liberty, owe another debt of gratitude to the courageous and independent junior Senator from New Hampshire.

I only wish others in government would demonstrate such courage and such willingness to engage in independent, critical discourse.

Jonathan Askin, Senator Sununu and Jeff @ Fall 2005 VON

Tags: voip, E911, Patriot Act, Senator Sununu, Jeff Pulver

Posted by jeff on December 27, 2005 01:06 AM | Permalink

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I am a long-time supporter of Sen. Sununu. I'm thrilled to see he's getting some props from folks who aren't partisan enthusiasts.

Posted by: Patrick Hynes at December 27, 2005 12:48 PM

Sounds like one of those politicians whom one can respect.

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December 27, 2005

Some Praise for Senator Sununu (on issues only tangentially related to the Internet and Communications):

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