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Source: Daily Kos
Rep. Lantos is retiring. Is Larry Lessig about to enter to replace him?
by Fulbright
Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 02:15:09 PM PST
Professor Lawrence Lessig is giving a major speech this Thursday in Stanford. If you are familiar with his ideas, and if you read his blog, you know what's happening this week. It's what the headline on his latest post says:
Last Free Culture lecture, first thought about what to do about political corruption
So this Thursday, January 31, at 1:00pm, at Memorial Auditorium on the Stanford Campus (directions) (map), I will be giving my last lecture about "Free Culture." The event is a bit staged (literally), as it is being sponsored by an entity making a film about these issues, and they want the lecture to use in the film. But the venue is beautiful, and I will also use the opportunity to map out one plan for addressing the problem of "corruption" (as I've described it) in politics.
Rumors have been swirling in the past 24 hours that Professor Lessig's plans include running for Congress to replace Lantos. More below the jump, with more evidence why this is plausible.
* Fulbright's diary :: ::
First of all, I'm assuming that everyone here has at least heard of Professor Lessig, and likes what they know about him. But if you're not, do yourself the favor of visiting his Wikipedia entry.
I have a Kevin Bacon-like connection to Professor Lessig through some organizations he's affiliated with. I probably shouldn't say which, or I might not hear things like this moving forward. So I can't give a source, but I believe I am hearing something credible because it's coming through the right channels.
Why do I think this is more than chatter? It has been no secret that Lessig has been viewed as a possible judicial appointee under a Democratic administration. So it's not such a leap to think that having considered future public service, that he would consider electoral service. Those of us who have seen his speeches know he certainly has the chops.
Then there are other hints. When Lantos announced his cancer and retirement, Lessig posted a short item on his blog, expressing condolences and thanks. The title was "My congressman is retiring" which is only slightly suggestive. But then the first comment, from an unknown source, said: "Run, Lawrence, run!"
Yes, it's just a lone blog comment. But maybe Professor Lessig is hearing the call. He has stated his next great interest in figuring out the causes of corruption in the US political system, and how better to do that than running for office, and very likely winning? I am not a resident of the California's 12th District, but I am a huge fan of Lessig's, and if you're in the Bay Area, please start watching this. I know that Jackie Speier is already running for this spot and she has the endorsement of Mayor Gavin Newsom among others, but I think Lessig would be a terrific representative, and someone much different from a career politician. And as an added bonus, he would be the only guy there trying to do research at the same time.
If this is true, and if he decides to take the leap, this will be huge for all of us who care about free culture and exploding restrictions against creativity, and network neutrality.
That's why I think it's important that we show our support, in the days and weeks to come. You could send a message to Professor Lessig at his website, Lessig.org. I won't post his e-mail here because it is easily findable there, and if you are serious, you can find it. Just a note of encouragement is all that's needed.
I don't believe his plans or finalized and it's not like he is days away from filing papers. Then again, he might be. Run Larry, Run!
Do you think he should he run? There's a poll at the Source Link.
Mike (Shmoo)
