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Congressman Lessig?

By Georgia Harper

Lending credibility to the idea that Lessig may run for Congress in a special election to replace the late Congressman Lantos on April 8 (less than 2 months from now), he reportedly is "away with my family this weekend to think things through," according to an ArsTechnica story: Netroots seek to send legal scholar Lessig to Congress. Wow. Imagine Larry Lessig on the floor of the House of Representatives. I find that image stunning. Not that I imagine he'd be a lifer. He has other mountains to climb, no doubt. But if he wants to learn all he can about corruption, what better place to go? (I feel compelled to point out that this is meant as a joke, but on the other hand, is it really a joke? Is this something to keep politely pretending doesn't exist, like a naked emperor parading down the street in his new clothes?) Seriously, as we all must know, Lessig's intention *is* to study corruption in Congress, specifically, the system that he has identified as at the heart of Congress' failure to respond in the public's interest to many legal issues -- lobbying, as he has indicated on many occasions. To bring it home, there's the inevitable Disney demand for another 20 years of copyright protection just over the horizon (2017) and we have to come to grips with the fact that arguments aside, if those who oppose such an extension don't find deep pockets of support (pun intended), we might as well not waste our time. So it's Monday. I'm feeling particularly cynical. Sorry. I wonder if Lessig's decision on running will reflect his cynicism, or lack thereof. Where can he do more about corruption? From within the system, or outside it? Clearly he can *learn* more about it from inside, but can he do anything about it from inside?

Full post as published by ©ollectanea on February 18, 2008 (boomark / email).