Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

Apparently there has been some backlash. As I stated in a post earlier today there is an attempt underway by some congresspeople to ban open source software style licenses (such as GNU and GPL as they state) for governmental R and D projects.

The lead jackass in charge of the attempt is Adam Smith, D-Wash. As I commented on in my earlier post either this man and ALL the congresspeople that have signed the proposal letter either dont know what they are talking about or they are bowing to pressure from commercial software makers.

Well as it turns out Mr. Smiths biggest backer is none other than Microsoft in his home state of WA. And he has actually DISCUSSED this proposal with them although his reps state that the discussion had nothing to do with his proposal.

Also, the other congressmen (at least some) are now VERY upset and trying to distance themselves from Smith. The others say they did not see the version of the letter that actually went out and what they signed had no mention of the issues Smith has with open source software.

Smiths blurb states among other things that open source software is "'problematic and threaten(s) to undermine innovation and security.'"

Its now a three ring clown circus and many of the 67 representatives who signed the original proposal letter are backing way off. A Smith spokesperson says they hope the other reps "did their homework" before they signed it.

Vote every one of them out. If they did not know, then they should not have signed it (unless it did dramatically change AFTER they signed it, that is not yet clear) and if they did know then they are stupid because the proposal makes no sense as my earlier post elaborates upon.

Check the linked InformationWeek story for more details.
Check the linked   Congressman Criticized For Attacking Free Software Movement: IW