] Joe Lieberman today is proposing a comprehensive new
] strategy to reignite our innovation economy and spur a
] new generation of prosperity. This strategy has an
] overarching goal of increasing U.S. productivity to a
] sustainable rate of 3 percent each year, roughly 50%
] greater than our ten year average - which would enable
] family incomes to double ever generation...

Leiberman comes out swinging with an aggressive pro-technology, pro-innovation strategy. 2004, round one, FIGHT!

] Ensure that the Internet continues to provide an open
] platform for innovation: The Internet is different from
] the phone network and radio and broadcast television in
] important ways. It is easier for individuals and small
] organizations to be producers as well as consumers of
] information. The Internet allows for “many to many”
] communication as opposed to the “one to many”
] communication of broadcast television. Innovation can
] occur at the edge of the network. A student, an
] independent software developer, or a small high-tech
] company can come up with an idea for a new application,
] protocol, or kind of content. If enough people find it
] useful or worthwhile, this idea can spread like wildfire.
] Even as the Internet evolves, it important to ensure that
] it continues to provide an open platform for rapid and
] decentralized innovation, and for the exchange of ideas.

Will IP issues get some focus in the political retoric of the somewhat near future? We could use some IP clue in The Senate.. If issues of technology and innovation find they way into poltical retoric, I could picture serious discussion about IP issues following.

I still have a lot of lingering anger over Eldred. And then there are things like the recent SCO fiasco.. And the lumbering media giants who want to own all the infrastructure and content sources.. In general, I fear for the public domain. We have hit this point with our computer technology where we are building technology off other technology, off other technology, etc.. In order to work together, its necessary to place what I call "infrastructure level" technology (OSs, librarys, critical apps, etc) into the public domain. OSS. Its not a hippy-happy-love thing, its pratical. It create an environment ripe for innovation with a very low barrier of entry. It create opportunities for innovation to happen in everywhere from academia, to the corporate world, to the hacker in the garage. Its what we need if we are to live up to the promise of the information age.. I do, honestly, and seriously, fear that the powers that gain their wealth through control, and not innovation, are going to get the upper hand.. And this truly wonderful thing we have happening could be stopped dead in its tracks.. Keep in mind, this is still the beginning.. The Internet "happened" in 1995. It can't be allowed to be killed in its youth. Same think with OSS. That "happned" about the same time. This is all young stuff.

I eagerly hope for more focus on these issues. I guess, this is a good start. "Many to many".. Time to start connecting the dots.