USTR Michael Froman Refuses To Show Up For Senate Hearing On TTP Fast Track

[KoKo]

USTR Refuses To Show Up For Senate Hearing On Fast Track

from the how's-that-for-working-closely-with-congress dept

One of the biggest concerns that we've heard from Congress about the USTR's desire for fast track authority is the fact that the USTR has been positively dismissive of Congressional attempts at transparency. While the USTR pretends that getting fast track actually means great cooperation with Congress, apparently USTR boss Michael Froman decided to bend over and tell Congress to kiss his ass by not even bothering to show up for the Senate's hearing on fast track authority.

Several committee members said they were puzzled and disappointed that USTR Michael Froman passed on an opportunity to convince some skeptical lawmakers they need to establish Fast Track authority for President Barack Obama’s priority Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

“I wish they were here,” said Portman, a member of the committee and a former US trade representative under President George W. Bush. “It’s important.”

This shows the kind of disdain that the USTR appears to hold Congress in. Congress remains a mere nuisance in the USTR's ongoing efforts to put forth the best agreement possible for a bunch of crony friends who will soon be offering USTR staffers new jobs as lobbyists. (* See article Below)

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140116/23071625916/ustr-refuses-to-show-up-senate-hearing-fast-track.shtml
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*The USTR's Revolving Door With Copyright And Patent Maximalists Removes All Credibility

from the it's-all-about-jobs...-their-own dept

Tim Lee, over at the Washington Post's The Switch, has an excellent, detailed look at why the USTR seems to think that patent and copyright maximalism is in the best interests of America. There are two key reasons, which I'll paraphrase as (1) the employees at USTR have strong connections to copyright and patent maximalists, and there's a constant revolving door between USTR and IP maximalists, and (2) they're basically ignorant of how the digital world works today.

The ignorance issue is disturbing, but somewhat understandable. As we pointed out just recently, the USTR relies heavily on Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs), which are deeply involved in these things. Members get access to the documents -- much more access than even Congress, and certainly a lot more access than the public which gets none at all. The IP ITAC is almost entirely made up of legacy industry players who come from a different era, and who know little about today's innovation. In fact, they tend to fight against innovation. As Lee notes, the USTR used to work mostly with exporters -- companies who ship stuff to foreign countries, and their general outlook on everything is from that perspective. But that makes no sense when you're talking about information. Rather than crafting export policies, they're creating information infrastructure policy, when the very flow of information is critical to innovation. And they simply don't get that. At all.

MORE AT:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20131127/02452925386/ustrs-revolving-door-with-copyright-patent-maximalists-removes-all-credibility.shtml

[think]

1. From the Tech Dirt piece it looks like the USTR has a revolving door that is well greased

especially by the pharmaceutical industry...

[Scuba]

2. Perhaps the "illusion of freedom" is no longer necessary.

[Hotler]

3. Ding, ding, ding,ding We have a winner. n/t

[KoKo]

13. !1000..Definitely...Ding, Ding...WE HAVE A WINNER!

[stillwaiting]

4. This shows the kind of disdain that the USTR appears to hold the American people in.

More importantly.

I disdain Congress too (as most Americans do), but the USTR should allow the American people the chance to see what's in this vast, encompassing "trade" treaty. It seems to be dealing with much, much more than trade.

Cards on the table please USTR. We should get the chance to see them and debate them before the hand is over and winners/losers are declared.

[cali]

10. It shows the disdain Obama has for the american people.

these are his creatures, doing what he wants.

[rhett o rick]

5. For other infor re the TPP and the Free Market see the Progressive MR Group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/126999#post44

[KoKo]

6. Kick for those who missed it first time around...

[Octafish]

7. Secret government means secret benefits.

Also means We the People get the shaft.

[jsr]

8. Recommend

[cali]

9. President Obama handpicked this fuckwad. He handpicked a Monsanto creature

for chief ag representative as well.

what does that say?

[Demo_Chris]

12. Nothing we did not already know about the TPP or Obama. nt

[KoKo]

14. It gets worse...and we wish he would 'WAKE UP' and Realize WHY he was

Elected and Re-Elected...and it wasn't his Ultra Donors...it was the F-ing REST OF US...who got and GAVE HIM THE VOTE!

YET...he continues to Pander/Reward the BIG DONORS over THE VOTERS WHO ELECTED HIM...for the "Hope & Change" (which turns out to be just a CLEVER Campaign Slogan to Sucker)

People don't forget that kind of stuff......Maybe not today...tomorrow...or years...but, they DO NOT FORGET. and TRUTH WILL OUT!

[Demo_Chris]

11. Can Congress Subpeona these guys?