Thousands Of People Tweet To Rep. Mike Rogers That They're Not 14, Not In Their Basement, And They Still Oppose CISPA

from the speak-up dept

Tue, Apr 16th 2013 4:14pm — Mike Masnick

We just noted how Rep. Mike Rogers, the sponsor for the CISPA cybersecurity bill that wipes out a variety of privacy protections for companies handing private info to the government had told the House Rules Committee that the only real opposition was 14-year-olds in their basement. It seems that many opponents to CISPA think Rogers is ignorant. A campaign quickly went viral on Twitter in which people are tweeting at Rep. Rogers' account about how they're not 14, not in their basement, but still very much opposed to CISPA. In just an hour or so, there have been well over 1,500 tweets, and the number keeps growing rapidly. By the time this post is edited and live, it will almost certainly be well over 2,000 and growing.

Those are just two quick screenshots showing some of the top complaints. That's not me pulling out a few, those were just the most recent ones and new ones keep piling up.

Perhaps Congressman Mike Rogers might want to rethink his assessment of the opposition and recognize that maybe there are legitimate privacy concerns that he has chosen to not properly address in his bill.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: 14 years old, basement, cispa, cybersecurity, mike rogers, privacy, twitter

44 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

rw (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:27pm

The man's obviously bought and paid for and has no intention of letting his masters down.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
AB (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:22pm

Hehe, he can't claim ignorance anymore as an excuse for ignoring his constituents.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
AC Unknown, 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:25pm

I tweeted it, too.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Trails (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:32pm

Prediction!
The psychic parrot (aka me) predicts he will carry on Carreoning.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
ShellMG (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:35pm

What's worrisome is he's planning to run for the Senate seat soon to be vacated (thank God!) by Carl Levin. I've voted in every primary since 1986, and I'll be voting for Justin Amash if he runs. Oh, here's what Red State's Neil Stevens (conservative site) said regarding Justin's stand on CISPA:

"Fortunately, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), a rising conservative star in Congress, has offered an amendment (PDF) to CISPA to fix this problem. By adding 16 words, their amendment clarifies that CISPA�s liability exemption does not permit companies to break the contractual promises they�ve made to their customers. This simple, elegant fix does nothing more than align CISPA�s language with its sponsors� public statements � that information sharing must be truly voluntary � while still clearing the regulatory 'thicket' that may hinder beneficial information sharing today."

http://www.redstate.com/2013/04/16/cispa-shouldnt-infringe-on-freedom-of-contract/
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

out_of_the_blue, 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:51pm

Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
So I remain unconvinced. This ginned-up flap has all the typical signs of juvenile internet activity, not least in that will end up being totally futile.

And again, I'm NOT for CISPA or any other increase of the surveillance state, just marveling at the lack of wit among those who claim to know better. -- For instance, should be more anger directed at Google for its everyday operations that are the source of much data into the surveillance state, but instead it's been deflected to simps just claiming they're not 14. Sheesh.

Take a loopy tour of Techdirt.com! You always end up same place!
http://techdirt.com/
Where Mike fights CISPA without mentioning major data sources Google and Facebook.
12:49:10[n-402-1]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:55pm

Re: Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
Please cite your source.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:10pm

Re: Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
Don't worry Blue, you'll turn 14 eventually.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Nigel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:11pm

Re: Re: Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
He gets props for getting the author right but beyond that he is just a fact free fukwit.

N.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
KEVIN FEARS, 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:11pm

PALM GREASED RODGERS. PROVE ME WRONG.
THE ONLY PEOPLE INTERESTED IN PUSHING SUCH A BILL, ARE THE ONES WHO WILL "PERSONALLY PROFIT" FROM IT. AND KNOW THAT THEY PERSONALLY, WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM IT'S INFLUENCE. ANYONE ELSE WOULD KNOW BETTER.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:12pm

I should convince my daughter, who lives in the nicely finished basement of our house, and is 14, to write to Rogers telling him that she opposes CISPA.

That way he could at least have one shred of evidence that he's not 100% full of shit.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:13pm

Re: Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
I know many thirdy somethings and elderly people who love twitter so it's not really "that service for 14 year olds"
[ link to this | view in thread ]
That One Guy (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:14pm

Re:
Unfortunately what they say it will be used for, and what it actually will be used for is miles apart, so expect such an amendment to be shot down as soon as it's presented.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:26pm

Re:
Convince her the Congressional Way, pay her.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:37pm

Re:
Didn't watch the video, but did he specify a gender?

If not, then do it. It'll be great.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:39pm

Curious, but does anyone know a good way to tally how many he's actually gotten?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 5:45pm

Mr. Congressman
(I forget what your other title is). Now would be a very good time to acknowledge your situation, grovel, perhaps, and offer up a reason for why CISPA is required (keep in fact based please) and specific reasons on why you, a congressperson representing many as well as god and country, support this proposed law.

Step over and up, sir.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 6:46pm

Re: Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
Macy's is a favourite hang-out of middle-aged women so everyone there is a middle-aged woman.

Cars are usually driven by men so there's no such thing as a female driver.

Seriously, you make retarded puppies look intelligent.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 6:53pm

No, he's totally wrong,, some of them are 13, or 15, and some are between 15 and 35.. as for the rest sounds like he's just about spot on..
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 6:58pm

Re: PALM GREASED RODGERS. PROVE ME WRONG.
the only people who are against the bill are those who seek to personally profit from it not being there, so what is your point ??
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 7:28pm

Re: Re: PALM GREASED RODGERS. PROVE ME WRONG.
So how are your solar panels personally profiting from CISPA being there, darryl, or does Fair Use in Australia make your dick sad?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_tha_blue (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 7:55pm

I am a 14 year old in my basement, and I support CISPA.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 8:14pm

Re: Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
I have no issue with voluntarily giving my data to Google and Facebook, that was a conscious decision that I made before providing them with the data or using their services.

What I have an issue with is the Government forcing those companies to give them my data without any oversight, and without my consent.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
beanerml62 (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 8:49pm

CISPA
I live in Mike Rodgers district i am 52 years old Mom of 5 grandma of 2 and totally against this!! hey Mike yaking freedom away is not what we need more of!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Edik Magardomyan, 16 Apr 2013 @ 9:21pm

I just checked the tomorrow's schedule and there is no CISPA on the schedule. http://www.house.gov/legislative/date/2013-04-17
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 10:36pm

Glad to hear about this. Maybe if Rogers gets embarrassed enough, he might start to realize that he's supposed to be representing the public, not mocking and belittling them.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 12:13am

Re:
Which means it will clearly be passed then, and the debates after will be "refinements".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
gnudist, 17 Apr 2013 @ 12:59am

Re:
I'm gnudist And I don't approve your message
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 1:23am

'Perhaps Congressman Mike Rogers might want to rethink his assessment of the opposition and recognize that maybe there are legitimate privacy concerns that he has chosen to not properly address in his bill.'

or perhaps Congressman Mike Rogers should just lose his seat, his position, because he obviously isn't representing at all, or concerned about at all, the people he was elected to represent? whoever put him up to this needs exposing. i sure hope it can be found out and what Rogers received for doing as 'asked'!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 3:32am

Re:
No, these people are not his constituents. His constituents are praying for this kind of divine guidance and they would never get a devil-machine, let alone connect to sin-net. Rural Alabama for the win!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 3:37am

Re: Twitter, of course, is a favorite hang-out of 14-year-olds.
Don't insult people older than yourself. Except if they are politicians, lawyers, CEOs... Ah, whats the point, just keep insulting 14 year olds. It is a-ok.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gunntherd (profile), 17 Apr 2013 @ 3:45am

This guy is a piece of work, unfortunately he is my rep. but who really listens to the people anymore? We are trying hard to get rid of this guy, sorry!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
anonymouse, 17 Apr 2013 @ 4:15am

Cispa
If i was an American i would be more worried about the fact that my politicians can be bought and paid for and that they will pass a law for a specific industry if they a) pay enough and b) offer a very high paying job when politicians retire or resign.

Although CISPA is a huge problem, if something is not done about the problem with lawmakers being bought and paid for then no matter how much people protest or threaten their position of power they will, as politicians, find some way to give their paymasters what they want.Even if it means passing something in the middle of the night attached to some law while nobody is watching or really cares for.

Until the underlying problem is resolved the public will protest and protest and protest until they eventually give up.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 4:56am

What an idiot, he can't even get the stereotype right. And he wants people to think he knows diddly squat about internet security matters. What a joke.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
TaCktiX, 17 Apr 2013 @ 6:50am

Re: Re:
I lived in Montgomery, AL for a few months and that's a touch stereotypical. Some people are like that yes, but not the majority.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 7:20am

Mike Rogers clearly doesn't know what he's doing and is pushing a bill his masters wish him to support. Tweeting at him isn't going to do a god damn thing much like liking a facebook post isn't going to save a kid from cancer. If you want to do something, contact his office.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
harbingerofdoom (profile), 17 Apr 2013 @ 7:26am

Re: Re:
Rual Alabama for the win!

and this has what to do with Michigans 8th district?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 7:50am

Re: Cispa
anonymouse:

I couldn't agree more. This is what I've been saying for a long time now. This is one of the few places where bribery is legal, and is called lobbying!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 7:52am

Re:
apples and oranges.
Facebooking a kid can't save him but large numbers of people speaking out has a chance of altering a politicians mind.

We all know it's not likely but this guy depends on popularity for his career, if he actually gets a sense of how hated he is, maybe he'll play nicely for a while.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
gorehound (profile), 17 Apr 2013 @ 7:54am

He is an Asshole and a Hypocrite ! Supposed to stand for small Government and Personal Liberty.
He stands for the money he gets from his Corruption.
Fuck You Greasy Palm Loser Politician
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Zeref, 17 Apr 2013 @ 10:29am

WHAT A JOKE
WAHAHAAHAHHAHAA BILL MY ASS.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 12:34pm

Well done

From the people, to the people
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 12:37pm

Re:
Wheres the +1 ...dammit
:D
Jst kidding, techdirt comment system has..........character

Good for you folks, regardless the outcome........good for you
[ link to this | view in thread ]
random unicorn, 27 Apr 2013 @ 3:55am

look ispa can kiss my ass i can use proxies and everything else to block you from knowing if i happen to download a movie internet and as far as how google knows me well google just thinks im a pervert cause i only login to google porn government if you wanna see a woman fucked by a horse google will show you. otherwise imma have to block you behind 7 proxies. being hidden through using public wifi and not allowing cookies in the first place so you get no info on me whatsoever that lets you id or find me. i also spoof my mac and change hostnames when i pirate so i already dodge cispa anyway but making google tell you my emails is bullshit that we the people wont let you do
[ link to this | view in thread ]