Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 09:54:29 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <200205171354.JAA12521@mattababy.mit.edu>
From: belmonte@mit.edu (Matthew Belmonte)
To: john_kerry@kerry.senate.gov
Subject: oppose S.2137 in Commerce Committee

Dear Senator Kerry

As your constituent I write to convey my concerns regarding S.2137, the
`Family Privacy and Security Act of 2002.'  This bill has been referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which you are a member.

S.2137 would require all commercial web sites whose principal business involves
making available material that is `harmful to minors' to register within a new
top-level Internet domain.  The bill thus would require content providers,
ISP's, and ultimately the courts to decide what sorts of material are `harmful
to minors.'  This standard is subjective, and undoubtedly will differ from one
locality to another within the United States.  Furthermore, S.2137 would have
no force against materials provided from web sites outside the United States,
and thus would be little practical effect in blocking harmful content.

Protection of children from materials that may be considered harmful to them
should be implemented within local communities that may receive such
materials.  It should not be implemented via subjective restrictions on those
who publish such materials.

Again, I hope that you will act in committee to oppose the core provisions of
S.2137.

Sincerely,
Matthew Belmonte