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Obama Picks FCC Chair
Source: Washington Post
Obama picks Julius Genachowski to head Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Mr. Genachowski was Chief Counsel to Chairman Reed Hundt of the Federal Communications Commission. He has served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter and, before that, to retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. Mr. Genachowski worked in Congress on the staff of the Select Committee investigating the Iran-Contra Affair and also for then-U.S. Representative, now Senator, Charles E. Schumer.
Fact check:
He is the father of three children and is married to Rachel Goslins, a documentary filmmaker.
His parents are immigrants who survived the Holocaust.
Would bring to the job: A broad background as a lawyer, policy wonk, manager and deal maker, with expertise that is equally broad, including technology, communications and environmentally friendly business.
Is linked to Mr. Obama by: Countless hours spent holed up together in the offices of the Harvard Law Review, from which they would briefly escape for games of pickup basketball. They remained close over the years, attending each others’ weddings. Early in the presidential campaign, Mr. Genachowski urged Mr. Obama to capitalize on the organizing power of the Internet. He was a prolific fund-raiser and chairman of the campaign’s group of technology-policy advisers, who produced a report advocating an open Internet, diversity in media ownership and a nationwide wireless system for emergency personnel.
Used to work as: A law clerk to Abner J. Mikva, then a federal judge (a post Mr. Genachowski won after Mr. Obama turned it down.
This is interesting: Mr. Genachowski is part of the founding group of New Resource Bank, a commercial San Francisco-based bank that opened in 2006, targeting the clean-tech, renewable energy, organic food and similar sectors, the country's first 'green' bank. He is on the Board of Directors of Common Sense Media, and has served on the Board of Advisors of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
In his own words: “We believe that ‘green’ has evolved from a small movement to a major market force, that many businesses are poised to help address our alternative energy and other sustainability issues, helping us become a global leader in building new industries that meet the growing demand for green and resource-efficient products.” (From 2007 testimony before the House Committee on Small Business) - Link
Sounds like this super smart guy did a lot of dreaming together with Obama. And so far the dreams have come true. Obama is assembling nothing but the finest to help him and us get to where we need to be.
This sounds like a good pick.
I have not been pleased with either Kevin Martin or Michael Powell, the two FCC chairs under Bush.
Both seemed mainly interested in helping big media companies get bigger.
My family felt the same way about Kevin and Michael as you do. The FCC pick was one of the post we were following closely.
Yes, but what are his views with regards to net neutrality and copyright and fair use?
That's what's important to me.
"For those who plan with audacity and execute with vigor,
progress is the magnificent by product."
During the campaign, Mr. Genachowski shaped many of Mr. Obama’s telecom policies. He advocated an open Internet in the debate over so-called “net neutrality,’’ and media-ownership rules that promote a diversity of voices on the airwaves. - Link
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Soon after the inauguration Obama will officially name a copyright czar -- one of the most important decisions he'll make, as far as the music business is concerned. That position -- officially known by the less glamorous-sounding title of intellectual property enforcement coordinator -- was created by the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act, signed in mid-October. The law is aimed at coordinating the anti-piracy efforts of such disparate agencies as the Department of Justice, the Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Trade Representative.
No reason, just wanted to see something entertaining in Justice for a change.
----And there's no sense crying over every mistake
You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake.