Dear Representative Van Hollen, Senator Cardin, and Senator Mikulski:
The "Stop Online Piracy Act" (H.R. 3261) and the "Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011" (S.968) are intended to solve a worthy problem, yet the methods recommended by these bills I find to be completely offensive.
I greatly value the protection of intellectual property, yet I place the values of freedom and free speech even higher. We must not enact a bill with power to dismantle these very freedoms.
Please find another way. Punish the offender, not the messenger. I have confidence that you will find an acceptable alternative.
Please understand very clearly that your vote for these bills in their current forms will be countered with a vote against you in your next election.
Sincerely,
Drew Engelson, Cabin John, MD
