Yes, I know, that's not exactly something you expect to see posted on DKos -- at least, not posted in a non-ironic fashion -- but, as Kos has noted, the Republicans stepped up to the plate to oppose SOPA and PIPA much faster than the Democrats did. This looks like another example of that.
Congressman Issa has posted, apparently in full, a copy of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) on his website Keepthewebopen.com, and is asking for public comments.
Issa opposes ACTA, and you should too.
What is ACTA, you ask? Well, do you remember SOPA, PIPA, and the internet blackout day that actually derailed the MPAA and RIAA's attempts to have nearly unimpeded access to shut down any website they claimed contained infringing material without any judicial review whatsoever? ACTA is like that, only it's not a law, it's a treaty. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative claims that it doesn't require Congressional approval to pass (it's a treaty, so there might be some weight to that) but it will affect all US Citizens if it goes into effect. And not just US Citizens -- it will effect anyone who lives in any of the countries that sign on to it.
What's in it? Well, that's been harder to determine. They revise it a lot, and the process has been kept absolutely and completely secret. The public has never been invited to take part in the process, but the information we've received from concerned parties has not been encouraging. Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia signed the treaty then backed out of it when its citizens staged massive protests as a result.
Over here in the US? There hasn't been a lot of information, but now Congressman Issa has actually posted a copy of the agreement on a website where you can go see for yourself.
Whatever you think his motives are -- whether you agree he's genuinely concerned, or just trying to grandstand, or looking for material to use against the president -- the issue itself is no joke, and this is an excellent way to learn more about it by reading the actual document. Politics makes for strange bedfellows, Internet politics makes for the strangest, and everyone should take this opportunity to educate themselves on what this treaty is trying to do.