While we wait for cold fusion, let's update the ECPA

Well, last week's Backspin on Rossi's E-Cat power generator was fun. Between that column and a blog posting I made on the topic over at Forbes, I've had more than 100 comments and an insane number of page views which all goes to show just what a hot topic alternative energy is.

While many of the comments appeared to be from remarkably credulous people many of whom may well wear tinfoil hats (the number of "the Man has suppressed the truth" messages was impressive), most of the feedback discussed the impact that such a technology might have.

What people are, I believe, responding to is the sheer excitement at something so powerfully transformative happening in their lifetimes. While that's great, it would be fantastic if we could get people as excited over other important topics.

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For these reasons, progressive groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) with support from Google and Facebook and, surprisingly, members from both sides of the house, are campaigning for the act to be revised.

You can, and should, sign the EFF petition because while upgrading the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 is nowhere near as exciting as cold fusion and the prospect of limitless energy, it still matters and until Rossi's device is proven to work, the flaws in the ECPA are far more real.

Gibbs has signed the EFF petition from Ventura, Calif. Your thoughts on the act to backspin@gibbs.com.

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