'Tis The Season (For Scaled-Down Holiday Parties?)
One of the chief lobbyists behind the push by major technology and media companies to overhaul the U.S. patent system in the 110th Congress wins Tech Daily Dose's award for the earliest holiday party invitation received. The e-mail summons from Steve Elmendorf arrived Friday afternoon. Through his work with the Coalition for Patent Fairness, the former adviser to former House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., represented firms like Cisco Systems, Google, Microsoft, and Time Warner. The patent bill in question, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, gained traction but didn't cross the finish line this session. Fans and foes of the measure are already gearing up for a fight next year (but first, let's have some eggnog and sing "Jingle Bells").
Receiving Elemdorf's invitation amid our seemingly ever-worsening economic climate made me wonder if this winter's congressional staffer-lobbyist-media soirees will live up to previous years' glitz and glamour. My guess is they won't, given the fact that everyone is more than a little strapped for cash. Open bars may become cash bars. Shrimp cocktail and pâté may become Ritz crackers and Cheez Whiz. Gosh, I pray that I'm exaggerating. In any case, one can only hope that the hottest party of the season -- the annual bash co-hosted by the Recording Industry Association of America, Motion Picture Association of America and others -- is on track. Last year, the celebration featured a performance by hip-hop star Wyclef Jean. This year, who knows? Pat Boone? Vanilla Ice?
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