Wednesday Web Blackout

[Robb]

i like googles way, header updated

Sweet... and you linked it!

[Chase]

that wikipedia article is dumb and so are the editors in it.

this DIRECTLY affects wikipedia. all the hours those editors put into articles could be for naught if this bill passes and the govmnt decide to blacklist wiki.

wiki being blacked out for a day makes a HUGE statement and raises awareness considerably.

[Robb]

I liked how Craigslist did theirs. When you go there you get a blackout splash page but you can click a link to get into the site. Wikipedia could've done that I guess. But I think they are trying to drive home the point of if you can't live without us for a day, imagine not having us at all.

[longnecker]

I liked how Craigslist did theirs. When you go there you get a blackout splash page but you can click a link to get into the site. Wikipedia could've done that I guess. But I think they are trying to drive home the point of if you can't live without us for a day, imagine not having us at all.

If that went through wouldn't we have to stop posting most news articles?

[cowboygilbert]

The US Supreme Court in the CitizensUnited case gave Corporations 'personhood' and money is free speech rights. Now Congress is about to consider passing real censorship of free speech .

Democracy Happens on the Internet -- Stop Censorship
democracyforamerica.comCongress is considering legislation that would censor the web and effectively end the internet as we know it. Join DFA, Google, Reddit, Mozilla and dozens of other organizations and businesses today and tell Congress to reject SOPA and PIPA.

[Roogle]

I've tried to read the wiki at least 12 times already today. Everything from SOPA to Montgomery Burn's first name. Even schools use wiki in their daily lessons. That will bring the awareness everywhere.

But the juggernaut is Google's splash page. Millions of hits per second. Now that's a lot of power for one Corp to wield.

[Panama Girl]

But the juggernaut is Google's splash page.

Yes. Yes, it is!

[Robb]

Irony: MPAA and a former senator talk about "abuse of power" in SOPA protest.




MPAA blasts 'dangerous' anti-SOPA blackouts as 'stunts' | Geek Gestalt - CNET News


Dodd also said that the blackouts are "an abuse of power given the freedoms these companies enjoy in the marketplace today. It's a dangerous and troubling development when the platforms that serve as gateways to information intentionally skew the facts to incite their users in order to further their corporate interests."

[Chase]

i love it, they should extend the blackout IMO

[Robb]

Wikipedia updated their homepage to a language page and you only see the blackout now when you go to English. Guess the backlash was too much.

[cowboygilbert]

@Robb,

Irony: MPAA and a former senator talk about "abuse of power" in SOPA protest.

Many Congressmen have come out supporting the "anti-SOPA blackouts as freedom of speech too.
Earl Blumenauer


I oppose SOPA/PIPA. My website is 'blacked out' today in support of Internet freedom.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer
www.earlblumenauer.com

Tim Walz


Innovation and entrepreneurship are critical to the strength of our economy. That is why I have opposed, and continue to oppose SOPA. This bill goes too far in limiting free speech and innovation and could harm our economic recovery. Internet communication has become an important part of our democracy and I will continue to protect this right.


Rush Holt
The so-called Stop Online Piracy Act (H. R. 3261), SOPA, would make the internet less secure, less competitive, and -- worst of all -- less free. It will not have my vote.

Pete Stark


I oppose the House's Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Senate's companion bill, the Protect IP Act (PIPA). The legislation is far reaching and ill defined, making it ripe for abuse. SOPA and PIPA would permit censorship of the internet, a terrible path to go down.


Daily Kos


Another major website participating in the blackout today against SOPA and PIPA is Reddit, whose community has been instrumental is whipping up opposition to these bills online.

The fruits of their labor are starting to show. Two hours ago, Sen. Marco Rubio withdrew his sponsorship for PIPA. This brings the total number of senators publicly opposing the bill to sixteen. One week ago, there were only five.

Keep sending emails to your senators, telling them to oppose PIPA. The dam is breaking.

Daily Kos: Reddit joins blackout in protest of SOPA/PIPA
www.dailykos.com

Hooray!

[Panama Girl]

Irony: MPAA and a former senator talk about "abuse of power" in SOPA protest.




MPAA blasts 'dangerous' anti-SOPA blackouts as 'stunts' | Geek Gestalt - CNET News


Dodd also said that the blackouts are "an abuse of power given the freedoms these companies enjoy in the marketplace today. It's a dangerous and troubling development when the platforms that serve as gateways to information intentionally skew the facts to incite their users in order to further their corporate interests."

The MPAA is full of shit. They freak out and slap on an R or NC-17 rating at a flash of side-boob or half an areola (not even a nipple!), but it's perfectly fine for kids to see people graphically ripped apart by Chtulhu because "it's fictional!"

Assholes.

[hockey]

Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) has pulled his sponsorship of the Protect IP Act, or PIPA.

His statement....
"American innovation is a cornerstone to our nation's economic growth, and job creators have lost $135 billion in revenue annually as a result of rogue internet sites.

While I believed the bill still needed much work, I cosponsored the Senate version of the Protect IP Act because I support the original intent of this bill - to protect against the piracy of lawful content.

Upon passage of this bill through committee, Senate Judiciary Republicans strongly stated that there were substantive issues in this legislation that had to be addressed before it moved forward. I agree with that sentiment. But unfortunately, Senate Leader Harry Reid is pushing forward with legislation that is deeply flawed and still needs much work.

That is why I'm withdrawing my co-sponsorship for the Protect IP Act.

The right to free speech is one of the most basic foundations that makes our nation great, and I strongly oppose sanctioning Americans' right to free speech in any medium - including over the internet.

"I continue to believe that we can come to a solution that will cut off the revenue sources for foreign websites dedicated to counterfeiting and piracy that steal American jobs, hurt the economy, and harm consumers. But the Protect IP Act is flawed as it stands today, and I cannot support it moving forward."

In the last 24 hours the following have changed their stance on this.....
Senator Scott Brown
Senator Marco Rubio
Senator Jeff Merkley
Senator Ben Cardin, a cosponsor of PIPA, said earlier this week that he won't vote for it.
Senator Tim Holden, another cosponsor, withdraws his support
Senator John Cornyn

....and still counting!!


EDIT: link to cool BBC slideshow
BBC News - In pictures: Sopa and Pipa protests see the web go dark

[hockey]

AWESOME.....

Cult online comic The Oatmeal said this attempt to stop piracy was "like dealing with a lion that has escaped from the zoo by blasting some kittens with a flamethrower".

[hockey]

For those who don't understand how much this will affect you and especially you folks who own +/or moderate sites, read on......

One of my best friends moved to China last June. I've talked to him twice since he's been there. He just wished me a happy birthday on Facebook (via VPN) a few weeks ago (my birthday is in August). It upsets me when I see he got online and I wasn't around to talk to him. China censors the internet and bans Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, Youtube and most other Western sites. It's like being a child, only allowed to watch G movies and Y7 shows.

Check out this graphic... and keep an eye on this bill.....

[Robb]

The Day The LOLcats Died - #SOPA #PIPA Protest Song - YouTube

[Roogle]

Lamar Smith infringed on copyright as well...

So have these PIPA supporters....

[hockey]

Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) | Petition Congress: Protect the Internet for Innovators!

Welp, sometimes this shit does indeed work!!!

[cowboygilbert]

People against SOPA / PIPA need to be doing it for the right reasons (perhaps it is overreaching or needs some changes), not because it will deny you access to download illegally distributed intellectual property.

Here is one opinion that supports it. I do know I like Sopapillas :-)

Picturing Change · Why Photographers Should Embrace SOPA/PIPA
blog.dojoklo.comthe blog of humanitarian, travel, and culture photographer & author Doug Klostermann

[Robb]

Seems Feds bust a huge website to make a statement

Feds Shutter Megaupload, Arrest Executives | Threat Level | Wired.com