SOPA/PIPA Info

I agree with Cravaack and disagree with Franken and Klobuchar.

I guess there's a first time for everything.

Yeah, it was weird legislation that had both cross-party support and cross-party opposition. Given that prior to a few days ago it looked like SOPA and PIPA would sail trough Congress I have to wonder just a little bit on how many people who are now saying they have always opposed it always actually did. But, that is nearly pointless speculation at this point. 

For what it's worth, it looks like both Franken and Klobuchar have back stepped a bit. They both are saying changes need to be made, which isn't as good as withdrawing their co-sponsorship but at least is a step in the correct direction. Hope everyone actually contacted their congress-critter, sounds like the contact rate was in the millions.

No kidding.  This one threw me for a loop.  Why would Franken and Klobuchar support something that just benefits the entertainment industry and so clearly would negatively affect millions of websites, and the net-at-large?  I guess there is a generation gap or something going on.  Fairness and anti-piracy is one thing, but sweeping laws that mess up the whole Internet is a crazy reaction to what is inevitable regardless.

I just wanted to say thanks to PDD for blacking out and raising awareness.

Ironic, since Lamar Smith, the Texas Republican who put forth SOPA in congress (a bill which promotes even jail time for people caught violating copyright laws), violated copyright with his own website.  His copyright violation is now all over the web, as sweet just desserts.

Lamar Smith: SOPA Author, Copyright Violator

I just hope this serves as a good reminder to people to give credit where credit is due.

The Oatmeal was blacked out yesterday - he provided multiple examples of how his own work has been pirated and how it generates ad revenue for the offender - but he still doesn't support the bill as a whole.

First world. Problems.

Could the bill be better?  Yes.  Should copyright violators be punished?  Yes.  Should websites do a better job excluding copyrighted material?  Yes.

On aggregate, probably a necessary evil.

Speaking of the Oatmeal: 

The results of yesterday's animated GIF about SOPA

For a good time right click on the oatmeal animated gif of goat koala love and read the source page

Rep. Lamar Smith, author of the Stop Online Piracy Act, is postponing consideration of the bill.

Washington Post: "SOPA, PIPA votes to be delayed in House and Senate"