STOP SOPA NOW!

[TheBlackPaladin]

There's been a rather significant development that I felt people should be aware of. In response to the growing threat that SOPA may in fact pass, big-name websites have come together into a coalition that is proposing an "internet blackout"--which is to say, an event in which all of them would completely shut down for a time out of protest to SOPA. The idea behind it is that would cause a huge uproar and not only get more people to take notice of the bill, but also that it would give lawmakers a preview of how devastated the internet would be if SOPA passed. The list, by the way, is nothing to laugh at--the sites include AOL, Wikipedia, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Linkedin, Paypal...many big-name sites.

I, for one, am all for this blackout. There's no way this wouldn't get people's attention. I don't think, as "common people," we have any influence over whether or not this blackout occurs, we simply have to wait and see if they'll go through with it. I, for one, hope they do. You can read the article here.

[Gonstead]

There's been a rather significant development that I felt people should be aware of. In response to the growing threat that SOPA may in fact pass, big-name websites have come together into a coalition that is proposing an "internet blackout"--which is to say, an event in which all of them would completely shut down for a time out of protest to SOPA. The idea behind it is that would cause a huge uproar and not only get more people to take notice of the bill, but also that it would give lawmakers a preview of how devastated the internet would be if SOPA passed. The list, by the way, is nothing to laugh at--the sites include AOL, Wikipedia, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Linkedin, Paypal...many big-name sites.

I, for one, am all for this blackout. There's no way this wouldn't get people's attention. I don't think, as "common people," we have any influence over whether or not this blackout occurs, we simply have to wait and see if they'll go through with it. I, for one, hope they do. You can read the article here.

A reply from a friend of mine on another forum.

...That doesn't make sense...a bill that will be more ineffectual than effective would have no effect, not lots...

Also, LOVE how professional that page is with meme images one it. Even CNN it all its spin actually did something better.

[Gyt Kaliba]

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/201201 ... tion.shtml

Maybe things are looking up yet.

[Gonstead]

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/201201 ... tion.shtml

Maybe things are looking up yet.

Response from another forum friend of mine

Obama's word is as good as mine. He said he'd veto the privacy bill, but it never happened.

He also decided the Keystone Pipeline and the tens of thousands of jobs it'd create are worth less than his...in other words, he's just another politician looking for your vote.

That's basically the entire response I've got...Obama's words are worthless at this point. He'll say, like any politician, anything and everything...with examples on the Keystone Pipeline and the Defence Bill. Which actually provides a good question: Why aren't people upset at the Defence Bill...which is much worse. (IMO)

Heck, George Takei went out of his way to fight that one...

[Bussani]

Obama's word is as good as mine. He said he'd veto the privacy bill, but it never happened.

He said he'd veto anything that tried to undermine net neutrality, which is actually a separate issue (even though it shouldn't be). Besides, SOPA hasn't been voted on, so there's nothing to veto yet, right?

Anyway, even if it's true that the words of the white house don't always match its actions, it's still good that this was said. It's good to have the issues raised by something that isn't another tech group, and honestly, the comments are stronger than anyone could have expected. Let's just hope it has some effect.

[Fox666]

I think Obama has proven he is not reliable since his campaign began, making promises that should be almost impossible to fulfill, especially during a financial crisis. But then he is just another politician.

I am still looking for a global shutdown of Google and the others. That would at least bring public attention of the ideas copyright holders have in mind.

[Buda64]

This will never pass..

[Gonstead]

Obama's word is as good as mine. He said he'd veto the privacy bill, but it never happened.

He said he'd veto anything that tried to undermine net neutrality, which is actually a separate issue (even though it shouldn't be). Besides, SOPA hasn't been voted on, so there's nothing to veto yet, right?

Anyway, even if it's true that the words of the white house don't always match its actions, it's still good that this was said. It's good to have the issues raised by something that isn't another tech group, and honestly, the comments are stronger than anyone could have expected. Let's just hope it has some effect.

Reply

I still don't see how that changes anything...Obama's direct statement was that he was threatening to veto the Defense Bill and failed to do it. Because he threatens to veto over net neutrality won't change the fact that he WILL say anything as long as it gets him elected. It's actually to bad...I was hoping more from Obama from a non-American point of view. His biggest contributions seems to have been to become a black stereotypical politician instead of a white one (well, that, and bullying his way to getting his medicare bill passed)...I really thought he could have become a real beacon of change.

It's cool for him to say anything on the issue at all. If he could get the full version of the law out (as I think many opinions on both sides of the debate have been determined by incomplete information provided online as oppose to reading the text of the bill), I'd be happy with his contribution. I'm just saying that him saying he'll veto it isn't a win for opponents of the bill...nor would saying he wouldn't veto it be a win for supporters.

[Fox666]

he WILL say anything as long as it gets him elected.

Agree, that's how he is.

[cloud1414]

Looks like the White House is even against Sopa.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/1 ... technology

[Saimaroimaru]

he WILL say anything as long as it gets him elected.

Agree, that's how he is.

That is how most politicians are. Welcome to American Politics.

[Pokewhiz7]

Just saw a commercial on TV advertising that Wikipedia will be shutting down tomorrow.

[Piccolo Daimao]

he WILL say anything as long as it gets him elected.

Agree, that's how he is.

That is how most politicians are. Welcome to American Politics.

Not just American politicians, but, like you said, most politicians in general. It's the nature of their job.

[Hellspawn28]

It's good to see that this site is not on strike since the other forums that I go on like AVPGalaxy are strike. I feel like at this point, I don't see SOPA passing.

[MCDaveG]

he WILL say anything as long as it gets him elected.

Agree, that's how he is.

That is how most politicians are. Welcome to American Politics.

I think that this shine of politic's awesomeness happens all around the planet....
It's always: ''We get you out of this shit!!!'' and after election you are standing deeper than ever in it.

[Bussani]

It's good to see that this site is not on strike since the other forums that I go on like AVPGalaxy are strike.

If you can't live without them for one day, that just shows how important it is to make sure everyone knows about the bills. That's what this is all about, since the media aren't putting out anything on the acts and there are still people who don't know about them.

[Hellspawn28]

Funny how the MPAA says that the Wikipedia and Google are laying about SOPA

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.p ... 33&count=0

I think people are still going to download things legally no matter what since they can always find these sites by typing in the IP address in the URL bar. Not to mention movies, music and games still make a tons of money even with people downloading them (Look at Harry Potter 7, Transformers 3 and Avatar for example).

[Craddle]

Just saw a commercial on TV advertising that Wikipedia will be shutting down tomorrow.

It's not actually shut down and can still be used just fine. All you have to do is stop the page right before it finishes loading.

[Pokewhiz7]

Just saw a commercial on TV advertising that Wikipedia will be shutting down tomorrow.

It's not actually shut down and can still be used just fine. All you have to do is stop the page right before it finishes loading.

Yes, but that's not the point, really. As long as the information about how bad this bill is gets out is all that matters.
And I find it easier to just go on a Google-cached copy.

[Craddle]

Just saw a commercial on TV advertising that Wikipedia will be shutting down tomorrow.

It's not actually shut down and can still be used just fine. All you have to do is stop the page right before it finishes loading.

Yes, but that's not the point, really.

I never said it was the point.