01/19/2012
This is a big deal sports fans! These bills could actually block me from sharing the interesting stories and video clips you find on my pages with you. But, it goes so much deeper than you think. If you have the time, PLEASE read this article. Then, seriously think about how it effects you, your family and friends. I bet if you put a few seconds of thought behind it, a lot of the daily internet services and conveniences we take for granted could be seriously handicapped or go away all together. If you haven't been a model constituent over the past few years, now is the time to put your "typewriter" hat on and write a quick note to your local U.S. Congressperson or Senator.
Don't be fooled by those who say that this bill helps the economy and will help replace lost jobs and revenue in the music, film and software market. Although piracy is an issue that needs to be dealt with head on, it should not be done at the cost of your personal freedoms. This is a bill that makes the rich more wealthy, stifles competition and greatly reduces your access and freedom to information (can anyone say China?) The internet is the greatest innovation of our lifetime [thanks Al Gore ;) ] and we should not allow it to be controlled or manipulated by the the few. This is important folks. Start talking with everyone who will listen. Taking your freedoms and money (oh, by the way we get to pay for the monitoring and enforcement with our taxes if the bill passes) is not how we make America stronger.
All this being said, please do your part to not pirate music, software and other media that supports others lively-hoods. I'm sure most of us have done one of these unscrupulous things (illegal downloads) at one time or another. Now is the time to stand for all those things that are right. If you really want to hear a new album, see a new movie or play around with that newest software program, save your money and pay for it. Stealing intellectual property because your broke, unemployed or just don't care (or think it is wrong) is the unjust thing to do. Two wrongs don't make a right. Be American. Support American. Buy American. Thanks for being an American!!!
I am now putting away the soapbox. Peace, Namaste....blah, blah, blah.
Sorting through all the SOPA/PIPA related news today is bound to get overwhelming. Sites like Wikipedia, Reddit, those in the Cheezburger network, Boing Boing, Mozilla and more are dark to protest the proposed anti-piracy laws. We've roped in a few industry experts and veterans to help sort out what...