Acknowledging Blackout, Politicians Ditch SOPA

[CM156_v1legacy]

I'm a bit disappointed that Google hasn't completely shut down its service, worldwide, in protest to SOPA and PIPA. That would have sent an even clearer message to the masses on top of everything else.

There needs to be room for escalation if the Bill moves further towards completion. Today was more of a warning shot from the Internet. A much more stringent blackout could conceivably happen if SOPA/PIPA don't die in the next round.

I'm remind what my father told me about warning shots in self defense. "Caleb, you don't fire warning shots. You shoot until your magazine is empty, or the bad guy hits the ground".

I just found that funny when I thought about it. No real reason.

Man though, the MPAA must be PISSED

 

[emeraldrafael]

I dont know why, but I read that and right whne I got here:

...

Continuing, the report points to a recent Facebook update authored by Michigan Republican representative Justin Amash, in which [link snip]Amash diplomatically throws his support behind today's blackout...

I thought that said the AMISH throw support behind it, and I was thinking if that honestly mattered. um, not that the Amish dont matter just they'd be really unlikely candidate to care either way.

Anyway, more OT, i dont know, any time I see something this like, I keep getting the feeling that we'll see SOPA once the president changes. Im hoping thats not true, but its just a weird feeling Im getting.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

That was my reaction.

But it's not over yet, people! Let's fight hard to ensure this doesn't go through!

I see your six seconds and raise you ten hours.

 

[Otaku World Order]

Congress, today you learned that hell hath no fury like the internet scorned. Now would be a good time to smother SOPA and PIPA with a pillow and put them out of their misery.

Also, I'd be on board for that Firefly campaign.

 

[Tomwa]

Roy blunt is one of my senators (Whom I've emailed before and received a very stubbornly worded reply about how amazing the bill is) and from what I know who is the ONLY representative of mine who ever supported either of the blacklist bills. Whether he's opened his eyes or not next time the polls open for him I'm replacing him (and urging all others to do the same). I have no need for a representative who does not listen to their constituents.

Edit: What the fluff is firefly?

 

[sunburst]

I'm a bit disappointed that Google hasn't completely shut down its service, worldwide, in protest to SOPA and PIPA. That would have sent an even clearer message to the masses on top of everything else.

There needs to be room for escalation if the Bill moves further towards completion. Today was more of a warning shot from the Internet. A much more stringent blackout could conceivably happen if SOPA/PIPA don't die in the next round.

I imagine it's also not in Google's best interest to show off exactly how much control they have over the flow of information on the internet. Everyone already knows on an academic level but they're better off not giving a demonstration.

 

[GeorgW]

Is this gonna be like yesterday, and tomorrow they'll see the blackout is done and give their support to SOPA again?
Still, huge win for activism! I've signed so many petitions today, and I'm not even a US citizen. Good to see it hasn't been for nothing!

Now that that's settled, who's up for a petition to get Firefly back on the air?

Now that's a petition I'd sign in a heart beat. Can we make one to send to Fox? I think we could actually make a difference, people may be on a petition high right now. Do it!!

Oh, I almost forgot my vuvuzela.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!

 

[PunkRex]

Thank gawd my porn-daaaAAAH I mean ideas are safe.

 

[razor343]

Objective: Damage SOPA Complete!

Current Objective: Eradicate SOPA

Bonus Objective: Eradicate PIPA

Next Objective: USE INTERNET TO BRING ABOUT WORLD PEACE!

 

[DJDarque]

It's nice to see some co-sponsors pull their support. It's even nicer that the blackout actually earned a response. Ben Quayle might not be from my district, buts nice to see someone from AZ come to their senses.

 

[Robert Ewing]

Mother of god... Gotham is not beyond saving... I mean, the internet is not beyond saving...

 

[IKWerewolf]

Its not over yet, until A VIABLE SOLUTION that means that any sort of legislation is obsolete.

So far all the actions have been effectively an artillery barrage (a powerful one at that) that has hit hard and shown the Politicians how dangerous trying to limit the internet can be.

Google, Twitter and Facebook doing a total blackout is effectively the NUCLEAR OPTION. If it is necessary for the big three to go dark then its clear the situation has reached a critical point.

Think about it... Facebook, Twitter and Google go down, Reddit and Wikipedia join the blackout. Worse still these five networks can spread the plan dangerously fast... the rumoured figure of 1500 Blackout and protests site today could easy triple.

Now this may seem irrelevant as Politicians seem to ignore the internet but what they can't ignore is mobilisation of the masses.

Here in the UK, the Cleanup Crew after the London riots multiplied quickly when Twitter and Facebook were used for something positive. Imagine what happens when the Blackout occurs on a site built for spreading news, pulling like minded people together and arranging and protests... the next day everyone will know about it and how to tell people they hate Politicians.

The Nuclear Option is needed as a last resort, the best thing is to now target supporters and make it clear the internet is here to stay and you have two options, ADAPT or DIE!

 

[THEoriginalBRIEN]

Unfortunately all my shitty CT elected officials are all supporting this nonsense. I did email all of them today explaining "why SOPA bad" though.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Is this gonna be like yesterday, and tomorrow they'll see the blackout is done and give their support to SOPA again?
Still, huge win for activism! I've signed so many petitions today, and I'm not even a US citizen. Good to see it hasn't been for nothing!

Now that that's settled, who's up for a petition to get Firefly back on the air?

Now that's a petition I'd sign in a heart beat. Can we make one to send to Fox? I think we could actually make a difference, people may be on a petition high right now. Do it!!

Oh, I almost forgot my vuvuzela.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!

Now there's a thought. In addition to shutting down support chains on the internet, we all go buy vuvuzelas, and march right up to a supporter's office, and pretend like their office is hosting the world cup. The longer they hold out in support, the more we make their working and living spaces unbearably intolerable. The best defense of free speech is making people relish the freedom to shut the hell up.

Back to the calls to the senator.

 

[Evil Alpaca]

Internet activism - The ability to protest without leaving the couch. Isn't technology great?


OT:
Is it just me or has Firefly become like Freebird at concerts? Its always shouted out, not because anyone seriously thinks it'll do any good, but because its always done at these sort of things.

 

[Zydrate]

A couple of sites I frequent were blacked out. Like, fully, not just a little bar. I use wikipedia often, and it was HIGHLY inconvenient for various researches.
Imagine the failing grades on some reports many kids will have.

This effects much more than I think the politicians realize, and I thank goodness that their eyes are opening.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

I'm a bit disappointed that Google hasn't completely shut down its service, worldwide, in protest to SOPA and PIPA. That would have sent an even clearer message to the masses on top of everything else.

There needs to be room for escalation if the Bill moves further towards completion. Today was more of a warning shot from the Internet. A much more stringent blackout could conceivably happen if SOPA/PIPA don't die in the next round.

Agreed. The people of the internet are not dumb (contrary to popular belief). We know how to troll the shit out of anybody, and this is no different.

Problem, Congress?

 

[implodinggoat]

I called my congressman (Patrick Mchenry (R)-NC) today and his aides said that he planned to vote against it.

From the sound of the guy I got on the phone this was definitely not the first call he'd gotten about SOPA today.