WARNING! this is a real threat to basic human freedoms!

[SenseOfTumour]

I think basic common sense would dictate that this is too much of an invasion of basic rights for it ever to come in to fruition. No need to start worrying just yet

Shouldn't basic common sense have stopped it even being scrawled on paper in the first place?

On a cell wall in their own shit, perhaps, but not on a proposed legal document.

Anyone else feeling a little concern about the repeated clampdowns on protests however?

If I was in the police, I'd feel I was being made to work against the reasons I signed up to the job.

 

[Daverson]

The leaders of the Free World, Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

[JonnWood]

While I am against SOPA, saying it violates "basic human rights" is more than a little hyperbole.

You'd think Stalin and Hitler both doing that in the past would have tipped them off that it's kind of a totalitarian policy.

I don't think either of them were particularly concerned with digital piracy.

 

[Joseph Alexander]

While I am against SOPA, saying it violates "basic human rights" is more than a little hyperbole.

You'd think Stalin and Hitler both doing that in the past would have tipped them off that it's kind of a totalitarian policy.

I don't think either of them were particularly concerned with digital piracy.

this isn't about SOPA or PIPA, its about this year's NDAA having a sub section that expands and empowers the patriot act to ridiculous degree.

 

[Formica Archonis]

(Looks over bill.) I quite like the part where they just tacked an extra zero on three dollar values initially mentioned and no one noticed. One million, ten million, it's all chump change to them.

 

[new_age_reject]

I love how America keeps voting in right wing asshole nut jobs and then complains when they start doing shit like this.
(Of course I realise that not all of America wants these people in power... but majority rules!).

 

[jpoon]

God, I truly HATE our government...it has been said countless times and it holds more and more true, the REAL terrorists are all in Washington.

 

[irani_che]

it also legalises beastiality

 

[Gardenia]

About 40 seconds in. Kind of applies here as well.

 

[RJ Dalton]

One problem for them: the final arbiters of the Constitution. The courts. SOPA may be struck down and this won't last for sure.

Unless there's a military coup. This would technically legalize the military seizing power in that fashion and we've seen that the military has shown nothing but open contempt for Obama since he took office. I have little doubt that there aren't people in high levels of our military command who would love to remove him and put themselves in his position.

 

[mitchell271]

wow that sucks. glad we don't have that in Canada

EDIT: Just read the whole article. That is fucked up

 

[Branches]

Did any one of You bother to actually check sections 1031 and 1032, or did You all just assume. Oh! It says so on teh internets! Must be true, then!...?

Under 1031:
"(d) CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATION ON APPLICABILITY TO UNITED STATES PERSONS.
?The authority to detain a person under this section does not extend to the
detention of citizens or lawful resident aliens of the United
States on the basis of conduct taking place within the
United States except to the extent permitted by the Constitution of the United States."

Under 1032:
"(b) REQUIREMENT INAPPLICABLE TO UNITED STATES CITIZENS.
?The requirement to detain a person in military custody
under this section does not extend to
citizens of the United States."

Source: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1253rs/pdf/BILLS-112s1253rs.pdf

So, yeah. Goddamn it, I'm not even a citizen of the US. Do Your own research?

~Sylv

Thank you... QFT

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Well a lot of people have not actually read it. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYSTERIA!!!

 

[Krantos]

Well, time to move. Where's a good place?

*looks at the EU*
eh, nope.

What's wrong with the EU? Is it the good economy or schools? Perhaps the actually sane politicians? I demand a response on this! This statement simply doesn't make sense D:

Waiting for the magical word?

...Please? =3

Last I heard the EU/Eurozone was is just as much hot water economically as the US. That was the basis of the statement, and it was mostly in jest.

Of course most of my information on the topic comes from US news sources which, frankly, are unreliable at best. I mean CNN hasn't made a peep about this whole "US is a Battleground" crap.

Also, I openly acknowledge that most EU countries are considerably more advanced socially. The US seems to be trying to hold on to "The American Dream," which never really existed anyway, and is now just helping the rich stay rich.

 

[Shaughn Caso]

1st off, the patriot act makes perfect sense and the people are required to loosen some of their freedoms temporarily for the protection of their lives.
on this, it also makes sense, I think it would go mostly within the military which is very important. when dealing with soldiers and death, you can allow any insubordination at all, because that can cost others their lives.
try reading Starship Troopers by Heinlein, it will help shed some light onto a possible future if things like this were to be passed.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

So wait they are trying to make what the US has been doing for the past ten years legal now? Why the hell didnt they try and push something like this through when bush was president instead of obama who will veto it.

I love it how we're fighting for "democracy" in the Middle East, and meanwhile we're losing our own. People are so fuckin' stupid. Basic constitutional rights don't mean a god damn thing anymore. Just look at what happened with Occupy Wall Street. They just went around the freedom of assembly right (which is a part of the first amendment) by saying the protesters are polluting the area. Land of the free my ass.

I guess you are forgetting the part where freedom of assembly does not give you the right to break laws.

So everyone at the Occupy Wall Street broke laws? Did you hear that on Fox News by any chance? Are you really that blind to what's going on?

 

[Chaos1228]

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) explained that the bill would basically say in law for the first time that the homeland is part of the battlefield and people can be imprisoned without charge or trial American citizen or not.

It is not unfair to make an American citizen account for the fact that they decided to help al Qaeda to kill us all and hold them as long as it takes to find intelligence about what may be coming next. And when they say, I want my lawyer, you tell them, Shut up. You dont get a lawyer.

Yeah, we have terrible politicians over here.

This will never get passed (of course), but this just shows how many people are willing to violate one of the most basic principles of the constitution, one of the reasons we gained independence. This would let the government throw any political rivals or journalists who speak out against them in jail. There would be no protests, no petitions. And who knows how many sites would get shut down (like the escapist) and how many people would be tracked and arrested without probable cause. This is pretty scary.

 

[Something Amyss]

Now, combine the ability of the government and corps to censor internet sites for any reason they want without explanation from SOPA. These fuckers are planning something really nasty and these bills are being put in place to take away our ability to organize protests and resistance. These two bills are a direct attempt to found a totalitarian regime.

Hardly answered my question. Or really addressed it. Makes me wonder why I was even quoting.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

What are you thinking?