http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/sopa-livesand-mpaa-calls-protests-an-abuse-of-power.ars (http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/sopa-livesand-mpaa-calls-protests-an-abuse-of-power.ars)
QuoteThe Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has looked at tomorrow's "Internet blackout" in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)—and it sees only a "gimmick," a "stunt," "hyperbole," "a dangerous and troubling development," an "irresponsible response," and an "abuse of power."
Wikipedia, reddit, and others are going dark to protest the legislation, while sites like Scribd and Google will also protest. In response, MPAA chief Chris Dodd wheeled out the big guns and started firing the rhetoric machine-gun style. His statement feels unusually angry for the normally unruffled trade group, but the MPAA has long asserted that Google simply wants to profit from piratical ad money.
"Only days after the White House and chief sponsors of the legislation responded to the major concern expressed by opponents and then called for all parties to work cooperatively together, some technology business interests are resorting to stunts that punish their users or turn them into their corporate pawns, rather than coming to the table to find solutions to a problem that all now seem to agree is very real and damaging.
It is an irresponsible response and a disservice to people who rely on them for information and use their services. It is also an abuse of power given the freedoms these companies enjoy in the marketplace today. It's a dangerous and troubling development when the platforms that serve as gateways to information intentionally skew the facts to incite their users in order to further their corporate interests.
A so-called "blackout" is yet another gimmick, albeit a dangerous one, designed to punish elected and administration officials who are working diligently to protect American jobs from foreign criminals. It is our hope that the White House and the Congress will call on those who intend to stage this "blackout" to stop the hyperbole and PR stunts and engage in meaningful efforts to combat piracy."
As for SOPA, it's hardly dead—as some news outlets claimed this weekend. While House Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) has expressed reservations about bringing the bill to a vote without "consensus," House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) is moving ahead with plans to mark up SOPA and move it out of committee. The most controversial bit, DNS blocking of "rogue" sites, will be removed from the bill.
"We will continue to bring together industry representatives and Members to find ways to combat online piracy," he said in an announcement today. "Markup of the Stop Online Piracy Act is expected to resume in February."
I guess the Internet is the new "Boston Strangler" of the entertainment industry...
As far as I'm concerned, this bill is a form of protectionism, as the entertainment industry is afraid of competition (just like farmers, arms manufacturers, and car makers). When will they learn that the free market produces near optimum outcomes for everyone?
you know, maybe they should just get a clue and you know, not try to push this law through.
But of course, they don't, and in the process of being complete pricks end up saying on of the most ironic things out there. I mean, here are people, who are violating our constitutional rights with this law they want to pass (and so, you know, abusing their power and being irresponsible), telling people who are peacefully protesting this travesty, that they are abusing their power? projection much?!
I mean, just imagine this logic on Gandhi: "how dare you go on the salt march in opposition to Britain's policies? you're irresponsibly abusing your power!", and see how far that would get.
The websites who are choosing to protest this bill are abusing their power but the government effectively creating an online environment equal to Communist fucking China is not an abuse of power?!
ARE THEY FUCKING SERIOUS?!
I fucking nominate these douchenozzles as Biggest Bogon Emitter!
Quote from: D on January 17, 2012, 09:41:56 PM
The websites who are choosing to protest this bill are abusing their power but the government effectively creating an online environment equal to Communist fucking China is not an abuse of power?!
ARE THEY FUCKING SERIOUS?!
I fucking nominate these douchenozzles as Biggest Bogon Emitter!
hell, not even that is enough. how about idiot of the year?
EDIT: srsly, someone should just arrest every member of congress supporting this and the MPAA, convict them, and then throw them into jail and throw away the key. (of course, we may need impeachment proceedings, easier said than done). considering they favor the NDAA in all likelyhood as well, as well as several stupid things that are against our constitution, and conscience, they deserve it.
Better idea, since the NDAA already passed, just throw everyone who voted for that in jail and say if you vote for SOPA you can join them.
We could just declare Congress, the MPAA, and the RIAA to be terrorist organizations--probably with a lot more justification than the government usually has!
(Long Lists) Also count in Monster Cable as one. Basically anywhere that isn't Monster is selling counterfeit Monster Cables. Specifically they call it counterfeit sites. Here is the list.
eBay.com
Craigslist.org
4ortex.com
alternate.de
b2conlineshop.com
beats-bydrdre.com
beatsbydrdreuksale.co.uk
beatsbydrebeats.net
beatsbydrehots.com
beats-by-dres.net
beatsbydresvip.com
beats-dre.com
beats-monster.net
bestearbudheadphones.echeaponl...
Boddit.com
brandclothingstore.com
buymobilegpsforsale.co.cc
chacha.com
cheap-monsterbeatsbydrdre.co.u...
clothinglookout.com
cuttingedgeinc.biz
diddybeatsbydre.com
drbeatsheadphones.com
dr-dre-headphone.com
DrDreStudioUS.com
dreheadphones.org
eckicks.com
enovomall.com
fipart.com
ghdchiwholesale.com
gpx-hm3817dtblk-vertical-home....
headphonesbeats.net
headphoneworld.com
ibeatsbydrdre.com
itsnikeairmax.com
lakomba.net
lunacommerce.com
miami.backpage.com
monsterbeats.ca
monsterbeats-drdre.com
monsterbeatsreview.com
monstercable.pubks.com
monsterearphonehd.com
monsteronsell.com
mrdigitalchina.com
next.co.uk
outletstoresartstore.co.cc
pricegrabber.com
ricardo.ch
Sellao.com
simplyelectronics.net
ssaeshop.com
syncopated.myshopify.com
tipidpc.com
TradeMe.com
uk.shopping.com
Uspopheadphones.com
wholesale-shox.com.
www.beatsbydre-music.com
www.discounteo.com
Places that are acceptable include
Buy International
Monster Africa
Africa Where to Buy
Monster Canada
Canada Where to Buy
Monster India
India Where to Buy
Monster Thailand
Thailand Where to Buy
Monster Australia
Australia Where to Buy
Monster China
China Where to Buy
Monster Mexico
Mexico Where to Buy
Monster UK
U.K. Where to Buy
Monster Brasil
Brasil Where to Buy
Monster Europe
Europe Where to Buy
Monster Middle East
Middle East Where to Buy
I am sensing a pattern.
Addendum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6KfptyKY5I
It looks like the vote on SOPA is going to be pushed back another month and allegedly the law will be revised. Pipa is still going before the Senate on January 24th.
If nothing else I really hope (why do I keep doing that) that Obama will keep his promise to veto this bill when he gets it. He promised it on the news, he would be stupid to sign it in because that would kill a lot of votes for him.
Definitely a must-see:
[yt]9h2dF-IsH0I[/yt]