~Day 1 has ended.
I stayed up all night to watch it with a British friend over IM. AU timezone.
We have exactly 3 congressmen that have some sort of idea of what is going on — and are willing to openly support amendments to #SOPA in its current form. Issa (Cali), Lufgren (Cali) and Polis (who is an acting replacement for another, who supports #SOPA according to the chairman).
The Texas rep, Mr. Smith, who is the chairman, has been bought by the corporations (to the tune of over $60k~) to act firmly against any amendments whatsoever, and attempt to pass the bill in its current form. Many a minister has come forth and said “I am a simple country person, I do not understand how this works, but I shall attempt to give my opinion anyway” (which is echoed by almost everyone besides the three lobbying for amendments). Several others have expressed confusion, and is swayed by either party due to absolutely no technical knowledge - or common sense.
In the worst case, we had a reasonable amendment being veto’d before even reaching the votes. Every other amendment is accompanied by a firm “NO” from Mr. Smith, despite both Issa and Polis explaining repeatedly and patiently (and using language that even a child would understand). At its best, before I tuned out around 8 hours in out of exhaustion, I heard a poll of around 10 for and over 2/3 against.
Another representative has confirmed that they do understand our views, but because they were paid to do so, they would firmly oppose the amendments anyway; in a roundabout and elegant manner, of course.
So what have we learned today? Money talks. That much is true.
Despite three consecutive letters published by the media*: 1 at the very start, signed by various internet giants including Twitter and Google; one published yesterday in NYTimes again in a desperate attempt to sway Congress, signed by co-founders of major internet companies; and finally a plea from the founders of the Internet, signed by over 80 people involved; we have seen minimal progress.
There is still time, however. It has yet to pass through the House and the Senate, and Obama himself is directly supported by many tech companies, which may sway his decision to veto it instead of signing it. This is only the first step. It may have gone horribly wrong with enough stupidity to send half of America bloody mad, but we can still keep asking, keep telling and hope for change.
This is our Internet.
We do not need censorship from websites the government determine are “bad” for us. We cannot afford for the Internet to disappear from the mainstream masses. USA doing this will adversely affect every other country’s actions against the Internet, creating a ripple that will be spread and supported.**
Spread the word.
#OPEN
*Media itself is divided by #SOPA, interestingly enough; but the good is overwhelming the nay-sayers, if anything.
**Conroy, if you are reading this, I will take great pleasure in telling you that you are a fucking luddite and a moron. You are a scourge upon Australia, and we will be fucking glad to see you fucking step down. Go on. If we ever hear of this proposed national blacklist again, there will be consequences. Consequences that you will explicitly not enjoy. Got that?
(Source: keepthewebopen)
