Apologies to those readers inconvenienced when I failed to take down my blackout screen last night. I’d intended to do it at midnight (MT), but forgot. Midnight is not my … Continue reading The Great American Blackout: It’s not over yet
Category: SOPA
The Day the LOLcats Died
Just want to spotlight (for after the blackout) a clever little anti-censorship video, The Day the LOLcats Died. The video appears today on I Can Haz Cheeseburger, mecca for lovers … Continue reading The Day the LOLcats Died
Way to go, Wikipedia!
Wow, check out that gorgeous Wikipedia blackout page (assuming you’re not in the Eastern time zone)! I’m actually a little misty eyed …
Leahy claims blackout sponsors ‘misunderstand’ PIPA legislation
A Politico post this evening quotes Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D-VT), author of the Senate’s Protect IP Act (PIPA), who issued a dismissive statement today. Referring to Wikipedia, Reddit, and other companies supporting tomorrow’s Internet blackout, he said:
Perhaps if these companies would participate constructively, they could point to what in the actual legislation they contend threatens their websites, and then we could dispel their misunderstandings.
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), author of the House’s Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) issued a statement in which he referred specifically to Wikipedia:
It is ironic that a website dedicated to providing information is spreading misinformation about the Stop Online Piracy Act. The bill will not harm Wikipedia, domestic blogs or social networking sites. This publicity stunt does a disservice to its users by promoting fear instead of facts.
Now I ask you, who do you think knows more about the workings of the Internet, Leahy and Smith or Wikipedia, Reddit, WordPress, Mozilla, and the hundreds of thousands of individuals who use it every day?