SOPA Hearing Was a Testy Affair

[engine]

SOPA Hearing Was a Testy Affair [washingtonpost.com]

In a raucous House debate on Thursday over a bill to stop piracy on the Internet, lawmakers representing the interests of old media and new media drew their swords in passionate attacks and counterattacks over the controversial proposal.

The circus atmosphere of the hearing on the Stop Online Piracy Act, introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), reflected the high-stakes, emotional nature of the debate over how to protect copyrighted movies, songs or books online without trampling on the free speech of individuals and companies.

[pageoneresults]

After reading 100s of pages related to the SOPA Bill, I'm declaring my support thereof. I've seen a lot of fear mongering by those who oppose SOPA and I just don't see where that fear is justified. The Bill has been amended and addresses many of the concerns previously brought up and are STILL being beaten to death.

Everything you need to know about the Bill can be found here...

Stop Online Piracy Act
[Judiciary.House.gov...]

Read the Summary of the Manager's Amendment and then read the Fact Sheet. Now tell me, what's wrong with SOPA again? And, how does it affect you?

I SUPPORT SOPA

[Marshall]

I see nothing wrong with it. Having a background in technical theater as a scenic designer, I empathize with people wanting to protect things they create.

Marshall

[ken_b]

Is there an online video of this hearing?

[pageoneresults]

Is there an online video of this hearing?

*COMPLETE* Videos From 12/15 SOPA Hearing
[reddit.com...]

I'm sure many of you have seen the news about GoDaddy losing 70,000 domains in a week after their declaration of supporting SOPA. They've since changed their position.

What confuses me is those same people who moved their domains from GoDaddy probably do business with at least one or two of these folks...

List of Supporters: H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act
[Judiciary.House.gov...]

I wonder if those same folks who moved their domains from GoDaddy will also boycott the rest of the companies supporting SOPA?

• Are they going to stop watching ABC, CBS or ESPN?
  
• Are they going to cancel their Comcast/Time Warner account(s)?
  
• Will they stop taking the kids to Disney? Or stop watching Disney movies?
  
• Are the women going to stop using L’Oreal and Revlon products?
  
• Are they going to stop buying Pfizer products?
  
• Will they stop watching UFC?
  
• Will they boycott the Olympics?
  
• Will they cancel their MasterCard and Visa accounts?
  

[Shakes head...]

[Marshall]

I wonder if those same folks who moved their domains from GoDaddy will also boycott the rest of the companies supporting SOPA?

Hate to seem pessimistic, but people are reactionary in most cases, especially when they don't have a clue as to what is going on. That's why politicians use "fear" tactics to get elected, only highlighting the negative, carefully picking key elements, mostly out of context, to repeatedly shove down the throats of the ignorant. Sadly, it works.

Sorry for the rant.

Marshall

[creative craig]

I wonder if those same folks who moved their domains from GoDaddy will also boycott the rest of the companies supporting SOPA?

Nope, they might make an extra effort to download their shows though :)