Could someone tell me...

dreamer • 15 January 2012 at 1:23 PM

What the heck is SOPA? Ian posted about it on his status, and I saw another EggCave user mention it... But what is it exactly? I checked Youtube vids, it looks like something about the government blocking Internet sites or anything? I have no clue... So if no one will get in trouble for explaining it, could someone please tell me?

I apologize if sopa has anything to do with politics but oh well. It's life. I'm still really confused about this, as I should be...

briseis • 15 January 2012 at 1:57 PM

SOPA basically prohibits internet websites from posting or using copyright material. SOPA stands for Stop Online Piracy Act, but it's really more than that. Under this bill, sites like Youtube, Facebook, etc. displaying copyright material will be blocked. It's basically censoring everything on the internet that was previously accessable. In short, the internet will not longer be useful.

This bill seems to go hand-in-hand with the current bill passed by Obama stating that authorities can imprison and incarcerate US citizens without reason for an infinite amount of time.

cubexline • 15 January 2012 at 2:00 PM

SOPA sounds terrible D: @briseis

dreamer • 15 January 2012 at 2:00 PM

@Briseis Wow. o.o Not fair. -_-

So if say you logged nto youtube or facebook, would it redirect you to a page saying the site was blocked? That's one ridiculous bill. Figures. I'm surprised my dad hasn't been complaining about it yet. xD

briseis • 15 January 2012 at 2:04 PM

@cubexline, @dreamer Yes. The bill, in many ways, violates our constitutional rights for freedom of expression. Websites displaying copyright material will be blocked, either completely, or pages displaying any copyright content will be blocked.

It's debatable whether the bill is really going to be passed or not, or if it already has been. The government is very keen on keeping the truth from the general public. It's this kind of secrecy that allows controversial bills to be passed under the table. That is what Obama did with the imprisonment act.

glados • 15 January 2012 at 2:10 PM

/thumbs down/
):

briseis • 15 January 2012 at 2:11 PM

@avelaingia It's unfortunate, but this kind of stifling is most likely going to be a common pattern in the future. The government is restricting many of the things people can do as a way to subdue them. It's reminiscent of Communist China.

dreamer • 15 January 2012 at 2:14 PM

I thought we had freedom- Especially over the Internet. How DARE they try to take that away. -_- That's it. It's ridiculous. *Sorry. I get this from my dad xD* That's just crazy... I don't even know what to say... Because if I voice my opinions I'd get totally bashed. So I'll just say that it's unfair.

briseis • 15 January 2012 at 2:16 PM

@dreamer if you want someone to blame, blame Congress and the president. They've wholeheartedly supported the bill. Politicians have trouble understanding the qualms and issues of the "common man" because they have never had to work a day in their life. It's really sad; we nominate those who lead us because of their "experience", but they are not versed in the ways of the general public and make decisions for us that harm us more than help us. But what use is it to try and get through to them?

dreamer • 15 January 2012 at 2:19 PM

@Briseis You have my full agreement. They're crossing the line even more now. Passing this sopa bill even with everyone's disagreement. All that helps is themselves, I'm sure.

briseis • 15 January 2012 at 2:22 PM

@dreamer In simple terms, yes. Politicians are well-off and aren't short of money; they are in positions of power because of that money, and they make decisions based on money. Money, money, money. Follow the money---wherever there's money, there's a politician grappling for it. That's why I despise politics. The common man has no real say in government, politics or his own way of life. It all depends on who's better off than the others.

dreamer • 15 January 2012 at 2:30 PM

@Briseis Money, money, money. When I know a ton of people who have very little money, and the politicians must have most of it. So they can say half-heartedly that it's "for the best". What's for the best? Normal families only having a little money? Why do we not have a say in these choices? There are more of us than them, so it's only fair. I despise politics as well. I think we could do better without all of it. But my dad is always watching those political shows, always complaining, always making political comments, always listening to political radio, so I really have no way to get away from it. X3 But I'm not ashamed. It's life; And people can bash us, but this is the truth.

And I agree with @Avelaingia. Cheers to you. 😊 Every word makes sense to me, so much more than those other people have.

crescentfeather • 15 January 2012 at 2:34 PM

@briseis Well argued.

I'm not sure about Facebook deleted, though. The government is probably finding ways to make money off of it.

Deleted • 15 January 2012 at 2:37 PM

if they pass that bill, i can promise you theres going to be riots and alot of angry citizens.

unebra • 15 January 2012 at 2:39 PM

ahhhh STOP SOPA !!!!!!!!!!!

bubble_tree • 15 January 2012 at 2:40 PM

If SOPA prohibits the internet, what's the point of the internet?! Its like they're hogging all internet access, not to be rude. And everything now is electronic. :/

Zac • 15 January 2012 at 2:49 PM

I'd really rather not turn this into a partisan debate because there are so many differing viewpoints. the gist of the bill has been explained, although the bill is still in commitee so the EXACT repercussions it may have are not yet known. (Thanks, Ian, for bringing this up. 😋)

Anyways, the original topc has been answered so topic closed.

briseis • 15 January 2012 at 2:55 PM

The government is becoming more and more socialist as the days go by. What else is there to say? Socialism does not create equality among people; it more deeply divides the line between the rich and the poor, and it restricts the voice and the power of the majority. It's unfortunate, but there is not much we can do at this point. People have been blissfully ignorant about much of the government's underground deals simply because 1.) the media supports the current government and is biased in what they produce/release and 2.) the government is unnaturally talented at snowing the majority with long, elegant speeches and promises.

Where have we seen this before? Think about it. Let me give you a hint: 2008.