SOPA and PIPA

1/18/2012

As teachers, Garth and I have often commented on the problem we see with internet filters in public schools. Today, several major websites (Wiki and Google included) are doing their part to protect their creative medium; the internet. The government currently has two pieces of legislation in the works that will effectively censor the internet. SOPA and PIPA may be disguised as protecting copyright, personal intellectual property and "economic creativity" but the scope of this legislation is much larger. If you click on SOPA or PIPA above, it will take you to the government's website to track the process and read the entire text of each bill.

Please take a moment to read up on these pieces of legislation and leave a comment. MORE IMPORTANTLY, take a few moments to contact your local representative(s) and express your opinion of these bills. After all, our elected officials represent us, do not be part of the silent majority.

11 Comments

Garth

1/18/2012 05:53:54 am

Since Mike Posted this (an hour or so ago), several members of the House and Senate have withdrew their public support for this bill, including the co-sponsor, these bills might be dead.

Randa

1/18/2012 12:17:42 pm

educationmovingforward.weebly.com

Heidi Fisher link

1/21/2012 08:28:07 am

I never thought it would go through. Isn't this the third time they have tried this?
www.futurewithfisher.weebly.com

India Robertson

1/23/2012 08:58:21 am

http://languageartsfortomorrow.weebly.com/

India Robertson link

1/23/2012 11:07:07 am

Boy, Wikipedia made a statement! They made that statement on a day i really needed to Wikipedia something. Wikidedia-ing is being used as a verb now. A verb which says how important it is in todays society. protecting the rights of intellectual work sounds like a good idea until you look deeper into the legislation.

damon young link

1/25/2012 12:01:54 am

While I haven't got a chance to read the legisilation thoroughly, I'm almost always against anything that restricts information. I think that if you look at things from a historical perspective restricting of information has been used directly and indirectly by those in power to maintain or strengthen power repeatedly.

Dave Frazee link

1/27/2012 12:18:50 pm

I have not read the purposed bill. However I am amazed that our lawmakers are going against some of the foundational principles that this nation was founded on!! I do not agree with SOPA.

Crystal Kouns link

1/31/2012 10:58:16 pm

There is no way that gamers, sufers and avid chatters would ever allow the government the power to restrict or censor any information via the internet. I firmly believe that the people of this great country would unite and rebel against the violation of one of our most important constitutional liberties. Besides, I think the Government needs to relocate its focus towards balancing our economic situation instead of focusing on how it can gain MORE control over the people. If you ask me this is one battle the Government WILL lose. Perhaps it's best that the bill just dies :)

Michael O'Connor link

9/24/2012 01:27:04 am

I have heard of these controls that are spoken of here, mainly in a manner referring to protecting the children from the evils of the internet (and this is needed!). However, I don't know enough about it to form a solid opinion. What I do know is that the filter use among schools restricts teaching because you can't always access what you want. For example, You Tube now runs advertisements on their videos. The filters pick up on that and shut the site out now because of that. It makes using a good source a little frustrating.

Kevin Somerville link

10/19/2012 02:05:22 am

I really find this interesting. It seems like all too often, legislation is put out so that it may "help" help everyone or serve some great purpose, when really it is "disguised" and the main goal is something entirely different.

Jeremy Husted link

5/1/2013 06:00:24 am

This is a dangerous time we live in with regards to internet rights and new legislation that allows for more government control. Everyone who uses the internet can be affected by this stuff, so keep current on these bills. They frighten me, to be perfectly honest.

http://www.cispaisback.org/

SOPA and PIPA

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