This is genuinely fucking terrifying, and I can only hope that it crashes and burns. We really need to fight this thing, and fight it hard, or the greatest communications breakthrough in recorded history is going to be kneecapped.
Keep in mind that the fight isn't over yet. The Polish citizenry is raising a major stink, the opposition party is demanding a referendum, and dissent is spreading across Europe.
Nobody expected an instant victory, particularly when the battle is on an international scale. Right now, Poland is setting a precedent, showing that the common man won't cave in to corporate pressure and negative press. Will they win? Maybe. But even if they don't, they're standing up for what they believe in. And are you really so petty as to mock them for that?
"It's gotten the most attention in Poland, where there were mass protests -- but the government there still signed."
To be fair, it's not necessarily going to stay signed. The opposition party is demanding a referendum, which could seriously undermine the movement. A contact in Poland says that the earlier comments about the government "not submitting to blackmail" are not being well-received by the public, and that it's just the majority's attempt to save face. Poland still has a fighting chance.
It's meant to give people a taste of what could happen if SOPA or PIPA pass - an internet regulated by large corporations, stifling free speech and censoring dissent. Hopefully, it'll reach people who haven't heard about this legislation, and incite them to action.
Just because SOPA wouldn't take down Reddit doesn't mean they can't be opposed to it. It's like speaking out against racism when you're a part of a racial majority. The fact that you're not directly affected doesn't mean that you should just let it slide.
Hyperbole is fine, as long as it has a purpose. And right now, the purpose is getting people aware. Is SOPA and PIPA pass, do you really think it will end there? Better to shut them down now, and set a precedent.
I legitimately hope that Schulte sues the living piss out of Smith. I wonder if he'll enjoy taking a taste of his own medicine. Better yet, I hope this comes up in the next Congressional debate.
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This is genuinely fucking terrifying, and I can only hope that it crashes and burns. We really need to fight this thing, and fight it hard, or the greatest communications breakthrough in recorded history is going to be kneecapped.
Re:
Keep in mind that the fight isn't over yet. The Polish citizenry is raising a major stink, the opposition party is demanding a referendum, and dissent is spreading across Europe.
Nobody expected an instant victory, particularly when the battle is on an international scale. Right now, Poland is setting a precedent, showing that the common man won't cave in to corporate pressure and negative press. Will they win? Maybe. But even if they don't, they're standing up for what they believe in. And are you really so petty as to mock them for that?
"It's gotten the most attention in Poland, where there were mass protests -- but the government there still signed."
To be fair, it's not necessarily going to stay signed. The opposition party is demanding a referendum, which could seriously undermine the movement. A contact in Poland says that the earlier comments about the government "not submitting to blackmail" are not being well-received by the public, and that it's just the majority's attempt to save face. Poland still has a fighting chance.
Re: I don't get it
It's meant to give people a taste of what could happen if SOPA or PIPA pass - an internet regulated by large corporations, stifling free speech and censoring dissent. Hopefully, it'll reach people who haven't heard about this legislation, and incite them to action.
Re:
Just because SOPA wouldn't take down Reddit doesn't mean they can't be opposed to it. It's like speaking out against racism when you're a part of a racial majority. The fact that you're not directly affected doesn't mean that you should just let it slide.
Hyperbole is fine, as long as it has a purpose. And right now, the purpose is getting people aware. Is SOPA and PIPA pass, do you really think it will end there? Better to shut them down now, and set a precedent.
I legitimately hope that Schulte sues the living piss out of Smith. I wonder if he'll enjoy taking a taste of his own medicine. Better yet, I hope this comes up in the next Congressional debate.