After suffering a de-clawing and stated opposition from the Obama Adminstration, the Stop Online Piracy Act was going to head into the January 18 hearings with a lot of embarrassing publicity hanging over its head. It's hardly surprising, then, that the hearings have been postponed.
This is yet another blow in SOPA's ongoing humiliating conga, reinforcing once again that the bill needs a ridiculous amount of work before being even vaguely acceptable. At this rate, they need to throw it in a river and start from scratch.
It's not over yet, of course. SOPA isn't dead, and PIPA is still a very real threat. In fact, with SOPA temporarily on ice, PIPA absolutely needs attention, so spread the word about that one.
Still, this is great news. SOPA simply has no credibility after all this.
As far as the January 18 blackout protests go, we're not sure what's happening, since they were designed to coincide with the hearing. Guess we'll wait and see what all the participants are planning.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:00 AM on 01.16.2012 | 
FIIIIISSSSTPPUUUUUMMP!
FIIIIIISSSSTTPPUUMMMMPPP!
FISTPUMP, AH LET'S DO EEEEEEEEEEEEET!
Now this is the enemy
You get that... Thing I sentcha?
The webpage with a collective list of every member of congress organized by their stance on SOPA/PIPA and their stance on previous bills of similar subject? I think there's also info on which members of congress who are pro-SOPA received campaign contributions from pro-SOPA corporations, as well as the ability to contact said congressmen. Its laid out very nice... You should link it in your "hate sopa?" article.
This is a Pipa
No, this is a Pipa.
I think we both wrongs.
That is realy Pipa:
[img]http://www.monica.com.br/personag/turma/images/pipa.gif[img]
Brazilian related jokes and things.
I hope the blackout gets rescheduled for the next hearing date (provided that isn't something kept secret) since then there can be no denying that the blackout is aimed at SOPA. All these sites go down January 18th and who's really going to care if the hearings aren't going on?
Remember, folks: The price for freedom is eternal vigilance.
Let the blackouts continue. Let's make sure that both of these bills are given some cement shoes and tossed into the river.
The message still needs to be sent, especially since it still applies to the PROTECT-IP Act.
Protesting on the day of the hearing seemed a little counter-productive, anyhow. I think it would be better to spread the word BEFORE Congress votes.
I don't care if its your birthday or Christmas, the message needs to be sent. Alighing it with a the day the hearings are held isn't and more or less effective. If we have more time to shout down this shit - good. Let's take every opportunity so the world knows because the media isn't going to say one peep until the blackout.
After the blackout, the media can't ignore the issue. They're not reporting on it now because it benefits them to say nothing. They are just as important of a target here. The target isn't just the senate and congress.
Anyone that thinks we should postpone the blackouts - that link is exactly why we shouldn't postpone anything. Not to mention Harry Reid and the Senate are still moving forward on PIPA.
Keep the pressure on DC. Don't give the media extra time to feign ignorance.
Keep up the news Sterling
Al Franken is just as much your enemy on this bill as Lindsey Graham.
http://is.gd/sBn3uY
I say go for the black out anyways to show you mean business (and because I'm addicted to Dtoid and need an excuse not to check the site).
PIPA YOUR NEXT
Is there all of a sudden no real importance or reason behind the message the blackout was trying to get across?
Blackout should still happen, or we might as well just give up now.