Yesterday brought some good news for opponents of the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, and other in-process legislation intended for use as a weapon against cyber-criminals. The official online voice of the White House ran a lengthy blog post detailing “what the Administration will support—and what we will not support” if/when bills like SOPA and PIPA pass through Congress and land on President Barack Obama’s Oval Office desk.
The blog, penned by intellectual property enforcement coordinator Victoria Espinel, U.S. chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra and National Security Staff cybersecurity coordinator Howard Schmidt, clearly states at the outset that the White House “will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.” There’s no outright statement that SOPA will not be signed into law in its current form, but it’s strongly implied.
The blog post instead urges critics and lawmakers on all sides to come together in reasoned discussion, insisting — not incorrectly — that online piracy is a real issue which must be addressed. “That is why the Administration calls on all sides to work together to pass sound legislation this year that provides prosecutors and rights holders new legal tools to combat online piracy originating beyond U.S. borders while staying true to the principles outlined above in this response,” the blog post reads. “We should never let criminals hide behind a hollow embrace of legitimate American values.”
In related news, The Hill reports that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor won’t vote on SOPA specifically until a consensus has been reached. A statement from House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa reads, “While I remain concerned about Senate action on the Protect IP Act, I am confident that flawed legislation will not be taken up by this House. Majority Leader Cantor has assured me that we will continue to work to address outstanding concerns and work to build consensus prior to any anti-piracy legislation coming before the House for a vote.”
The controversial bill continues to be the subject of heavy discussion on the Internet. This week, on January 18, a number of prominent websites — including Reddit — will “go dark” to support continued resistance to the bill.
HOW DOES PIPA AND SOPA VIOLATE FREE SPEECH? I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST FOR ONLINE PIRACY !? OTHER THAN THAT, WHY DON’T EVERYBODY JUST TAKE OUT OR UNPLUG ONLY THE SENSITIVE INFORMATION OR WHAT THEY DON’T WANT DISPLAYED ON THE NET, BECAUSE THERE ARE MILLIONS OF LOOPHOLES AND GLITCHES BORN NEW EVERYDAY!!! THEN WE’LL BE HAPPY, RIGHT!? WE DON’T HAVE GLOBAL UNITY YET, AND THERE IS NO STANDARD, SO EVERYBODY PLEASE JUST LEAVE IT ALONE !!! :)
Just like Obama wont abuse the power of NDAA, right? give me a break. It’s not about the now. It’s about the future. If you leave legislation like this open, people will manipulate it, add to it, and make it something so Draconian that we would be left here wondering what the heck happened. “I thought SOPA and PIPA were here to protect us. Why do I have to agree to a disclosure of information every time I open my web browser? And where did Timmy go? Last I saw he was listening to some music on youtube and the next thing I know is, he’s gone… That was three weeks ago!”
not buying it.
I like obama and i dont want no crazy republican in there next term but if he passes this i sure wont vote for him next term. this isn’t england!
Ron Paul 2012. Only man who will return our country back to the freedoms we are supposed to have.
The White House has shown with NDAA that it will verbally oppose it, but still sign the bill.
In other words, bullshit.
we know that cup wont hold much water.
I have faith in the Obama administration that they truly do support users in this instance. They seems to have a pretty involved internet department that understands freedom of speech online.
You’re faith is blind my friend, and it will be the undoing of us all.
And you would put faith in?
To be honest, none of them. But since I am force to choose, Ron Paul. He’s the only one who preaches the constitution accurately, and amplifies states rights over federal rights. The way it should be. The only power the federal government has is what is outlined in the constitution. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING else is up to the states. Really, the only thing that the federal government should be doing is, maintain the military, and police states from violating the constitution on a state level. Everything else is off the table. Hell, even the federal income tax is technically (again, technically) illegal if you are a constitutional purest.
So, lets not call it blind faith. Let’s call it hope. :)
Yes, I don’t trust politicians like most people, but I always have hope that someone will do something right.
Obama and hope? Been there, done that… Didn’t turn out all that well! lol
Hope in general man.
I think I will put my hope in Gingrich then. cool?
God no… he’s part of the reason why we are in this mess to begin with. He was part of the “old guard”, if you will, that led the neocons to take control of the house and the white house. If he were to win, our country is doomed.