Al Gore Comes Out Against SOPA/PIPA

from the and-he-invented-the-internet!-(joke) dept

Well, check this out. Al Gore has come out strongly against SOPA and PIPA, angrily denouncing the bill and its supporters. It's a quick 2-minute video taken at a CareerBuilder event, and it's in response to an audience question. The actual question isn't heard in the video, but he's clearly talking about SOPA/PIPA and appears to be well-informed on the issue:
A quick transcript (the very beginning is cut off, so it comes in mid-sentence):
"... are now able to be shared digitally. There is a growing concern on the part of the companies and individuals who create that content, that they're not getting compensated in a fair way, and so they want to impose a new set of requirements on those companies who provide access to the internet, like the browsers, the search engines, etc. And some of these new requirements, according to the experts on the internet, would very probably have the effect of really shutting down the vibrancy of the internet. As in all things, some compromise must be possible. The content creators and owners have a point and a legitimate complaint... But, in our country, in our world today, there is hardly anything more important -- whether you want to solve global warming, as I do, whether you want to reinvigorate democracy as many of us do, whatever problem you want to fix -- there is hardly anything more important to getting the right things done than to save and protect the vibrancy and freedom of the internet. The internet is bringing life back to democracy. We saw it in Egypt. We're seeing it in Russia now. We've seen it in so many places.... If you look at the reform movements around the world, and in the US, more than likely they're based on internet forms of organization. And anything that would threaten the vibrancy and freedom of the internet, I'm against!"
There's very loud applause at the end. If you watch it, you see he gets more and more animated and worked up towards the end. He's also clearly familiar with the details, since he knows the real impact of the bill. Rather than just focusing on "foreign" sites, as supporters of these bills would like everyone to, he points out that the way in which this is done is to put new requirements on tons of domestic internet companies. He may not have invented the internet (and yes, I know that was taken out of context, but it's a meme at this point, so live with it), but he certainly understands its importance... and he's clearly not a fan of SOPA/PIPA.
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Filed Under: al gore, copyright, internet, internet freedom, pipa, protect ip, sopa


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  • identicon
    CanadianObserver, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:20am

    Go Al Gore!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John Doe, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:21am

    Are you sure that is the real Al Gore?

    Wow, I am not an Al Gore fan at all, but I am glad to see that he not only knows about the issues but appears to be knowledgeable about them as well. And even better, he lands on the right side of the issue.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:27am

      Re: Are you sure that is the real Al Gore?

      He'll change his mind when in office and it comes time to vote. IE: See, Obama.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        el_segfaulto (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 8:14am

        Re: Re: Are you sure that is the real Al Gore?

        IE: See, any politician who has ever lived, ever.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          ltlw0lf (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 11:31am

          Re: Re: Re: Are you sure that is the real Al Gore?

          IE: See, any politician who has ever lived, ever.

          IE: See, any politician. FTFY

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 4:56pm

      Re: Are you sure that is the real Al Gore?

      Of course he would be knowledgeable about this, he invented the internet!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    A Dan (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:22am

    Candidates

    I was to see a Paul/Gore vs Obama/Biden election. That would be awesome to watch, even if it isn't going to happen.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Fickelbra (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 12:05pm

      Re: Candidates

      I've seen both George W. Bush and Kwame Kilpatrick receive a second term. I'm willing to believe anything is possible at this point. (I would love to see it too)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      A Dan (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 4:49pm

      Re: Candidates

      I mean "I want to see"; this has not been a good day for my typing ability.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Michael, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:22am

    Although I don't agree with him with regards to global warming, he's right about the internet and how it's helped promote freedom around the world. A censored and regulated internet would compromise democracy and completely undermine our global leadership on this issue.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Ninja (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:57am

      Re:

      As I said in my post at TF article about this, global warming was largely exaggerated and shadowed more urgent issues. But I do agree with him in this point.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Chris ODonnell (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:30am

    Damn, any Republican's that were on the fence will now have to come out strongly in support of SOPA. No way they can be on record agreeing with Al Gore in an election year.

    Sadly, I wish I was just kidding...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Greg G, 6 Jan 2012 @ 9:45am

      Re:

      As a conservative (not necessarily Republican) I would just say it's astonishing that Algore is actually agreeing with me and is on the right side of an important issue.

      Then I would look skyward so I could spot the winged pigs flying by.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Free Capitalist (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 10:26am

      Re:

      Chris I know you will absolutely be right if the search results on CNN ever change.

      Even with the on-going stream of opposition, this is still not a "story" to be followed by the mass media, and therefore is unknown to a great portion of the population. For them, and for congress, having most of the country be aware of what's actually in this bill is "bad for business". As are civil protections.






      Showing 1-10 of 11 CNN results for SOPA

      Did you mean: soap ?Top 2 results shown

      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


      updat ed 21 hours, 13 minutes agoNew 'Celebrity Apprentice' stars speak their minds
      Not unlike the host of the show, Donald Trump, the fifth season cast of "Celebrity Apprentice" will speak on just about any topic under the sun. First and foremost, of course, they spoke to reporters on Wednesday about what to expect this season...
      http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/05/latest-celebrity-apprentice-contestants-speak-their-mind/

      updated 23 hours, 10 minutes agoHow to nominate a CNN Hero
      It's often said that just one person can make a difference, and CNN Heroes -- everyday people changing the world -- are evidence of that.

      http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/05/living/cnnheroes-how-to-nominate/index.html Sponsored LinksHelp us Stop SOPA
      Help stop SOPA while we still can. Just learning about the danger help
      www.name.com

      Sponsored LinksHelp us Stop SOPA
      www.name.com - Help stop SOPA while we still can. Just learning about the danger help


      Doh! The top 10 tech 'fails' of 2011 updated Wed December 28, 2011Can't win 'em all, can you?
      http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/29/tech/web/2011-tech-fails/index.html
      Anti-piracy bill meets Web-freedom backlash updated Fri November 18, 2011A bill moving through Congress is intended, on its surface at least, to do something relatively simple: Crack down on the illegal pirating of movies, music and other copyrighted material.
      http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/tech/web/sopa-online-privacy-backlash/index.html

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:34am

    Everyone is naive if you think that his alleged opposition to this bill now means he won't be opposing this (or a similar) bill if he were in office right now. It could be the case, sure, but it's certainly premature to say that.

    The only think we can really look at is his voting history. What's the most similar bill proposed or passed during his elected term (IE: DMCA?) that he voted on and what was his vote? What he says now almost means nothing and we should take it with a grain of salt. Voting history is what we should try and look at when possible.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 1:39pm

      Re:

      Not to rob you of your well-earned cynicism (because I share it!) but...

      Wikipedia says the DMCA was passed in 1998. The WIPO treaties that lead up to the DMCA were both apparently ratified in 1996. In both cases, Gore was Vice President (1993-2001).

      Assuming Wikipedia's dates are accurate, he would only have voted in the event of a tie (which wasn't true in either case), so his actual voting position is unknown.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:34am

    Hey didn't Gore invent the internet ?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    PrometheeFeu (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:38am

    Now all the Internet's inventors oppose SOPA!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:42am

    Trouble is, he is still playing to the false narrative
    "The content creators and owners have a point and a legitimate complaint"

    They don't and until legislators grasp that, they cannot come to any sensible decisions.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:44am

      Re:

      They also didn't have a point or a legitimate complaint about the VCR's or gramophones for that matter and if their view had won out, they would all be a lot poorer now.
      These are people who regularly oppose those things that will expand their businesses and make them more money, what they clearly do not need is for people to buy into their fake storylines, the losses they will face due to the legal and political support they are currently getting will probably destroy them.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Rich Kulawiec, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:45am

      Re:

      That's true. One of the implicit -- and wrong -- assumptions made frequently on this topic is that there's a problem in need of solution. There isn't. There is only the incessant whining of bloated, fat pigs in their corporate offices and their Congressional lackeys.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        John Doe, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:51am

        Re: Re:

        That's true. One of the implicit -- and wrong -- assumptions made frequently on this topic is that there's a problem in need of solution.

        This is what scares me the most. Not that SOPA will pass, at this point, I think it might not. But now that the ball is rolling, something will get passed and it will be bad for all of us.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          el_segfaulto (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 8:18am

          Re: Re: Re:

          My fear is that once SOPA gets squashed, a "compromise" bill will come through that is slightly pared down and will get passed overwhelmingly because, hey it isn't SOPA and something has to be done. Do you know how much insurance on a Jag is?!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 8:45am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            My hope is that people won't fall asleep again once SOPA/PIPA die, and that'll avoid these other scenarios.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            tpp, 9 Jan 2012 @ 5:48am

            What do you think the OPEN act is?

            The Darrell Issa proposed OPEN act is exactly that.

            You're absolutely right about this. Even if we win, we'll still lose, because SOMETHING will be passed. If not SOPA, some other version of it, which will still be bad.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Richard (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:46am

      Re:

      Yes - as noted here very recently

      "The content creators and owners have a point and a legitimate complaint... But,"

      anything that come before the "but"....

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:52am

      Re:

      Exactly, IP is not something that anyone is entitled to. No one is entitled to a government granted monopoly, IP is something that should only exist to promote the progress and social welfare.

      Anyone claiming to have a legitimate claim because they want IP laws for themselves don't. The only one that would have a legitimate claim is the public since that's whom IP should benefit.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        :Lobo Santo (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 8:02am

        Re: Re: D's Advocate

        "No one is entitled to a government granted monopoly,"
        To be fair though, there are times when a temporary government granted monopoly is more advantageous to everybody, though such normally applies when you're speaking of physical utilities (water, electricity, internet, cell network, telephone network, natural gas lines, etc). The natural end result of such work should always result in a break-up of said monopoly after its usefulness has ended.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous coward's son, 6 Jan 2012 @ 8:19pm

        Re: Re:

        Yes, dad. Because collective socialist politicalism isn't what got us to this point in the first place. Please just go back to wall st. and get pepper sprayed. Those that know the government regulation in any form, the way you state it or otherwise, is THE PROBLEM. Why? Becuase they aren't nerds.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Fickelbra (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 12:09pm

      Re:

      I believe him on this front. Like it or not, piracy is wrong, but again, they are largely to blame for piracy. They underserve their consumers.

      I always summarize my view as this. I have Netflix and Hulu Plus, which I love. I pirate any other cable shows if I really want to see them. I also don't like doing it, because I have to search for a good torrent, download it, upload it to my server, worry about disc space.. OR.. stream it through a simple interface. I stand before Hollywood a willing consumer with no price effective solution.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    JackHerer (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 7:42am

    Is he super serial?

    And has he defeated ManBearPig yet?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    A Monkey with Atitude, 6 Jan 2012 @ 8:26am

    What times we live in.... I have to agree with Nancy and Al on an issue... But i guess it does show no matter the person or position, some common ground always exists...

    Now if we could just get people to actually speak about issues and look for common ground, we might actually get some where (even if its not ideal for both side, it will be far from the worst outcome).

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    FM Hilton, 6 Jan 2012 @ 11:48am

    So what?

    Just because Al Gore is against SOPA/PIPA, it does not mean his opinion matters any more.

    I do believe he is a private citizen, and as such, he has absolutely no impact on these matters before Congress except as a private citizen.

    He was once VP. Not any more, and not even credible in most cases. (see the "Al Gore invented the Internet" meme.)

    But he's still right about the issue. Too bad nobody will ever listen to him or us, for that matter.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mrprophecy, 6 Jan 2012 @ 12:27pm

    Looks like the SOPA lot have taken it down, video removed.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    ShaunDakin (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 12:52pm

    Use your voice AND donate to EFF

    Use your Free Speech to Robocall Congress on #SOPA AND donate to @EFF http://ow.ly/8kRmO (pls rt) :)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 1:04pm

    Really? No one's going to make a joke about Al Gore creating the internet?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Warezweek, 6 Jan 2012 @ 1:29pm

    Anyone has the youtube video? It's been deleted.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    freedomfan, 6 Jan 2012 @ 1:48pm

    After all he invented the internet...
    Al Gore is about as credible as Mickey Mouse.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    nerdfiles (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 2:14pm

    Doesn't help

    "Content creators" aren't complain. Plus, that's a huge oversimplification, if not principally false.

    "Owners" is a stupid word. What he says is divisive. We're NOT arguing for the importance of the Internet over something else. With that rhetoric, we look like we're trying to replace something. We're NOT. The Internet JUST IS important. It's not "up for grabs" like their content is. Their content goes away, who cares. Internet goes away, we all lose.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Herpy Derpington, 6 Jan 2012 @ 4:01pm

    This video has been removed by the user.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 4:33pm

    The Video is down.. Is it elsewhere on the internet?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2012 @ 5:58pm

    It's so sad sitting here and seeing so many dumb retards re-hash the "Al Gore Invented the Internet" quote of mass inaccuracy. He never stated he invented the Internet. He stated he took the initiative to create the Internet, and he did by pushing legislation to turn what was already ARPANET, into something that could be used by the public in what he eventually became and has grown into today. Jesus Christ you people are fucking stupid.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Richard Bennett (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 6:42pm

    Al Gore uses DMCA to take his speech down

    It's absolutely hilarious that Al Gore, the initiator of the Internet, used a DMCA notice to take down his alleged criticism of SOPA.

    His objection is what, exactly? "Copyright for me but not for thee" seems to be the gist of it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    vayapues, 6 Jan 2012 @ 8:29pm

    crud, that is the last thing this issue needs

    The last thing this issue needs to to have Gore against these bills. That hurts our efforts to defeat them.

    It was frustrating to watch the issue of net neutrality get politicized. To this day, it takes a great deal of energy to convince people that net neutrality is a good thing.

    Obama supports it. He is widely unpopular. So net neutrality must be a bad thing.

    If Gore wanted to help us defeat Sopa and Protect IP, he would keep his mouth quiet. He is even less popular than Obama!

    I can hear them now... "I read that Gore is against SOPA, and foxnews is for it."

    Dumb! Who is behind this strategy? I am glad Gore is on the right side of this issue, but it is absurdly dumb to broadcast that!

    All it does, is make the issue that much more polarizing.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Michael Avery (profile), 6 Jan 2012 @ 9:53pm

    Removed video

    Here's part of the first half of the original clip that was removed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK7fYy3wwHY

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    rageinghobo, 6 Jan 2012 @ 10:30pm

    the video is down.... but not be sad, its not censorship its just freedom, its what we all like the free marked thinking.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Alternareal, 6 Jan 2012 @ 10:42pm

    Gore's Rant Now In Graphic Poster Form!

    In trying to raise awareness against SOPA, I made a digital poster from Al Gore's rant today against it, to dress and articulate the rage against the bill that threatens to destroy cyberspace, using the futuristic graphic language of cyberspace. Here's the link: http://www.reddit.com/tb/o6dgy — Enjoy. XD

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Me, 7 Jan 2012 @ 12:38am

    "This video has been removed by the user"?!?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    M. Kamermans, 7 Jan 2012 @ 3:22am

    if you can't hear the original question,

    there is no "clearly". He could be responding to SOPA, or he could be answer "what do you think of the policies used in China and Australia, and the trend of western countries starting to implement similar things". This entire response can be treated as a comment unconnect from SOPA, and when asked directly, he could still say he isn't directly opposed to SOPA. So no, "The actual question isn't heard in the video, but he's clearly talking about SOPA/PIPA and appears to be well-informed on the issue" means "I don't know what he's responding to, but I hope it's SOPA. Find out what the actual question was and update your post with it, please.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Richard Bennett (profile), 7 Jan 2012 @ 3:45am

      Re: if you can't hear the original question,

      Please, don't confuse the angry mob with mere facts.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Timic83, 7 Jan 2012 @ 6:11am

      Re: if you can't hear the original question,

      australia still hasn't implemented those purported internet censors, and doesn't plan to until 2013 where it will be re-reviewed (and hopefully shot down)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Jan 2012 @ 6:47am

    who is more of an idiot, al gore or joe (stand up chuck) biden? no wonder gore flunked all his science courses. maybe they live together in their imaginary universe.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    .keepalive, 7 Jan 2012 @ 12:19pm

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    bongo houzi (profile), 7 Jan 2012 @ 7:13pm

    video pulled

    Who owned the video that you linked to? It's gone from youtube

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    bongo houzi (profile), 7 Jan 2012 @ 7:19pm

    RE: video pulled

    Maybe it was to make a point one way or the other. Saying, this is what it will be like or, this is what we want it to be like.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Chilly8, 8 Jan 2012 @ 9:12pm

    I compare Lamar Smith to Sir Allistar Dormandy, in the movie Pirate Radio. Dormandy was hell bent on passing laws to put them off the air much in the same way that Lamar Smith is hell bent on passing SOPA, and does not care what public opinion says.

    If you watch the movie, you can see some similarties between Lamar Smith and Allistair Dormandy.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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