Protest Via Plugin: Facebook Users Bring The Fight To Lamar Smith's Website

from the sometimes-you-'get'-social-media-and-sometimes-the-social-media-gets-you dept

As the front mouth of SOPA, Lamar Smith isn't taking any more chances with his website. After the whole "I swear this picture was already here when I got the site" debacle, Smith's new site isn't taking any chances. Why, you can't even send a disgruntled email to the man unless you have a zip code in his district. That would be fine if his legislation only affected the people in the 21st Congressional District of Texas, but not so fine if you're shepherding through a bill that affects not just the contiguous 48 states, but the entire world, if deployed as intended.

But, despite all this lockdown and proper image sourcing, Lamar forgot about the single thing he wants to regulate most: the internet. Like anyone wishing to appear "connected" (and that includes congressmen who don't want to hear from anyone but specific Texans), Smith has installed a Facebook plugin on his site, so that with a quick glance, incoming visitors can see just how well-"Liked" the congressman actually is.

And just like that, all his best laid plans start unraveling:



How's that social media thing working for you now, Congressman? Looks like this whole Facebook protest-by-proxy is just another "gimmick."

By the way, here's a quick link to the Senator's Facebook page as well as a few (hundred!) images that will make your stance on the issue crystal clear. You know what to do.
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Filed Under: blackouts, lamar smith, pipa, protect ip, protests, sopa
Companies: facebook


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  • icon
    Dementia (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:14pm

    I just used the address and zip code of his San Antonio office. :)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Capitalist Lion Tamer (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:47pm

      Re:

      That's exactly what I did when I sent him an email expressing my displeasure with his bill (along with pointing out how ridiculous it was for him to limit his incoming email to only those in his congressional district).

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:17pm

    Tim this is your "My Bad?" moment of the day

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Dementia (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:18pm

    and that search result shows 220,000,000 results

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:22pm

    The captain sinks with his ship.

    Now evacuate the USS SOPA in an orderly fashion, please.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John Doe, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:23pm

    Now you see why they want to regulate the internet and speech

    They can't control the internet so they want the power to regulate it and speech on the internet. Oh sure, this bill on the surface looks like it is about piracy and counterfeiting, but it gives the MPAA/RIAA what they want while at the same time allowing the government to shutdown anyone and everyone they don't like.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Gary, 19 Jan 2012 @ 10:42am

      Re: Now you see why they want to regulate the internet and speech

      It's about control and I believe fear of American Spring.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    ArkahnX (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:42pm

    Lamar Smith's Website

    Somehow the first thing I read on Lamar Smith's website is this: "Creating Jobs and the President's Plan
    We know what will help create jobs in this country –lifting the burden of regulations that is strangling small businesses."

    Isn't that exactly the opposite of what he is trying to do with SOPA and PIPA?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:53pm

      Re: Lamar Smith's Website

      No.

      Because the general population is evil and needs to be regulated and controlled by the government. Corporations are good and cute, and they need freedom to do whatever they want.

      Gee, try not to make such dumb questions next time, ok?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        DOlz (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:17pm

        Re: Re: Lamar Smith's Website

        Corporations = Cute harmless bunnies

        Everyone Else = A pack of ravenous wolves that want to destroy them.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:46pm

    Epic, I have a screenshot of my profile pic trolling his website that I will cherish forever.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    clouser, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:05pm

    lamar smith

    Love this Mike, just brilliant, cool protest strategy

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    gorehound (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:17pm

    I have created a Boycott Big Content Facebook page here:
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Big-Content/263292897069799
    Just trying to do something about this in my own way as well.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    chad holbrook, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:26pm

    Use the office address

    Use the office address in south Texas that all those patent trolls use. That would wrench two issues that I have with Texas.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    johnny canada, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:41pm

    If he only accepts contacts from his local area so should his political funding come from his local area.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    MahaliaShere (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:44pm

    I almost wish I had a facebook account so I could participate with spreading the message... almost. The kind of people I used to be "friends" with are exactly the kind of people who need to be informed about these issues the most... But three months was quite enough for me.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:06pm

      Re:

      Damnit Mike, you got me to go to Facebook for the first time ever. I even had to temporarily unblock my NoScript Facebook block.

      Damn, damn, damn.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Dementia (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 4:04pm

        Re: Re:

        That would be Tim, not Mike.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 5:00pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          You are correct. Nothing meant against Tim. In my exasperation I made a stupid assumption.

          Though it is Mike's website, and it is HIS fault that Tim is posting.

          I think I still blame Mike.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ron d, 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:20pm

    re senator

    And now his facebook page is down...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 11:27pm

    Anyone else who kept refreshing his site hoping for 3 Trollface in a row ?
    That shit was almost as addictive as playing slotmachines.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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