Mighty Buzzard's Favorite Techdirt Posts Of The Week

from the short-and-sweet dept

Sat, Feb 11th 2012 12:00pm — The Mighty Buzzard

It's been a heck of a busy month or two for copyright. We've had SOPA and PIPA. We've had the organization of a grassroots campaign against them. We had a significant number of serious heavyweights of the Internet join in. And now we have nations around Europe bailing on ACTA over protests of their citizens.

My question is, why? Why do we have to see stories like this:

Over 70 different groups, including many who were central to the January 18th online protests against SOPA, have put together a letter asking Congress to put a halt to any attempts to further expand intellectual property laws.

The movie industry has one main lobby that they can put all their weight behind. So does the recording industry. Why don't we have one?

And why are these yahoos still supporting bills that they know are poison? I thought they were supposed to be realizing that it wasn't Google lobbying that stopped SOPA/PIPA.

Anyway, those aren't necessarily my favorite Techdirt stories of the week but they are the ones that made me think the most. I consider that a bigger win than a good chuckle or a burn on Righthaven.

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67 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 12:09pm

"The movie industry has one main lobby that they can put all their weight behind."

You forgot about CreativeAmerica :)
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 12:13pm

Bill Keller defends New York Times�s reposted article copyright violation
After an anti-piracy column by writer and former editor Bill Keller, it was discovered that the New York Times had posted a scanned copy of an article from another publication without their permission.

Simple mistake? Well, Keller decided to defend the action, using the very same arguments that "pirates" use (it's not a big deal, it's an old article that the public deserves to see, etc.). Yet he doesn't back down on his anti-piracy stance.

http://www.teleread.com/copy-right/bill-keller-defends-new-york-timess-reposted-article-c opyright-violation/

See his latest blog here (I recommend reading the comments too)

http://keller.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/piracy-twits/
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Beta (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 12:32pm

change the game back?
"The movie industry has one main lobby that they can put all their weight behind. So does the recording industry. Why don't we have one?"

We've just won a major battle without one. Are you sure lobbies are still the best way to fight?
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 12:44pm

Re: change the game back?
Probably not the best way but, unlike the Internet, they're something politicians understand.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 12:49pm

Re: Bill Keller defends New York Times�s reposted article copyright violation
Oh wow

I'm beginning to think piracy of older material that can't be legally obtained anymore shouldn't be considered piracy. Maybe "piracy" in quotations, or "oldacy".
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The eejit (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 12:53pm

Re: Re: Bill Keller defends New York Times�s reposted article copyright violation
"Lunacy" according to the MAFIAA.
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Yartrebo (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 1:49pm

Why we shouldn't emulate the **AAs
"The movie industry has one main lobby that they can put all their weight behind. So does the recording industry. Why don't we have one?"

Here's one very good reason why not to emulate them:
The MPAA and RIAA operate as a trust. Their members pool their individual political and market power into a single entity that has more market power (both on the retail side and the lobbying side). It's a very dictatorial setup, and is corrosive to a democratic society.

You can never get everyone in a democracy to agree, and the internet being about as democratic an institution as there is, it just isn't feasible to have just one advocacy group, or even a dozen.

PS: It's my opinion that both the MPAA and RIAA should be seized and shut down by the US government for blatant and ongoing violation of US anti-trust, anti-bribery, and anti-racketeering laws, but we all know who the government serves.
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AB, 11 Feb 2012 @ 2:05pm

"The movie industry has one main lobby that they can put all their weight behind. So does the recording industry. Why don't we have one? "

Actually, we do - they're called 'elected representatives' and their job is to stand up for our rights and needs whenever new laws/policies are discussed. Unfortunately there don't seem to be any enforceable 'conflict of interest' clauses in their contracts so it's very difficult to fire them even when it's quite plain that they no longer represent us.
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Drizzt, 11 Feb 2012 @ 2:29pm

Anti-ACTA protests today
As a tangential topic to SOPA/PIPA that are mentioned in this post, today's Anti-ACTA protests have been Big (with the capital B), see e.g. Torrentfreak or netzpolitik.org's image collection. Germany alone had over 122k people on the streets (while the thermometer showed sub-zero temperatures (Celsius), so the number is a lot more impressive IMHO).

Keep the pressure up on these issues (ACTA, SOPA/PIPA, IPRED2, TPP, etc.), it is needed!
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Drizzt, 11 Feb 2012 @ 2:37pm

Re: lobbyists for the people
Well, apart from the members of your parliaments there are certain lobby groups for the interests of the people around the globe. Some are older (e.g. EFF, EPIC, ACLU, FoeBuD), others are newer (e.g. FSF(E), DigiGes, AK Vorrat, AK Zensur, La Quadrature du Net, SPI, Creative Commons, Wikimedia, EDRi, ...). So my recommendation is to take action, optimally through one of the established groups and put large scale pressure on the politicians. Maybe, if they're are constantly and powerfully reminded of the will of their electorate, they'll listen and stop making one-sided legislation.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 2:49pm

'why are these yahoos still supporting bills that they know are poison?'

have often thought this myself. i know there is a lot of 'financial encouragement' thrown at the politicians in question but there has to be something else, especially when elections are coming up and jobs are on the line. representing the people seems to be the last thing on their minds and i doubt that the entertainment industries have enough openings to give all those a job that get voted out of office.
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Drizzt, 11 Feb 2012 @ 2:51pm

Re: change the game back?
We've just won a major battle without one. Are you sure lobbies are still the best way to fight?

Well, as long as you can't keep up the pressure, which is really hard for any unorganized group for any extend period off time, I'd say you shouldn't write of lobby groups per se. There are those who defend your rights (see my other post for a list of a few relevant to this topic). Join them. Support them. Take action (that can include becoming a politician like the 15 people joining the Berlin parliament for the Pirate Party did).

The problem isn't lobbyism by itself, it's corruption. Like "how about you passing that law, we heard there are certain openings after this legislative period".
Lobbyism is basically one group telling the legislators, what they think would be best for the group they represent. It gets ugly when benefits/incentives for the politicians are involved or when certain stakeholders are shut out.

As long as you have a representative democracy and no liquid democracy, I don't see lobby groups (both forms, the corrupt and the fair ones) going away. Because there isn't really any direct feedback for the politicians and as they're few, cushioning jobs are easy to provide, which makes bribery easy. With LD you would have to bribe way too many people, which won't fly. The only real problem with LD is, AFAICS, a really good FUD/propaganda campaign. But those are way harder to keep up with the internet around.
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Drizzt, 11 Feb 2012 @ 2:54pm

Re: Re: change the game back?
(see my other post for a list of a few relevant to this topic)

Ihrg, that was the wrong post, I this one.
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Drizzt, 11 Feb 2012 @ 3:05pm

Re:
i doubt that the entertainment industries have enough openings to give all those a job that get voted out of office.

I wouldn't count on that. There are countless ways to provide jobs. Ranging from a direct employment by one of the main media companies to some lobby organization or think tank (way more profitable, as the politicians knows everybody in parliament). Apart from that you can enter in other agreements, e.g. he can go on tour as a speaker on various conferences (usually those are highly paid, with "highly paid" standing for "a sum larger than most see in a year") or allowing the politician to open a sub-entity to your conglomerate (like a sub-label).

Though I really doubt that every politician is offered one of the "big bribe packages". Most will just receive donations to their campaigns or parties (the recipient depends mostly on the country, in the USA it would be the individual politician, while it would be the party in many European countries), so the problem "too much politicians for too few bribery positions" won't arise very often (and if it ever does: the lobbyists don't have to play fair, there is always a mud-slinging and compromising campaign possible, to get people out of the picture).
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chelleliberty (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 3:08pm

A New Understanding...
Although I understand the sentiment, I would bet a large centralized lobby (although perhaps having a positive impact in the short term) would quickly fall to the corruption inherent in making deals with politicians for political gain.

I'm rather hoping that we, instead, make them understand that the voice of "We, The People" is the only one they can afford to listen to, and that the halcyon days of political success via bucket loads of cash slathered on their campaigns in exchange for legislation are over... for GOOD. :)
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Richard (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 4:08pm

Re: Re: lobbyists for the people
A couple more...

FFFI, ORG
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 4:20pm

Hay BUZZZZ
The movie industry has one main lobby that they can put all their weight behind. So does the recording industry. Why don't we have one?

Why don't you have one ??
easy question.

Because you (as a group) do not have to ability or organise a fuck on a brothel with a fist full of dallars....

Oh yea,, you also do not have an industry, any organisation.

You do not even have or seek the same goals,

You do not employ anyone, and after all like 'the masnick' you are only interested in YOURSELF, you do not give a shit about any group that you think you may be representing..

Look as mansick as an example, do you think he cares or gives a fuck what YOU want ?? or do you understand that mansick only cares about mansick, what HE CAN GET FOR HIMSELF..

He does not care about YOU or me or anyone else except HIMSELF..

DO you not reasise that self centered egotists cannot conceive of doing anything for anyone unless they feel they are going to personally gain from the effort.

Everything mansick does here on techdirt and probably everywhere else is designed to achieve but ONE THING..

That is the promotion of Mansick, and to allow him to make money.. if you believe he is doing this 'for the good of mankind'.. Then like burnie madoff, you have been 'played' by the 'big con'

Why is there no organised group, because the likes of mansick do not want that to occur, because it does not directly benefit his scam of skimming money off his fellow Americans, and doing so without having to actually work for a living..
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 4:27pm

"Why do we have to see stories like this:"

Call it preemptive fear mongering. It's funny to see things like this, and then a great example of ACTUAL censorship in the Iranian story. It makes many of us realize that even the biggest, nastiest application of SOPA, PIPA, ACTA, and whatever alphabetic disaster you can come up with pales in comparison to real censorship.

If you guys want to do something, work to fight real censorship. Hint: It's not happening in the US.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 4:38pm

Re:
I'm pretty sure it's easier for Americans to fight censorship in America than it is for Americans to fight censorship in Iran.

You know, besides bombing them.
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Beta (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 4:40pm

Re: Re: change the game back?
Are you serious? We should have a lobby because "unlike the Internet, [lobbies] are something politicians understand"???

Politicians who don't understand the internet -- but still want to pass legislation on it -- should not be given treats, they should be given their walking papers in the next election. Then I think you'll be amazed at what the survivors can understand.

Since the January protests I've lost a lot of respect for arguments based on conventional political wisdom. But the assumption some people seem to be making is that it's still valid somehow, that way things were done before is the only way that works, that the current uprising against SOPA/PIPA/ACTA is just a temporary fluke, that we'll soon lose our resolve, that we can't mark our calendars and follow through. If that's true then we deserve whatever the **AA and their ilk decide to put around our necks.
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jupiterkansas (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 4:41pm

Re: Hay BUZZZZ
You could say the exact same thing about Chris Dodd. What does that prove?
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 4:52pm

Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
making deals with politicians for political gain.

what kind of gains are you seeking ?

thats right political, and financial (you want shit for free).

"we the people" is not your Government "BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE and FROM THE PEOPLE" therefore your Government is "WE THE PEOPLE".

Considering MOST of the people here (being of a specific demographic) are RENOWNED as serial NON-VOTERS, who are very bad at organising anything, is a clear reason why your politicians (RIGHTLY) ignore you, you dont vote you dont count, even if you did vote you are suck a small percentage of the voting population, compared to the 'baby boomers' who vote in record numbers, that when a politician hears from your will "MIGHT" listen, he "MIGHT" pay you lip service, but he/she will NOT take notice or action on your behalf.

It's your own fault, the youth in America does not engage in politics, therefore dont expect politics to go out of their way to do anything for you.

When you own a company, employ lots of people, vote, and pay taxes, and help others to pay taxes (by employing them), then politicians might listen to you..

But you do not create anything, you do not employ anyone, you dont vote, you do not seem to care about anything else but your narrow adgenda (or being able to steal thing for free).

Then you whine about how politicians totally disregard you..

The job of a politician is not to protect criminals, or promote industries forced to move offshore, or to make it ok for immature kids to steal off other people.

But you seem to think that is what they are there fore !!! which is both at the same time very amusing and very sad.

What is even more sad, is that you are doing MORE DAMAGE to your causethan you are doing good.. you are increase the resolve of those against you, to be even more against you !!!

So as long as you understand the people like mansick are not doing this for the good of mankind, or the progress of man, no,, mansick is doing this for one reason only, to feed his own ego, and to allow him to scam money off you dweebs...

Mansick knows that, the politicians know it as well.

The US is a basket case at the present time, it owes inconceivable amounts of money, it has little or no manufacturing capability, little or no real science or technological advancements, massive debts, a massive health care crisis, cannot 'balance their books' and have to offer tax cuts (and borrow money) to try to keep the country 'happy'.

it is the younger people (YOU PEOPLE) who are paying for that, and will be paying for that for the rest of your lives, and for your childrens lives (assuming you get out of mom's basement long enough to meet a real human girl)..

You children are paying for your greed, as you are paying for your greed.. but according to mansick greed is good, and forcing ahuge debt onto the next generations of Americans is somehow a good thing (after all you dont think you will have to pay 'for anything')... except you do ALLREADY PAY..

It is like there is a massive tsumami heading your way, and all you can think about is not spilling a cup full of water out of your kitchen sink !!!...

WAKE UP TO YOURSELVES IDIOTS !!!
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 5:09pm

Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
Do you have to 'understand' how a TV set works before you are able to watch one ?

DO you have to understand the physics and technology behind a CD player to enjoy a song played on a CD ?

Do you have to understand exactly how every component of a car works before you can determine if that car is travelling above the speed limit ?

Do you have to understand how DNA works to create an apple before you can eat an apple ?

Do you understand how the telephone system works before you can make a phone call to your mom ?

Do you have to be able to understand everything about music to enjoy a song ?

DO you have to die before you understand that killing someone is a 'bad thing' ?

Do you think politicians only understand politics ?

You claim to understand politics, therefore are you a politician ?

You claim to 'understand' the internet, does that preclude you from entering politics ? or knowing about politics.

Does knowing about politics preclude you from understanding anything else ? including the internet ?

Rarly if ever have I seen a display of a clear 'understanding' of the internet related here by either mansick or any of his trolls.

It is your downfall to believe that you are prevvy to some special knowledge that politicians are not.

They understand perfectly well, they understand far better than you do (apparently), and they are in a position to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

You understand 'the internet' like Homer Simpson understand "beer" and "TV" or running a nuclear power station for that matter...

you also think it is a "GAME"... !!!!!!
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 5:22pm

Re: Re:
yes, it is clear Americans really like wars, trouble is you are just not very good at it !!!.

You keep losing them, and attacking the wrong countries, for the wrong reasons (and still you lose). There is NO questions who has won the "war on terror", no doubt at all.. and it is not the US of A..

History if anything has shown that the US is far better off shutting the fuck up and staying at home. Because everytime you say or do ANYTHING on the world stage you get your asses handed to you on a plate.

I know you think and believe deep in your hearts that the rest of the world looks UP to the US as a shining light, you have convinced yourself of this, it is a shame that the only people who think that are Americans, the rest of the world sees you for exactly what you are.

There is one good thing about Americans and America, and that is I AM NOT one of them...

I would hate to have to live with the reputation USA has earned for itself..
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silverscarcat (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 5:36pm

Re:
Pro-tip: You're already censored in the U.S., you just don't know it.
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silverscarcat (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 5:39pm

Re: Re: Re:
If you hate America so much, just get off the net.

Oh, and let me fix something for you...

"History if anything has shown that it's best for everyone if all countries shut the fuck up and leave each other alone, but that doesn't happen because humans are idiots and have to beat each other up."

But, you know what the best part of being an American is?

Our gas is cheaper than yours.
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Beta (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 5:52pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
What is this babble? Forty lines of illogical, ungrammatical, misspelled ranting that makes no sense and leads nowhere. Please go away.
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Marcus Carab (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 6:49pm

Re: Hay BUZZZZ
Just a guess...
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Digitari, 11 Feb 2012 @ 7:21pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
sorry, but I'm a baby boomer, I also own a company and DO employ a few people, not thousands but a couple hundred.

My company "creates" things, tangible things not "IP" I am tone deaf so music is nothing to me

I read books so Movies of today are pretty dismal to me

Nope I don't fix TV's, cause I know better then mess with things I do not understand.

I do fix computers, I understand how they work.

I would never regulate sports because I don't understand why there is an attraction to them.

sorry troll fail, 0/10

I also wonder why you are so upset, did Mommy not give you a cookie or something??
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chelleliberty (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 7:24pm

Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
Well, I thought had a considered things from all angles, but your amazing command of logic and rational thought has clearly surpassed that of my own. I mean, how could I possibly argue against such a superbly constructed argument, all premises laid out and well founded, each leading inexorably to the next and culminating in one final conclusion, unassailable and complete.

Clearly, I and all those who have ever thought that the Government should be limited in its powers, or those who included the eighth clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, have been clearly shown wanting: to think that anyone could ever think that the point of copyright and patent law was simply a means of "promot[ing] the Progress of Science and useful Arts" by "securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries" or to think such nonsense as that the fact that such a clause was even necessary distinguishes infringement of such protection from 'stealing'... Such fools were we!

I am trying to explain such things now to all my friends, but, I am unfortunately in the uncomfortable position now of not being able to either quote from your argument or even link to it, since deep linking is obviously illegitimate and simply an indirect form of copyright infring... I mean, of stealing your words, so I'll simply state my conclusions to them and let my further silence denote that they should easily have come to these conclusions themselves, without the benefit of additional input from others--unless they pay, of course.

And in addition to the literal "font of wisdom" (that's out of copyright isn't it?) you have just provided us, you've proved your true wit to boot, using a clever play on Mr. Masnick's name! I mean, sure, I used to think name-calling was the sure sign that someone had a second-grade command of reason and therefore had nothing better to do than resort to petty insults, but Man"sick"! Does it get any better? I intend to immediately delete my thirty terabytes of pirated comedy material and simply re-read your message over and over, and I will gladly send you a check if you simply post a reply here with your full name and mailing address.

Yes, kind sir, you saw through my act: seeming as if I had true concerns for the political process or any sort of so-called "collateral damage" from such laws as SOPA/PIPA, when really I was simply trying to justify my large collection of pirated movies, music, and of course, the "warez" website upon which I based my immense profit from the Google ads placed thereupon. But, no longer, as you have cleansed me of my wicked ways! From henceforth, I will get a job, and start creating my own material: giving all rights to same to the glorious beasts which have clearly helped all our creative brethren make a living, earning immense amounts of money or no money at all instead of the clearly unfair system developing at present giving all a chance to make a living at what they enjoy and depriving the gatekeeping corporations and CEOs from making but a fraction (110% is it?) of what they were able to make before.

Yes, sad it is that the youth of America do not engage in politics; they used that age-old excuse that there was simply no candidate that appealed to them and I am glad to see that you have put the lie to that reasoning.

I know that I, for one, will be shouting this irrefutable truth from the rooftops until my dying day:

"WAKE [redacted pending permission from the author] IDIOTS !!!"

[That is, assuming you will give permission for me and/or others to use your fine arguments; if not I am sure we will all work hard to come up with similarly powerful arguments of our own. To be shared, for a price, of course.]
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chelleliberty (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 7:29pm

Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
By the way, I must complement you on your fine bit of reasoning that shows that the Government is itself "We, The People", and therefore finally providing an irrefutable line of reasoning for those that believe that the actions of the Government in our name are not actually our own actions, but those of a political overclass, essentially insulated from the will of the rest of us by a complicit media, election fraud, and mass systemic corruption.

And, but a short paragraph later (at least I think that was a paragraph--may I suggest that your ideas may spread more quickly if you work a bit on your presentation?) to then address what appeared to be a response from our "representatives" (as I used to believe they were supposed to be regardless of my vote (or not)... Ha! More like, they represent me as long as I "vote" for them with my dollars!) you clearly point out that regardless of appearances, the recent reversals (apparently due to the reaction of what is a predominately young community) must not be truly in reaction to them, but instead...

umm... to those who vote and give money! So, um, clearly... then... SOPA/PIPA were shelved, not due to the youth... errrm... but I guess, the rich and well-connected and um... oh yeah, the baby boomers!

And here anyone thought they had made a difference, fools all!
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 7:29pm

Re: Re:
Yes, it's easier for Americans to fight a 0.00001% situation than it is to look at real censorship and try to come up with some way to help out or deal with it.

Seen any "Occupy Iran Land" protests recently? Any websites going black for the day to protest China?

It's way easier to be a sofa protester than it is to actually tackle real problems.
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Digitari, 11 Feb 2012 @ 7:37pm

Re: Re: Re:
So which "Americans" do you refer? you DO realize that you are talking about a continent right? I bow to your Awesome magnificents.

The United States of America can win any war we want, if we go all out, but unlike the adversaries we are fighting, we "try" to minimize collateral damage, as much as possible, that inhibits fighting the enemy right from the start.

Personally, it's not they way I fight in personal combat, (35 years of Muay Thai, and Tan So du)

I was also a Marine, and never once was in combat in an official capacity.

If the USA was such "warmongers" as you and others claim, most of the world would be dead by now, we have the ability to do great harm, but are restrained.

Oh and why the hell are the Folks of Hom asking for the help from the USA when their Saudi muslim brothers are closer and can do the same thing??

your world view is exceptionally limited, but everything you have spouted off about is most likely seen in a Mirror.....
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Tex Arcana (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 7:44pm

"And why are these yahoos still supporting bills that they know are poison?"

Because these psychopathic morons are BOUGHT AND PAID FOR by the effing MAFIAA via lobbyists to begin with!! They're simply worse than street corner whores selling out to the highest bidder, despite the fact we already pay them a metric fvckton to try to prevent this bs to begin with!!

It's time to VOTE THE FUCKERS OUT OF OFFICE!! Or kick them out with a big lead boot.
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chelleliberty (profile), 11 Feb 2012 @ 7:49pm

Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
Having considered carefully whether you will get my message from this, seeing as how you would have to be able to recognize some (admittedly not-terribly-subtle) satire and my lame attempts at humor, I have decided it is almost certainly necessary to recapitulate my foregoing responses to your incoherent post in language which you and those of your ilk might better understand:

We're not all young.
We're not going away.
We're not going to take it anymore.
We're not fooled by your self-righteous proclamations, no matter how loud and indignant you are you make them.
We're ...

No, wait, I think I am overshooting a bit... Let me try once more.

WAKE UP AND SUCK IT YOU MORONIC DOUCHEBAGS!

(Hope that was clearer for y'all.)

:P :D
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 8:18pm

I thought they were supposed to be realizing that it wasn't Google lobbying that stopped SOPA/PIPA.

Before you dislocate your shoulder patting yourself on the back, know that Google's 100+ lobbyists and flood of cash to the professional piracy apologist groups was the game changer. Who do you think set the table in Congress, informed the world and got everyones' attention with their disinformation campaign? It was Google through its proxies.
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forgot your meds today?, 11 Feb 2012 @ 10:14pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
"I also wonder why you are so upset, did Mommy not give you a cookie or something??"

We can ask you the same question.

So many fails in one post dont really know/want to address them all. WOW.
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Mr Happy, 11 Feb 2012 @ 10:29pm

Re: Re: Re:
"it is clear Americans really like wars, trouble is you are just not very good at it "

Um... you do realize these wars were started with occupation in mind. Never was the plan to really bring "Democracy" to these places. Its about controlling the planets natural resources. We are winning. The goal of the neocons is going along just as planned.

The war on terror is just a guise to drag along a population that is brainwashed by the lamestream media.

You really think the average American, German, insert nationality here, would not be rioting in the streets if they really knew the truth?

"There is one good thing about Americans and America, and that is I AM NOT one of them... "
Why dont you tell us where in what country you hatched from, and I will bet we can say the same about you.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 10:34pm

Re: Re: Re:
How do I say this... FUCK Iran, FUCK China, I only really care about what happens here. Let those people fight their own battles. So when we go to war we should stay out, but you purpose us getting involved in Iran and China's problems? Oh yeah you guys are sure quick to take our money and help when the shit hits the fan though. Hypocrites.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2012 @ 11:35pm

Re:
That is where you are wrong it is happening and the excuse to do it is called IP law.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/marvel-forces-ghost-rider-creator-to-stop-saying-h,69202/

See the Ghost Rider creator and what happened to him, if there was no copycrap there would be no way to shut him up.

He got screwed royally there.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 12:02am

Re: Re: Re:
Censorship occurs everywhere and copycrap is just the latest form of it.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 12:05am

Re:
Yep we saw how Google was so powerful on the SOPA hearing, they owned that session didn't they?

If you focus on Google only you will get your ass kicked every time and you won't know where the ass kicking is coming from.

People already told you people a thousand times already. Life the public space alone and go try to use your monopoly elsewhere or you will be sorry.
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Prisoner 201, 12 Feb 2012 @ 12:31am

Re:
I for one welcome our Google overlords!

I'd rather take tyranny under Google than the current tyranny under *AA et al.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 12:58am

Re: Hay BUZZZZ
Seemed pretty well organized for SOPA, didn't we?
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The eejit (profile), 12 Feb 2012 @ 3:22am

Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
Oh, hi darryl. The probl;em isn't that the Internet helped this, it's that a very small, very vocal minority claiming to represent all artists is making laws based on nuclear levels of handwavium wrapped in suitcases full of Benjamins.
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silverscarcat (profile), 12 Feb 2012 @ 4:32am

Re:
Wikipedia sure is on Google's payroll when they were using GoDaddy.com to host their website.

Really, all Google did was supply me with information about SOPA and PIPA from multiple sources.

Not ONCE, in ALL of that, did I see ANYONE speak up for SOPA or PIPA that was not the MPAA/RIAA.

No one, not ONE PERSON in over FOUR MONTHS of searching.

Are you going to accuse Ron Paul and Al Gore both of being on Google's payroll when THEY said "we don't like this and it shouldn't be brought up".

How about colleges and libraries that were screaming about this being a bad thing.

Get your head out of your ass, clean your ears out, and go look around some other places on the web.

I sure as hell ain't on Google's payroll, and I sent my rep and senators several emails and even called my rep over SOPA and asked him not to vote on it.
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Digitari, 12 Feb 2012 @ 7:24am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
I see, so because I don't buy, use or steal your "product" I am a fail?? not sure how that works but it shows *AA logic I suppose
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 8:16am

The movie industry has one main lobby that they can put all their weight behind. So does the recording industry. Why don't we have one?

Too centralized. We didn't win because we bribed the right people, we won because we're everyone.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 8:39am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
Its name is Darryl.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 8:52am

Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
Fine go have heart surgery on your bakery store then.

People don't need to understand how things work to use them, but they do if they want to fix it.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 11:31am

Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
Shut the fuck up, freak.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 11:32am

Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
Shut up you fucking lunatic.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 11:37am

Re: Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
You're a fucking freak, you know that? It wasn't rich people that killed SOPA, it was us, the normal everyday people. I wouldn't be surprised if youre a kissless virgin, you're not smart.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 11:38am

Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
It's not a temporary fluke.And you're a fucking faggot. Stop trying to marginalize this new generation of activism, you niggerfaggot.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 11:41am

Response to: Anonymous Coward on Feb 11th, 2012 @ 8:18pm
How do you live with yourself being such a useless pessamistic fuck?
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 11:53am

Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
OH SORRY I THOUGH YOU WERE SAYING THAT THE UPRISING IS A FLUKE I DIDNT REALIZE YOU WERE SAYING THAT IT ISNT A FLUKE. SORRY
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Josef Anvil (profile), 12 Feb 2012 @ 12:01pm

Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
This guy's rant is a perfect example of what happens when Stupid and Angry join forces.

He begins with the premise that the young generation whines too much and doesn't vote, so of course they are not represented. He also states that the youth cannot organize and only want free shit. Then he goes on say that politicians might listen to the people when they grow up, own a company, pay taxes, etc. This is followed by saying that protesting against politics has drawn the attention of opponents and strengthened those opponents resolve.

This is all pretty standard troll rhetoric up to that point. Next we are told about the state of America with its massive debt and lack of manufacturing and technological innovation.

Then it all goes pretty silly.

All the blame is then laid directly on the younger generation for being lazy and GREEDY.

Sooooo. The people that don't do anything and don't vote and don't have a voice and can't organize and want free shit, are to blame for the State of America???????

Dude, take a breath and try surfing the web for some facts before you decide to insult people with sheer magnitude of your stupidity.

Yes GREED is one of the biggest problems, but its the GREED from those owners of companies that do have the ear of Congress and work hard to stomp out competition and innovation because they want their free shit (money for doing nothing after stealing the rights of artists is free shit).

I could go on dismantling your pathetic rant, but then I would have to read it again and Im not going to risk an aneurysm.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 12:30pm

Re:
"Before you dislocate your shoulder patting yourself on the back, know that Google's 100+ lobbyists and flood of cash to the professional piracy apologist groups was the game changer. Who do you think set the table in Congress, informed the world and got everyones' attention with their disinformation campaign? It was Google through its proxies."

You are correct. The anti-sopa lobby was driven by Google and a few others, who either directly spent tons of money to get things done, gave money to proxies to get it done for them, or (in the case of sites like reddit and techdirt) gave anywhere up to millions of dollars of promotional exposure to the anti-SOPA message. Techdirt alone (by my calculations) put about half a million dollars or more of exposure into the deal, with Mike posting anywhere from 3 to 10 times per day on SOPA over a prolonged period, plus putting in appearances in Washington. Reddit, by making SOPA cause 1 (and shutting their service for a period in protest) also put a ton into the deal.

Anyone want to bet none of it gets declared on taxes?
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surfer (profile), 12 Feb 2012 @ 1:00pm

so..
if someone doesn't pay their taxes, they are pirates? where does it end with your retards? do you have any idea how irrelevant you and your handlers are today? any at all?

but, but, but [insert hot buzzword here]!!

the internet has allowed millions of people to wake up, and cast off the shroud of FUD the **AAs have been puking up for decades. welcome to OUR new world order.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 5:18pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
"History if anything has shown that it's best for everyone if all countries shut the fuck up and leave each other alone, but that doesn't happen because humans are idiots and have to beat each other up."

That might be true, but no one has bothered to tell the US that.

And I do not hate america, I dont hate any country or person, but alot of countries DO hate america ALOT....

You might of been able to work out by now there are countries and groups of people WHO WANT TO KILL YOU, you as in Americans, they hate you so much they are even willing to die to achieve that end..

But of course you cant work that out right !!! after all, how can that be, everyone just LOVES america..

The Gas here "for me" is far cheaper than the gas you payfor in america.

if you get your fuel cheap, you most certainly have paid in other ways to achieve that, like 'deals with the devel', and engaging in false and failed wars to get your cheap gas..

I hope you think that the price is worth the death !!!
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 5:24pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
The United States of America can win any war we want, if we go all out, but unlike the adversaries we are fighting, we "try" to minimize collateral damage, as much as possible, that inhibits fighting the enemy right from the start.

for example Vietnam, you went all out on that one, what happend ??? Oh thats right, you got your asses handed to you LOL..

oh that other place ?? oh thats right Mogadishu
Fucked that one up as well.

So you cant win wars, and you cannot face reality... nuff said..
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Feb 2012 @ 5:39pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
so Vietnam and Somalia had all sorts of natural resources for your to steal, and countries you are now occupying ???

What about the 'war on terror' or the "war on drugs" or the 'war on poverty' or the 'war on unemployment' won any of those recently.

What occupation or natural resources are in the pushtin region of Pakastan that you are wanting, do is it for the real estate ?

You dont win wars, thats just a simple true fact, and if you knew anything about ANYTHING you would understand that fully.. clearly you dont...

I am from Australia, we dont start wars, we sometimes try to help you yanks to fight you wars, because our military is of a much higher quality than yours is.

when we want something, we bargin for it fairly, we dont invade the country that has it and try to take it for ourselves.

That is why the world does NOT hate Australia like is does the US.

Most countries do not resort to war as the first step in dealing with another country, we actually respect the cultures and ideals of other countries, we do not try to destry that, and put in place out own sensibilities, as the US has historically done..

anyway, I just realised I am trying to teach history to americans, when you have collectively worked out that if it occured the day before yesterday, it never happened at all.
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TtfnJohn (profile), 12 Feb 2012 @ 8:24pm

Re:
That's it. Keep focusing on Google. It makes the battle easier when the opposition focuses on a chimera rather than something real. Like all the real people who were pissed at SOPA/PIPA and who took the time to say so. And continue to take the time to do so.

And I'm sure that this site and the people here are part of your dreamed of professional piracy apologist groups who received funding from Google and others. After all we are all freetards who want something for nothing and will stop at nothing to get it. (Which must mean that somehow we acquire powerful computers, get sites for nothing and pay for cable or teleco connections with air or an endless supply of pirated gift cards.

The table in Congress was set by Hollywood, mostly behind the scenes, the hearings about SOPA and PIPA were largely bad jokes because those testifying, if that's the right word, were hand picked. Even then support was tepid and when real experts on how the internet functions and works were opposed across the board when one of then snuck in.

If Google set that table I can tell you they have lots to learn about setting tables up.

The game changer was the word getting out about what SOPA/PIPA actually contain despite the flurry of propaganda that denied it and still denies it.

In all the time the debate went on until the blackout day there wasn't one person not employed directly or indirectly by the self proclaimed "content industry" who spoke out in favour of either bill. And most made it clear that the bills would not accomplish their goals while making the internet less transparent, endangering free speech and messing around directly with the architecture of the Internet without knowing what they were doing.

All while there was no evidence at all that the so-called "content industry" was suffering at all from piracy.

What I'm forced to conclude is that, as far as you're concerned anyone who disagrees with your position and that of your employers must be somehow "disinformed" by Google and being led around by the nose by Google.

You're wrong.
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chelleliberty (profile), 13 Feb 2012 @ 12:28am

Re: Re: Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
LOL! I'm on your side silly. :P I see the satire went over at least one person's head...

So, to clear it up for you: the premises given by the OP seem to lead quickly to the conclusion given above: if young people or those who don't give money to politicians have no ability to influence them, then SOPA's defeat clearly was by old rich people.

It's called reductio ad absurdum, and it's a way of showing a premise or set of premises to be invalid: by assuming true the premise(s) and then showing that they lead to a contradictory conclusion.

So, you miss blatant satire and misunderstand elementary logic. Who's the kissless, not smart virgin now, eh? Eh?

:D
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chelleliberty (profile), 13 Feb 2012 @ 12:28am

Re: Re: Re: Re: A New (mis)Understanding...
LOL! I'm on your side silly. :P I see the satire went over at least one person's head...

So, to clear it up for you: the premises given by the OP seem to lead quickly to the conclusion given above: if young people or those who don't give money to politicians have no ability to influence them, then SOPA's defeat clearly was by old rich people.

It's called reductio ad absurdum, and it's a way of showing a premise or set of premises to be invalid: by assuming true the premise(s) and then showing that they lead to a contradictory conclusion.

So, you miss blatant satire and misunderstand elementary logic. Who's the kissless, not smart virgin now, eh? Eh?

:D
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Boo Boo, 13 Feb 2012 @ 3:56am

Bigtime
I didn't see FaceBook,Twitter or Google on that letter to congress ?
Maybe they are all working hard behind the scenes and we all had better hope they are !
Collectively those 3 reach just about every internet user (voter) there is in the US.
Ultimately who are the political masters going to listen to.
Fat old men in Hollywood or the giant internet companies that can reach all of their voters in realtime if push comes to shove ?
Time to flex those muscles guys, bigtime.
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Beta (profile), 13 Feb 2012 @ 7:27am

Re: Re: Re: Re: change the game back?
Even if I had been calling the uprising a fluke, your response would still have been inappropriate. Please don't post here again until you have that straight.
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