SOPA and Pipa

I normally wouldn't talk politics but every now and then an issue comes up that I have a strong reaction too.  SOPA and Pipa both fall into that category.  I see both as a pathetic attempt by big business to keep things the way they are and not to change.  Piracy has always been a problem and always will be but don't go crying to congress because you aren't willing to change your ways.  What has the movie or the music industry really done to make their products readily available? Not much really.  Still paying the same prices as before regardless of the format.  Correct me if I am wrong but how can any company justify the same prices for digital vs. hard copy.  Not sure what the price would be for them for 1gig of movie but I'm thinking it is still less then to burn the movie to a dvd (extra cost for the menus), create cover art, and package it. My real objection to the laws is that it would give a business the right to suppress you if they cry "copyright infringement". My response: "No one has the right to take my 1st amendment away!  No One!"  So being the good civic voting person that I am; I decided to let my Congressmen know how I feel about these 2 pieces of trash.

I strongly encourage everyone to email,snail mail, or call your respective Congresspeople and tell them a "yes" vote on these measures means a "no" vote on re-elcection from you.  Just remember when writing to have clear ideas and be respectful.  A well written argument is more persuasive.  If you need an example, here's what I wrote to them:

Honorable Congressperson,

            I am writing you to express my disapproval of H.R.3261 - Stop Online Piracy Act and S.968 - PROTECT IP Act of 2011.   A vote on your part on any of these measures means a vote of no-confidence and no support from me.  My voice and opinions are important to me.   It is my civic duty to let my thoughts be known.  Both measures would infringe upon my right to free speech.  Under these measures I feel that I would be unfairly prosecuted and targeted for stating an opinion if some business deems that I have “infringed” on their copyright in any form.  No company has the power under the Constitution to curtail my protected right to free speech, and you as a member of Congress do not have the authority to grant such power.  It is a power expressly denied to you under the first amendment which states “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press”.  The tenants of both bills will do considerably harm to the first amendment.  Many supporters of the bills have stated that similar legislation has been implemented in China, a country notorious for its civil rights violation and its lack of freedoms.  I, for one, do not wish to see this country emulate China in any form or fashion.

As for the businesses supporting these bills, what have they done?  From where I sit they have done little to embrace technological advance to enhance their industries.  They are stuck in the past.  Their profits are decline for a multitude of reasons, just not copyright infringement, to include a poor economy and the stubbornness on the industries part to change.  Last time I looked when someone is unemployed they have no discretion income to attend a movie or buy a music cd. As of this letter unemployment is at 8.5%, with that I see very few people being able to comfortable afford to enjoy movies and/or music.

In closing, Thomas Jefferson once said “The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society.”  Please, send a strong message to big corporate business that the 1^st amendment of the Constitution is not for sale just so they can have bigger profits. If you do feel the need to vote in favor of these legislations, please, understand that in my eyes it has undone any good you may have done in the past or the future.  I will not offer any support to your re-election campaigns if you so chose to seek another term and I will not vote for you.  I maybe just one voice but this one voice will speak out against you.

Sincerely,

ME

P.S. Please, do not respond with platitudes. Actions speak louder then words.

Here's how to contact any US elected official: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. "

Thomas Jefferson

Update:  I decided to write  the editor of our local paper.  This issue is too important to leave any stone unturned so I'm using every avenue available to get the word out.  What I wrote:

 

Dear Editor,

            I am writing today to talk about 2 disturbing bills currently before the US House and the US Senate, H.R.3261 - Stop Online Piracy Act and S.968 - PROTECT IP Act of 2011.  On paper both appear to help solve the problem of online piracy, however, the broad definitions would result in a stifling of ideas on the internet.  Under the definitions, one could conceivable see that an individual would no loner be allowed to post pictures of the latest family vacation to Disney World for fear of copyright infringement.  That is how broad these laws are.  I urge everyone to educate themselves about these bills and contact Congress if you do not agree with them.