An Open Letter to the US Government
So I see SOPA's back. Seems like there was already one petition that OVERWHELMINGLY indicated that the US populace hated the idea and did not want it enacted.
The fact that it's back means that you don't really care what the citizenry thinks, and you'll try to shove it through as soon as our backs are turned.
Believe it or not, I understand. I do. Money talks, and nowhere as loudly as it does in politics. You can say what you want, call it what you want, but we all know that you want to keep the lobbyists happy so they'll keep the campaign donations coming.
Fine, whatever. I'm cynical enough that whenever there's a new revelation about what the NSA is getting up to I wonder why anyone's surprised. I know damn well that culture of lobbying and kickbacks or donations or whatever you're choosing to call it that's technically legal isn't going anywhere.
And given some of the things I've seen lawmakers say and some of the legislation that affects the internet, I understand that it's not something you guys get. The recent attempts to invalidate net neutrality prove that. There's really no excuse for that, but again, it's not going anywhere. I have a distinct feeling that the Stop Online Piracy Act was dictated largely by lobbyists from the music and entertainment industries, because of their 'experience'.
So let me put this in terms you will understand.
If you vote for SOPA, there are many people who will not vote for you ever again.
We don't want this legislation. It's insulting, crippling, ill-conceived, and shows not only a lack of understanding of what you're actually trying to do, but a complete lack of respect for anyone who uses the internet. The fact that there's already been one petition to defeat this and you've brought it back illustrates clear as day your lack of respect for your voter base.
So let me be perfectly clear.
I will not vote for anyone who supports SOPA. I will not vote for anyone who even thinks of voting for SOPA. Ever. Sure, I'm only one vote... but I'm not alone. The days where you could claim that the majority of voters didn't know, care, or understand about the internet are gone... and have been for a long time. The internet is an intrinsic part of our culture now, like it or not.
I'm sure that someone reading this will twist this to say that I'm pissed because I pirate things online. No, I really don't. I watch YouTube and Hulu, and listen to Pandora. I read fanfiction, which is perfectly legal. I like fanart. I do lots of other things that are perfectly legal online, but that SOPA would dramatically affect.
There was a story making the rounds not too long ago that NASA's YouTube channel was suspended for using copyrighted material... owned by NASA. We all laugh at the failings of an algorithm that's too strict, but that sort of thing will just become more and more common if SOPA is passed, because websites will be forced to become gatekeepers, just to protect their own ass. It'll become the norm, not just a joke.
And that's not even taking into account things like new copyright formats like Creative Commons, and Pay What You Want offerings (which by the way are working), that I'm sure the bill doesn't address.
So, yes, I understand. You want to keep that lobbyist money, those campaign contributions coming. Sure. I won't say it's reasonable, but it's certainly accepted in our political world.
But to enjoy that money, and the power, you have to actually stay in office. And you're not going to do that if you piss off entire generations.
I know enough to know you won't do the right thing, or I wouldn't even be talking about this. So please, do the smart thing, at least.
And everyone else? Feel free to share this as much as you want, wherever you want.
