Good morning! 😀
It’s probably no big surprise with the lifestyle I lead that I don’t get around to watching the news much or getting into any super in-depth on-line “happenings”.
That said… it was not until Tuesday evening when I opened my email that I found out from WordPress about a US legislation that is threatening our internet freedom, apparently including those of us who have personal blogs.
WordPress gave us an option to “go black” today in protest of this, however I am on a book tour today for Wine To Water, otherwise I would have.
What I was able to do was put the ribbon on my blog that you will see in the upper right hand corner. That will remain on Book Journey until January 28th. I am however, taking Team Kickin It, down for the day in support of those working to make a difference in our favor.
Here is what was sent to me from wordpress:
Many websites are blacked out today to protest proposed U.S. legislation that threatens internet freedom: the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). From personal blogs to Wikipedia, sites all over the web — including this one — are asking you to help stop this dangerous legislation from being passed.
I will be back to respond to comments after 8 pm tonight. I hope everyone has a wonderful day enjoying a GREAT read! 😀
Book Journey 
Hi Sheila, I was kind of in the dark (no pun intended) on this issues as well. While I didn’t black out my blog today I DID send an email to my Congressman telling him I’m against SOPA and PIPA. See you later!
Hi Mary… yup I know little about this but if it is going to affect what I love to do here… I am all about making a statement 😀
I was also startled by learning of this from another blogger…and while I support the issue, I felt panicky at the thought of the blogs going dark. But then, what if, in the long run, everything about blogging changed…and not for the better.
We often take these aspects of our lives for granted, and this issue reminds us that nothing is certain. Everything can change.
That is a little unnerving isn’t it Laurel… I am not sure at this point why this would effect the blogs… I mean what harm are we doing?
I was wondering what all of the “blacked out” blogs last night were doing! Thanks for the info since I haven’t tuned into the news in quite awhile (sorry to say!).
Shannon
http://www.extremereadingandwriting.wordpress.com
I only knew about it because wordpress sent an email out…. then I went on twitter to learn a bit more.
I really don’t think blacking out my blog would do a bit of good toward this issue. I can see both sides of it, but this proposed legislation simply goes too far. If a person puts photos or their own music online, why should that be anyone else’s business? I can, of course, see the piracy issue with movies and published music. Don’t know what the answer is but it sure isn’t this legislation.
I don’t know either Barbara, honestly timing was perfect… I had a huge day today – a big event for 176 people that I was heading up… I wasn’t going to be on line anyway 😀
So many unnecessary rules in the world. If there is a problem deal with it one on one, I hate the punish all style so ridiculous.
I will follow your discussion to have a better understanding also.
Thanks Tea… I was hoping someone could clarify this for me.
I’ll be surprised if this passes, but I think awareness is an awesome thing. Oh, and LOL @ your last morning post with hubby at church. You gave me the best chuckle. 🙂
I wouldn’t think it would pass either J Kaye, it makes me think of the whole book disclosure thing we went through a year or so ago…. that was when they said with every review we have to state where the book came from. In the end, they decided it was too much trouble….
I knew about the pending legislation but I didn’t know about the protest until last night. I went with the “stop censorship” banner and a black background rather than a total blackout to show support.
This legislation won’t do much to stop piracy. But what it will do is turn hosting companies and ISPs into censors.
OOH a black background would have been smart! I didnt think of that Leslie! 😀
I don’t think this is on the news. Television news will make more money if the internet is censured. They’ll be the gatekeepers again. But none of them are ready for it. They are all personalities and not journalists.
Good points Steph!
i actually had the news on last night, first time in a month, and heard about wikipedia doing the black out….the government always seems to have to stick their nose into absolutely everything…when will it stop?
There has to be so much more important things to spend their time and efforts on…
Thx for sharing!! I posted the video. Some things take a wee bit more knowledge on how to do and I don’t really want to “censor” something… but the video is very helpful in understanding why the government thinks they’re doing a good thing and how easily it can be abused. I just clicked on your ribbon to get there… thanks!!
Sweet! Thanks Laura!
I blacked out my blog. I don’t know how much good it will do but I want to participate!
Thats the way I felt… but yeah… wanted to do what I could 😀
Well I missed it, as I just got online a little while ago and had a post scheduled for today already anyway. So many things to worry about! Was there ever a time when the news told about good things?
I gave up on the news a long time ago Jill…. I get tired of hearing all the bad things….
I’ve been working so hard lately I missed the entire thing. Ooops. I can still write my Congressman.
I almost did too Candice…. (missed it that is) I also wrote my congressman.
I lived in China in the past years and as everybody knows is that the government there is huge in censoring. What creeps me out is that western countries do think they are so much better than China, but actually are doing the same but didn’t say it so far.
Besides… censoring doesn’t work anyway. In China the netizens find ways to do what they want to do and so will the rest of the world.
And hello… it’s the internet. It’s all about being open and having freedom!
So it’s a ridiculous idea. I am totally with you of course. I’m on blogger and I just didn’t know how to create the ribbon/banner, otherwise I had done it as well.
Thanks! I would think it would be really hard for them to monitor…. what a huge job that would be! Sure watch out for piracy on movies, music etc…. but I think if I am using a picture of a book cover I pulled off the internet to promote the book…. why/how is that a bad thing?