Protecting liberty and freedom is part of optimizing my life.
Today many major websites are protesting by going dark to raise awareness that the US Congress is considering censoring the web.
I am joining in this protest by adding information about these bills currently being considered in the US House and Senate.
Click links to read text of the bills:
SITES YOU USE EVERY DAY COULD BE BLOCKED IF IT PASSES.
The House’s Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is called the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate.
The bill lets corporations and the US government censor entire websites and cut sites off from advertising, payments and donations.
This legislation will stifle free speech and innovation, and even threaten popular web services like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
The House is not expected to vote on SOPA until next month but the full Senate will likely vote on PIPA on Jan. 24.
Please contact your representatives to ask them to oppose the legislation and support a filibuster.
Suggested letter text for Senator:
I am writing to you as a voter in your district. I urge you to vote “no” on cloture for S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act, on Jan. 24th. The PROTECT IP Act is dangerous, ineffective, and short-sighted. It does not deserve floor consideration. I urge my representative to vote “no” on SOPA, the corresponding House bill.
Over coming days you’ll be hearing from the many businesses, advocacy organizations, and ordinary Americans who oppose this legislation because of the myriad ways in which it will stifle free speech and innovation. We hope you’ll take our concerns to heart and oppose this legislation by voting “no” on cloture.
Suggested short letter text:
I am your constituent, and I urge you to oppose the Stop Online Piracy Act and the PROTECT IP Act. These bills will kill jobs and stifle innovation, undermine cyber security, risk censoring the American Internet, and provide cover for totalitarian regimes that want to undermine Internet freedom abroad.
