Whether politically involved or not, one has to have noticed the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)/PIPA (Protect IP Act) controversy as of late. A number of websites, including Google, ask visitors to sign petitions in order to stop the proposed bills immediately. Google quotes- "End Piracy, Not Liberty".
Being an opinionated individual with a soapbox upon which to stand, I am not ashamed to admit that I often speak (or type) my thoughts. I don't ask everyone to take the same poise and perspective, but if I am able to intrigue or provoke thought, and maybe add a little bit of understanding to someone's state of mind, than I say there is no harm or foul. In such regards, and not to add the Traditiona blog to an endless list of outraged internet gurus, let me say a few things.
Especially after the recent issues in Saudi Arabia concerning internet censorship, the thought of the U.S. engaging in such suppression is quite frightening to me. I would hate to deal with foolish, meaningless proxies: blindly stapled on sites by out-of-touch government representatives.
At the same time, I make my living in the music industry; and it's no secret that we have taken an indescribable hit in terms of internet piracy. I buy my music, I purchase the vinyls, and I spend day and night working on my own band. It is not difficult to see that it can be a frustrating, cruel trade.
Without typing a novel and extending this too much, I still signed the petition. Not because I take piracy lightly, not because the decay of the music industry is something I do not worry about; but because of my utter lack of faith in the American government and a promise of change that not only goes unfulfilled, but is continually basked in the grime and dirt of scandalousness. I'll believe in bills and acts like this when I see the results, and Lord pardon my doubt, but I do not think that SOPA or PIPA will do much to detain internet lawlessness.
