SOPA: The Blackout

This issue has brought quite a ruckus on the net.

Wednesday, users of Wikipedia, Reddit and other internet sites based in the US found most of the homepages in the dark. This, as some administrative operators of the sites expressed their opposition to the bill under review by the American House of Representatives, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) authored by Representative Lamar S. Smith (R-TX). The bill seeks to expand the ability of US law enforcement and copyright holders to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods.

If passed into law, this will allow the US Department of Justice as well as the copyright holders to seek court orders against websites accused of violating copyright laws . This could lead to barring search engines from linking to protected sites, and this could also prevent online advertising networks and payment facilitators from doing business with infringed sites.

Pros
Supporters of the bill say it protects intellectual property rights and corresponding job industries, protecting revenues. This will filter access of web users to corresponding sites, and enforce copyright laws, especially from foreign, competing websites.

Cons
However, those who are against the bill have declared it to be violating the First Amendment, that it is internet censorship and will threaten free-speech actions. Protests have already been staged, including boycotts, petition drives and service blackouts of leading websites.

List of sites on blackout here.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg cranked up his Twitter account and tweeted for the first time since 2009:

"Tell your Congressmen you want them to be pro-Internet, [the Internet] is the most powerful tool we have for creating a more open and connected world, we can't let poorly thought out laws get in the way of the Internet's development. Facebook opposes SOPA and PIPA (Protect IP Act- corresponding bill in Senate), we will continue to oppose laws that will hurt the Internet."

My take on the issue

I agree to the need of protecting intellectual rights, especially in the fields of advertising, communications, arts and other major industries, which are major brands of companies in themselves. The Internet, being an endless archive of catalogues, networks, services and massive tool for development, exists in its continuity and fluidity of connecting one user to another. However, what needs to be regulated are sites which contain violence, abuse and those which promote indecency. For as long as there are websites which violate humanity and are proven harmful to children, also those containing immoral content, the censorship should be redirected there.

Texas Republican Representative Lamar S. Smith

When Rep. Lamar Smith announced the Stop Online Piracy Act in late October of last year, he knew it was going to be controversial. But the Texas Republican did not anticipate the response from Internet users.

Have any concerns regarding the SOPA? Share them...

To Keep Reading in Check

To keep reading in check, my lola decided to be my book buddy. =)

And she is one absolutely fun book buddy! I don't call her lola, I call her Mama Lette, shortened for Loretto. Papa calls her Mamang. Grand kids call her Mama Lette, so do her nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She is mother to three sons, (Papa being the middle son) and two girls.

Mama Lette is a retired teacher who also served under the Ministry of Education, during Marcos's administration. She was in fourth year law school when she married Papa Choy, (my lolo) and took up a teaching career when she no longer pursued the bar exams.

Mama Lette and the grandkids (L-R: Jess, Mikee, Mama Lette, Kyla, Tita Bing and Jenica) taken last December during our family picnic

Perhaps the love of books run in the family, and she is very conversant when it comes to talking about books she read, her favorite characters, what she likes about the style, the plot and whatever it is that catches her attention. With good eyesight, she still reads books at night by the bedside.

I brought home a copy of The Help by Kathryn Stockett and she borrowed it, suggesting we exchange books after I read The Onion Girl by Charles de Lint. Mama Lette makes the perfect book buddy, because we can always exchange books and talk about them when I come home from work and when she has finally settled down in the evening from watching her favorite Koreanovela. =)

The book pile

Mama Lette's current occupation 

My current book for the 2012 Reading Challenge, and I'm not even close to half of it yet! 

Awaiting the arrival of Thoughts of a Blogger via Multiply

What books are you currently reading? Leave a comment below! 

=)

Idle Worship and Library Updates

So there's this link in the ads corner in FB. And curiosity leads to some crazy discovery. Lo and behold, a beta game allows a player to be god of one's own island. Play like a god and perform blessings and curses on your muddlings, and do the same to other gods' islands. It's all about enforcing the followers' beliefs for them to offer prayers which fuel gods benefits. It's also a game to show what kind of gods you wish to become, a god to be feared, a god who bestows blessings. Gain followers, create a prophet out of a muddling, convert others, establish your own religion. It's a crazy game, but it's still fun to play.

The fun art and mechanism of the game makes the player want to attend to his "religion" because of quirky, sometimes out of this world tasks to complete.

It's the right game to nourish one's sense of humor.

Idle Worship is by Idle Games 

Yesterday, my latest batch of books arrived, and I'm happy. I have another batch of books to keep me busy for a while. Yes, admittedly, this is where my money goes, but I fuel what I love, and I don't regret it. I will be depriving myself of splurges for quite a while, but I have books to keep me company in the meantime. 

Do look out for book giveaways for interested bookworms out there. =) 

The Hobbit

The Hobbit! 

This book brings back memories. Years ago, when I was a poor student who could not afford great literature to read, especially from highly acclaimed authors, I stumbled upon someone else's copy of The Hobbit and sought permission to borrow it. And yes, like any other amazing Tolkien book, this one is just simply oozing with adventure and mystique and legendary characters. 

In this book, home-loving Bilbo Baggins' story is told of how he joins a band of men to complete a quest which will allow them to win a share of the dragon's treasure. Tolkien introduces the creatures of the Wilderland and the world that is completely different from Bilbo's Shire from which he is very much attached to. The entire quest changes how the young Bilbo sees life as he reaches a higher level of maturity and appreciation for company and adventure. 

These are just some glimpses of the book

John Ronald Reuel Tokien

Some news for Tolkien fans, the movie will be coming out soon! Click here The Hobbit Trailer.

Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy

Maeve Binchy's Circle of Friends is a memorable read, set in a charming Irish town and adorable characters. 

I don't remember what year it was, but because classes were done and it was summer, it was probably the only book I could get my hands on. An old lady book.

So, who would have thought I could still remember the plot and some events even after a few years, when I am now in my twenties and I read this when I was in my teens? Maybe it's because the story and characters reflect some of my perspectives in a way.


Simple country life, that's what I first thought, but the values and struggles each character faces every day mirrors our own, and here we stand in the small Irish town, looking childhood friendships, to parent-bonds shared by mothers and daughters, even between an orphan and nun. We discover humility and forgiveness, and hope. One of the memorable summer reads, I must say.

Maeve Binchy