One might think that because of my politics, I'd be rooting for rich companies pushing awful legislation through our government, because that's what capitalism is all about, right??
WRONG. Unfortunately for them, real capitalism involves defending everyone's rights, not just those who have tons of money and influence in Washington, and that means protecting the right to be free from interference unless you actually steal something.
You know... like we do with thieves.
The proposed SOPA and PIPA legislation involves taking action such as forcing Internet companies to block servers of suspected thieves and to stop them from doing business with suspects, before due process in a court of law. It's like forcing the postal service to remove people's address, or the cell company to delete phone numbers, because someone is suspected of stealing. It imposes burdens on non-thieves who haven't done anything, thus violating their individual rights.
I'm an "author", a photographer, and an advocate of free markets, and I opposed digital theft and fully support property rights (including signs on trail runs!). I do think that intellectual property and media should be protected from theft, but the laws need to be fair and clear, and involve standard criminal due process, and this is just not the right way to do it.
More info on the laws. Please consider contacting your representatives to protest these laws.
Thanks!
HT Jenn Casey via Twitter (@rationaljenn) on the title.
WRONG. Unfortunately for them, real capitalism involves defending everyone's rights, not just those who have tons of money and influence in Washington, and that means protecting the right to be free from interference unless you actually steal something.
You know... like we do with thieves.
The proposed SOPA and PIPA legislation involves taking action such as forcing Internet companies to block servers of suspected thieves and to stop them from doing business with suspects, before due process in a court of law. It's like forcing the postal service to remove people's address, or the cell company to delete phone numbers, because someone is suspected of stealing. It imposes burdens on non-thieves who haven't done anything, thus violating their individual rights.
I'm an "author", a photographer, and an advocate of free markets, and I opposed digital theft and fully support property rights (including signs on trail runs!). I do think that intellectual property and media should be protected from theft, but the laws need to be fair and clear, and involve standard criminal due process, and this is just not the right way to do it.
More info on the laws. Please consider contacting your representatives to protest these laws.
Thanks!
HT Jenn Casey via Twitter (@rationaljenn) on the title.
