[markomalley]

You can read the bill here. The interesting part about this bill is that it modifies Title 18 of the US Code (crimes) and not Title 17 (copyrights). In addition, it authorizes the AG to do the virtual equivalent of confiscation of property without any judicial review beforehand. The only judicial review is a civil matter if the person whose website was taken down decides to file a civil action in court thereafter.

My concerns are not trying to defend those who are stealing others' intellectual property but that this sets up a really, really, really bad precedent that could be applied in other areas of government censorship. Say, for example, if they want to shut down Free Republic. They would shut down the site and then force JimRob to hire a lawyer and go after them in order to get that order lifted.

Not the way things are supposed to work in this country, last time I checked.

[Jerrybob]

This is such a bad, stinking idea it isn’t funny. “Let’s give the government more power...” Police state, anyone????

[anniegetyourgun]

ping

[Diogenesis]

No one would be surprised if under the Obama-DNC-Fascists
that melanin content was discussed in the law, or that
genital and rectal probes would be allowed for the government.

[2dollarbill]

More Government censorship...oh boy! I just cant wait for the entire internet to get back to every website 24 hour O’bama coverage. No more need for real news. O’bama can tell us everything we need to know...

[a fool in paradise]

Big Media has made “copyright protection” as task for Homeland Security (and no I am not using hyperbole).

The Red Diaper Doper Babies are killing this nation.

[ShadowAce]

[G Larry]

hmmmm......end of FR!?!?!?

If somebody posts 3 or more words protected by copywrite, we’re toast!

[Arm_Bears]

These clowns just don’t learn.

[sauropod]

bad news

[a fool in paradise]

The Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA) is among the most draconian laws ever considered to combat digital piracy, and contains what some have called the “nuclear option,” which would essentially allow the Attorney General to turn suspected websites “off.”

Our p*ssy of a president is ABSOLUTELY unwilling to use nuclear weapons and seeks to end our nuclear capacity. Yet he is perfectly damned willing to establish a "nuclear option" against his own citizens.

[Texas resident]

China

[Eye of Unk]

If anything we should build a virtual
“Great Wall of America” to keep the Chinese out of OUR internet.

It IS our greatest weakness right, it affects almost every aspect of our lives, the Chinese can hack anything, from disabling your car to virtual phone message spoofing.

I can visualize a massive attack from them enabling any cellphone to go berserk, calling porn sites, of which then a bill like this would effectively then shut down all cellphone service in America.

[Red Badger]

(COICA) = BOHICA........................

[IamConservative]

The obvious work around is off shore hosting.

Wonder if they plan to block traffic from “offending” sites as well? That is the real question.

I’ve heard Limewire was shutdown.

[Le Chien Rouge]

The ACLU wants to charge GW Bush for torture yet will be completely silent on freedom of press violations by the federal government.

What a bizarre world we now live.

[hondact200]

Sounds like the end of conservaive internet sites - pretty soon Freepers will be gone. Townhall.com hotair, drudgereport and so on and so forth. It has been nice knowing you all. how much longer we are allowed to speak to one another will be determined. Wait a moment there is a government car driving up, there a two men in it and they have a very big scissors and they are now coming to the door. i better send this quick, they are breaking down the door ....

[rwfromkansas]

The problem with these types of bills is both parties generally are in bed with the MPAA and RIAA, so they just sail through.

We are screwed. Zero chance to stop this.

Zero.

[rfreedom4u]

Anyone have a break down on the vote? I’m wondering how my senator voted.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

“... regardless if the website has actually committed a crime.”

[Lazamataz]

Actually, I have an idea that would make this (government shutdowns) impossible to enforce against Free Republic.

It involves using the peer-to-peer model.

We might have to work fast.