White House just responded on the controversial Internet censorship bill SOPA and frankly, it doesn't look good for opponents.
The Administration calls on all sides to work together to pass sound legislation this year that provides prosecutors and rights holders new legal tools to combat online piracy originating beyond U.S. borders while staying true to the principles outlined above in this response.
Others are interpreting the White House blog post differently of course and let's hope they are right. In our experience, the minute this administration mentions keyword bi-partisan, we know we're about to be screwed frankly. Just look at the National Defense Authorization Act. That said, the fight against SOPA is heating up.
What is SOPA? It's a bill winding through Congress which is supposed to stop online piracy. The bill has broad powers through vague and ill-defined clauses for pretty much anyone to shut down any website by claiming they are hosting copyrighted material and such. Public Knowledge puts it more succinctly, This Bill Screws the Internet. The domain americancensorship.org has been at the forefront of fighting both SOPA and PIPA. The link above goes to their infographic and we reprint one slide with some of the more damning SOPA and PIPA consequences below.
White House's concerns with SOPA and PIPA did not end with the DNS provisions, however. "Any provision covering Internet intermediaries such as online advertising networks, payment processors, or search engines must be transparent," the statement says. The administration is also opposed to "overly broad private rights of action that could encourage unjustified litigation that could discourage startup businesses and innovative firms from growing."
The administration also wants legislation that is "narrowly targeted only at sites beyond the reach of current U.S. law, cover activity clearly prohibited under existing U.S. laws, and be effectively tailored, with strong due process and focused on criminal activity."
Combine all those concerns, and the statement is a fairly sweeping condemnation of SOPA and PIPA in their current form. Espinel and her colleagues appear to have left enough wiggle room in the statement to allow the president to sign a future version of the bill that addresses some, but not all, of the critics' concerns. But the bill's sponsors are now going to have to work hard to satisfy critics and build a consensus in favor of passage.
Meanwhile, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), a SOPA opponent, announced Saturday that he is postponing hearings on SOPA's DNS provisions that had been slated for Wednesday, January 18 before his House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
"While I remain concerned about Senate action on the Protect IP Act, I am confident that flawed legislation will not be taken up by this House," Issa said. "Majority Leader Cantor has assured me that we will continue to work to address outstanding concerns and work to build consensus prior to any anti-piracy legislation coming before the House for a vote.
Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), also known as H.R. 3261, is a bill that was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on October 26, 2011, by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) and a bipartisan group of 12 initial co-sponsors. The bill expands the ability of U.S. law enforcement and copyright holders to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods. Now before the House Judiciary Committee, it builds on the similar PRO-IP Act of 2008 and the corresponding Senate bill, the PROTECT IP Act.
The originally proposed bill would allow the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as copyright holders, to seek court orders against websites accused of enabling or facilitating copyright infringement. Depending on who requests the court orders, the actions could include barring online advertising networks and payment facilitators such as PayPal from doing business with the allegedly infringing website, barring search engines from linking to such sites, and requiring Internet service providers to block access to such sites. The bill would make unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content a crime, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison for 10 such infringements within six months. The bill also gives immunity to Internet services that voluntarily take action against websites dedicated to infringement, while making liable for damages any copyright holder who knowingly misrepresents that a website is dedicated to infringement.
Proponents of the bill say it protects the intellectual property market and corresponding industry, jobs and revenue, and is necessary to bolster enforcement of copyright laws especially against foreign websites. They cite examples such as Google's $500 million settlement with the Department of Justice for its role in a scheme to target U.S. consumers with ads to buy illegal prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies. Opponents say that it violates the First Amendment, is Internet censorship, will cripple the Internet,and will threaten whistle-blowing and other free speech.
Opponents of the legislation have also initiated a number of protest actions, including petition drives, boycotts of companies that support the legislation, and even proposed service blackouts by major Internet companies scheduled to coincide with the next Congressional hearing on the matter.
The House Judiciary Committee held hearings on SOPA on November 16 and December 15, 2011. The Committee is scheduled to continue debate when Congress returns from its winter recess in January.
Rep. Smith is planning to remove the provision that requires Internet service providers to block access to certain foreign websites
On January 14, 2012, the White House is reported as stating: "Any effort to combat online piracy must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small." Also stated by the White House: "We must avoid creating new cybersecurity risks or disrupting the underlying architecture of the Internet.
BILLINGS - The people of Sidney are mourning the loss of Sherry Arnold. The healing process begins, even though residents know very little about her disappearance.
Forty-three-year-old Sherry Arnold was a well-respected teacher, mother, and dear friend to many. "She was a go-getter, a great teacher, and just a very nice down-to-earth person," longtime Sidney resident; Joy Johnson said.
Johnson attended a press conference Friday afternoon to learn the facts about Sherry's disappearance. "It's nice to know that they have a couple of people detained, but that still leaves you with questions as to what happened and why," Johnson said.
A 47-year-old man and a 22-year-old man are being held in Williston, North Dakota, on aggravated kidnapping charges. Both are in connection with Sherry Arnold's disappearance. Officials with Williams County Jail said the two men were booked on Friday. "We didn't learn a lot. But, it's good to know that there are things going on, and I came because I wanted firsthand information. We're in a small town. There's a lot of stories that can get started, and I wanted to hear things firsthand," Chamber of Commerce Executive Director of Agriculture.
News of Arnold’s death comes on the heels of an emotional week for the family and for area residents who had maintained hope and offered many prayers. Arnold went missing last weekend about 6:30 a.m. when she went for her normal morning run and didn’t return. Within hours, 100 residents were searching streets and posting flyers. Word spread quickly, eventually drawing attention from national news organizations, especially after only a single running shoe was found.
On Sunday, more than 1,000 volunteers, traveling even from Williston,N.D., arrived at the high school to help search for the high school math teacher. Law enforcement sent more than half away in order to maintain control but said they appreciated their support. The search continued until nightfall.
On Monday, law enforcement handled the search efforts, only calling on the public for help when needed. A day later, news came the FBI had taken over and were working out of the Richland County Law & Justice Center with assistance from Sidney police. A tip line was set up.
The Herald spoke Thursday afternoon with Arnold’s family who said they were “hanging in there” as they struggled through numerous regional and national interviews. “It’s been a challenge,” Gary Arnold said of the media attention. “Not any of us have ever been speakers on that kind of a stage. It’s what you do to get her home.”
The Herald received condolences from across the nation when word came of Sherry Arnold’s death. Gov. Brian Schweitzer told the Herald Friday that “Sherry’s family, friends and the entire Sidney community are in Nancy’s and my thoughts and prayers. She will always be remembered as a wonderful daughter, mother, wife, teacher and a beloved member of the Sidney community.”
An email from U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said, “Sharla and I are deeply saddened by today’s tragic news. Sherry was a beloved member of the Sidney community whose legacy as a mother and a teacher will not be forgotten. Sharla and I have Sherry’s family and the entire Sidney community in our thoughts and prayers.”
Arnold's family called Sherry a “go-getter” who was “never late” and many appointments she had she arrived ahead of time. A leader, planner, referee, a best friend, beloved daughter; she was a “wonderful wife” and “fantastic mother,” Gary said.
She was strong, he said. She defeated cancer six years ago. “She was a survivor. She came out of the cancer surgery 11 and a half hours, and she surprised the doctors. They expected her to have to walk with a brace, and when she said no, she meant no, and she learned how to walk without the brace – and not only walk but jog and run.” An “exemplary” illustration of the ideal patient.
Her stepdaughter, Catherine Arnold, said she’s reminded of Sherry’s attitude when she thinks of her battle with cancer. If one didn't already know, they wouldn't suspect she had cancer. “Because she was always focused on everybody else,” she said. “And that’s how she was, every single day…She never once strayed away from that.
A Montana teacher and mother of three who disappeared after she went out for a run is dead, and a man has been taken into custody in connection with the case, local school officials and the FBI said Friday.
Sidney public school officials released a statement saying they were told of Sherry Arnold's death at about 9:30am local time Friday morning after her family was notified.
According to The Bismarck Tribune, Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said at a press conference Friday afternoon that a 47-year-old man is in custody in Williams County in northwest North Dakota, and a 22-year-old man is being questioned in Rapid City in western South Dakota.
DiFonzo did not take any questions, did not confirm Arnold's death and did not mention whether her body had been found, the newspaper said.
Arnold, 43, of Sidney, Mont., was last seen Saturday morning at about 6:30am when she set out for a run.
According to a statement from the FBI, law enforcement officials were led to the two men by a tip from a member of the public.
The favorite teacher of the school’s students was remembered in the memorial service held by the school administration. She was very passionate about her work and her lessons are a lifetime gift from her for her students.
"No perpetrator on the face of this Earth can take those away from you," substitute teacher and mentor Greg Ledgerwood said to the students during a memorial service for the deceased teacher. "She was a gift, a gift in the way she talked, walked and cared for students," he added.
Ashley Cooley, one of her students, admires her favorite teacher for the extraordinary efforts she put into educating her students.
"I struggled with math as a freshman and sophomore but when I was a junior and took her class, she taught it so well and was an awesome teacher. She would come in early and stay in class through lunch to help you," Cooley said as she remembered her teacher.
The students are being supported by other teachers in the school to bear the loss of their favorite teacher. Everyone is missing her and praying for her soul to rest in peace. The students are also showing their anger for the culprits who took an asset of their life away from them.
