SOPA/PIPA: Help Say "Nay" (Important)

Hey everyone..
I thought I should post something about this SOPA business since there's been a lot of commotion about it lately.

First, I just want to say that I knew nothing about SOPA before this year began. What first brought it to my attention was a YouTube video that was embedded on Pirate Bay's main page. Here's the original video: SOPA Cabana It was a good song, but that was about it. I thought nothing more of it. I didn't know how big this thing was.
It came up again very briefly last week during work. I was doing some research (don't remember what for now) and looked something up on Wikipedia. At the top of the page was a black bar with white lettering saying something about a "blackout". I didn't get to read anymore into it at all because I was busy.
I had no idea it had anything to do with SOPA until today. This morning, after reading Girls with Slingshots latest comic, I noticed Danielle Corsetto's latest blog entry. Once again, mentioning SOPA. So, not liking the fact that I'm clueless about this situation, I decided to so some research.

SOPA (also known as House Bill 3261) is a bill that will 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. It could include:
1.Barring online advertising networks and payment facilitators from doing business with the allegedly infringing website.
2. Barring search engines from linking to such sites.
3. Requiring Internet service providers to block access to such sites.
...depending on who makes the request.
The bill would make unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content a crime. Giving you a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison (for 10 such infringements in 6 months). It would also give immunity to the Internet services that voluntarily take action against websites dedicated to infringement.

PIPA (also known as Senate Bill 968) is a proposed law giving the U.S. government (and copyright holders) additional tools to curb access to "rogue websites dedicated to infringing or counterfeit goods". Especially those registered outside the U.S. It's also basically a re-write of the "Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA)".

In a nutshell, they're basically trying to censor the Internet. And (in a way) make people turn on each other. I mean, this would be a great way to stop people from stealing, reproducing and selling/making a profit from property that isn't theirs. It would also be great if they stated how they were going to go about doing so more specifically. Otherwise, a website could be blocked for simply mentioning someone's name or somebody simply voicing their opinion about something.
This is part of why I don't support the bill. They've left out some important details as well as left their intentions a little too vague. Plus, there's a huge downside to it. Fighting piracy is one thing, but taking down/targeting personal blogs, search engines and social networks is definitely not the way to go about it.
People also use social networks for... well, networking. The passing of this bill could negatively effect people's jobs. The economy already sucks. This will make it (if not significantly) worse.
Not to mention that other websites like YouTube will also be effected if this bill passes..

I'm going to wrap this up before I start rambling. I've already lost my train of thought (had a busy day at work). You can follow everything from beginning to present here: SOPA Initiative

I posted this because I would like you all to help save our Internet rights/privileges. There's plenty you can do. The Senate will begin voting on [Tuesday, January] 24th. Help them say "Nay". Below are some more options. I do hope you take this into consideration.

A. Go to Wikipedia's main page. They're having a "Blackout" (for more information about that, go here: Learn more). From there, you can contact the elected officials in your area and voice your opinion.

B. (I got this from Danielle Corsetto's blog page) 1) Look up your congressperson or senator, and see if he/she supports or opposes.

For SOPA: projects.propublica.org/sopa/
For PIPA: projects.propublica.org/sopa/pipa#roll_call

2) Click the appropriate picture to pull up contact information.

3) Write a handwritten letter describing why you’re unhappy. This is the best way to get their attention.

4) If you don’t have time for that, call their office and politely but firmly express your complaint, specifically mentioning their support for SOPA (house of reps) or PIPA (senate).

C. Go to Google's Petition and sign the petition.

D. (And this is very important) Post about it. In your status messages, tweets, blogs... whatever/however you can. Spread the word. Let everyone know what's going on and what they can do about it. The more the better.

Time is running out. The fate/future of the Internet rests in OUR hands. 'Cause I know damn well, if left up to the government, they'll screw everything up.
Thank you for taking the time to read this entry. I wouldn't mind hearing some feedback. I want to know what you all think about what's happening. How do you think this will effect us (if at all)? What changes do you foresee? Good or bad? Tell me.
Otherwise, until next time.. L8r.

~ Katt

Happy New Year (Big News)

Hey everyone..

    As I said, I’m back and I’m glad the Holidays are finally over. They weren’t as bad as I thought they would be. I was upset about the fact that I wasn’t able to spend the Holidays with my beloved.. But I spent my birthday, Christmas and New Years with my dear friend, Iggy. So at least I wasn’t alone.
    I hope everyone had a pleasant Holiday as well.

    I know you all have noticed I haven’t posted any Art in a while. There are a few reasons for this. One of which I’ve already explained in my previous journal entry/note.

1. Holidays - Long story short: I’m not a Holiday person. Nor am I very motivated to draw during said time. Read my previous journal entry/note for details.
2. Work- Things are finally starting to pick up at work. The more I get used to things, the easier it gets and the busier I become. I’m actually happy about that. As long as I stay busy, the less my mind wanders..
3. . . .

    For my third reason, I want everyone to know that I have big news: My comics might be getting published in magazines and newspapers worldwide. :D
    It’s a funny story, actually.. On December 29th, I got online early with the mindset to update my pages. My FaceBook page hasn’t been getting much recognition. I decided to put a post up in a Comic-book Artist group I’m in. Just to get it off the ground. I did not expect to get any serious results. Just a comment.. Maybe a ‘like’ or two on my page..
    Instead, I caught the eye of someone who was willing to help me out. He took a look at my comics and said my style was good enough to be in magazines and newspapers. Which has always been a dream of mine.
    Years ago, I used to read the comics section of the New York “Daily News” newspaper. I stopped reading them because new comics began replacing the old ones and they suck. Lately, people with almost no talent at all have been getting published in newspapers and magazines and I think it’s… stupid (for lack of a better word). To me, the comic section quickly became unappealing.
    This person felt the same (thank God, I’m not alone in my opinion). He recommended my work to one of his connections working at “King Features“ for review. After doing some research on it, I seriously got excited. King Features is a syndicate for most of my favorite newspaper comics.
    After that, I pretty much spent the rest of my day talking to this person. Figuring out what I had to do and what was going to happen next. I contacted the connection to King Features they gave me. Due to it being the Holidays at the time, I am still waiting for a reply from them. I am very excited about this.

    This brings me to the present. I am currently working on getting my characters copyrighted. All of them. I’m not sure I should continue posting during this process. I definitely have to re-read the FaceBook guidelines..
    One thing’s for sure, I will definitely be drawing more comics this year. I’m also going to be even more busy. My current list of Character Design Requests and Art Trades hasn’t been forgotten. They will still get done (in fact, I have a couple more to add to that list). I ask that you continue to be patient with me. If all goes well, I’ll become a part-time Freelancer sometime this year. :3

    I would like to thank everyone who continues to support me. Especially during my Holiday absence. It is most appreciated. This is definitely going to be a good year for me. I can feel it. It’s the year of the Dragon. This year, I’m makin’ it all about me.

    One last thing: I’ve begun playing “World of Warcraft” again recently. I just finished upgrading to “Cataclysm” yesterday. I’m currently playing in the “Bladefist” realm if anyone is interested. Otherwise, that’s all I’ve got for now. I’ll keep you all posted on what’s going on. Hopefully I can manage to post a sketch or two soon as well. So until next time, l8r!

~ Katt