The enormity of sites such as Wikipedia, Google and Reddit “blacking out” their websites in protest of PIPA and SOPA is not to be underestimated. We at 1115.org not only support these efforts, but give offhand support to those working against PIPA and SOPA.

Personally, I do not have enough expertise on the subject to speak to the real implications of either. However, I am strongly opposed to any attempt by the government to control the internet in the general.

The only specific statement I would like to make on this subject is about the wrongness of former US Senator Chris Dodd. Today he said the blackouts were, “irresponsible response and a disservice to people who rely on them for information (or) use their services…It is also an abuse of power given the freedoms these companies enjoy in the marketplace today.”

Dodd’s position is understandable, as the Motion Picture Association of America’s chief lobbyist Dodd has a professional responsibility to fight for the passage of SOPA and PIPA. He is, however, utterly ridiculous for him to suggest that these sites do not have the right to do whatever they wish with their principal property. It is entirely hypocritical for him to criticize these companies for doing exactly what he is paid to do – advocate politics on the behalf of corporation. These companies may not have the dollars to hire lobbyists such as Dodd, so they have to turn to other avenues. They have every right to fight for their own survival, and against efforts of censorship, in this way.