Thought police to control the Internet if Congress has its way

This country is in dire straights, and both sides of the aisle in Congress seem hell bent on destroying the very fabric of the Republic by usurping the civil liberties of its citizens. The latest power grab comes in the form of the "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA). Writing at theHill.com, Bill Wilson argues that this bill is basically a "kill switch" on First Amendment rights on the internet.

This legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 26, 2011, and while it is ostensibly designed to protect intellectual property rights on the internet, in practice it is just another unconstitutional power grab by the Federal Government. The scope of the bill is unprecedented in that it would impose government mandates on internet service providers, which essentially gives the Feds free rein over the web.

If SOPA becomes law, the government could shut down a website with the mere accusation that the site displayed copyright-protected content. Furthermore, the Justice Department could bar advertisers and payment providers from doing business with the site and charge them as co-conspirators in the alleged "piracy" of content.

Read the rest at Benzinga
When Will It Stop? Congress Seeking Authority to Become Internet "Thought Police"
by Scott Rubin