Since nobody's mentioned it yet...... Watching this issue in recent weeks, I really think the various public responses from Congresscritters and the Hollywood cartels about those who challenge these pieces of legislation are beginning to reek of desparation and/or sheer ignorance. The tone in tech policy circles over SOPA/PIPA makes the tone surrounding the enactment of DMCA 12 years ago look downright tranquil by comparison. (Disclosure: My personal site is participating in the protest today. -- rick) SOPA protests shut down Web sites By David A. Fahrenthold, Published: January 17 | Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 12:05 AM This is what happens when you make the Internet mad. On Wednesday, a group of technology companies is planning to stage an unusual form of protest: The firms are shutting down their own popular Web sites for a day to show their unhappiness with two Internet-regulation bills grinding through Congress. They argue that the bills would impose huge regulatory costs and stifle innovation on the Web. < -- > http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sopa-protests-to-shut-down-web-sites/... --- Just because i'm near the punchbowl doesn't mean I'm also drinking from it.