What's the deal with SOPA?

Congress right now has an abysmal approval rating (9%) and in addition to that the Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA) is being put forth as an option in the war against Peer to Peer file sharing. Yes, this is a problem all over the world but is it America's problem right now?

One of the major arguments against SOPA is that it's currently vaguely worded. As it is, SOPA allows persecution for websites who have links to pirating websites in their comment features. So, if somebody commented on a Time magazine article online giving someone else a link to The Pirate Bay, they would be leaving Time out to dry and left faced with a fine or other repercussions to deal with.

This brings up another interesting point, The Pirate Bay specifically is one of the largest providers of pirated material. However, it is based out of Sweden. So how can American legislation be made to quell a foreign "threat?" The bill leaves a lot to be desired and is under a lot of scrutiny from a large number of internet companies, so that 9% approval rating could be dropping.

I feel this bill is either a distraction from other difficulties that are happening in America or the World. Congress might be using themselves as a scapegoat (if that's possible) to draw attention away from the Occupy movements. Either that, or Congress realizes that they have nearly no support and decided that they might as well do what they want since they don't have much to lose.

Opposition to SOPA claims that their rights are being infringed upon, even though they're aware that they are harming the entertainment industry by pirating music. The strongest opposition are those who advocate free media, and therefore the sharing of files freely. Their reasoning for this is usually because they don't have the money for it themselves, but use the example of the price of media being a day's wages in less fortunate countries and therefore the content should be free to them.

Now feel free to give your input on this matter.

Assange "abandoned" by Australia

http://www.smh.com.au/national/wikileaks-founder-abandoned-by-government-20111107-1n3wj.html

This article goes over the conflict Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, has been having with the Australian government. Assange's legal team has been trying to save Assange from the potential death penalty which he faces on US soil. This is why they are working so frantically to get help from the Australian government,

Assange is well known around the world for leaking sensitive US government documents and was questionably arrested earlier this year. Assange brings up a critical point in citizens rights. Do citizens have the right to know what their government is doing? Is transparency good?

Some will argue that certain topics are too sensitive and somethings are embarrassing and therefore the government would prefer to keep it under wraps. Others would say that it is necessary for them to be aware of their governments doings. That way they have the information that they need to act politically in their community.

Another question Assange's case brings up is whether or not the government should protect their citizens even when on foreign soil. Australia and America are not on bad terms, but the Australian government understands that America isn't necessarily a government who likes to have their toes stepped on.

I think this will eventually end after long debate between US and Australian officials, but the US will give in eventually. It will be one of those events that most people forget about what caused it so they government will try to put off a resolution for as long as possible.