You may have noticed three things today:-
- Our new header – Henry has gone and has been replaced by Anne’s falcon. He was taking far too much of the limelight.
- We don’t have a blackout
- But we do have the Stop SOPA ribbon
Today, many websites around the world are either blacked out or are displaying the Stop SOPA ribbon in protest against the proposed US legislation that threatens internet freedom, i.e. the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). While I am not American, I recognise that this will have a huge effect on websites and blogs all over the world. I am completely against piracy and copyright infringement but things can be taken too far and laws can be abused. Can you imagine a world where websites get taken down because a forum member has posted a link to a video? Can you imagine a world without social media websites, YouTube, Wikpedia etc? There must be a better way to combat piracy and copyright issues, surely.
As Wikipedia explain on their Q&A page about the legislation: “SOPA and PIPA are a threat to Wikipedia in many ways. For example, in its current form, SOPA would require Wikipedia to actively monitor every site we link to, to ensure it doesn’t host infringing content. Any link to an infringing site could put us in jeopardy of being forced offline.” So, the legislation is a threat to many websites that allow comments, forums and interaction.
If you don’t know what I’m on about then here is a very informative video:-
There is also a petition to sign at Google – https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
As an American, I am completely against this law and appreciate you displaying the ribbon against this ridiculous attempt at generalized censorship.
But I’m also glad you didn’t black out your site today!
Thank you! 🙂
As an American, while I understand the needs to fight piracy, this just feels like another crackdown on our Constitutional rights. Thanks for not going black today and for featuring the ribbon.
And I LOVE the new header. I’m afraid that every time I logged onto the site, I saw Henry first. He does tend to take over things, doesn’t he, being so much larger than life? 😀 Anne’s falcon is a perfect substitute!
Henry can go get his own website LOL
Thank you for the comments about the header. I agree completely. It was Henry’s huge 80’s shoulder pads that did it.
We love the falcon image that we had drawn for us as the “icon” for the members site, and it fits here just perfectly.
I hope this is OK, but your American readers might be interested in this link to a petition protesting PIPA/SOPA:
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
I’ve already signed … and emailed my representatives.
Hi Esther,
Thank you, I actually just added that link top my article under the video, so great minds think alike!
Totally on board with the falcon replacing Henry. Anne is so much more than Henry’s ill-fated second wife.
And count me as another American against this legislation.
I am Canadian, but find this proposed law/s absurd! The pendulum has swung far too far to the right. I appreciate your support of this day – and I know Anne would have too!!
I love the falcon badge! I, too, am against any form of censorship ever. So will gladly sign the petition. Those in power find freedom of expression extremely threatening to their continued power. The internet is one of the last free, truly free, places left on the planet. We need to fight to keep it that way!
I am totally against SOPA. Censorship is always a bad idea. Signed a petition and sent a note off to my Senator. Thank you for putting the ribbon up.
It’s a silly way of tackling piracy and copyright issues and just doesn’t make sense.
Loving the Falcon!! Thank you for showing support against SOPA Claire 🙂
Claire, please accept my thanks as well for adding the Stop SOPA ribbon. And the falcon badge is a perfect addition. Wyatt compared Anne to a deer, who tend to be prey; she was also a graceful, intrepid bird:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/white-falcon-white-wolf/video-mother-gyrfalcon-on-the-hunt/3430/
(Does this clip remind anyone of a certain couple?)
P.S. What does anyone think of Rooney Mara as Anne in some future production? I saw a photo of her the other day, dressed in black couture for the Golden Globes, and thought she looked quite Anne-ish. (Don’t know whether she could manage the accent, though.)
Thank you for the internet petition, Claire. I signed it and submited it. As to the the other things. I am really enjoying them, and will make or not make comments later, as most of yours are so superior as they need no further comment!
Yes, I am well veresed on Richard III and Edward IV, and Elizabeth of York as well. Back then, Henry VII did just the right chess move in marrying Elizabeth of York, and united both. I think I read on, I don’t know if I allowed to say or not, on one your fantatic reports that Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn was the first marriage for love until that time. I read “The Tudor Rose,” by Magaret Campbell Barnes, an historical novel on Ellzabeth of York, and what it was like to be in a loveless Royal marriage. Thank you, WiiesWales
Claire,
Thank you for the information video. I do not think we need big govenment and big brother business in our business, so I signed the petition. Love the change to the falcon. Henry reminded me too much of my ex.
Thanks for putting the header focus squarely on Anne – it’s much appreciated. Also appreciate the SOPA ribbon. I’ve signed the petition and posted the link on my Facebook page. SOPA and PIPA are knee-jerk, poorly thought-out responses to the complex issue of piracy of intellectual property, especially as regards to the worldwide web.
though a citizen of european country i felt it was my duty to sign the petition as well.
I think it will have a worldwide effect so thank you, Janice!
Claire,
Thanks so much for making a point of publicizing the SOPA issue. If you’re an American, call your representatives and complain! We fought a war so we can say what we must.
Never forget John Stubbs.
Two things
1.Love the new header, it looks really good!
2. I think that the internet-law-stuff is idiotic and I hope it does not become approved, great that you have taken a stand against it Claire!
The video explained it perfectly, if came across to me anyway, as another way for the lawyers, government bodies etc to make loads of moneys and controll people, as other ways are deminishing, what are we coming to, if we walk down the street singing our favourite song, could we get sued!! being in a public place without copyrite..phew, who comes up with these ludicrous ideas, no offence to anyone from the U.S.A.
Yes, I think the Falcon Emblem is an great replacement for Henry too, though he can’t help but be a dominating factor really, cos without him we wouldn’t have Anne 🙂