GeorgW:
Is this gonna be like yesterday, and tomorrow they'll see the blackout is done and give their support to SOPA again?
Still, huge win for activism! I've signed so many petitions today, and I'm not even a US citizen. Good to see it hasn't been for nothing!

Earnest Cavalli:
Now that that's settled, who's up for a petition to get Firefly back on the air?

Now that's a petition I'd sign in a heart beat. Can we make one to send to Fox? I think we could actually make a difference, people may be on a petition high right now. Do it!!

Oh, I almost forgot my vuvuzela.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!

Now there's a thought. In addition to shutting down support chains on the internet, we all go buy vuvuzelas, and march right up to a supporter's office, and pretend like their office is hosting the world cup. The longer they hold out in support, the more we make their working and living spaces unbearably intolerable. The best defense of free speech is making people relish the freedom to shut the hell up.

Back to the calls to the senator.

A couple of sites I frequent were blacked out. Like, fully, not just a little bar. I use wikipedia often, and it was HIGHLY inconvenient for various researches.
Imagine the failing grades on some reports many kids will have.

This effects much more than I think the politicians realize, and I thank goodness that their eyes are opening.

Kross:

Kevlar Eater:
I'm a bit disappointed that Google hasn't completely shut down its service, worldwide, in protest to SOPA and PIPA. That would have sent an even clearer message to the masses on top of everything else.

There needs to be room for escalation if the Bill moves further towards completion. Today was more of a warning shot from the Internet. A much more stringent blackout could conceivably happen if SOPA/PIPA don't die in the next round.

Agreed. The people of the internet are not dumb (contrary to popular belief). We know how to troll the shit out of anybody, and this is no different.

Problem, Congress?

I called my congressman (Patrick Mchenry (R)-NC) today and his aides said that he planned to vote against it.

From the sound of the guy I got on the phone this was definitely not the first call he'd gotten about SOPA today.

TIME FOR CELEBRATION

While I wish that Facebook and Youtube would have blacked out as well, at least Google is supporting the protest. (Go look at their banner)

I do believe the appropriate phrase is A-Boo-Ya!

By the way:

To all the people going "how will the blackout actually help?" or "it's just inconvenient and can't change anything"-

I rest my case.

implodinggoat:
I called my congressman (Patrick Mchenry (R)-NC) today and his aides said that he planned to vote against it.

From the sound of the guy I got on the phone this was definitely not the first call he'd gotten about SOPA today.

That's good it saves me a phone call I'm from Burke County and was ready to let NC politicians know that if they vote for this BS act they shouldn't expect my vote in coming elections.

WanderingFool:
Damn... the black out worked that well, that quickly? I guess people gotta remember, dont fuck with the internet...

Like others have said, I think there would have been even more of an impact if Google or Youtube did their own blackout. Those are sites I use -daily-. Millions of other people do as well.

Palademon:
This calls for..

...well I guess a small victory screech.

Fine, I'll chip in.

OT: Good to hear. All they needed was a little kick in the pants.

Wow internet activision that doesn't involve Anonymous actually works! What did we need Anonymous for again?

gyroscopeboy:
Wow internet activision that doesn't involve Anonymous actually works! What did we need Anonymous for again?

I'm actually surprised, I haven't heard a -word- on them.

I'm just waiting for a big "We told you so" or something.
But not a thing.

Kross:

Kevlar Eater:
I'm a bit disappointed that Google hasn't completely shut down its service, worldwide, in protest to SOPA and PIPA. That would have sent an even clearer message to the masses on top of everything else.

Today was more of a WARNING SHOT from the Internet.

Why did I picture an Iowa class battleship firing a broadside at capitol hill when I read that? Awesome imagery is awesome...(I love my imagination)

Glorious...

Kevlar Eater:
I'm a bit disappointed that Google hasn't completely shut down its service, worldwide, in protest to SOPA and PIPA. That would have sent an even clearer message to the masses on top of everything else.

I agree. I was thinking that Google should have shut down completely (but still allowed access to Gmail) and Youtube should have been shut down as well, since it is owned by Google. Nice to see some results though.

Actually, as for the next battle, i'll let these guys explain.

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/stand-together-the-gaming-community-vs-sopa-and-pipa

(sorry, i couldn't figure out how to embed the video here.)

Threaten to stop voting, hit them wear it hurts.

Next time someone tries to pass this kind of crap, the major web sites should IP address block the entire country which is trying to implement censorship, and refuse to revoke the block unless they pass legislation banning ALL forms of censorship so nobody tries it again.

I found this image, and thought it to be appropriate. Enjoy.

EvilChameleon:
Oh man, if the MPAA was furious earlier about the blackouts, imagine how furious they are now.

MPAA Representative: Dammit. How else will we get people to pay top dollar for some of our crap that we know won't sell if people actually learned from the Internet that this stuff actually sucks!

How long until it comes back?

thats what i was thinking. even when im not religious.

but i am also afraid thats not the last thing we will hear from SOPA