Recap

I had much more to say about deeper issues, but I was honestly sidetracked by the Niners-Saints game (holy moley, what a rollercoaster) and so today will be shorter than what I had planned.

First: the increasing coverage of major companies (google,craigslist, and wikipedia, to name a few) expressing their objection to SOPA and threatening blackouts is certainly welcome news.  Not that it needs to be explained further why internet censorship is unjust, but the success here is the spread of information on the issue by showing visitors just how immediate the impact will be on their users if it passes; the result (and really, the first in a chain reaction) is that more users will contact their representatives voicing their disapproval, leading to increased pressure, opening up more opportunities for national exposure, and hopefully forcing legislators retracting their support for SOPA (and -- what do you know -- actually listening to their constituents!).

From craiglist's page on SOPA: Pfizer, Nike, Walmart, Dow Chemical, Tiffany, Chanel, Rolex, Monster Cable all support SOPA.  I can understand Comcast, Time Warner, ABC, but why would pharmaceutical, apparel, and watchmaking companies support SOPA?  "Because of lobbyist circle-jerking on Capitol Hill", while likely the most accurate answer, is not sufficient -- I am truly confused.  I guess I didn't know downloading minoxidil and overpriced women's apparel had gotten so out-of-hand.

Second:  Tahoe, '08:

I'm not sure which brilliant mind in human history thought to stand on a board and fly down a mountain with no regards to their safety, but I am glad.  The snow this season so far has been lacking in years past, so hopefully it'll pick up soon.