With the sponsor of the (SOPA) hailing from Texas, and Austin being a high-tech hub, there鈥檚 been plenty of local reaction to the internet blackout in protest of SOPA and the accompanying We have reactions from several Texas lawmakers on the bills:
- Sen. John Cornyn that 鈥淭exans have soundly rejected the 鈥榩ass now, learn later鈥� approach that we saw with Obamacare, and the potential impact of this legislation is too far-reaching to ram it through Congress in such an abrupt way. Stealing content is theft, plain and simple, but concerns about the internet and free speech necessitate a more thoughtful, deliberative process.鈥� This isn鈥檛 the first time Cornyn鈥檚 been pressed on the issue, as SOPA-opposed constituents met with his office earlier this week.
- In a statement to the politics blog Burnt Orange Report (another site that the SOPA proposal) : 鈥淟amar Smith's self-styled 'Stop Online Piracy Act' (SOPA) threatens freedom of expression, cybersecurity and technological innovation. I have joined colleagues to offer a more focused alternative, which addresses legitimate piracy concerns without mandating censorship or blocking websites. Our , as the name indicates, seeks to maintain an internet that is as open and free as possible. The reasonable goal of fighting copyright infringement must be pursued in a way that does not impair the web as an important engine for economic growth in Central Texas."
- SOPA sponsor Rep. Lamar Smith, who represents part of AG真人百家乐 County, yesterday attacking Wikipedia鈥檚 SOPA blackout: 鈥淚t is ironic that a website dedicated to providing information is spreading misinformation about the Stop Online Piracy Act. The bill will not harm Wikipedia, domestic blogs or social networking sites. This publicity stunt does a disservice to its users by promoting fear instead of facts. Perhaps during the blackout, Internet users can look elsewhere for an accurate definition of online piracy.鈥� Smith has also announced he and discussion of SOPA soon, although support for SOPA and PIPA 鈥渜uickly eroding鈥� today on Capitol Hill.
