The United States Senate is on the fringe of discussing a bill that blatantly disregards the values and rights of Americans.
The Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, S. 3804, would enable the censorship of websites the government deems, or “suggests,” serves the central purpose of streaming pirated goods.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., introduced the bill and will witness its hearing from the Judiciary Committee within the week, although the bill may have to wait until after the election before being considered.
The bill seeks to create a blacklist of Internet sites based on two criterions. Any website served a court order from the attorney general suggesting censorship will be placed onto the list, and websites that infringe upon copyright laws will be censored per the Department of Justice.
So, torrent websites go out the window, and along with them go the Internet sites that illegally stream television shows and movies without permission.
This is worrisome because this bill threatens to go against the very fabric of American government and Constitution. The Center for Democracy and Technology cited in a response to the Act: “If enacted, the bill would be a significant step toward the Balkanization of the Internet.”
Throughout the education system, the value of the Constitution has been preached to young minds.
Censorship is commonly associated with fascist regimes and power-hungry dictators. So, how does it logically make sense for the United States to partake?
Well, it doesn’t. The suppression of the media, on a global level, is understood by the educated masses of America to be an invasion upon the rights guaranteed to them by their government.
The American education system teaches the dangers and implications of government sponsored censors. “Fahrenheit 451” is a perfect example.
It is simply an inconceivable notion for the Senate to pass this bill into effect. Also, the fact that a government official is spearheading legislation in direct violation of federal law should be a large red flag to America. Leahy is out of touch with the very government he is committed to serve.
This legislation also brings up the divide within the Democratic Party on censorship.
President Barack Obama has openly critiqued the Iranian and Chinese governments on their respective policies regarding the censorship of the Internet.
Censorship is a black and white issue. It is something that should not even be debated, and the fact that it is being brought to the table against Obama’s position is a major concern for the effectiveness of our government.
Blacklisting websites disregards the rights of Americans. Freedom of speech was established in hopes of escaping tyranny and the control of a government with too much power.
That objective is nonexistent for Leahy, but gives light to a government locked in a stalemate over blatantly wrong actions.
To support a bill like this would be ignorant, and it cannot be allowed to pass the Senate. If it did, it would be an act of hypocrisy. It would create a government that preaches free speech, as long as the speech is government-approved.
It would be a pure double standard. Question Andrew at agwaterh@asu.edu
