Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)
SOPA, or the Stop Online Piracy Act is seemingly going ignored by most traditional media outlets. Granted, it only affects Internet websites, it could still be argued that it is the greatest violation of free speech and the previously unregulated Internet. The potential of SOPA passing would create a list of ‘blacklisted’ websites that are deemed to be infringing on copyrights. According to Mashable, “Private companies who allege that a site is unlawfully publishing their copyrighted content could, with a judge’s signature demand that ad networks and companies such as PayPal and Visa stop doing business with such sites. Internet Service Providers would need to prevent Americans from visiting them.”
While Democrats and Republicans are embroiled in a political mud-slinging match over the implications of SOPA, lost in the shuffle is the heart of the matter: whether or not copyright and intellectual property rights can/should be enforced on such a large scale. Until recently (1982) Copyright was purely a civil matter, regulations came in the form of infringing parties being fined. Following 1982, the Copyright Act was amended to make willful infringement of a copyrighted work “for commercial advantage or private financial gain” a criminal offense (17 U.S.C. 506 (a)). (As quoted in Baker, Electronic Media Law and Regulation Reader 2010-2011 edition). Recently, this had been intensified by trade associations such as RIAA and MPAA and their well publicized battles and licensing of content to sites such as Pandora, Netflix, Blockbuster, AOL Radio etc. As copyright law has progressed and provided more protection for applications, it has always been narrowly tailored. The SOPA bill, in question, is broad, not well defined, and could actually harm those users it is trying to protect. This bill is so broad and not well defined that it will create the very thing enforcement of the first amendment is trying to avoid: the chilling effect. As Mashable put it “if enacted, [SOPA} will create an environment of tremendous fear and uncertainty for technological innovation, and seriously harm the credibility of the United States in its role as a steward of key Internet infrastructure.” One key way this bill could be damaging to copyright holders is its potential to shut down aggregation services that provide additional exposure. For instance: a popular aggregator is Reddit.com (owned by Conde Nast), it features users’ self posts, as well as shared links from newspapers, magazines, and other forms of web-content. With SOPA in place, all those click through brought by the aggregator site Reddit would no longer exist because in the framework of SOPA it could be determined that Reddit is violating the copyright of newspapers on a habitual basis and thereby revoke Americans’ access to this site.
In short, SOPA at best is more government intrusion into the private affairs of its citizens. At worst, it is the widest ranging, most far reaching and intrusive initial regulatory effort by the government since the Patriot Act.
Portrayal of Evangelicals in Media
I’m not going to pretend I don’t watch hours of television, or endlessly fill and empty my DVR. I do; I watch a LOT of television. I keep telling myself, any minute now, I’m going to turn off the television and start reading a book; after all books are far more meritorious of our time an attention, right? However, as of late I’ve been particularly sucked into the Showtime show Dexter. Lately on the show (this season to be specific) it seems the show’s title character is on a redemptive journey. This journey begins with a close friendship with a reformed criminal turned evangelical pastor and do-gooder, brother Sam. Dexter is at odds with his desire to kill, as well as live up to the ideals (christian or moral) taught by brother Sam. The other side of the season centers around the doomsday killers (no spoilers) who are murdering people and framing the reveals of these murders around scenes from the book of revelation, the last book of the evangelicals’ Bible. These killers believe themselves to be the only righteous people left in the world, and their “cleansing” will bring about the return of Christ and the post rapture apocalypse.
In new’s coverage, often networks will feature stories on a person’s faith in a negative light. Whether it is Rick Perry’s “in your face God, Guns, and Liberty faith, or whether it’s Tim Tebow giving praise to God for the ability, and opportunity to play football for a living. Sometimes, unfortunately, they just air a verbatim clip of an evangelical personality (or someone claiming to be, for that matter) saying something really, really stupid; for instance almost anything Pat Robertson has said as of late, However, the problem isn’t limited to Pat Robertson, also the Rev. Jesse Jackson, or Al Sharpton, etc… have also been the subject (well deserving) of scorn for certain things they’ve said.
So what is the difference between television/film portrayal of Evangelicals and NewsMedia portrayal of Evangelicals? Intentionality. Intentionality is the difference. In sitcoms and movies, each line of dialogue is scripted and crafted to have an intentional effect on the story, or the character. Good writing doesn’t use unnecessary dialogue. In the case of Dexter, for instance, the show is written in such a way that it intentionally portray’s Dexter’s reformation with morality and social good; not with an evangelical religion conversion. However, the doomsday killers are portrayed, negatively, as religious. There is never a fair shake, given that these people are “zealots” or “extremists.” In NewsMedia, there is usually a chance of rebuttal by different members of the religious community (See this ABC 20/20 on fundamentalism) notice the way it is crafted to show the extremity of this belief, that it is definitely not the mainstream view, even in this sect of evangelicalism.
The unfortunate fact is the media doesn’t often offer favorable opinions of evangelicals/Christians in television shows. It certainly couldn’t get away with portraying Jewish people, or Muslim people the same way on television shows.
We aren’t the 99%
There has been much hype, lately, regarding Occupy Wall Street and We Are the 99%. Adolescents, 20 somethings, early thirties are all banding together to protest wall street, and the piles of wealth they have (potentially unethically) accumulated. The majority of these organizations’ constituents are college educated, unemployed and hoping for a change. After all, the American Dream is to educate yourself, and then prosper financially. However, America is currently entrenched in a slumping economy, a down market and the highest sustained unemployment rate in recent history. There simply are not a wealth of jobs to be thrown at this, seemingly, unmotivated crowd. This is the generation that has decided it’s best bet is to go to college, do nothing to prepare for a career while there, then whine and complain because they can’t find a dream job immediately. This is symptomatic of a culture that tells their children “dream big” you can be anything you want to. The practical problem with that is, in a down economy it is tough to find a job with the most obscure degrees ever. After reading some of the We Are the 99% things, there is no surprise these individuals can’t find a job to pay off the $200,000 student debt they’ve acquired with a degree in agrarian economics. The time to be pragmatic is now, make yourself employable. Rome wasn’t built in a day; and neither are careers. Some times the best course of action is to take a less than desirable entry level position, and work your way up displaying a good work ethic, and a base level of intelligence.
There is a right and a wrong way to do everything; writing journalistic headlines is no different.
Correct: British tabloid, News of the World to shut down amid phone hacking scams.
Incorrect: Fox News’ sister publication, News of the World to shut down under suspicion of phone hacking; the latest in Rupert Murdoch’s media outlets failing to live up to journalistic integrity.
Sensationalism is the name of the game in news/journalism these days. One of the negative effects of capitalism is its effects on information dissemination. Regardless of the information a news outlet is sharing, and despite their purpose as defined by the FCC, news outlets exist for one reason, and one reason only: to make money and grow profits and fan-base (readership, viewership, listenership etc). Stations that air news make “ends meet” by selling advertising, advertisers want consistency (same audience with the same buying habits, watching the same programs, at the same time, with the same socio-economic demographic information). One of the ways that outlets attract this coveted stable audience is to air programming with the same slant, in the same time slot daily/weekly. Unfortunately, this creates a culture of pontificating opinions, editorializing facts and fear mongering to name a few. Do yourself a favor, try your best to receive your news from an unbiased source. Look for the actual news, don’t listen to a pundit editorialize.
God Hates Shrimp
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Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales. But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to detest. And since you are to detest them, you must not eat their meat and you must detest their carcasses. Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be detestable to you. LEV 9:11-12
As christians we point a lot to the Levitical code as an extrapolation of the 10 commandments, and thus the basis of our moral founding. However, we more so pick and choose what we believe to be correct, and then proof text it from this ancient, out of context passage. For instance: we often quote Leviticus 18:22 (thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination) as the basis for our anti-homosexual propaganda and action thereof. However, if we flip over to the next page (or in some Bibles it may just be a paragraph later) to Leviticus 19:28 (Don’t cut your bodies for he dead, or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I AM THE LORD). To me, it is interesting that we can re-contextualize one of those passages to advance our agenda of being able to get corny, and really poorly done tattoos, but we hold firm that everything is completely iron clad about why we should continue to persecute homosexuals, and prevent them from having the same rights that heterosexuals do.
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Cor 6:9-11
Paul wrote these words, for those who aren’t familiar with the Bible, this is in the New Testament which some argue is a re-evaluation of the Old Testament law; New Testament is based on the person of Jesus, and his sacrifice which atoned for us, instead of having to strictly keep the law and offer burnt sacrifices, as in Old Testament times. In one long sentence Paul creates in essence, a laundry list of people who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Homosexuals are just one of those listed, to have an agenda against equality of a people group based on this passage would be flawed to say the least. There aren’t many christian groups protesting wall street bankers (greedy) swindlers (con men) drunkards (college students) slanderers (tabloid writers) etc etc from getting married. Besides, the last verse (sentence) is the most important “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
To continue populating an anti-gay rhetoric isn’t necessary, smart, biblically founded, or beneficial. It shines lights on insecurities. We can say we’re trying to protect the institution of marriage as much as we want, but the church is on par with the secular world in terms of having near 50% divorce rate. We try and cover up when priests/pastors engage in homosexual abuse of young children. We can say we’re trying to avoid sexual perversion; but how many times do “good christian men” pastors or politicians that all claim Christ, wind up in a sex scandal? How many times are christians/believers arrested for embezzlement, etc that stems from being greedy. I could go on, and on, and on, and on.
Bottom line, being a homosexual doesn’t preclude you from entering heaven, not knowing Jesus does.
Harold Camping and the chance for grace
Harold Camping has now been wrong on Christ’s return not once, but twice. Camping made a similar assertion in 1994, stating the world will end in September of that year. When the world did not end as he thought it would, he was brazen. Exhibiting a “back to the drawing board” approach, Camping began searching and studying again. When Camping came up with his May 21st rapture date the Christian community collectively groaned as they were preparing to be disgraced, yet again. The extent of Camping’s assertion of the rapture is far reaching, devastating and sad. Followers of the familyradio.com founder put their life savings on the line (because, after all, the world was ending) to purchase billboards, car wraps, bus wraps, printed materials, etc… One gentleman interviewed spent $140,000 to purchase multiple billboards for a lengthy period. Regardless on your theological views of Camping (I for one stand in opposition to the majority of his teachings) he was able to cast a vision, and have people follow it; unfortunately, the vision that was cast is one that stands in direct opposition to the scriptures, especially Matthew 24:36 in particular.
As Christ-followers, or Christians, or believers, or the redeemed, or whatever other terms we have concocted to set us apart from the world, and other sects of Christendom, we have a unique opportunity ahead of us. While a majority of pastors, evangelists, writers etc… were lambasting Camping and his followers, there were some that showed grace. Camping’s followers, in some cases, have lost everything they had. Put their jobs, mortgages, car payments, kids’ college tuition on the line to fund Camping’s campaign for the rapture. It just seems like kicking them while they’re already down is not very becoming of followers of Christ.
Rick Scott hit the campaign trail hard with the promise of limiting government’s power and creating jobs. He promised in his first year to create jobs, and restore stability to Florida’s economy; which is primarily based on other states’ citizens’ disposable income. We are finding in this economy, disposable income is ever shrinking. Scott fought hard to overcome the stigma attached to a man who was deposed regarding his less than stellar ethical, and potentially criminal past in business. He sold us on the idea that his deposition on the matter of him operating a highly fraudulent business was no worse than Alex Sink’s past as Florida’s financial officer.
Instead, Scott has propelled the political idea of Conservative Big Government in the Florida. The idea of Conservative Big Government is essentially, “Government should be limited, unless it advances our ideas.” Scott has now given more power to the state government, and taken that power from its citizens. Scott has limited the ability of women to choose whether or not they wish to terminate a pregnancy and in some cases have put the decision in the hands of Florida Courts. Scott has also passed invasive welfare caveats. Forcing welfare and other government assistance program recipients to submit to random drug screening. Not necessarily the “Don’t Tread on Me” motto of his beloved Tea Party. Yesterday, Scott signed into law, a bill that increases existing regulations on minimum home insurance requirements. Not only is this bill unnecessarily invasive but it comes at a time, and economy where people can’t afford existing coverage, let alone the financial responsibility associated with additional coverages.
Scott has kept a few of his campaign promises, and some of the ones he has failed to keep haven’t been in our worst interests; so he’s not totally without merit as a Governor. He is, however, turning his back on the promise that launched him into the governor’s mansion: create jobs. The first full legislative term closes without Scott seeing one single jobs creation bill pass his desk; and indictment on him, as a governor, unable to sway his legislators. I, for one, am thankful he didn’t keep his campaign promise of bringing Arizona’s Immigration law to Florida, or that he was only able to cut jobs by 3.55% instead of 5% as he originally intended. I just hope that Scott starts living up to the promise of creating jobs, instead of slashing them.
Mob Mentality
Things have gotten out of control, can we at least agree on that? From one of the country’s most prominent business men publically calling for the President of the United States to show his birth certificate, to the countless number of people blindly following him because they are more concerned with being against the liberal president, then being on the side of truth. This is the sad state of affairs in America currently. As a country, and more importantly as individuals, the level of discourse has shifted from what we stand for, to what we stand against. I’m not saying I’m exempt from this argument by any measure. As a matter of fact, I find myself often taking cheap shots at people I disagree with and not supporting the people I do agree with.
Mob mentality is ruining the way we think, the way we process, and most importantly the way we express our thoughts. We find people who think similarly to us and then we just rehash their opinions without thinking anything of it, or its accuracy. Partisan pundits, whether radio, television, print or online journalism are doing our thinking and expressing for us.
Regardless of your views of our current president, our former president, or any other president; there once was a level of civility, and quality of discourse that went in to expressing a dissenting opinion. Those days seem long gone. It is easier for people to ReTweet a poor opinion (myself included) than it is to have an original thought. THIS is what is ruining America in the long run, a lack of civility in public discourse. From Donald Trump and the “birther” movement, to liberal pundits and their broken-record anti-Bush rhetoric; it’s time to change. It is time to discuss the issues 90% of the time and assign blame 10%; instead of the current status, which is the inverse: assigning blame 90% of the time, and discussing/researching the issues 10%.
A recent study by Public Policy Polling found that 46% of Republican voters in the state of Mississippi have a favorable view of the government having the ability/authority to make interracial marriage legal/illegal. A liberal television show host tweeted “46% of GOP voters in Mississippi say govt should make interracial marriage illegal…” Which is not, in fact, what the data shows. Misinformation used to manipulate people is propaganda.
Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community towards a cause or position, so as to benefit oneself. Over the course of history we’ve seen powerful propaganda from a multitude of sources. From Leni Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will, propaganda designed to show the meteoric rise in popularity of the Nazi’s Third Reich; and to implant a positive and patriotic image of the Nazi’s mission into the citizens of Germany to Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11, a “documentary” that attempts to prove the direct correlation between the conservative presidency of George W. Bush and the attacks on America on September 11th the entertainment world is filled with propaganda. Propaganda is everywhere, however it isn’t always nefarious. Propaganda engenders patriotism, ethnocentrism, encourages individuals to become part of a group and can even boost the economy with the sale of war bonds.
However, recently it is becoming more and more of a trend for “news networks” such as fox, msnbc, cnn, etc.; to fill their time-slots with what can be termed propaganda. Hosts will utilize the mass media devices known as framing, slanting and agenda setting to target a particular group of people for their own personal profit. Glenn Beck is a textbook example, using propaganda to target millions of conservative Americans and profiting from his restoring sanity rally and book deals, etc. Beck isn’t the only popular contemporary figure on a “news network” that engages in propaganda, not by a long shot; please don’t think I’m positing that.
There is a damming trend, however, in America where people are taking as gospel truth everything being said by these propaganda slingers. It’s particularly evident when individuals quote fallacies from their favorite television or radio pundit in arguments and discussions.” Rachel Maddow said this…” “well, I heard on Keith Olbermann that…” “Glenn Beck says if we don’t do this then the liberals will win, and there’s nothing worse than liberals winning…” These are all examples of people succumbing to propaganda.
America, we’re better than this; we all have access to the same research these pundits have, I suggest checking out the original research the pundits quote before believing everything they say.
What Hath God Wrought
The ominous, machine gun-like repetitive thud you keep hearing is Neil Postman rolling over and over in his grave like an end over end kickoff from your favorite NFL team. Postman wrote a book called “Amusing Ourselves to Death” where he discussed the variations and evolution in communication as new hardware and forms of communication became prevalent; from the printing press to the telephone and television. Postman couldn’t have imagined a day where the foundations of speech, communication and discourse were as low as they are today. The latest technological developments have the capacity to provide for greater information dissemination and a broader spectrum of competing ideas to enter the intellectual marketplace; which is a positive direction according to John Milton, in Areopagitica. However, with all the potential benefits of the latest technological advancement; the state of communication has never been lower than it is currently.
The efforts to mobilize communication over the past quarter-century has reduced the overall level of communication and discourse; there is no arguing this. Communication from a physical medium (letters, handwritten, typewritten) was more deliberate. Due to the laborious nature of having to recreate part, or all of a work, if errors were present people took more time, and pain to ensure everything was correct and well written. With the digitization of the written word (word processing programs, etc) and television becoming the dominant medium for information dissemination, the level of communication skills has diminished even further. With more recent mobile technological advancements (iPhones, iPads, other handheld devices) people are becoming even more flippant with their words, their logic, and their communication skills.
I often find myself guilty of dumbing down an argument, or a point to get it across over Twitter, a web/app based, 140 character limited social networking platform. Unfortunately it seems as we move forward with social networks, and a larger population engaging them, we will see further deterioration of the English language, and the art of argument and discourse. I’m reminded of the initial short message system, the telegraph. The first telegraph ever written was from Samuel F.B. Morse for the opening of the Baltimore Washington telegraph lines; it simply said, “What hath God wrought.” Never has there been a better statement of signs of things to come.
