The "idea" hacktivists collectively referred to as Anonymous retaliated against the Megaupload site's demise by unleashing their largest attack to date on US government and media websites.

Its going to be very interesting how this plays out.  TV media has a significant bias given that they strongly support SOPA and any anti-piracy action.  The internet media, however, has an equal and opposite bias towards anti-SOPA as well as a very critical view on file-sharing legality issues.

Will this even make it to the general US public? Or will mainstream media saturate the news with more noise about Newt Gingrich's sex life?

I shall make some popcorn...

I happen to be the kind of person that true anti-piracy laws should be designed to protect, as I have several published works that bring in royalties. I also write music, though not professionally, that requires protection in a world where it is all too easy to rip off “the little guy”. I have had to spend a great deal of time and effort going after blog farms and radio station websites that have ripped off my articles.

However, there are already plenty of laws on the books that protect me. SOPA, as it is written, does not strengthen these laws or even provide additional protection for me or any freelance intellectual property owners. SOPA, at its heart, only gives power to attempt to stop access to foreign websites accused of copyright violation. The worst part is that it puts the burden of proof on the defendant, not the accuser or prosecutor. This goes against the purpose of our American way of justice! Because of this, a potential abuse of the rights granted from SOPA could allow any competitor to shut down any site without any proof, leaving the defendant to have to challenge this in court while their site has been shut down. Only wealthy entities could afford a lengthy court battle while essentially being unable to make any money during this process.

Also, the terribly vague language within SOPA goes against its own purpose of protection against foreign site that are not under American law by allowing interpretations of SOPA to affect US websites that share links without proper permission. This could end social media as we know it. Youtube? Gone. News aggregators? Gone. The simple act of linking to fun websites or LoLcats for your Facebook friends? Gone.

Piracy is already illegal. I have had no problem in following the proper procedures required to get those who have stolen my intellectual property to cease and desist… and I don’t have a team of lawyers… I don’t a lawyer at all. The current laws would be protection enough without having to add a terrible over-reaching bill on top of them when the problem exists because current laws are sometimes difficult, but not impossible, to prosecute. The risks that SOPA creates in terms of censorship and abuses afforded by large corporations make this act of legislation dangerous to our American way of life. Our Freedom is under attack!

Thankfully today’s attempt at raising awareness has already delayed this bill that had been expected to sail right through to passing. This has been a true populist win, though not yet a complete victory until the bill has been killed completely.

The people DO have a voice! We may not have lobbyists on our bankroll. We may not have the power of money behind us. But we have the constitution on our side as well as the numbers when we all truly stand up together. I am proud of this fight against SOPA. A sleeping giant has been awakened and we cannot be silenced when we work together like this.

Lets show this ineffective Congress that we are mad as hell and are not gonna take it anymore!

They even go so far as to wish the term "man cave" be abolished simply because they, themselves, still have their testicles in a jar, on the hearth, under wifey's lock and key.

Well, I have lived a few years in the Sault Ste. Marie area... as Yoopers go, the Soo people are sort of like gay Canadians. I'll acknowledge their better than average driving skills -- something the maple leaf wavers are infamously awful at -- but when a Soo area migrant finds themselves in the wilds of the western UP, they quickly start acting like the twinkletoes Cannukleheads that they try so hard not to mirror.

Sorry, but the English language can be fun and exciting. It can even be "amazing" if you really get into it. This strange need to stiffen our upper lips and conform to exactly the same type of ostentatious language that our British fluffer-nutters abide by is just ridiculous. Ridiculous... thats another over-used word isn't it? Hell, even Anderson Cooper has the RidicuList. I bet you petulant prick-weeds at Lake State writhe in anguish at such a travesty bestowed upon the English language.

But it isn't just the frozen virgins up at Lake State... this is a disease that runs through much of the literary world. So many brilliant voices have been hushed simply because they didn't speak like the cool kids did. In an era when txt speak is becoming prevalent, Autocorrect is whacky, and people graduate college while still sounding like absolute morons... THIS is not the way to continue our great written language.

English, as opposed to Latin, is a living, breathing language... it adapts as we adapt. It evolves as we evolve. Just as our society has taken off the many layers of Victorian attire so too must our language grow as casual. Now, certainly there must be some rules, standards, and rationality. I am shocked at how awful the average American's spelling and reading have become. But that is where our focus should be... not by alienating the ever growing and constantly changing tides of public usage... but by adapting to the way the populace speaks. Hopefully this encourages more people to take their words seriously. Lets bring art back into the artistry of language!

The game of Chicken pits two opposing forces in a head-to-head path with the winning goal being to NOT be the one that finally yields to the other. Of course, the worst possible outcome would be if neither side yields and they collide. The side with the least to lose and the most to gain has the advantage.

Lately the GOP has taken some serious political hits and their radical base, the Tea Party, has taken the brunt of the blame for many of these political mistakes. However, the Tea Party has a very vocal foundation and a legion of followers that are known for being unwavering in their convictions.

Obama, on the other hand, has needed relatively no help in appearing “spine-less” and his administration’s worst political moves of late have shown their inconsistency and weakness.

Advantage: the House Republicans

This is why we are seeing such seemingly irrational attempts by the House Republicans to take the Debt standoff all the way to the wire.

But are they really going to let the nation default on its financial obligations which may lower credit ratings and essentially tank the economy?  Would a party that stands for financial responsibility actually be so irresponsible?

Of course not.

Follow the Money

One major clue as to seeing how this invented “crisis” will inevitably play out lies in one aspect that drives everything in modern politics: money.

The GOP has positioned itself as the party for big business, though in truth both parties court big business with the same amount of fervor. While the large middle-class stands to take a significant hit should the national economy dive-bomb, those that will be hurt even worse are those at the top of the very same financial institutions that both parties are so committed to and truly NEED in order to fuel future political campaigns.  Those in power simply will not allow such a dramatic hit to the economy. A default would spell not only political suicide to most incumbents in Washington as well as a significant loss in the status quo that US big business has been thriving off of.

Wall Street isn't even buying it. Monday, July 25, was feared to be the beginning of a panic at the stock markets and for a brief moment it was. But after the initial plummet, stocks began to rise once again as Wall Street began of overcome their fears (Stocks Shrug at Default Fears).

What We Should Learn From This

Beneath all the political games and this false game of chicken that is being played out does offer some interesting things for all US citizens to take to heart. While we shouldn’t fear an actual default, we should fear the intentions and leadership that both Democrats and Republicans are putting on full showcase for the entire world to see.  We should take special note of the GOP’s anti-bipartisan tactics… something they have shown for years now but have only been paid attention to by those with keen eyes on politics. The heat and media attention that this debt crisis is providing finally gives the average US citizen a good look at how the party that promises so deeply each campaign cycle to be the party of financial responsibility is also the party that plays dangerous with the nation’s finances.  How much trust do you put into someone who plays games enough to actually demand that they will default on their responsibilities if they don’t get their way?

Obama and the Democrats are looking slightly better during this crisis but they are not completely blameless. Those that lean to the left when it is time to cast their votes might want to pick up on the weakness The Left has advertised not only during this game of political chicken but also throughout their leadership in the past several years.  Voters should start demanding a change, if not a full backbone, in those that they elect. We are electing our LEADERS… no one wants to be led by a wimp.

Regardless of the outcome, this debt crisis should be a wake up call to each and every US citizen. We need to hold our leaders accountable. We need to demand that they lead FOR THE PEOPLE and not simply for the most extreme members of their partisan base. We, voters, have the right, obligation, and DUTY to send Washington a clear message that come 2012 we will not forget this political game-playing and we will not stand for it anymore!

I cry out to you, we must stop all the nonsense that is causing our daughters and sisters to think that the being the skinniest girl in the 6th grade is a fucking compliment. We need to show and encourage other women to show love. We have a generation of females counting on us to set an example and we're blowing it fucking BIG TIME! We are all guilty as charged, and I charge us all with the crime of indifference and ignorance. If you think that women, not just in The States, but world fucking wide aren't still being oppressed, then you are stupid and blind. If you think that we are equal just because we don't live in a Third World Country, you are sadly mistaken, my sisters. Men, of all color, still make more than women in Corporate America, they are still handed the bill at the end of a meal, they are still expecting Barbies and roller skates for their daughters instead of football and skateboards.

How much money do you think is spent on cosmetics a year? How about perfumes, acrylic nails, hair cuts and styles, and high healed shoes that look great but make your feet want to commit suicide before the night is over? Designer handbags and diet fads? How much do you think? Millions, maybe? Try BILLIONS!

Like I already stated, I am as guilty as the next woman of wanting to look good, but it is killing our gender's future when they are dieting at 10 years old, wearing make up at 11, and already being catty and nitpicky of each other by 12. What message are we sending when instead of embracing the women we truly are, we constantly talk of weight loss, the beautiful and God given flaws called wrinkles on our faces, the stretch marks on our bellies from the beautiful experience of carrying a child, and the grey hairs that we must not pluck for fear of sprouting another 10? When we size a woman up as soon as she enters a room before we even speak to her? When the word. "bitch", has been used so often and freely it's considered a greeting or a compliment just as much as it is an insult? It's just as bad as the word, "nigger". If you are black, it's okay to use it, but if you aren't you're in for an ass kicking, right? Well, it's the same when a man calls a woman a bitch. It's a slur and insulting, yet as females we refer to each other as bitches in passing. I do it, you do it, we all do it. In a way we take away the negative power of the word, but it will always be a negative word, just as nigger will be. A fucking dog? Really? Is that how we honestly see each other? No, it's not. Well, some women I do, but that's because they act like actual bitches in heat. LOL! Let me lay it out....

In reference to one's self:
"You picked the wrong bitch to fuck with this time."
"Yeah, I'm a bitch and proud of it."
"I'm the baddest bitch out there."
"I'm that bitch everyone wants."

In reference to others:
"I love my bitches!"
"Me and my bitches are gonna tear this motherfucker up!"
"Yeah, that's my bitch right there."
"My bitches got my back."

Negative references:
"Those bitches ain't got shit on me."
"Who the fuck does that bitch think she is?"
"I'm about to let that bitch have it."
"Oh, look at that bitch, she thinks she's cute."
"Fuck you bitch!"
" Ya mama's a bitch, BITCH!"

That's just a few of the things we say as women. Don't even get me started on what men say! We are letting our future think that it is okay and to be honest, there's no changing it or going and taking it back at this point. We are teaching these girls that instead of focusing on being educated, articulate, proud, and strong that it's okay to be a bitch. To be some man's bitch. Forget about being President, being the baddest bitch out there and wifey and baby's mama to the finest man is the best you can ask for. Why do you need to be well spoken when you can just stand around and look pretty? Why pursue an education when you can learn how to do your make up just right, have your hair looking great all the time, spray a tan on your body, wear all the right clothes, and THEN marry a man that actually went to college and live off him? Why bother with bond's sisterhood and strong friendships, when you are only going to lose touch or cut off those connections as soon as a man gives you the affirmation that you should have been giving yourself and your sisters to begin with? I mean, after all, we're all just a bunch of bitches anyway, right?

Wrong! We can reverse and do right by our up and coming generation. We can stop with the judgment calls on women we don't know. We can stop comparing ourselves to the impossible. We can wear our stretch marks and c-section scars as badges of honor instead of hiding them in shame. We can go to the store in sweats and an unbrushed ponytail. We can have chipped nail polish and bad hair, make up, and clothes days. We can stop with the cocked eyebrows when we think another woman is sitting in judgment of us. We can compliment each other on our finer qualities instead of insulting each other on our flaws. We can hold out our hand in greeting instead of holding it up as a stop sign.
It is time for us to rise to the occasion. It is time for us to teach our young how to be women and not just a figment of the imagination of some magazine editors dream woman on the cover of Cosmo.

Love one another, embrace each other, and stop comparing and judging yourselves against each other. We are all beautiful and we are all stronger than any man could ever be, for we are the bearers of the children that are our future. We are the ones that know that the minute we decide to bring a child into the world, we are the only sure thing in that child's life. We are in the trenches and are soldiers for that child's future. Men always have the option to leave. Yes, there are women that leave their children, and no, this is not a man hating blog. There are good men and great fathers out there. This is about women and the way we treat each other and in turn teach our young ladies how to treat others.

Stand up now for US, ladies, because as women if we can't do it for and with each other, nobody is going to do it for us.

This is my Battle Cry.