Changes

The corresponding Senate bill, deceptively named by [[Democrat]] leadership as the [[PROTECT IP Act]], is being pushed through the [[Democratic]] Senate by [[Harry Reid]] (D-NV), whom liberals helped reelect in 2010.  SOPA was introduced by a liberal [[Republican]] in the House, Judiciary Committee Chair [[Lamar Smith]] (R-TX).<ref>http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/112%20HR%203261.pdf</ref>

The corresponding Senate bill, deceptively named by [[Democrat]] leadership as the [[PROTECT IP Act]], is being pushed through the [[Democratic]] Senate by [[Harry Reid]] (D-NV), whom liberals helped reelect in 2010.  SOPA was introduced by a liberal [[Republican]] in the House, Judiciary Committee Chair [[Lamar Smith]] (R-TX).<ref>http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/112%20HR%203261.pdf</ref>

Former Democratic Senator [[Chris Dodd]] -- now chairman of the [[Motion Picture Association of America]] -- is a leading advocate of the bill and criticized the website blackout that occurred on Jan. 18 a "gimmick":<ref>http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/18/chris-dodd-sopa-blackout-is-an-abuse-of-power/</ref>

Former Democratic Senator [[Chris Dodd]] -- now chairman of the [[Motion Picture Association of America]] -- is a leading advocate of the bill and criticized the website blackout that occurred on Jan. 18 as a "gimmick":<ref>http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/18/chris-dodd-sopa-blackout-is-an-abuse-of-power/</ref>

{{cquote|designed to punish elected and administration officials who are working diligently to protect American jobs from foreign criminals. It is an irresponsible response and a disservice to people who rely on them for information and use their services.}}

{{cquote|designed to punish elected and administration officials who are working diligently to protect American jobs from foreign criminals. '''''It is an irresponsible response and a disservice to people who rely on them for information and use their services'''''.}}

Proponents of the bill claim that it exists to protect the intellectual properties, and revenue of copyright holders, and is necessary to enforce copyright laws in the US. However, opponents state that it violates the [[First Amendment]], that it will cripple and ultimately destroy the [[Internet]], and will threaten online free speech. Some critics have likened this bill to China's [[Great Firewall]].

Proponents of the bill claim that it exists to protect the intellectual properties, and revenue of copyright holders, and is necessary to enforce copyright laws in the US. However, opponents state that it violates the [[First Amendment]], that it will cripple and ultimately destroy the [[Internet]], and will threaten online free speech. Some critics have likened this bill to China's [[Great Firewall]].