Posted on 07/16/2010 4:07:25 PM PDT by Windflier
After the U.S. Government took action against several sites connected to movie streaming recently, nerves are jangling over the possibility that this is just the beginning of a wider crackdown. Now it appears that a free blogging platform has been taken down by its hosting provider on orders from the U.S. authorities on grounds of “a history of abuse”. More than 73,000 blogs are out of action as a result.
Hot on the heels of recent threats from Vice President Joe Biden and Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel directed at sites offering unauthorized movies and music, last month U.S. authorities targeted several sites they claimed were connected to the streaming of infringing video material.
(Snip)
Fears remain, however, that this action is only the beginning, and that more sites will be targeted as the months roll on. Indeed, TorrentFreak has already received information that other sites, so far unnamed in the media, are being monitored by the authorities on copyright grounds.
Now, according to the owner of a free WordPress platform which hosts more than 73,000 blogs, his network of sites has been completely shut down on the orders of the authorities.
Let him try this with the big boys. Better yet. Try one of the news sites like CBS, FOX and PMSNBC.
Why would Obama want to shut those guys down? They're all part of his electronic Ministry of Propaganda.
It could be. Good thing we do some rerouting on our server. Oh, wait I shouldn’t have said that right?
I think it was somebody at Wordpress during the ‘08 campaign who was pimping a story about Obama’s African roots, or some racist rant by MO.
Nope, just checked their HOME page and not a peep...
In this particular case, it seems to be about copyright abuse. Still, it's a way for them to get their foot in the door.
Could it be saying anything critical of Dear leader?
We know that he and Rahm just salivate at the thought of shutting down the right-blogosphere and talk radio.
I don't know. I saw this story posted on Drudge and immediately posted it here. I'm sure lots of other info is forthcoming over the next 24 hours. This is a big story.
“There are a lot of these free sites doing illegal things but shutting down everyone to stop a few is stupid. It means the “authorities” aren’t doing their job.”
If the (possibly “innocent”) blogs are hosted on the same servers as the illegal download activity that was occurring, it might be that the blogs were “collateral damage” but unavoidable, if the action against downloading activity was right and legal.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2108756/posts
Pressure on API NOT to release Michelle Obama tape (Wordpress blog)
This is still an alarming story, especially given that 73,000 blogs were unplugged all at once. Do we really believe that "the authorities" scanned every one of these blogs for copyright infringement? I don't believe that government is that efficient.
For the moment, I'm thinking that this is a trial run, or a bungle of monstrous proportions.
Hey! I have standing here. Anyone need a lead plaintiff?
You didn't need to say it out loud for the Ministry of Truth to know what you were thinking...
Boo!
Seriously, though, it's a worrisome development. We'll see how it plays out over the next couple of days, but this is something that a great many of us have been worried about. Just how far can/will this administration go to silence their critics? That remains to be seen.
Dry run before the terrorist attack on free speech, eh?
How do we give ‘em enough heck that they know they better forget about doing anything more?
I agree with your statement. It just that it’s not quite 5pm here and drinking before 5 is probably not a good idea.
But if this keeps up I may start at 4.
Being with my grandkids last week, I was really sad that they may never know the greatness of America. I mean they are fine now, but what will their future be?
Oh, good grief my post #33 was really whinny. Just ignore whinny parts and reveal in the brilliant parts.
Oh, don’t worry: I am CERTAIN the broadcasters and ACLU and leftwing free speech advocates will protest Obama’s action. < \sarcasm>
My blog is hosted by WP and I haven’t noticed any changes. Is it just one particular site owner?
Wait a mo ... my blog is still up there. Perhaps this was a selective shut down of blogs violating the ToS? That’s a horse of a different color.
Just testing the kill switch.
"Today, NewWorldOrder Corps soldiers fired on a man in a crowd of 25,000 Tea Party protesters in Washington DC, who was alleged to have been carrying an illegal firearm, killing him instantly.
Sadly, the lawful take-down of the alleged lone gunman also resulted in the collateral fatalities of 24,000 attendees."
Mine’s still up too. But this sounds like EVERYBODY on one server was taken down. You can’t tell me they were ALL doing illegal stuff.
I wonder if those blogs can all be reinstated with everything intact.
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