With nearly 70 popular websites-including Google and Wikipedia-blacked out Wednesday in protest of proposed federal legislation pertaining to what opponents say comes down to internet freedom of speech censorship, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran joined with the opposition.
Speaking at Wednesday's Think Big Partners Gigabit Challenge in Kansas City, focused on finding America’s next great entrepreneurs, Moran spoke out against the two proposals(Play Audio 23 secs)
Following the round of applause, the Kansas Republican blasted the proposed legislation, explaining why he sees them as dangerous(Play Audio 25 secs)
Earlier in the day, the Senator's Kansas Counterpart in the United States House, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, released a statement in opposition to SOPA, which she refers to as an internet censorship bill. That sentiment is shared by fellow opponents, who say, while dressed as a way to combat online piracy committed by foreign countries, the legislation could actually be used to remove any website viewed as critical of the federal government's policies. Cited expressly for that concern is section 105 of SOPA which allows the U.S. government to shut down websites it claims "endanger public health."
Opponents say that vague wording could include any variety of alternative health, news, political websites, or discussion groups, that go against government initiatives.
The fears become stronger following a recent investigation conducted by the well known Reuters news service proving that the Department of Homeland Security is monitoring such commonplace social media sites as Facebook and Twitter, as well as popular news blog, the Drudge Report, among others.
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