Blackburn, Corker in the soup over online piracy bill

Opponents of an anti-piracy bill are taking aim at two lawmakers from little ole Tennessee — Sen. Bob Corker and Rep. Marsha Blackburn — in a bid to convince other sponsors to drop the measure.

A writer for the prominent conservative blog RedState kicked things off a few days before Christmas by vowing to support Blackburn’s defeat next year because of her support of the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA. Users of Reddit, a social media site, have followed up this week by targeting Corker, who they say they want to “destroy” for his sponsorship of the bill.

Reddit users have dubbed their effort “Operation Cork Screw.” Earlier they succeeded in getting online registrar GoDaddy to drop its backing for the bill, says PC World.

In addition to conjuring up memories of tasty Spanish soups, SOPA is meant to crack down on foreign websites that sell pirated versions of American software, music and other digital products. Supporters say it is needed to update the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which applies to American websites, but opponents say it gives too much power to copyright holders and law enforcement, especially the U.S. Attorney General’s office.

A total of 71 lawmakers are sponsoring SOPA, so it’s not entirely clear why Blackburn and Corker are being singled out in each chamber. Blackburn tangled previously with online groups over the issue of “net neutrality.” The originator of the Reddit campaign lists Corker’s positions on other piracy bills, the Patriot Act and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — as well as the “Call Me” ad from the 2006 election campaign — as reasons why they are targeting him.

One comment on “Blackburn, Corker in the soup over online piracy bill

  1. mickeywhite on said:

    Why does Marsha Want Congress to Regulate the Internet? Why not just say NO FEDERAL branch (the FCC and congress and the federal courts included) has any authority to decide or rule on any aspect concerning the Internet?

    BUT Marsha Blackburn did Vote FOR: Patriot Act Reauthorization, Electronic Surveillance, Funding the REAL ID Act (National ID), Foreign Intelligence Surveillance, Thought Crimes “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, Warrantless Searches, Employee Verification Program, Body Imaging Screening, Patriot Act extension; and only NOW she is worried about free speech, privacy, and government take over of the internet?

    Marsha Blackburn is my Congressman.
    See her “blatantly unconstitutional” votes at :
    http://mickeywhite.blogspot.com/2009/09/tn-congressman-marsha-blackburn-votes.html
    Mickey

    AND

    http://mickeywhite.blogspot.com/2010/12/senator-bob-corker-voted-poorly.html

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