You Are What You Say

I have been away for a while, and it is nice to see that I have people follow me... or maybe they were there to begin with...

So the reason I've been away is I've been focusing on my fiction. This place is really for expressing my thoughts and ideas (so many thoughts have come and gone since the last post), but I feel I would like to get back to talking to y'all, in case I can impart anything of value.

I've been thinking a lot lately of what I think and what I say. In the bible, and I don't know where this is located, but God expresses his thoughts "let your no mean no and your yes mean yes." Let's camp out on that.

Contradiction. Hypocrisy. Those are not good for the mind and possibly the soul. I haven't hashed this out yet, and I don't claim to be an expert (please feel free to comment with your own understanding), but when we say something, it triggers something in ourselves to make that statement true.

When we say things like, "I have bad luck" or "I'm not good with the opposite sex" or any "I can't do that" statements (there are many), we create a reality in where we actually have those negative implications.

If you focus on debt, you'll always have it. If you focus on the debt being paid, it will eventually disappear (focus on Jesus's sacrifice). I know this sounds very "the Secret" but I really think there is something to it.

In my experience, I have noticed that when I decide that I'm going to DO something or that I can DO something, I can. It may take some time or a couple of tries, but it always works out, typically.

When we say something negative about ourselves, we are so convinced about the outcome, we don't even try or we don't try again.

This is also true when we focus on our own sins instead of Jesus or the things we should be doing. When we think about porn, theft, murder etc., we can't help but do it.

No matter your belief system, you are shackled to what you think and what you say. When you speak the words, they become reality. When you think the images, they become reality (this is depending on all your present circumstances).

I think it is why God detests lying, because He sees us as we really are: full of potential for good. Often times we look at ourselves and wallow in our past mistakes and can't help but do them again and again because we feel we are "addicted" or "just that way."

God doesn't like contradiction or hypocrisy or sarcasm or lying because they impede our lives. They make things difficult, and often we can not accept the gifts that He wants to give us because our minds are set to the negative and we can't see the positive.

Maintain your faith in God and also in yourself. You ARE His creation and you can do anything. You are not unlucky. You are not a failure. You have all the potential to be a good person. Will you be perfect? No. But after every failure, you have to get back up and try again.

Listening to God Part 2

Not sure how many parts there are to this. I stated in another post about mankind's disregard of the soul as equal to the mind and body. And this post, more or less, talks a little more about that issue.

 Logic kills God's voice. Mankind is very proud of its ability to understand everything. We use our senses as well as learned information to navigate our world as well as assume conclusions. After thorough testing we create a theory and later it is either deemed a solid fact or is discarded as a fallacy.

Maybe what I have to say is fallacy as well... I hope not.

We use our brains to interpret the world around us. But there are plenty of things that go on around us that we can not see, hear, smell, touch or taste. There are things outside this world that we have yet to experience.

So science would conclude that it doesn't exist. It can't prove it exists. It can't study it or categorize it... never mind, it can categorize it as myth or fiction. And that is OK. I can't force people to believe. I tried that once and it was horrible. God has to give a person hunger before they will eat. I'm just here for support.

Now back to business. Logic... We use it to interpret our world but it is not the way we can interpret anything outside of it. If there are different dimensions, maybe gravity doesn't work. What if magic is science? What if humans evolved from apes? Anyone? Theory? Yeah, I know... : (

I am not disregarding logic. It is something that God gave us to discern with. But when it comes to spiritual matters, it may not be the best tool to use. We are all used to the scientific method. You make an observation, take notes, formulate theory, test theory, you've got a law... or not!

But when it comes to spiritual matters, we tend to have different experiences at different times. These appear as random and can't be proved by any scientific method. That doesn't mean they didn't happen, it just means it can't be proved.

Another issue in this is the question of whether it is God or not. God interacts with the heart because that is where he is needed. But Satan does to because he knows where your desires lie. Sometimes our experiences can be misinterpreted. It is during these moments we need to pray about it... or see what happens.

God has plans to prosper us. When we act without his blessing, it can really screw things up. Just remember that God never gives you anything that you can't handle and he will also never want you to do anything against his laws that are in the Bible.

In fact that is the best place to look before jumping in on something you though you heard from God. God will make you do some uncomfortable things but they will never be things against Him.

In conclusion (because I doubt anyone can come to one here as it is too long and without enough info), logic makes it hard to hear God. You need to learn to feel with your heart in order to hear Him. That's where he is after all (if you followed step one).

Listening to God

What can I say about what I have learned while pondering this...

The first step in hearing God is: you must invite God into your life and, to be more specific, your heart. 

Science would tell you that the heart is just an organ that serves the body with blood by pumping it throughout. Yes, the heart does this, but it also serves another spiritual purpose being the house of the soul.

The soul is the spiritual representation of ourselves. Though it resides in the same body as our mind, the two are not interchangeable. The mind is connected to the brain, which stores our memory files like a computer. It lists our experiences and recalls learned information like not to pour boiling water down your pants. It stores connections, and by this I mean names, numbers, colors, favorites... blah blah blah.

The soul is connected to the heart, emotions and the arguably present energy fields inside and outside the body. The soul is also linked to memories of a different sort, the way things make us feel. How that favorite song makes us feel. How that woman/man makes us feel. Our parents, siblings, friends, work, the emotional energy connected to those things, that is the soul. 

Now because the soul is connected to our feelings, it is connected to our desires, hopes, fears, dreams... and this can pose a problem. This problem being the sin nature that lives within us. Sin is desire... and by that I mean the desire to do things that are against God's intentions. All sins are more or less connected to desire. Why does a person steal? Why does a person cheat? Murder? Name any of the millions of ways that we disrespect each other and God and it typically comes down to desire.

Not, of course, the desire to do evil per say but to serve one's self.

So sever the soul, right? Yeah... So if that were to happen, we would be computers. All we would know is the information that is stored in our memory bank brain. Anything that exists there would become routine and completely irreversible. That includes the good and the bad. And also there would be no sense in either of those words because there wouldn't be a moral compass. The soul is transcribed with all of God's will inside, the problem is we live in a broken world with broken people and some don't want to be fixed.

I suppose that really doesn't tell you how to listen to God in the best of detail, but this is getting pretty long and I have obviously not finished this subject matter at all.

First step: invite God into your life and specifically into your heart.

God wants to interact with you but being a infinite being, He is hard for the mind and body to comprehend. The soul, however, already has a connection with God that many are unaware of. All you have to do is say, "Hey God..." And just talk. He wants to hear from you and he wants to talk to you.

The US Constitution: Article 3, Section 3

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

Treason is serious! America at war with You!

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Corruption of Blood- the inability to pass along inhertitance. All ownership is striped and possessions taken by the government.

The US Constitution: Article 3, Section 2

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;--between a State and Citizens of another State;--between Citizens of different States;--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

The US Constitution is the law amongst all US citizens, and extends to Americans even out of country

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

 American citizens, American jurisdiction. Regulations are deemed by Congress.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Depending on where the crime was committed, trial will be held in that state. Jury shall be present except in cases of impeachment. If crime was not committed in a US state, Congress will decide where trial will be held.

The US Constitution: Article 3, Section 1

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.

Congress gives power to other courts across the US.

The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

They get paid.

The US Constitution: Article 2, Section 4

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

 It makes you wonder if getting a quickie really counts as a high crime or misdemeanor... I suppose it was really the fact that he lied... Whatever...

The US Constitution: Article 2, Section 3

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

 He/she will give information regarding the State of the Union and recommend actions to Congress on what should be done.

The US Constitution: Article 2, Section 2

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

 President has power over the US military and all of its factions. He/she has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the US (But only if you have friends in high places).

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

 President may make treaties as long as he has senator support. He/she may also appoint ambassadors, public ministers, consuls, judges of the supreme court and other officers with the support of senate.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Racism, Boondocks, Martin Luther King JR

This is a tired subject, but I'm going to talk about it anyway. We all went to school and learned about how evil slave owners were and how they beat the tar out of their slaves. We know that slaves are black and slave owners are white. That is what we know.

The US has been trying to create a society that doesn't see color... let me correct that, they want you to believe they are creating a society that doesn't see color. I think we are all aware of "diversity" practices and "affirmative action," I should not have to get into that. What I want to say here is that these things do not create a colorless society, they create a society where some feel more privileged than others.

I am a conservative (relatively), white, male, straight, Christian. Because I am not a liberal, black, female, gay agnostic, I don't have a say. What I have to say is unimportant. Everything out of my mouth is old-school and can't be applied in the new world we live in today.

Instead we live in a world where a white student who works hard to go to an awesome, private school and receives a 4.0 GPA is passed over so a school can become more diversified.

Instead there are scholarships for African Americans only, but if there was a scholarship for white Americans only, it would be racist.

Discrimination has effected more than those who are black. It has happened to all immigrants, including those of white skin. Now white Americans can't find jobs because of affirmative action. Though, they may be more qualified for the job position, the company needs to fill it with a minority, who may not be as qualified.

I'm sick of racism. And I'm sick of the so-called intellectual minorities who still believe they need to stick it to the white man for actions that he, himself, is not guilty of.

Here is a clip from The Boondocks TV show. It depicts Martin Luther King Jr. giving a speech in modern times. I think that his words are extremely appropriate and I want to say that they apply to more than just African Americans. They apply to any American who believes they are being put down by the man (yes these words are even for me).

If we want to realize a colorless society that does not look at race, that isn't always trying to stick it to the whites, that actually wants actual equality, we need to reevaluate ourselves and each of us take steps in that direction. Improve ourselves and the whole world may change and reflect that decision.

I am not racist. I believe in universal equality. I just wish the everyone else could believe that too.

The Constitution: Article 2 Section 1

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

Honestly, this doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It seems that originally there were positions for Electors who voted on the president, much different from today where everyone gets to vote. I prefer the new way.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

Interesting way to elect a vice president. Different from today.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

I believe we covered this in a previous post...

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Slightly Perturbed by this Video...

Racism is a two way street. African Americans for Obama? Really? Sorry... Any one else have any insights? All I can think of is a little phrase we use on the internet, "What is this I don't even..."

Constitution Article 1 Section 10

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Constitution Article 1 Section 9

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

Habeas Corpus is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention, that is, detention lacking sufficient cause or evidence. 

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

Bill of Attainder is an act of a legislature declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing them without benefit of a judicial trial.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear or pay Duties in another.

(no preference should be given to any business entity either)

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Constitution Article 1 Section 8

This is very important...

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

Rule of Naturalization = acts those from foreign lands must do to become a US citizen.

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To encourage progress, not facilitate it. 

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

 Everything outside of these parameters should be considered off limits!

Constitution Article 1 Section 7

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

If the President doesn't return or sign a bill in ten days, it will become law, except if Congress Adjournment prevents it from returning.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Constitution Article 1 Section 6

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

Senators shall be paid from the US Treasury and will escape arrest while in Attendance at the Session of their respective houses in all cases except for Treason.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time: and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

 emolument = profit, salary or fees from office or employment

Representatives and senators can not any other office under the authority of the US, as well as no officer of the US shall be a senator or representative.

Constitution Article 1 Section 5

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

 Makes me think about how the democrats can't seem to come to work--the position they were appointed by the people they represent.

A Message for all Humanity

This is something every American should listen to, if not the whole world.

SOPA and PIPA: Ending Piracy or Liberty?

The Internet is a lively place where users can share ideas and create new ideas and also take other ideas and make them more fun... I know that sounds very general, but what I'm talking about is memes, fan fiction, fan art... now these things are not necessarily being targeted by these two bills, but why shouldn't they?

The Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect Intellectual Property Act have set their sights on online piracy. Music, television, movies, they are all concerned about effect the internet has on their sales. This is understandable. A business is in business to make money, but when it comes to taking an idea and making it LOL-worthy, that is what makes the internet a great place to hang out.

The bills essentially monitor every single site to ensure that they are not pirating media. What this means is that every single website will be under scrutiny over their content. Now this isn't a horrible thing; there are a lot of sites that should be scrutinized anyways. But where is the line here? What is pirated? If someone takes a copyrighted image and adds a few things to make people laugh, does that fall under piracy or not?

It may be that the only sites that will be terribly affected will be those with shopping carts, but I know that a lot of youtubers have trouble keeping accounts due to the content they create. For instance, a youtuber I like known as CardGames makes dubbed videos of YuGiOh. These videos may fall under violation of these acts.

Fanfiction writers create stories using characters they didn't create from shows they didn't help make and in essence promote themselves from it. It may not be "profitable" but they are getting something from the work they put in. Fan artists take character from same TV shows and movies and draw them however they want. Those images, characters, they belong to someone, right?

So many sites from creative geniuses will be blacked out because of this right? Honestly, I don't know. I don't see why companies shouldn't stop with SOPA and PIPA. It will come down to a point where we American's can't keep the freedoms of speech that we have. It has been said that these bills include sections that give Americans about the same amount of internet access as the Chinese... It's also said that those that make a significant income online may have a harder time making ends meet. But what I fear the most is the blatant attack on our freedoms.

The internet is our home. We post there and share ideas. We've formed communities with like minded people across the globe. I'm opening up the discussion here. I don't know everything about this bill. I was trying to read up on it, but surprisingly it is hard to pinpoint what exactly is going on. I'm worried. I like the internet as it is. Sure it has its problems but the real world has bigger issues. Let's save this one for later. Your thoughts below please.