From The Hill:
The investigative arm of the Homeland Security Department appears to be shutting down websites that facilitate copyright infringement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has seized dozens of domain names over the past few days, according to TorrentFreak.
ICE appears to be targeting sites that help Internet users download copyrighted music, as well as sites that sell bootleg goods, such as fake designer handbags.
The sites are replaced with a note from the government: “This domain named has been seized by ICE, Homeland Security Investigations.”…
It appears that ICE is acting under authority of a “seizure warrant” – which power, if the government really has it, I want taken away. Yesterday. Except when the possession of something puts others at risk of life and limb, I don’t want the government seizing anything until, at the very least, the owner of the property has been convicted in a court of law. There is absolutely no way that a web site for downloading music – even if it is copyright infringement – is a danger to anyone. So, while I’m ok with criminal investigation; ok with the site owners being arrested and ok with them going to jail if convicted…I don’t want any of their property taken by the government until they are convicted.
To me, this is a matter of personal liberty – this action by government is clearly impelled by well heeled lobbyists putting pressure on law enforcement to go after what is likely, at any rate, a matter for the civil courts. And you liberals out there should step back a moment – this is your liberal government under your liberal President doing this. Talk about being beholden to corporate bosses! Hollywood says “jump!” and Obama’s DHS says “how high?”.
UPDATE: Don Surber notes that DHS isn’t protecting the border, but is protecting rap musicians. Your tax dollars at work, good people.
Blogs For Victory 