In Light of the NSA Scandal... here are some thoughts, focusing mainly on piracy and internet censorship. Maybe it's the roots of a call to action?

 Let's change the entire US government. Let's stop allowing corporations and special interests groups to have more power over the government than citizens have over their government. Let's fight internet censorship

Aaron Swartz, one of my idols (I know, it's weird to
have an idol who is only a year older than you.), a
man who clearly operated using level 6 ethics,
a believer in freedom, a warrior against corruption,
an amazing coder, and a handsome Jewish boy : )
Photo Credit: FreeCulture.Org 

and government spying. Let's create a government where prosecutors are not allowed to bully defendants (RIP Aaron Swartz). Let's create a government where shit actually gets done! 
I dislike the party system (particularly the two party system). I dislike people who label theirselves as a republican, democrat, tea partier, green partier, libertarian, etc, and blindly follow a party.I don't hate this country, but it could be better. Let's overhaul the system! Who is with me?

Elton John's magnificent Old Windsor Estate
Photo Credit:BornRich.Com

Want to help out? Do a little research on the pressing issues, I'd start with anything pertaining to the war against internet use. Formulate an opinion. Perhaps, you agree with the proposed anti-piracy bills (CISPA, PIPA, SOPA, and what ever SOPA was originally called). The Recording Artists of America makes the valid argument that piracy hurts everyone in the recording industry, from the producers all the way to the janitors. Of course, Elton John has 8 upscale domiciles, and a net worth of 280 Million US dollars[1]. I wonder if Sir Elton could take a pay cut in order to provide raises, pension funds, health insurance to the lower paid supporting employees? It should be noted that SEJ recently auctioned off 5 (the 6th one didn't sell, I guess) of his 6 incredibly luxurious automobiles to benefit his HIV/AIDS foundation. He is in no way evil, and that's not the point I am trying to make here. I am only using Sir Elton as an example, because he has come out in support of these anti-piracy bills[2].

Photo Credit: ORBooks.Co
Perhaps it is theft when you torrent a film, an album, or software. I don't torrent, I can see how it hurts people. But those who helped organize the fights against these bills found that the issue was far greater than copyright infringement, or theft[3]. The issue was government censorship of the internet. The government was seeking to block access to entire websites. The book Hacking Politics (available here http://goo.gl/lhfjv) details the fight for freedom on the internet. I think you should read it, and I haven't finished it, so I'm going to go in to detail here. It's only $10 for the electronic version ($25 for the print version, I went with the print version because I wanted to further support Demand Progress), and you will not be let down. 

Anywho, I am currently battling strep throat (with the aid of hydrocodone), so I am sorry if this isn't a great post. I will expand on it when I am feeling better. As always, please don't just take my word for it. Get out there. Do your own research. Enjoy my views and interpretations, but formulate your own! Oh getting back to the "if you want to help out" claim, here is a list of non-partisan organizations that are working to protect internet rights, alter the way our government works, or just change the way we do things.

• Demand Progress is currently run by a former US representative(David Segal), and a Washington policy attorney (David Moon). I believe they started in 2012, but I could be wrong. This organization generates online campaigns, petitions, and letters to your congressman or woman with a special interest in internet and electronic protection. You can become a member, or you can just participate in campaigns  (for free!). Find them here:http://www.demandprogress.org/

• The Electronic Frontier Foundation started in 1990, before people really cared about the internet. The EFF operates in a similar fashion to Demand Progress, but has a broader scope. This organization also offers more information on topics and issues than Demand Progress, thanks to a larger team. You can find them here:https://www.eff.org/

Photo Credit: Demand Progress

Photo Credit: Electronic Frontier Foundation

I'll add more as they come to me. Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for a post regarding the NSA scandal, as I have a chance to research it more. Stay skeptical!





References:
1.http://www.bornrich.com/sir-elton-john.html
2.http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=112766&page=1#.UbMTkvZ8LPQ
3. Moon, D; Ruffini, P; Segal, D [2013]. Hacking Politics: How Geeks, Progressives, the Tea Party, Gamers, Anarchists, and Suits Teamed up to Defeat SOPA and Save the Internet. Print copy from OR Books.

Disclaimer: the views expressed in this blog do not necessarily represent the views of the individuals or organizations mentioned in this blog. These individuals/organizations are in no way affiliated with the Skeptical Cati blog. Think of this as my interpretation of the information these individuals/organizations have made available in print or online. Please direct any complaints to my Gmail account: Caitlin.Swartz88@Gmail. I will gladly remove any information or photos the individuals (or individual's friends and family, in the heartbreaking case of Aaron Swartz) or organizations mentioned are not comfortable with being presented in this blog.