Jan. 18th = strike day.

[Crazy Cooter]

Don't forget to blackout the web for 12 hours tomorrow to show your concern about SOPA & PIPA.

http://sopastrike.com/
Has some automated scripts.

[saint]

It is my intent to join the blackout day. Haven't announced it yet in case I get distracted by a shiny penny, but it is my intent to do so.

[HaRuMaN]

Wot?  No blackout BYOAC!  Me no likey!

[Le Chuck]

I support a blackout.  Make sure and post a good "Big Brother is Watching" logo with some congressional phone numbers or a good contact link.  I'll be calling in a effort to melt the capital switchboard. 

Good resource to find your congress person's office number:  http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

See you on the 19th!

[Well Fed Games]

Good for you! (Prepares myself for symptoms of withdraw.)

[Nephasth]

Wow, Google is participating...

[Le Chuck]

Emails just sent to representatives of the congressional districts of both current residency and home of record.  Calls will be placed tomorrow.

[yotsuya]

Craigslist is already unavailable.

[Generic Eric]

I support blackouts.  These proposed actions seem to endanger user created content among other things.  We'll see you in February if necessary;  one day, or 12 hours seems far too short.

[abispac]

no blackout for me, im posting today...yes

[Malenko]

It is my intent to join the blackout day. Haven't announced it yet in case I get distracted by a shiny penny, but it is my intent to do so.

LAME

Craigslist is already unavailable.

just add a /h

no blackout for me, im posting today...yes

me toooooo. you change the date or turn off javascript?

[HaRuMaN]

[saint]

It is my intent to join the blackout day. Haven't announced it yet in case I get distracted by a shiny penny, but it is my intent to do so.

LAME

All it takes for evil to prevail is for good citizens to do nothing. I will not do nothing.

[Malenko]

All it takes for evil to prevail is for good citizens to do nothing. I will not do nothing.

put a black box on the logo like google did, do a page forwarder like wiki did, explain what you doing like reddit did......

I digress.

Im not knocking you for doing it, but that doesnt mean I have to like it either.

[saint]

Yeah, but all of that would have been work (I thought about doing that actually, just ran out of time and round tuits)

[Malenko]

I still <3 you.

[saint]

You can't have my beer. Plus, you know, we have the place to ourselves right now. We should, I don't know... clean the curtains maybe?

[Malenko]

I'll work on the curtains, you tackle the blue carpet

[Nephasth]

It smells like stale sex in here...

[yotsuya]

If this is gonna be that kind of party then I'm gonna stick my  er, nevermind.

[404]

One for the sopa army

This pro-SOPA commercial aired during the Chris Matthews show on MSNBC 01-18-12, the same day as the internet blackout. It is important to note that NBC's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Richard Cotton, is also Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce cross-sector Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP), which represents over 500 companies and associations who have come together to fight the vital economic battle against counterfeiting and piracy. He serves on the Steering Committee of BASCAP, Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy, an arm of the International Chamber of Commerce dedicated to the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights worldwide.

[Le Chuck]

That comercial is so frustrating because the language itself is patently false.  "Illegal websites?" Perhaps they are refering to off shore hosted web sites that are governed by laws and treaties that don't recognize US intellectual property rights.  And then how does one measure if pirated data does infact constitute a direct loss of income, does every song downloaded automatically indicate one lost sale?  Ahh, it hurts my head.  Nevermind.  I'm sorry. 

Saint, good job on closing up the site for the rest of the world besides Malenko.  Malenko... thbbbbbt!   

[Malenko]

Saint, good job on closing up the site for the rest of the world besides Malenko.  Malenko... thbbbbbt!   

Haruman was here tooooooooooo   

[saint]

For what it's worth, I don't see me doing any more advocating on this issue or probably any other issue in a manner that effects everyone as I did with the news feed a while back or the blackout today. I'll continue to rant in the P&R forum for anyone interested.

I reserve the right to flip flop and do it again I don't imagine I will though.

--- saint

[ed12]

saint 2 thumb's up for what u did
i salute u sir
that's 2 cent's worth

ed

[Rando]

*sniff*

That was HARD! 

Whew, over. 

[Le Chuck]

*sniff*

That was HARD! 

Whew, over. 

Are that's what she said jokes still funny?

[opt2not]

No.

[ed12]

welp it was simple
thank-u saint to try  to keep free speach open
book me into  >pr<
i know i did not pm u

ed

[Blanka]

Wow, Google is participating...

Half Baked.
They truly would have balls if Google.com was just black for a day, maybe only keeping the email-servers open for stand alone email clients.
And don't say it harms business. The biggest baby-stuff retailer in Europe is from a reformed christian owner, and he just shuts down the webshop on Sundays. Does not seem to hurt at all.

[404]

I know this isn't the politics, religion section but for those living in bin laden's old cave, Megaupload was just shut down by the government. No SOPA needed.

[jennifer]

       Thumbs up to to Byoac/Saint and everyone who got involved.

[shmokes]

And don't say it harms business. The biggest baby-stuff retailer in Europe is from a reformed christian owner, and he just shuts down the webshop on Sundays. Does not seem to hurt at all.

It does harm business. That's what makes it impressive (or silly, I suppose, if you're an atheist parent trying to buy diapers on the Sabbath).

[ChadTower]

It might harm business.  Stopping orders on the 18th only to make them on the 19th does nothing to harm business.  It only changes the XY graphs a little.

[shmokes]

Other businesses are open on Sunday. It stands to reason that at least some customers who otherwise would have purchased from the closed store do not simply put off their purchase until the next day. If opening on Sundays were not profitable businesses just wouldn't be open on Sundays.

[Malenko]

Chic-fil-a is closed on sundays, I know to get my fix on any of the other 6 days of the week

[shmokes]

And on Sundays, even if you would rather eat at Chic-fil-a, you spend your money elsewhere (assuming you aren't fasting). Seriously, this isn't rocket science.

Frankly, I'm sure the owners of these establishments would heartily agree with me. The fact that they lose money by closing on Sundays shows how important their religious principles are to them.

[Malenko]

And on Sundays, even if you would rather eat at Chic-fil-a, you spend your money elsewhere (assuming you aren't fasting). Seriously, this isn't rocket science.

Frankly, I'm sure the owners of these establishments would heartily agree with me. The fact that they lose money by closing on Sundays shows how important their religious principles are to them.

I buy it on saturday and reheat. I'm kidding.

Im saying I plan around when they are closed, so they arent loosing money (ie not taking MY money), they just earn sundays take on monday through saturday, its not rocket surgery. I respect them for being closed on sunday, even though this has nothing to do with sopa

[Vigo]

And on Sundays, even if you would rather eat at Chic-fil-a, you spend your money elsewhere (assuming you aren't fasting). Seriously, this isn't rocket science.

Frankly, I'm sure the owners of these establishments would heartily agree with me. The fact that they lose money by closing on Sundays shows how important their religious principles are to them.

Well, you will find that many restaurant owners don't actually do the work. Most just stop in to make sure their investment is doing well.

Ask the employees if they appreciate the Sunday off. I honestly think it's great that a company values guaranteeing 1 weekend day for the employees to be with their family above making a few extra bucks on the slowest business day for most quick-serves. Glad the owners principals are in the right place.

Also consider that the sheer decreased level of turnover by giving every employee a weekend day. Putting it simple, restaurant workers don't get weekends. The might get a monday and thursday off, if they are lucky, they get two week days off in a row. Labor is by far the most expensive variable cost a restaurant deals with, and turnover is the biggest problem of labor cost in the industry. Speaking about the company I work for personally, the ungodly amount of tax burden we take in for our turnover costs us many millions of dollars each year. Closing on Sunday might not be as losing of an idea as you may think.

[saint]

And on Sundays, even if you would rather eat at Chic-fil-a, you spend your money elsewhere (assuming you aren't fasting). Seriously, this isn't rocket science.

Frankly, I'm sure the owners of these establishments would heartily agree with me. The fact that they lose money by closing on Sundays shows how important their religious principles are to them.

I buy it on saturday and reheat. I'm kidding.

Im saying I plan around when they are closed, so they arent loosing money (ie not taking MY money), they just earn sundays take on monday through saturday, its not rocket surgery. I respect them for being closed on sunday, even though this has nothing to do with sopa

Eh, if I was buying an appliance, sure. Chic-Fil-A however has lost my business at least 3 times that I can recall over the past year or two, as the only time I seem to want a breakfast biscuit is Sunday morning for some reason. I didn't wait to get one the next day, I just got something else. 

[saint]

That said, they certainly seem to be doing fine without my 3 orders...

http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Pressroom/Fact-Sheets#?release=2011_fun_facts

[shmokes]

Im saying I plan around when they are closed, so they arent loosing money (ie not taking MY money), they just earn sundays take on monday through saturday, its not rocket surgery. I respect them for being closed on sunday, even though this has nothing to do with sopa

That's just not the way it works.  People don't typically plan their fast food eating like that. It's not medication. You eat on Monday whatever you're in the mood for regardless of what you may or may not have been in the mood for and deprived of the day before. And if you feel like eating Chic-fil-a on Sunday, you're gonna choose it over something you don't feel like eating, even if you just had Chic-fil-a the day before (if they were open Sundays, of course).

Now, I'm sure there are plenty of families that have, like, Chic-fil-a night and that can just be scheduled for anoer night, no problem. But A LOT of fast food business, probably by far the majority of fast food business, comes from the following thought process: I'm hungry-->what's available/convenient-->which of those options sounds best?

Seriously, they'd all be closed Sundays if Sunday didn't add to the bottom line.


Edit: added quote to clarify who I'm talking to.

[Malenko]

they'd never all be closed on Sunday. The day that that happens is the day "McDonalds is the only fast food available on Sundays!"

Chic Fil A makes really good food, they've established they arent open on sundays, I work around that.  Judging by the page Saint linked to, I cant be the only one. They aren't losing out on making any money from me, they are just earning it on a different day of the week. Whats so hard to grasp about that?

You're saying for example I wanna eat some chic fil a, and its sunday so I cant so I go get some McDonalds. Chic fil a lost a sale because they werent open. Lets say its saturday, and I dont wanna get McDonalds cause I can get them whenever I want, so I go to chic fil a, cause they'll be closed the next day.  Wouldnt that mean they got a sale because they are closed on sunday?

I'm not saying the shift to Mon-Sat is equal to the amount of business they may earn on sunday, but being closed on sunday isnt killing their business.

[Le Chuck]

Without steering too far into the Chic business model they do offer family nights and free kids dinner during special times.  This is classic marketing aimed at mothers, the primary family spenders, and also rely on their reputation as a conservative Christian organization to win more business then they lose by staying closed on Sundays. 

Chic uses their piousness as a subtle marketing ploy.  I am not saying their piousness is false or ill placed, only that when you go to their restaurants it is plastered on the walls why they are closed on Sunday's and how Chic supports family worship.  In other words, they profit from keeping the sabbath but this business model probably wouldn't have the same results for most online market places because they are going after the individual rather than the family as a whole. 

[shmokes]

I'm not saying the shift to Mon-Sat is equal to the amount of business they may earn on sunday, but being closed on sunday isnt killing their business.

Well . . . to be fair, that is exactly what you said.

Im saying I plan around when they are closed, so they arent loosing money (ie not taking MY money), they just earn sundays take on monday through saturday

[ephasis added]

But I agree. They're running a very profitable business and if they prefer to be closed Sundays, whether for religious reasons or just because they think their employees ought to watch more football, more power to them. Money isn't everything.

[Malenko]

Well . . . to be fair, that is exactly what you said.

Well . . . to be fair, that is not exactly what I said.

Im saying I plan around when they are closed, so they arent loosing money (ie not taking MY money), they just earn sundays take on monday through saturday

[ephasis added, correctly this time]

[shmokes]

Okay. We've just been talking about you this whole time.    

[Malenko]

Okay. We've just been talking about you this whole time.    

Nope but I was specifically citing me in the example. This conversation is obviously about you and SOPA.

[shmokes]

So, I say that Chic-fil-a definitely loses money by not being open on Sundays and you respond with your personal Chic-fil-a eating habits, not intending for that to be extrapolated to be meaningful in any way, but just as an entirely unrelated piece of trivia?

Well, thanks for that. It's always nice when people pop in and volunteer personal information that appears to be, but actually isn't meant to be at all relevant to the conversation. 

[Malenko]

So, I say that Chic-fil-a definitely loses money by not being open on Sundays and you respond with your personal Chic-fil-a eating habits, not intending for that to be extrapolated to be meaningful in any way, but just as an entirely unrelated piece of trivia?

Well, thanks for that. It's always nice when people pop in and volunteer personal information that appears to be, but actually isn't meant to be at all relevant to the conversation. 

You have no proof they lose money, citation is needed. The relevance of my personal eating habits is that I'm sure I'm not the only one who goes out of their way to eat chic-fil-a on the days they are open. If a quality product is available only on certain days, some people will wait for the better product rather then settling for something of a lesser quality just because the place is open.

[saint]

I hereby object to calling Chic-Fil-A, or any fast food joint, a "quality product." 

[HaRuMaN]

I hereby object to calling Chic-Fil-A, or any fast food joint, a "quality product." 

Sacrilege!

[ChadTower]

Other businesses are open on Sunday. It stands to reason that at least some customers who otherwise would have purchased from the closed store do not simply put off their purchase until the next day. If opening on Sundays were not profitable businesses just wouldn't be open on Sundays.

That is the case if ONE store shuts down like the above retailer.  If the whole net were to shut down?  People would just wait a day.

If one thing working in online retail for the past few years has taught me, though, is that people are super loyal to online retailers they like.  Most people don't do tons of comparison shopping.  They just go to Amazon, or CVS, or Newegg.  If it were to go down a day they would just wait until it comes back up.  Online brand loyalty is very very strong.

[Le Chuck]

I hereby object to calling Chic-Fil-A, or any fast food joint, a "quality product." 

You can poke fun at my religion, job, political leanings, alma matter, choice of SUV, or cab but the chicken sandwich falls into the family/Jeff Bridges realm.  This aggression will not stand man.

[shmokes]

If a quality product is available only on certain days, some people will wait for the better product rather then settling for something of a lesser quality just because the place is open.

Even if I grant you that, which I will because it's reasonable (even though you . . . GASP! . . . have no proof or citation to back up this claim), you're still left with the problem of "some people". Cos then there are the other people who don't fall into your "some people" category. You see the problem here? With tens of millions of customers it seems like there's possibility, however scant, that while "some people" will wait, and don't get ahead of me, I know I'm going out on a limb here with no citation or proof, while "some people" will wait, some won't.

[Mikezilla]

I hereby object to calling Chic-Fil-A, or any fast food joint, a "quality product." 

Youre kidding right? Chic-Fil-A is a damn good sandwich. If I wasnt a diabetic I would partake in all of their offerings. They are delicious. In-n-out is also a quality product!!!!

[saint]

Of all the various habits I have, good or bad, breaking the fast food habit is one of the best things I've done. Just can't stand fast food anymore.

Taco Bell doesn't count. Shuttup.

[Le Chuck]

Of all the various habits I have, good or bad, breaking the fast food habit is one of the best things I've done. Just can't stand fast food anymore.

Taco Bell doesn't count. Shuttup.

 

[shmokes]

Agreed. Years ago I thought Chic-fil-a was amazing. Every now and then now, like once a year or less, I'll eat at a Chick-fil-a for one reason or another and it always makes me look back at my past self with bewilderment. It's like that person is a stranger. It's like that's bizarro me or something. Chick-fil-a is not very good, let alone great. Everything from the bread to the meat to the lettuce is just poor quality.  

[Well Fed Games]

Hmm. Maybe I am just getting old and paranoid, but I am liking the idea less and less of eating any food prepared by a stranger (maybe I remember my fast food employment days too well). Chinese food doesn't count, though, I don't care what is in there- the risk is worth the reward.

[dre-w]

Chic-fil-a shakes is in my top 5..  among my other favs

Fosters Freeze - Peanut Butter Malt (the stand-alone one, not the ones attached to El Pollo Loco)
Nordstroms Cafe - Vanilla Ice Storm (in select malls)
Coffee Bean - Ultimate Mocha
In & Out - Neapolitan Shake (secret menu item.. though they have the button on register..?)

 

[ChadTower]

Of all the various habits I have, good or bad, breaking the fast food habit is one of the best things I've done. Just can't stand fast food anymore.

Same here, unless you count Chinese takeout, which you probably should.  I can't deal with fast food in most cases.  Disgusting crap.  And I'm not a food snob.  I just hate eating a meal and sitting around for 90 minutes afterward feeling like crap.

[Mikezilla]

You guys are weak. Granted, I dont eat fast food often, but sometimes I get a craving for it. Carls Jr's double western is awesome, In n out is great if you dont mind waiting in line, and chic fil a is good if youre in the area. There are only 2 in san diego, and they are all far from where I live. The grilled chicken is fresh, the lettuce is crisp leaf lettuce (my fav for sandwiches/burgers) and the tomatos are juicy.

Anyone that says they dont like Mcdonalds fries is a liar. 

Now, Chinese gives me the BG's most of the time, but I dont eat it often. I love Asian food. Vietnamese gives me the worst gas, but I still eat it. The gf whines but I think its funny. 

[Vigo]

Up here, we have Hardee's instead of Carl's Jr. Pretty much the same thing, but no double western.  Most burger kings here wont even make their cheap little western burgers anymore. At least I can get the big jack daddy burger at BWW.

[Mikezilla]

Up here, we have Hardee's instead of Carl's Jr. Pretty much the same thing, but no double western.  Most burger kings here wont even make their cheap little western burgers anymore. At least I can get the big jack daddy burger at BWW.

I would probably cry if I couldnt get a double western every couple of months, that sucks man. What is BWW?

[Le Chuck]

I just had a glorious chicken sandwich, waffle fries and a lemonade for lunch.  All thanks to the wonder that is Chic.  I do however get the occassional jonesing for Micky Dee's fries.  After 4 years living in Germany the first thing my wife and I did once we landed in ATL was go to a drive through for some real fries.  They are different over there, subtly, still good, but different.  I think they (Europeans) change the fry oil too often.   

[Malenko]

I had a chicken bacon swiss sandwich from Arby's today, I almost took it behind the middle school and got it pregnant.

[Le Chuck]

I had a chicken bacon swiss sandwich from Arby's today, I almost took it behind the middle school and got it pregnant.

Just snorted lemondade.  Burns.  Thanks.   

[Rando]

Other businesses are open on Sunday. It stands to reason that at least some customers who otherwise would have purchased from the closed store do not simply put off their purchase until the next day. If opening on Sundays were not profitable businesses just wouldn't be open on Sundays.

That is the case if ONE store shuts down like the above retailer.  If the whole net were to shut down?  People would just wait a day.

Related note,
I grew up in a county in NJ that had blue laws requiring most stores to close for the day.  I work M-F, so I get 2 days for casual/fun shopping.  Family/Friends and I did a lot of our shopping in a different county or even state (NY was 15 min away) on that day.

[Vigo]

Up here, we have Hardee's instead of Carl's Jr. Pretty much the same thing, but no double western.  Most burger kings here wont even make their cheap little western burgers anymore. At least I can get the big jack daddy burger at BWW.

I would probably cry if I couldnt get a double western every couple of months, that sucks man. What is BWW?

I habitually order a side of onion rings with various fast food meals so I can try to recreate the glory of a double western.

BWW is Buffalo Wild Wings, which it looks like SD is lacking. The closest one you got is in Murrieta. It's a popular sports bar chain. The big jack daddy is like a western with pulled pork on it as well.