Obama back-doors internet piracy laws via treaty

by Joel McDurmon on Jan 28, 2012

It’s a classic magician’s ploy: the hand you’re not watching is the one doing the trick. Governments long ago learned this lesson, and today we have a wonderful example. While Americans were wowed by SOPA and PIPA, the hidden hand was signing ACTA.

Indeed, while Americans blsted their Senators and Congressmen over SOPA and PIPA, the Obama Administration was quietly working toward the same goal as those draconian internet piracy bills all along. On October 1, 2011, he signed a long-coming treaty called the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) which would give the government similar powers as sought in the two bills. The New American reports,

According to Wikipedia, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement “creates a governing body outside national institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or the United Nations.” The scope of the agreement includes counterfeit goods, generic medicines, and pirated copyright-protected works.

Just as with SOPA and PIPA,

The provisions of ACTA grant copyright holders direct powers to demand that ISPs remove material from the Internet, without the requirement of a court order, and permit foreign influence over ISPs in the United States.

According to the report, Obama is now “circulating a petition demanding that senators ratify the treaty.”

Those who have read my articles on the loss of American freedom through executive treaty powers know how vulnerable the nation is in this area. The President does not need approval from both houses of Congress, only a two-thirds vote of a quorum in the Senate—as few as 34 votes could do it. But Obama is going even further than that this time, apparently attempting to bypass Congress altogether:

What’s worse is that the White House has done some maneuvering — characterizing the treaty as an “executive agreement” — thereby bypassing approval by members of Congress. . . .

TechDirt observes:

… [E]ven if Obama has declared ACTA an executive agreement (while those in Europe insist that it’s a binding treaty), there is a very real Constitutional question here: can it actually be an executive agreement? The law is clear that the only things that can be covered by executive agreements are things that involve items that are solely under the President’s mandate. That is, you can’t sign an executive agreement that impacts the things Congress has control over.

But here’s the thing: intellectual property, in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, is an issue given to Congress, not the President. Thus, there’s a pretty strong argument that the President legally cannot sign any intellectual property agreements as an executive agreement and, instead, must submit them to the Senate.

Twenty-two EU member states signed the treaty at a ceremony in Tokyo on January 26. Other nations interested in signing the agreement have until May 2013 to do so.

Several scholars, activists, and lawmakers are livid over both the bill and the Administration’s arrogant actions. With such public outrage over PIPA and SOPA, bringing the same power in through the back door and leaving them exclusively within the prerogative, jurisdiction, and power of the Executive is insane.

Continue Reading on www.thenewamerican.com

Tags:

Categories:

Bureaucracy Civil Government Commerce

27 Comments

January 28, 2012 at 2:25 pm

Was this treaty approved by the Senate? If not, is "Law Enforcement" going to enforce it, once again in direct violation of their oath?

Thugs with Guns. And hopefully soon, DEAD Thugs with Guns…

−matismf
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 2:30 pm

CONGRESS HAS TO APPROVE ALL TREATIES OR THEY ARE NOT LEGAL,
ENFORCEABLE OR BINDING.

WHEN IS CONGRESS GOING TO STAND BY THE CONSTITUTION THEY SWORE TO UPHOLD?

AMERICA HAS BECOME A SOCIALIST DICTATORSHIP WITH A GO ALONG WITH CONGRESS.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NO LONGER MATTER OR ARE LISTENED TO BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT……….

IS IT TIME FOR A REVOLT OR HAS IT BECOME TOO LATE?

PEOPLE, WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO REMOVE 2/3 OF THE HOUSE AND, i BELIEVE,
1/3 OF THE SENATE IN THE 2012 ELECTIONS.

LETS GET 'ER DONE!

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!

Pray for the Oath Keepers.
Hope for the Lone Wolf.

−David in MA
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 2:41 pm

An actual ‘treaty’ must be ratified and signed by the speaker of the house and senate as well as the President. What is going on here? If obummer ‘back doors’ this ACTA, it will be null upon presentation. PHfffffffffff!

−Dntmkmecmoverther
Reply ↓
- February 4, 2012 at 9:16 pm
  
  Not unless "Law Enforcement" is actually willing to DO something about it. How likely do think THAT is going to be?
  
  −matismf
  Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 2:51 pm

Now we know that part of the "Change" was trading in a President for a King. I would like to thank all the foolish voters who were out to make a politically correct statement for overthrowing our Republic. All the spilled blood, lost lives and hard work that was required to build the Greatest Nation in the world has officially been kicked to the side and forgotten.

−3rd ID Vet
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 2:56 pm

Here is another subversive scheme that Obama has implemented. Obamacare is funding “Obama’s Personal Civilian Army” called the “Ready Reserve Corps”. It is authorized in section 203 & section 5210 on page 1312 in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)” or “OBAMACARE”. Remember, during his campaign, Obama called for his personal Million Man civilian army to be loyal only to him. Obama also stated that his personal civilian army should be more powerful than our US Military. There is a clip of Obama saying these very words in the video. Watch the idiots applauding as Obama says this. Obama is right now gutting our military and at the same time beefing up his personal thug army. Watch This Short Video And Be Informed Of What The Nazi In The White House Has Planned For You! Please Spread The Word to our fellow Patriots! ALL OF THEM!—

“Obama’s Personal Army” ……

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htw7shWR3oU

Please Sign The Petition To Force The Repeal Of Obamacare & call your elected reps, Then Pass The Site On To EVERYONE That You Know…

https://repealhealthcareact.org/invest.aspx

−Eli Jones
Reply ↓
- January 28, 2012 at 4:14 pm
  
  Scary. I'll have it sent to at least 30+ people.
  
  −Independant
  Reply ↓
- January 29, 2012 at 7:22 am
  
  Now he is attacking generic drugs, lets us know that he lies when he says he is for the American people. If I have to take a drug it will be the
  generic kind.
  
  −guestresponder
  Reply ↓
- January 30, 2012 at 1:12 pm
  
  Will share Eli!!! You are SO RIGHT!!!
  
  −Conservative
  Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 3:07 pm

The provisions of ACTA grant copyright holders direct powers to demand that ISPs remove material from the Internet, without the requirement of a court order, and permit foreign influence over ISPs in the United States.
******************
Say "Hello New World Order". They are grabbing power while they can. Maybe we should take a lesson from 1776 before it is too late.

−orples
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 3:11 pm

Well Folks.. You were warned two year or more ago about the CORRUPT GOVERNMENT. Now the question is. WHAT are we going to do to stop it..

−citizen
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 3:55 pm

He has already stated, anything he wants done. He will do without congress. How can anyone stop that shit. Short of not giving him another 4 yrs. to fundamentaly change America

−MicMin
Reply ↓
- January 28, 2012 at 4:24 pm
  
  I don't think and hope that the kill obama option is not available to anyone who is for the Constitution. Before the elections, and there isn't much time left, there are only two possibilities. One is a naturally occuring medical condition which is not caused by giving him a virus via handshake or other. That action would fall into the kill obama option already not allowed. It is controlled by Someone of the Highest Authority of right and wrong.
  Personally, when I remember, just as the prayer for the Czar in Fiddler on the Roof, I remember to bless and protect President obama while he is protecting my rights as a citizen and doing what is right. The Highest Authority of course can do whatever He wants at any time, even when obama is doing tyrannical things. That is not in my control.
  The second is to get Congress to have the guts to actually protect and defend the Constitution in impeaching those who would subvert it whether they be in the Executive, Judicial, or Legislative Branches.
  Unlikely is an understatement.
  
  −Gregg Weber
  Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 4:25 pm

it sounds like that SOB would pull.

−SEAN MURRY
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 5:14 pm

Re-electing Obama, would be like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.

−MicMin
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 5:28 pm

TOTALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE SENATE HAS TO APPROVE IT BEFORE THE PRESIDENT CAN SIGN IT!!! Another nail in the IMPEACHMENT OF THE WIGGER!!!

−Dick
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 6:06 pm

We need to stand up and show Ovmit he isnt going to get away with this crap that is why he is trying to get are gunss I think that is the only reason he hasnt done more because we have are own army as long as we have are guns

−Maxine
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 6:09 pm

"intellectual property, in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, is an issue given to Congress, not the President. Thus, there’s a pretty strong argument that the President legally cannot sign any intellectual property agreements as an executive agreement and, instead, must submit them to the Senate."

I don't think the President cares. Criminals usually don't. He already violated just about every law of the Constitution, and Boehner and Cantor just sit there like plastic ducks on a pond.

I think we're going after the wrong person. Why go after somebody that doesn't care? We should go after people who just sit there and do nothing. We need to go after Boehner, Cantor, and anybody that has any influence that doesn't do their job to protect the American people.

−Ducky
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 6:31 pm

Just more proof this Treasonous SOB needs to be "IMPEACHED" then arrested, put in chains and FINALLY haul his more than worthless carcass off to "GITMO" for what is left of his Anti-American, Anti-Constitution, Anti-Bill Of Rights “NATURAL “ Kenyan life. I say send his Puppeteer George Soros, 51 Czars and counting, Socialist, Communist Anti-American Appointees and his misc. miscreants in Congress

−Steve
Reply ↓
January 28, 2012 at 7:45 pm

If he gets away with this you can kiss our second amendment right goodbye. He and Hillary have been trying to get a UN treaty against small arms since day one. This whole corrupt illegal administration must go but held responsible for their treasonous acts

−Sgt Bubba
Reply ↓
January 29, 2012 at 1:09 am

This man is so evil, he must be replaced.

−GramSam
Reply ↓
January 29, 2012 at 1:18 am

I REALLY THINK IT IS TIME TO SEND IN THE MILITARY AND TAKE THEM OUT IN HAND CUFFS.

−WILLIAM GRANT
Reply ↓
January 31, 2012 at 1:33 pm

The threat is real folks. Get this cur out of office. If he is proven to be ineligible, then all that he has signed into law becomes moot. This is the plan that must be implemented. . . .

−dbassd
Reply ↓
January 31, 2012 at 2:57 pm

Nullification of all of this usurper's illegal and UNBINDING decisions.

Next POTUS can do much of the same via executive order.

−Gringo Infidel
Reply ↓
April 17, 2012 at 4:26 am

“-for-the-ppi-declare-3/ Thanks for that awesome posting. It saved MUCH time :-)

−claim here
Reply ↓
April 19, 2012 at 5:42 pm

“nce-claim-companies-for-your-recovery/ Thanks for that awesome posting. It saved MUCH time :-)

−get your money back"
Reply ↓