Anti-SOPA/PIPA Protests- A Dark Day for the Web

Starting with the web's biggest sites such as Google, Reddit and Wikipedia (quite a few people have pulled out their 1995 Encarta CD-ROMs), several websites and blogs (including this one and the Arabist) have united for a solidarity blackout. Against what? The passing of the American SOPA/PIPA bills that could result in banning or suing foreign websites for breaking American laws or committing copyright infringement. Could this be the end of the free online community as we know it?

Don't worry, Netanyahu doesn't speak Chinese. But he's more than happy to address the Chinese people to win some hearts and minds over to Israel's side, especially since it has been having a bit of a PR problem.

"Here’s my question, though. Is he planning on sending to every country but Palestine a personalized greeting? Oooooh, my feelings are so hurt."

Apparently the Belgian-Italian songstress Lara Fabian is set to appear in Lebanon next month. Exciting? Not for certain activists who reprimand the chanteuse for singing at a celebration for the Israeli state's 60th birthday and would like the concert to banned. Elie from Lebanon believes that the hypocrisy of these Starbucks-drinking, smartphone-using activists is too much.

"So sing miss Fabian, sing. And don’t you worry. Irrelevant people will remain irrelevant as long as their priorities are not sorted."

Speaking of banning things, apparently feminists are not the only ones who aren't fans of Barbie. It seems that the Iranian government isn't either. The iconic doll has been banned for inciting un-Islamic values. According to this feminist blogger, this should increase its black market desirability in Iran. We suppose Mattel hasn't considered that marketing strategy.

"The kind that didn't even make it to a toy store. They were bald and boring and had only one outfit. I hated them. They were one step above the ones my grandmother would make from buttons and sticks and yarn. By the time I could afford a barbie, alas I was a feminist!"