SOPA’s creator, Texas’ Lamar Smith

Yesterday, if you hadn’t already known about the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) you definitely found out. Whether it be that one of your favorite websites joined in protest (Google, Wikipedia) or was a vessel to help propagate the protest (Facebook, Twitter) or that nagging coworker that wouldn’t shut up until you signed a petition (me), SOPA and PIPA affected you in some way.

So let’s look at SOPA’s creator, Lamar S. Smith of Texas’ 21st district.

For starters, the Congressman fell prey to the beautiful photography of DJ Schulte (he used his photos for personal use). Meaning, had his legislation been in effect, his website would have been subject to shutdown.

Smith did introduce the 2006 piece of legislation known as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which protects Internet Service Providers from copyright liability claims provided they take appropriate actions against its users. And like its successor has the potential to do a lot of damage. Its vague language has helped large corporations effectively censor the press, information and the Internet.

Three Congressmen have withdrawn their support as co-sponsors for SOPA (Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.)) and PIPA (Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)) following yesterday’s Internet protest. Even though Smith has now gathered a large number of critics, he still does have a great deal of support, notably Clear Channel Communications (the largest donor totaling $26,850) and National Cable & Telecommunications Association (second with $16,000). In fact, contributions from Television, Music and Movies industry totals $133,050, a substantial number when compared to the second highest contributing industry, banks and credit ($66,300).

At the time of posting, his office did not offer a comment on yesterday’s internet blackout day or on the withdrawal of support from co-sponsors of the bill.

In his defense he argues a very different version of the bill, a very protectionist approach to his legislation:

The Stop Online Piracy Act helps American innovators by protecting U.S. intellectual property from foreign criminals. The bill targets conduct that is already illegal. It applies only to foreign Websites, not domestic. No action can be taken against a foreign illegal Website without a court order from a federal judge.

- Rep. Lamar Smith in a Letter to the Editor at Politico

I mean, when has protectionism not worked?

Lamar Smith does have an expiring term come November, and while he has usually run virtually uncontested, that might not be the case this year. Richard Mack, staunch libertarian and famous ex-sheriff, plans on giving the “Republican in Name Only” (RINO) a run for his well-funded pockets. He has strong support in the Ron Paul circles, meaning the group that has pushed the once-destined-for-Ralph-Nader-esque-joke into a serious candidate could do some serious damage in this year’s 21st district Congressional election. Compounded with the attention Smith is earning on his own and the Supreme Court case surrounding Texas Congressional redistricting that could see more of Austin’s liberal voters pushed into the 21st district, Lamar Smith could be out of Washington faster than bad chili through a hound dog.