The above image is what you will see, if you visit MegaUpload.
The domain has been seized by the government. There has been no trial. How is it that we have fallen so far from the Bill of Rights?
It would seem that the disruption of a service is a punishment. In this case, a punishment that has preceded any time in court, or any opportunity for legal defense. A trial is needed to ascertain whether or not MegaUpload was in violation of the law. What cannot be denied, is that the site has/had legitimate users. Even if a trial proves beyond a reasonable doubt that those running MegaUpload are guilty of the charges, it would seem that 1. the seizure of this site has interrupted legitimate business in its pursuit of justice; and 2. that there are some big egos behind that banner page.
I'm not certain why that page stirs anger from deep within me - but it does.
If the folks who run MegaUpload are proven innocent of the charges - what compensation will these badges of power be required to make? What happened to innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? It seems clear to me that taking this entire site down before there is proof of guilt goes too far. Do the owners and operators of MegaUpload feel innocent right now? Are they being treated as if they are accused of wrong-doing - or are they being treated like they are guilty of the charges before a trial?
I can see why Anonymous is up in arms over this. Without a doubt, there is legal content on the MegaUpload site that is no longer available to legitimate users. That content has been seized. That legitimate content has, in effect, been censored.
The government seems to be behaving like bullies beating up on a target they feel cannot defend itself. There is unquestionably copyright infringements going on within the cyber-halls of YouTube. Would the government shut down all of Google if charges were brought against them?
Some people are driven by greed. Others are driven by the thrill of lording power over another. Still others are driven by the thrill of revenge. It would seem that Anonymous has a voice - and that voice has said, "Expect Us!"
Should we be getting used to seeing this banner page?
