Nevermind, found one: http://manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=aeae6e96-7d88-4fed-811b-f0d7f3bc1636&ContentType_id=ec9a1142-0ea4-4086-95b2-b1fc9cc47db5&Group_id=e3f09d56-daa7-43fd-aa8b-bd2aeb8d7777
Topic: Senator Charles Schumer Pushes to Shut Down Online Drug Marketplace (Read 25500 times)
Nevermind, found one: http://manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=aeae6e96-7d88-4fed-811b-f0d7f3bc1636&ContentType_id=ec9a1142-0ea4-4086-95b2-b1fc9cc47db5&Group_id=e3f09d56-daa7-43fd-aa8b-bd2aeb8d7777
June 10, 2011, 11:56:34 PM
Interesting, I hadn't realised that there was such a thing as "an illegal website" in America, illegal content yes but a website that's illegal?
And they want to seize the domain, that's sweet.
Where consumer > citizen.
June 10, 2011, 11:42:28 PM
Interesting, I hadn't realised that there was such a thing as "an illegal website" in America, illegal content yes but a website that's illegal?
And they want to seize the domain, that's sweet.
June 10, 2011, 11:21:43 PM
Does anybody have the full text of the open letter? Mr. Google is failing me when I search for it...
If you were talking about Schumer's letter to DOJ & DEA ....http://pastebin.com/VurF7dgr
Interesting, I hadn't realised that there was such a thing as "an illegal website" in America, illegal content yes but a website that's illegal?
And they want to seize the domain, that's sweet.
June 10, 2011, 10:36:13 PM
I wonder how people would react if I wore that to work! I want one!
June 10, 2011, 07:15:40 PM
Does anybody have the full text of the open letter? Mr. Google is failing me when I search for it...
If you were talking about Schumer's letter to DOJ & DEA ....http://pastebin.com/VurF7dgr
June 10, 2011, 06:09:07 PM
I only read the first couple pages of this thread, but here's my opinion.
I've seen a lot of mob mentality lately. From people unquestioningly opposing WikiLeaks because their government opposed it to people cheering when the guy who wrote "The Pedophile's Guide to Love" on Amazon got arrested for simply publishing a book, I've come to the conclusion that although most people *say* they want freedom, they really don't. Freedom implies taking responsibility for your own actions, including when you make mistakes. People don't seem to like that.
In my opinion, it would be a huge threat to Bitcoin if the government kept calling it "money laundering" and so forth. Even though US dollars can also be used to purchase illegal things anonymously, if people get angry or scared enough, trying to correct their misconceptions will be like whispering to someone at a rock concert. People here have said that Bitcoin would simply become a black market item and gain even more value. While that may be true, I have no need for a currency that is limited to black market usage. If businesses and ordinary individuals aren't adopting it, what's the point?
I think we need to do something to reach the masses. Maybe a bunch of us pool together to take out a billboard in some heavily populated area like LA. If we can associate Bitcoin with ideas like "currency," "convenient," "replace PayPal," "secure," and so on, that would be a great first step. There's other obvious things that need work too, like making it easier to get Bitcoins. As it stands, the average person isn't going to go through all the trouble. It'd be nice if there were a way to link your bank account to a site (like how PayPal does it) and use that to get Bitcoins instantly.
I've seen a lot of mob mentality lately. From people unquestioningly opposing WikiLeaks because their government opposed it to people cheering when the guy who wrote "The Pedophile's Guide to Love" on Amazon got arrested for simply publishing a book, I've come to the conclusion that although most people *say* they want freedom, they really don't. Freedom implies taking responsibility for your own actions, including when you make mistakes. People don't seem to like that.
In my opinion, it would be a huge threat to Bitcoin if the government kept calling it "money laundering" and so forth. Even though US dollars can also be used to purchase illegal things anonymously, if people get angry or scared enough, trying to correct their misconceptions will be like whispering to someone at a rock concert. People here have said that Bitcoin would simply become a black market item and gain even more value. While that may be true, I have no need for a currency that is limited to black market usage. If businesses and ordinary individuals aren't adopting it, what's the point?
I think we need to do something to reach the masses. Maybe a bunch of us pool together to take out a billboard in some heavily populated area like LA. If we can associate Bitcoin with ideas like "currency," "convenient," "replace PayPal," "secure," and so on, that would be a great first step. There's other obvious things that need work too, like making it easier to get Bitcoins. As it stands, the average person isn't going to go through all the trouble. It'd be nice if there were a way to link your bank account to a site (like how PayPal does it) and use that to get Bitcoins instantly.
I find it interesting how you contradict yourself in a few paragraphs.
I've come to the conclusion that although most people *say* they want freedom, they really don't.
I have no need for a currency that is limited to black market usage.
Bravo.
Maybe contradict is harsh, you never actually said you want freedom, just that others don't. Which I agree with. And you never really said you were looking for freedom of exchange either, just that you wouldn't bother with it if it was pushed to the black market.
June 10, 2011, 06:06:33 PM
I thought every transactions is visible to everyone?
So bitcoin is not really anonymous, right?
So bitcoin is not really anonymous, right?
That may be so but I have no idea who owns what.
June 10, 2011, 06:05:38 PM
I thought every transactions is visible to everyone?
So bitcoin is not really anonymous, right?
So bitcoin is not really anonymous, right?
June 10, 2011, 06:00:30 PM
Does anybody have the full text of the open letter? Mr. Google is failing me when I search for it...
June 10, 2011, 05:51:52 PM
Forgive me if I already post this: http://bitcoinweekly.com/articles/the-battle-is-on-silk-road-vs-government-and-bitcoin-anonymity
June 10, 2011, 05:44:59 PM
I've seen a lot of mob mentality lately. From people unquestioningly opposing WikiLeaks because their government opposed it to people cheering when the guy who wrote "The Pedophile's Guide to Love" on Amazon got arrested for simply publishing a book, I've come to the conclusion that although most people *say* they want freedom, they really don't. Freedom implies taking responsibility for your own actions, including when you make mistakes. People don't seem to like that.
I'm not entirely convinced that it's all that comforting to the children getting abused that someone has to "take responsibility" for it later. 
June 10, 2011, 05:08:40 PM
If there is nothing else I know about governments, it's that they are just people with their own agendas and factions like anyone else. If one set of government busybodies openly wants to shut down bitcoin, it's a sure bet that there is another set of busybodies who privately want to see it florish. The same is true for any other government as it is for the US. If the US government settles on the decision of suppression, then there will undoubtedly be other governments that will support bitcoin for no other reason than the US overlords don't like it.
For example, if Schumer wants Bitcoin stopped; that alone is enough to get the attention of his own critics. If the Koch brothers get the idea that supporting bitcoin would undermine Dems who openly oppose it, we are going to see a lot more positive press than we could have ever imagined.
For example, if Schumer wants Bitcoin stopped; that alone is enough to get the attention of his own critics. If the Koch brothers get the idea that supporting bitcoin would undermine Dems who openly oppose it, we are going to see a lot more positive press than we could have ever imagined.
June 10, 2011, 04:40:39 PM
If they knew that, then why did they make a self-buggering currency in the first place? I'm pretty sure they're all about getting while the getting is good and then waiting out the consequences in a very luxurious bunker or something analogous to that.
June 10, 2011, 04:28:05 PM
"They" would only want that if "they" can control it. You think they give a wet fart if people starve to death?
Whoever "They" are, I am sure they don't live in caves. Without a functional currency, goods and services can't flow, the US will descend into complete chaos, the suburbs of Washington DC or New York will not be spared. June 10, 2011, 04:07:20 PM
Wait till the feds get their Quatum computers (yes they exist) on this. Unfortunately, they could easily destabilize the bitcoin market with enough computing power.... which they can afford. 
That's assuming that the entirety of gov't WANTS it shutdown....
With potential currency crises looming "they" may want several alternatives squarely in place to keep goods and services flowing.
"They" would only want that if "they" can control it. You think they give a wet fart if people starve to death?
June 10, 2011, 03:45:40 PM
Wait till the feds get their Quatum computers (yes they exist) on this. Unfortunately, they could easily destabilize the bitcoin market with enough computing power.... which they can afford.
That's assuming that the entirety of gov't WANTS it shutdown....
With potential currency crises looming "they" may want several alternatives squarely in place to keep goods and services flowing.
June 10, 2011, 03:19:10 PM
As far as I can tell, the people on this forum know enough about Bitcoins and technology to disregard what people are saying. However the average person does not. I was telling my family about Bitcoin and instead of using their Google-fu they asked friends on Facebook. Sadly their friends just told them it was a money laundering tool. We really need to find a way to educate the average person.
In my opinion, it would be a huge threat to Bitcoin if the government kept calling it "money laundering" and so forth. While that may be true, I have no need for a currency that is limited to black market usage. If businesses and ordinary individuals aren't adopting it, what's the point?.....
I think we need to do something to reach the masses. Maybe a bunch of us pool together to take out a billboard in some heavily populated area like LA. If we can associate Bitcoin with ideas like "currency," "convenient," "replace PayPal," "secure," and so on, that would be a great first step. There's other obvious things that need work too, like making it easier to get Bitcoins.
I like the idea of making Bitcoins look good to the average person, but I think that a billboard would not work, our culture is so used to advertising that it would be completely ignored. I propose that a good way to promote Bitcoin would to push its use on social websites like Facebook. If we can get it used regularly on Facebook nobody would ever see it as a money laundering tool.
In my opinion, it would be a huge threat to Bitcoin if the government kept calling it "money laundering" and so forth. While that may be true, I have no need for a currency that is limited to black market usage. If businesses and ordinary individuals aren't adopting it, what's the point?.....
I think we need to do something to reach the masses. Maybe a bunch of us pool together to take out a billboard in some heavily populated area like LA. If we can associate Bitcoin with ideas like "currency," "convenient," "replace PayPal," "secure," and so on, that would be a great first step. There's other obvious things that need work too, like making it easier to get Bitcoins.
June 10, 2011, 03:02:17 PM
In short, the executive summary is:
"People are stupid."
With the corollary:
"People ruin everything."
Yeah, I include myself in that - but luckily I've managed not to ruin everything I like.
"People are stupid."
With the corollary:
"People ruin everything."
Yeah, I include myself in that - but luckily I've managed not to ruin everything I like.
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