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US House rushes vote that could create problems for yaoi/hentai fans.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill saying that anyone offering an open Wi-Fi connection to the public must report illegal images including "obscene" cartoons and drawings--or face fines of up to $300,000. Labels: anime, congress, controversial, democrats, loli, manga, pixiesticks, shota, yaoi
That broad definition would cover individuals, coffee shops, libraries, hotels, and even some government agencies that provide Wi-Fi. It also sweeps in social-networking sites, domain name registrars, Internet service providers, and e-mail service providers such as Hotmail and Gmail, and it may require that the complete contents of the user's account be retained for subsequent police inspection.
Before the House vote, which was a lopsided 409 to 2, Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Texas) held a press conference on Capitol Hill with John Walsh, the host of America's Most Wanted and Ernie Allen, head of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Allen said the legislation--called the Securing Adolescents From Exploitation-Online Act, or SAFE Act--will "ensure better reporting, investigation, and prosecution of those who use the Internet to distribute images of illegal child pornography."
The SAFE Act represents the latest in Congress' efforts--some of which have raised free speech and privacy concerns--to crack down on sex offenders and Internet predators. One bill introduced a year ago was even broader and would have forced Web sites and blogs to report illegal images. Another would require sex offenders to supply e-mail addresses and instant messaging user names.
Wednesday's vote caught Internet companies by surprise: the Democratic leadership rushed the SAFE Act to the floor under a procedure that's supposed to be reserved for noncontroversial legislation. It was introduced October 10, but has never received even one hearing or committee vote. In addition, the legislation approved this week has changed substantially since the earlier version and was not available for public review.
Not one Democrat opposed the SAFE Act. Two Republicans did: Rep. Ron Paul, the libertarian-leaning presidential candidate from Texas, and Rep. Paul Broun from Georgia.
This is what the SAFE Act requires: Anyone providing an "electronic communication service" or "remote computing service" to the public who learns about the transmission or storage of information about certain illegal activities or an illegal image must (a) register their name, mailing address, phone number, and fax number with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's "CyberTipline" and (b) "make a report" to the CyberTipline that (c) must include any information about the person or Internet address behind the suspect activity and (d) the illegal images themselves. (By the way, "electronic communications service" and "remote computing service" providers already have some reporting requirements under existing law too.)
The definition of which images qualify as illegal is expansive. It includes obvious child pornography, meaning photographs and videos of children being molested. But it also includes photographs of fully clothed minors in overly "lascivious" poses, and certain obscene visual depictions including a "drawing, cartoon, sculpture, or painting." (Yes, that covers the subset of anime called hentai).
Someone providing a Wi-Fi connection probably won't have to worry about the SAFE Act's additional requirement of retaining all the suspect's personal files if the illegal images are "commingled or interspersed" with other data. But that retention requirement does concern Internet service providers, which would be in a position to comply. So would e-mail service providers, including both Web-based ones and companies that offer POP or IMAP services.
"USISPA has long supported harmonized reporting of child pornography incidents to the (NCMEC). ISPs report over 30,000 incidents a year, and we work closely with NCMEC and law enforcement on the investigation," Kate Dean, head of the U.S. Internet Service Provider Association, said on Wednesday. "We remain concerned, however, that industry would be required to retain images of child pornography after reporting them to NCMEC. It seems like the better approach would be to require the private sector to turn over illicit images and not retain copies."
Failure to comply with the SAFE Act would result in an initial fine of up to $150,000, and fines of up to $300,000 for subsequent offenses. That's the stick. There's a carrot as well: anyone who does comply is immune from civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions.
There are two more points worth noting. First, the vote on the SAFE Act seems unusually rushed. It's not entirely clear that the House Democratic leadership really meant this legislation to slap new restrictions on hundreds of thousands of Americans and small businesses who offer public wireless connections. But they'll nevertheless have to abide by the new rules if senators go along with this idea (and it's been a popular one in the Senate).
The second point is that Internet providers already are required by another federal law to report child pornography sightings to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which is in turn charged with forwarding that report to the appropriate police agency. So there's hardly an emergency, which makes the Democrats' rush for a vote more inexplicable than usual.
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10 Things I Learned at Anime Weekend Atlanta 2007
10. There is going to be a new yaoi convention. Calling itself Yaoi Jamboree, it will be held in Pheniox, Arizona in June. The details are really kinda sketchy right now, but the official website for it is right here. One of the companies that are putting that thing on is Everything Yaoi. Labels: anime, Fang, Japan, manga, pixiesticks, shota, yaoi
09. Speaking of new companies putting out yaoi product. Iris Print had a really sweet looking booth. Check out what they have to offer in the more light shounen-ai department at BoysLove Books. I do like their "Likes Boys" shirt very much.
08. Continuing on the yaoi theme: The 7th Annual Yaoi After Dark panel was much improved over the previous year. Pulling in probably its most huge and diverse crowd yet, the three hour long fiesta seemed tighter which is a very good thing when we're talking about cock and ass. Features included the usual yaoi paddling, a rundown of what's upcoming in manga, The Dating Game, a trivia game, a short preview of the video No Money, and Lainey speaking of just how much has changed over the 7 years in the fandom. Unfortunately, shota is still not allowed to be discussed.
07. One of the things that I absolutely haaaaaaated about the panel didn't have to do with Lainey at all. (So hopefully that means I can be spared any wrath this time around.) While there weren't any horrible fanfics this year, instead preceeding Yaoi After Dark was some bastardization of American Idol. Changing the words to songs to make them "Yaoi" versions is certainly my idea of Yaoi Hell, to be sure. It's safe to say that if Simon was there, he'd have bent them all over a chair and fucked the shit out of them for such a horrible idea. He's sooo seme, you know.
06. Greg Ayres is the shittiest DJ on the face of the earth. Now, I don't know this to be a fact persay, but that's pretty much what every. single. person. who walked by the table where I was hanging out with Fang and Nemo had to say.
05. In alot of ways, Anime Weekend Atlanta is simply Really Expensive Babysitting. I'm sure their staff would agree, considering overwelmingly many people went to the convention and didn't view a single frame of anime.
04. Video game freaks really should invest in getting their own convention. While most conventions have some video game stuff going on, there is absolutely no more room for you at AWA. Not that I mind you being there. It's just overwelmingly obvious that you're multiplying and AWA doesn't seem to want to make proper accomidations for what you love.
03. Lainey broached a subject I hoped I wouldn't have to hear for another couple of weeks. She talked about she was "getting too old." But, fortunately she also mentioned she'd do it until they had to wheelchair her into the panel, so that's good. I'm turning 29 next month and while I certainly started to get the feeling I was one of the older people in the room, the love for the yaoi is just too strong to let go!
02. Pixiesticks.org fans are the BEST FANS EVER! I know I may come across initially as chilly, but I swear it's actually that I'm lost in a sea of just stuff going on around me all the time. I love fans of the site. And I loved getting to meet some of you at the convention. You make me extremely glad I came.
01. As it was last year, Bishounen artists Fang and Nemo were my favorite thing at Anime Weekend Atlanta. Despite seeing them on New Years, I still am so saddened I only see these two typically once a year. While we keep promising that will change, I wholeheartly adore both of them. They make me feel very happy. (In my pants.)
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Most requested.
Mitsui Jun is the most requested doujinshi artist recently and I just posted another selection. It's shotalicious to be sure. Labels: anime, manga, pixiesticks, shota, yaoi
Anime Weekend Atlanta starts tomorrow so I may not be around to update throughout the weekend. But to be sure, more will always be coming soon.
Take care, bishies!
PS: I just did a massive republish all today. What that does is goes back and updates all the archives to the most recent template so everything should be all uniform on the pages.
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7th Annual Yaoi Boi Celebration
Going into my SEVENTH year of celebrating the love for the beauty of the animated boy on boy action, I'm very happy the way the site has been growing in popularity. I've doubled my unique visitors in the last year and that is absolutely outstanding. Labels: boys, epic, internets, manga, nakedness, personal, pixiesticks, porn, secret stash, sex, shota, yaoi
So as usual, all this week you'll see a whole lot of yaoi and shota unleashed over on the Yaoi page. We'll also add another segment of the Secret Stash video for those of you that took your hands off your penis long enough to figure out the password.
Thank you everyone for making my personal website undoubtedly one of the best places to find yaoi on the internet. While it may all be ganked from other places (and remember if you see anything that is yours and you don't want it posted, please please please email me) but pixiesticks.org is where it at with literally hundreds of gigs of yaoi and shota for your pleasure.
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Yaoi Boy Week
I got my calender wrong. NEXT week is the 7th Annual Yaoi Boi Week Celebration. It's the week that leads up to Anime Weekend Atlanta. I remember that back in 2001, it got underway the second week of September. Then, the hijackers flew planes into buildings killing thousands in New York City. It was an event that for lack of better phrase, changed America. So I didn't think it appropriate at the time to be talking about animated penises and assholes and moved it to a more logical time anyway. Labels: anime, boys, epic, manga, pixiesticks, porn, secret stash, sex, shota, yaoi
So, with all that said.
Tomorrow is part 2 of the secret stash video clip.
Next week I have some Maki Murakami, I have more Mitsui Jun, and there will be more of whatever else I can dig up over here.
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Off to DragonCon 2007
I'm off to DragonCon 2007, so don't expect any updates until next Tuesday at the earliest. But when I get back, this month I'll bring you a new Secret Stash that won't please everyone. More Mitsui Jun by request. More fan submited artwork. Photos from DragonCon. A preview of Anime Weekened Atlanta. And we'll be celebrating our 7th Annual Yaoi Boi Week! Labels: anime, Candy, controversial, dragoncon, epic, fan mail, harry potter, manga, personal, pixiesticks, secret stash, shota
Have a great Labor Day Weekend, now I gotta go get ready to molest the Weasley Twins.
PS: This means I also won't be able to approve post comments. So if you make any, they won't appear until Tuesday.
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New secret stash.
It's August 1st and I'm on time for once for the new Secret Stash and theme for the month. How's that for awesomeness? Here are your password clues. Labels: manga, nakedness, pixiesticks, porn, secret stash, sex, shota, trap, yaoi
1. It is a five letter word. (Always use lowercase.)
2. It is not an English word.
3. It is very obviously one of my favorite things.
4. It is related to yaoi.
5. There may be more hints in this post than just these five if you look.
Remember not to give out the secret stash password or any hints. If I see after a while not that many people are getting it, I'll give out more. Considering this month's stash is bandwidth heavy, I'll be once again keeping an eye on how much we're using. Enjoy and good luck.
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Two new items now in the Pixie Products shop!
Labels: /b/, anime, boys, manga, pixe products, pixiesticks, porn, raep, sex, shota, yaoi
You know how much we here at pixiesticks.org loves shota. But, of course, there is one cat who loves it even more than we do. I'm talking about Shota-Cat of course. Now you can proudly sport the kitty on a T-Shirt.
Did I mention it comes in a shota size as well?
Get yours today!
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A rose by any other name.
Fang's changed his Deviant Art account name. Labels: boys, Fang, manga, shota, trap, yaoi
No big deal, I just changed the link.
He says it's a pen-name he's had forever, but I'm still calling him Fang.
Apparently my attempt at calling him "lil' suckpig-san" wasn't appropriate.
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Manga truly hitting mainstream.
Tokyopop's Fruits Basket Vol. 16 has hit a new high for a manga (or any graphic novel for that matter) on the "USA Today Best-Selling Books Top 150" for the week ending April 15th, with a #15 ranking. The previous best performance by a manga, according to Anime News Network, was Naruto Volume 11, which hit #21 in September of last year.
The #15 ranking for Fruits Basket illustrates a couple of trends we've been tracking over the past months. One is that sales on the bestselling manga series are continuing to grow, with more people getting exposed to the most popular series every month by buying the first volumes of the series, which remain bestsellers. A second is that manga continues to become more mainstream, and part of the fabric of American pop culture.
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