“I have heard from the critics and I take seriously their concerns regarding proposed legislation to address the problem of online piracy,” Smith (R-Texas) said. “It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal and sell American inventions and products.”

Smith also released the following statement on Friday:

“We need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal and sell American inventions and products. “The problem of online piracy is too big to ignore. American intellectual property industries provide 19 million high-paying jobs and account for more than 60% of U.S. exports. The theft of America’s intellectual property costs the U.S. economy more than $100 billion annually and results in the loss of thousands of American jobs. Congress cannot stand by and do nothing while American innovators and job creators are under attack.”

“The online theft of American intellectual property is no different than the theft of products from a store. It is illegal and the law should be enforced both in the store and online.

“The Committee will continue work with copyright owners, Internet companies, financial institutions to develop proposals that combat online piracy and protect America’s intellectual property. We welcome input from all organizations and individuals who have an honest difference of opinion about how best to address this widespread problem. The Committee remains committed to finding a solution to the problem of online piracy that protects American intellectual property and innovation.”

The move comes after widespread protest on the Internet on Wednesday by Wikipedia, Reddit and others. The sites signaled their displeasure with the bill by going dark. That day, several Congressmen dropped their support for SOPA and its Senate counterpart, PIPA. The latter bill has also been taken off the table for now.

“In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday’s vote on the PROTECT IP Act,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in a statement Friday morning.

Smith’s stance comes just two days after he told The Wall Street Journal that he didn’t plan to back down on SOPA, telling the newspaper he expected to “move forward” with the bill in February.

Source: mashable.com

Now I know you’re thinking that it would not be possible for coming up with a cuter and funnier version than that, right? Well the people at Marvel have done just that to promote their movie “Thor” and they call it little Thor. So in reply to Volkswagens viral ad, here is Marvels version, so watch it and prepare for cuteness:

Today this morning, Google, the internet search giant is deciding to merge Search and Google+. Now we know that search has always brought you information from across the web, but now search gets even better by including photos, posts, and more from you and your friends. When signed in with Google+, you’ll find personal results and profiles of people you know or follow. You can even expand your world of  by discovering people related to your search. We all turn to people we know and trust for great recommendations and with these personal results you can can do that.

I don’t know about you, but I am pretty sure this is going to be big and well pretty awesome.
This is not just a radical departure for Google. It’s also a major salvo in the Internet search giant’s rivalry with Facebook for people and ad dollars. Google’s Larry Page who is at the helm, has been looking to blunt the growing influence of Facebook, which is on the verge of a $100-billion initial public stock offering. Google has been adding more personal touches to its search engine as people flock to Facebook, the Web’s most popular hangout with more than 800 million users who share personal photos, updates and recommendations. Larry Page saw this as a perfect opportunity to combine its dominant search engine with its social networking service, Google+ to help curve the influence of facebook. I think if this does not dramatically effect Facebook, it will at least leave a big dent.

In the meantime, if you still haven’t received the update yet, check out the commercial Google did just for it. :)

This Law & Order inspired father takes it to a whole other level to figure out who the better parent is. Give props to the baby, she stood strong by her decision
So watch this video and let it make your heart just melt. This has got to be the most awesome kid ever! I know all of you parents are probably already thinking, “no way, my child is the most awesome, but you won’t change my mind unless you show me. So submit your video here http://helloandsmile.org/submissions/ of your super duper cute child doing something amazing and you never know, it might just be featured. :)

I think all of these sound pretty good, don’t you think? :)

So there you go. There is another one but it’s a little more personal so i’ll keep that one to myself. But i promise i will try my hardest to accomplish every single one.
If you already know your 2012 New Year’s Resolutions, feel free to post them in the comments below. Well at midnight it will be New Years, so as of know, Happy Early New Years! :)

Now we know every year people get a pet kitten or a puppy for Christmas, but in a unexpected twist, three people in Denmark have got a polar bear this year. Yes, you heard me correctly,  a polar bear!

A polar bear cub, born at a wildlife park in Denmark has been adopted by these three lucky people after its mother did not produce enough milk. The cub has been named Siku and will need to receive round-the-clock care and attention by the three people who have chosen to look after him.

It has warmed the hearts of millions and not only is this a sweet piece of news, but the YouTube video of  Siku yawning with his tongue out, streching, and getting stroked on the kitchen table is one of the most-viewed (and cutest) things on the internet right now. So if you have to time, go check it out.

Full story (and video): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16295287

I know every year you see reindeers in most of the holiday TV commercials or on the web. Well this year I decided to show you some Christmas puppies. Now these aren’t just regular puppies. These are the most adorable, super cute puppies in the whole wide world! Now I know what you are thinking, “That’s impossible,” but I guarantee once you see these puppies unwrapping their presents, you will have changed your mind.

So watch this adorable video that will make your heart melt right onto your desk (or bed, or lap, or wherever you might be seeing this) and have a very Merry Christmas!

Click on one of the share buttons below to share the puppy love! :)

International Space Station 01:30:27 GMT
December 11, 2011 39.2,-71.3 Credit: NASA