While we prefer to leave political discussions to Hubbers in the Politics and Social Issues forum, a rather pressing matter has inspired us to break from our typically apolitical stance. Protect IP, as well as SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act (two bills currently in the United States Senate and House, respectively), threaten the world of online writing as we know it.
While this legislation was first created in an effort to target offshore sites selling illegal goods to US consumers by operating outside the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, these bills have evolved to hold websites accountable for any content that enables or promotes copyright infringement.
According to these bills, HubPages could be shut down if just one Hub infringes on someone’s copyright, links to an illegal site, or even promotes visiting one. We are an open publishing platform and cannot review each and every Hub that gets published, hence Protect IP and SOPA leave us particularly vulnerable.
We ask for your support in bringing an end to this legislation. If you enjoy writing on HubPages (and any other online publishing platform for that matter) and want to continue to be able to publish online, please call, email, or otherwise contact your Senators and your Representative and ask that Protect IP and SOPA be stopped.
If you would like to take action, the
Electronic Frontier Foundation offers a form letter that enables you to support an end to these bills in a couple of clicks. If you would like to contact your congressman via a phone call or letter, you can find your local senators’ and representatives’ numbers and addresses on
Congress Merge.
Fight for the Future created
a short, simple video explaining Protect IP if you’re curious to learn more, and you can read in detail why SOPA threatens open publishing platforms, as well as free speech, online security, and the Internet industry in
this report by NetCoalition.
Carl Larsson and his wife Karin, is indubitably one of the most well known couples in Sweden, whose life, art and domestic design have come to characterize the picture of Sweden. Furthermore, the legendary artist's home, Lilla Hyttnäs,has become a treasured, inspirational and well-visited home to people from not only Sweden, but all over the world.
King Street has a foul odor during a record breaking heat wave and Sarah, a young widow with twin daughters, a houseful of animals and yard full of stray cats, is being blamed for the stench. How can she convince her neighbors that her animals have nothing to do with the rotten smell?
Ever accidentally swear at work? OOPS! Hope the boss wasn't listening! Here is a list of safe (and highly creative) swear words for the workplace and elsewhere!
The Legal Issue and the Moral Issue "Perhaps the bleakest fact of all is that the death Penalty is imposed not only in a freakish and discriminatory manner, but also in some cases upon defendants who are actually innocent." William Brennan, Jr.,...
I learned this month that the possibilities for re-using and recycling those Halloween pumpkins can be almost endless and lots of fun.
I had the first time experience this month of attending a community PUMPKIN LAUNCH. Teams created their own...
So I went speed-dating with a buddy of mine recently and exposed myself to.....sorry, socialized with 16 beautiful women. Of course I only spent three minutes with most of them (with the exception of one holy grail of a woman...more on that later)....
What if I told you nearly everyone has the ability to read minds? It's true actually and research is starting to back it up. But before I go there, let's take a trip back to 1936 when a book written by Dale Carnegie was originally published, titled...
Giving thanks all year long can be a tradition that teaches an attitude of gratitude to us and our children. Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions? This might be one that you would like to start.
As a newbie, I enjoy reading hubs as much as I do writing hubs. To get a good understanding of what content is acceptable, I will often "Hop" hubs to see what is new. There are some fabulous hubs in the hopper, but there are a multitude of Hubs I...
The Beatles had a hit entitled Money (That's what I want) , which simply explains why being rich is a very desirable way to be. John Lennon belts out: "The best things in life are free but you can keep 'em for the birds and bees..." because he...
Some observers feel that the residents of Bremerton, Washington near Seattle behave differently than other people behave in general. Observations and the emergence of a related conspiracy theory are intriguing. However, what is certain is that Hazardous Waste Materials (including nuclear) have made a home in Bremerton and complaints have been made by workers against asbestos exposure on the job.
While exploring the globe for favorite recipes from countries far from our shores, we seek dishes we normally can make in our own kitchens, but I’m not sure about this time. Our quest is for the Korean’s every meal side dish, Kimchi. What is...
We have been seeing some amazing photo gallery submissions in the HubPatron of the Arts contest so far. The competition is stiff! Here are some tips on creating a top notch collection of photographs that will give your contest entry an edge:
Create a cohesive collection: HubPatron of the Arts photo judge
sofs wisely shares that "10 well chosen pics on a subject can have more impact than 50 pics on any random thing."
Edit, edit, edit! Sofs also points out that excessively large photo galleries are not always the best way to go because it "takes too much time to load the page and readers would get bored."
Allow visitors to see more detail: Check the box in the Photo Capsule that enables visitors to see the full-sized image.
Work on careful formatting: An unbroken, long string of photos may not carry as strong of an impact as a mixture of full-width photos, half-width photos paired with text, and thumbnail collections.
Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone with a camera phone and an appreciation for the world's visual splendor, you can create fantastic photo galleries on HubPages. These tips are useful even if you're not interested in entering our contest. That said, if you create any before November 22nd, you should try your luck! See the
full rules and submission requirements to make sure your entries qualify.
For more helpful guides and useful tips, visit the HubPages Learning Center
http://hubpages.com/learningcenter/contents
The
Weekly HubNuggets contest nominates 18 Hubs from three categories that are written by promising new Hubbers. The Hubs are chosen by the Elite HubNuggets team and voted on by the community. The winning writers have their Hubs featured in this newsletter and are awarded with special Accolades.
This week, HubNuggets team member
Patty Inglish, MS rounded up the nominees in
a Hub dedicated to the memory of Andy Roony- with a fun Puss in Boots flare! Now that the community has voted for their favorite nominees, you can see the winners from the Technology, Books, Literature, and Writing, and Travel categories below.
If you plan on doing some etsy selling or perhaps you are planning to sell on ebay, take a look at this comparison of the two online markets to see what may work best for you as a seller and buyer.
Reviews On Top free website Builders available in the market according to their usability, good graphics and pricing and these are the one's which stands out as compared to other websites makers
This unabashedly romantic short fantasy is simple and sweet, a Paleolithic Cinderella story. With due respect to author Jean Auel, who inspired me with her Earth's Children series, and to the many other wonderful fantasy writers I've read, I hope readers of my story enjoy this brief tale of soul mates born long, long ago.
Being a good motorcycle passenger requires a little knowledge and practice. These 10 tips will help any novice ride more comfortably from the very first trip.
Have you ever wondered about a place called Singapore? Here I dispel the myths and uncover the facts about this charming and fascinating concrete jungle...or should I say island? Let a local girl show you the real truth about this beautiful mystery known as Singapore.
Sunnie Day, From Texas, 380 Fans, 224 Hubs, Joined 9 months ago
Hyphenbird Interviews Sunnie Day
Getting to know an inquisitive writer, loving mother, and long-time nurse
Tell us a little about yourself. We would love to know a bit about your past life before you became a Hubber. How did you choose your pen name Sunnie Day and why?
I was raised in the military and was in the Army myself many years ago. I got married very young, divorced, and then remarried. It was then I became a nurse and kept that career for eighteen years. I have four children and four grandchildren. My husband and I now live in Texas and just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary.
When I was younger I loved to write poems, stories, and songs. Like many it was put on the back burner due to many responsibilities of family and work. About nine months ago I stumbled upon HubPages and was instantly hooked. I had decided to retire from nursing and the door to writing was like a flood gate. I could not write enough. Everything I had bottled up for years came flowing out. It was such a release.
I knew more than anything I wanted to make people smile and encourage them to not give up on life. I have had a most colorful past with alot of struggles and hurts but my faith brought me through. I wanted more than anything to encourage people to hold on and to not give up on life. I came by Sunnie Day by accident. I thought of the name Sunnie as I love to be outside and work in the garden. Day just followed.. I never dreamed I would be where I am today. I am in such a good peaceful place.
What would be the perfect day in the life of a lady named Sunnie Day?
A perfect day to me is to wake up in the morning, look outside and see sunshine, and know all my family and friends are well.
In reality, I have helped my daughter take care of my grandson the last five years. She got married to a wonderful man last year, but before that was a single mom. She has to be at work by 5 am. My son in law is serving overseas, but will be back next month for good. I get up at 3 am, have coffee and toast, and drive to my daughter's house. I have a couple hours before Xavier has to wake up, and that is when I write. It seems that is when the inspiration comes and it has been a blessing as it helps me to stay awake. Then I get up sleepy head and take him to school (before this year it was to daycare) and then take myself to work.
I was a school nurse and cared for 600 or more students grades pre kinder to 5th grade. I loved them and my job but was ready to be home. So now I drop my grandson off, come back home, read Hubs, answer emails, think about cleaning, write some more Hubs, email, think about cleaning, feed my chickens, hang out at Emerald Wells cafe, then maybe I will clean..lol
What brought you here to HubPages? Did you find it or did it find you?
I really believe HubPages found me.. I did not go searching.. I stumbled on it and I still do not know why or how.. It is a blessing.
You write in many venues. What is your favorite topic and why?
I never know where my heart and mind will take me. Sometimes it is triggered by a song or something I have thought about the day before. My very favorite thing to do as a writer is to take an inanimate object and give it life.. what would that old desk say?
I love prose too.. As far as topics go, I love to write about hope and faith. So many people have struggles, we all do. I write from life's experiences and things I have been through. If I could reach through the computer I would give each one of you a big fat hug. The Hubs just touch me deep inside.
Do you have a favorite Hub that has touched you in a way you will remember for a long time? Tell us who and why? Feel free to post a link to that Hub.
I have so many writers that touch me so deeply... I started making a list and had to delete this part for fear of leaving someone out. Working with children in the school setting there have been many times when I had to call CPS as an abuse had taken place... horrific things... saddlerider1 speaks of many of these things. Hubs on this subject have touched me deeply only because when I read them I still see the little faces and my heart hurts all over again. I pray there is someone now paying attention and listening to their cry for help.
This was one of Ken's Hubs.
You recently published series of Hubs about a disabled child. While it was fictional, your research was not. What advice would you give a Hubber concerning the importance of research in a fiction piece?
Yes I wrote about a baby name Delilah that was born deaf and blind. The idea came to me and I started writing right away.. only to find I had picked a very complex and hard story. WHAT WAS I THINKING? I began to do a lot of research on this and found it so fascinating. I wanted it to be true and a story many could relate to that may have a disabled child. It is very important to research because our readers will know and I am sure question what one has written. I love the story of Delilah. It took a life of its own. I am now editing and adding content so that one day it may become a novel. It is a dream for now but hopefully one day it may come true.
Sometimes you are able to publish several Hubs in a short amount of time. How do you manage to write such complex hubs so quickly?
If an idea comes to me, it usually has been something that has touched my life. I put my fingers to the keys and the words come but not always... I can not tell you how many I have deleted and thrown them in the trash. If it comes with ease and flows usually I know it is a keeper... Sometimes I get scared that I will run out of words and it will all go away. I know that sounds strange, but I love writing so much and it is such a blessing to me that I think it would be such a dark day if that would happen. I may have to then clean.
I’m sure most writers desire to see their name on the bestseller list. Apart from a career as a writer what do you want to be remembered for?
I guess I am not the norm about the bestseller thing. I hope I do not word this wrong. It was never my intention to become a writer or author per say. I started writing out of pure enjoyment. I was so thrilled to get my Sunnie and her Peeps published but the joy I saw on my husbands, parents, and my kids faces that their mom/daughter/wife had published a book meant more to me than selling or becoming a well known author.
If I had one thing that I could be remembered for, it would be that Sunnie Day was a kind and loving person. There are many authors and well known people but I think the most important thing in this life is how we make someone feel when we walk into a room or I should say Hubville.
HubPages is a great place to get feedback on one's writing, but that's not always given in a "nice" manner. Some people can be blunt in their criticism or dislike of a piece. How do you personally receive and give constructive criticism on HubPages?
I am a total failure in this department. I have no heart to give criticism. I can take it, but I am not good at giving it out. I may let someone know that a word is misspelled and I laugh inside as I say that because I am the worst speller and lack many proper grammar skills.. Ian "Twilight Lawns" and Mike "Mckbirds" are my grammar police... without them I think I would have been kicked off HubPages long ago just for the pure fact I am horrible in this area.
I think we should be able to take criticism if it is given in a respectful manner. I do not believe it has to be pointed out in the comment section; emailing the author is a nice way of doing it. I always welcome my spell checkers and hope they will never stop. Also when I forget to put a whole essay in for a contest. Thanks Cardisa for that one. Those things are so helpful and I am glad that my friends have my back.
One thing that does get me is all the ranting and raving over religion. It is everyone's choice to write what they want. If you do not like it don't read it, if that is not your belief, then let it be. I have seen so many hurtful things said in the name of God. If what someone writes touches your heart then be sure to share, but I don't think HubPages was meant to be a battle ground for debate. That's just my thought.
As the number of your followers grows, how do you keep up with the flow of comments? Do you respond to each one, or the whole as a group or not at all?
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