The Whitehouse has sort of come out against SOPA. Its possible that this position also played a roll in the backpedalling that is now occurring. It seems that someone over at the Whitehouse must have figured out that the DNS experts are not wrong about how DNS works. (Emphasis theirs)

We must avoid creating new cybersecurity risks or disrupting the underlying architecture of the Internet. Proposed laws must not tamper with the technical architecture of the Internet through manipulation of the Domain Name System (DNS), a foundation of Internet security. Our analysis of the DNS filtering provisions in some proposed legislation suggests that they pose a real risk to cybersecurity and yet leave contraband goods and services accessible online. We must avoid legislation that drives users to dangerous, unreliable DNS servers and puts next-generation security policies, such as the deployment of DNSSEC, at risk.

I previously made the point that the technical argument regarding DNSSec is important but it shouldn't overshadow the more important discussion about whether the US should have any centralized Internet Blacklist. It is helpful that they understand that the specific DNS requirements in SOPA interfere with DNSSec. However, the problem is more significant then that. In fact, specifically targeting DNS was already dropped in favor of merely insisting that service providers find some way to block access to sites. Even a technically feasible approach would still be a problem.

Americans do not want an Internet Blacklist! Its not clear that the Whitehouse understands that.

We should never let criminals hide behind a hollow embrace of legitimate American values.

Like, what the hell is that supposed to mean?

Apparently the Administration wants to know what the Internet would do to fight piracy. You have only a few days to come up with an answer:

The organizer of this petition and a random sample of the signers will be invited to a conference call to discuss this issue further with Administration officials and soon after that, we will host an online event to get more input and answer your questions. Details on that will follow in the coming days.

You can expect SOPA proponents and copyright maximalists to participate in that discussion.

Moving forward, we will continue to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis on legislation that provides new tools needed in the global fight against piracy and counterfeiting, while vigorously defending an open Internet based on the values of free expression, privacy, security and innovation.

I would argue that whatever an "open Internet" is, it does not involve a centralized blacklist.

Authors:

Victoria Espinel is Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator at Office of Management and Budget

Aneesh Chopra is the U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Assistant to the President and Associate Director for Technology at the Office of Science and Technology Policy

Howard Schmidt is Special Assistant to the President and Cybersecurity Coordinator for National Security Staff

Whitehouse: Combating Online Piracy while Protecting an Open and Innovative Internet