Yikes, got some conversation going now!
Kinky,
Did they ask anyone? And I call bullshit on "having problems". They took it offline because their online billing didn't work - that's my best guess. And again I will state if they had their shit together they could have been back up and running online within a day.
And this justifies a massive price hike - per website/domain - how? I'd have to pay upwards of $10,000 to cover my business! For $10,000 I'll hire my OWN attorney who I know will represent ME in court. I'm not tossing that kind of money at an alleged "Trade Organization" that "hopefully" will file an injunction...
Actually, in US Supreme Court case terms/durations it *was* pretty much a slam dunk.
I don't know you, perhaps you weren't in this biz back in 2002/2003. Lots of things have changed since then within the FSC and none of them have been favorable IMHO. Just go to their own
About Us page and look at what they are using as their claim to fame. Look at the timeline that they themselves publish. I don't know about you, but I see a lot of dead air in between "accomplishments".
Fourteen years and so far they have ZERO lobbyists in Washington, since they fired everyone that *did* have influence in 2003. Their own claim? From their site: "In 1997 FSC retained Kat Sunlove as California lobbyist to represent its legislative interests in the state." That's it according to them.
My statement on this matter is and was my own opinion and you are certainly entitled to your own.
However, it is now officially Thursday the 16th - that's a mere 4 judicial days until this thing becomes law. I thought they were ready back in January???
Aside from the money factor, enough people have already demonstrated the math here showing that $300/domain is fucking ludicrous - think Numbers. The FSC is (or should be) an organization that brings clout in sheer numbers of members it represents. 1000 members that paid literally thousands of dollars to join have a much smaller voice than 100,000 members that paid $50 to join.
Actually, you should give two shits about airplanes - whether you ever fly or not, they are flying over you all the time. And yes, their membership base IS huge - know why? Because their membership rates are affordable and their benefits are great. Kind of like joining AAA - you pay a nominal yearly rate and you get some great protection and benefits. And sure, there are probably some people that contribute thousands, maybe millions, per year to the AOPA. Because the AOPA actually has shown a proven track record of doing something!
Where did you find an accusation in "I for one, will never succumb to extortion." ? I merely stated my own opinion on what I do feel they are doing. Nothing libelous there, merely stating an opinion. Kind of like me saying "I think Useless Warrior is a cocksucker." (I don't, but it's fun to poke at him. lol) There's no libelous or slanderous content there.
While your membership dues are not tax-deductible to the ACLU, any further contribution is: "Gifts to the ACLU Foundation are tax-deductible to the donor to the extent permissible by law." And as you have stated yourself, as of this post, membership to the ACLU isn't $300 per website/business you own.
Actually, the correct link is
http://www.aclu.org/ - a card carrying member should know their proper URL.
Again, 14 years since they were founded and yet they STILL haven't managed to get a single competent lobbyist in Washington.
Hire an attorney, preferably one competent in "Adult" law, and get your ass legal or prepared to go to court and fight.