When the Internet was first gaining popularity in the ’90s, a practice known as cybersquatting became the thorn in the side of corporations all over the world. Cybersquatting is when someone purchases an available Web address with the sole purpose of selling it off to a company that owns a name or trademark similar to the name of the address. Although the practice itself is now illegal thanks to legislation passed in 1999, businesses still take the proper precautions when preparing to launch Web sites. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger purchased common misspellings of his last name for easier access to his site, as well as a way to thwart those cruel intentions.
The people over at the Bush Library Foundation allowed a few domain names to slip out from under their fingers. GeorgeWBushLibrary.net, .org and .com have all been snatched up. The sad thing is that the foundation once owned GeorgeWBushLibrary.com, only to let it expire last year. A Web company picked up the domain name for a mere $10.
As the foundation scrambles to find a suitable replacement after losing the easiest Web address to possibly remember, here are a few suggestions:
BushLibraryofStrategery.com: Since his inauguration, Bush’s speeches have been riddled with grammatical errors and other mistakes. No one can forget the president’s butchering of the word strategy. What better way to remember the president’s legacy than by forever cementing in digital stone his inability to speak in public?
WeaponsofMassEducation.com: There might not have been any WMDs in Iraq, but there’s sure to be WMEs at the Bush Library! One of the purposes of the library will be to educate and inform. However, after further inspection by NATO, the people at the library may claim that the WMEs are being hidden in underground bunkers or in neighboring presidential libraries.
W.com, (read: dubya-dubya-dubya-dot-dubya-dot-com). Whether it be in the drive-thru line or parking lot of the nearest guns and ammo store, there’s always a car sporting one of those “W” stickers. There may be countless imitations, but there’s only one “W” sticker – just like there’s only one Dubya.
ItsaPieceofHistory.com: Having the Bush Library at our university will put SMU in the history books. The sides may be split on whether it will be positive or negative, but one thing’s for sure: The library will bring people to the SMU campus. The Bush Library is an important part in not only the history of our campus, but also the history of the country.
Although it may seem like we’re giving the administration a hard time, really it’s the foundation that deserves it. It’s ridiculous that they not only let the first Web address go, but they didn’t think to secure the others as well.
