However, while a certain amount of distrust and wariness is proper when dealing with political speech, it is also true that in certain instances rhetoric and formal policy commitments can matter quite a lot.

FORBES: Putin's "Eurasian Union" - Not a Bad Idea!

It certainly would be unlikely to work fast enough to allow the government to bring forward a proper bill in next May's Queen's Speech.

BBC: Votes for prisoners - opening the door?

Likewise, an actual open dialogue on the contents of these bills and the proper way to go about stopping online piracy while protecting freedom of speech would be a truly welcome development.

FORBES: Epic Games Opposes SOPA In Its Current Form