Posted on 08/29/2009 5:14:05 PM PDT by Scanian
But don't worry. Obama would only take over the internet in an "emergency."
Then why does it make me uneasy that this Chicago Way pol gets to define what an "emergency" might be?
Declan McCullagh writing for CNET:
They're not much happier about a revised version that aides to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, have spent months drafting behind closed doors. CNET News has obtained a copy of the 55-page draft of S.773 (excerpt), which still appears to permit the president to seize temporary control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency.
The new version would allow the president to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" relating to "non-governmental" computer networks and do what's necessary to respond to the threat. Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for "cybersecurity professionals," and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license.
"I think the redraft, while improved, remains troubling due to its vagueness," said Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance, which counts representatives of Verizon, Verisign, Nortel, and Carnegie Mellon University on its board. "It is unclear what authority Sen. Rockefeller thinks is necessary over the private sector. Unless this is clarified, we cannot properly analyze, let alone support the bill."
Representatives of other large Internet and telecommunications companies expressed concerns about the bill in a teleconference with Rockefeller's aides this week, but were not immediately available for interviews on Thursday.
Are you ready for this?
The government gets hit with cyber attacks all the time - even the Pentagon and CIA. If this bill passes, I fully expect Obama to take advantage of the next "cyber emergency" and seize control "temporarily" (like Hitler's "emergency powers?") of the internet.
Remember: "Never let a good crisis go to waste."
After reading the bill, it appears he could shut down any site deemed to be a threat. All he’d have to do is get a virus or bad site link posted, and down we’d go.
Indeed! In exchange he will take a good care of all of us!
The govt does not need this power, as they have The Tor Project, created by U S Navy Research Laboratory...who helped create GPS System.
This is bogus, to shut down organizing dissent, stopping conservative communication during elections, and stealing freedom of speech. It’s UNBELIEVABLE, and should make America hopping mad. It is to try and incite violence, as we enter time for the 9/12 project.
The gov’t has multiple encryptin, and does not have internet problems...unless it’s former govt employees. Private internet is NOT problem for communications, as military uses TOR, operated my International Maritime Services, Inc, a non profit org. This project was US NAVY.
Acorn/non profits with gov’t contracts (census) would have secure govt systems to use..making stealing an election very easy if competition is eliminated.
Just in case we get shut down and I don’t get the chance to say it... It’s been nice talking with you folks.
ditto
Before I retired, I worked on Wall Street (a loathed investment banker) and I was always amazed at how the world would come to a screeching halt at the slightest monumental uncertainty.
If Barky shuts down anything...the goose that lays the golden eggs will go on strike.
So...go ahead, Barkey...pull that trigger!!!
In the final analysis, Obama is sadly mistaken about the proverbial PIE...once he changes the system, the PIE simply evaporates.
The PIE of the capitalist system is all a discount of future activity. Kill the future...erase the PIE!
Why was this legislation drafted in secret? What about transparency? What about the criticism of Dick Cheney’s energy task force having private meetings with oil company officials?
Yep it sounds benign to say it would only happen in case of emergency, but, who exactly, defines what an emergency is.
And would that emergency extend to liberal ideas of “hate speech” being used on web sites? Then the web site can be turned off, and users of same prosecuted for aiding and abetting “hate speech” and “inciting violence” by use of hate speech?
This sounds like a slippery slope to me. Liberals won’t think so, but that’s because they have a liberal Democrat congress and a liberal president backing it, for liberal purposes.
Gee, Dilbert you pick up stuff real quick don’t you?
Temporary...
No “slippery slope here.” It is more like a “precipice.”
Yep, it will be temporary allright, just so happens it will fall during the election...and primaries, and possibly when dissent begins to rise...
LOL!
Oh, I trust Dear Leader. Don’t you?
I would guess Obama doesn’t like Palin’s use of the internet to beat down his healthcare agenda.
I would guess Obama doesn’t like Palin’s use of the internet to beat down his healthcare agenda.
Below is a snippet from SB 773 ... read into it what you want, but the Pres could declare anything to be an "emergency".
SEC. 18. CYBERSECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY. The President-- (1) within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, shall develop and implement a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy, which shall include-- (A) a long-term vision of the Nation’s cybersecurity future; and (B) a plan that encompasses all aspects of national security, including the participation of the private sector, including critical infrastructure operators and managers; (2) may declare a cybersecurity emergency and order the limitation or shutdown of Internet traffic to and from any compromised Federal Government or United States critical infrastructure information system or network;
The important point is to pre-emptively expose nonsense like this across every available media outlet, with a discussion of the ramifications for privacy, media, and free speech.
Absolutely!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.