Bill Could Give POTUS Control Of Internet
By Wyatt Earp | August 29, 2009
While Al Gore apparently “invented” the Internet, President Barack Obama may soon be able to police it.
And I, for one, welcome our new political overlords, and remind them that as a trusted member of the blogosphere, I can be helpful in gathering the proletariat to work in his massive server rooms.
Internet companies and civil liberties groups were alarmed this spring when a U.S. Senate bill proposed handing the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet.
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.
Okay, first question: Who decides when there is a “cybersecurity emergency?” A politician? That makes me feel much more secure. How about you?
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.” (H/T – CNET News)
Yeah Larry, like you’re going to have a choice in the matter. As we have already seen with the Porkulus Plans, Cash 4 Clunkers, and ObamaCare, the Obama administration knows what’s best for you, and they are going to hold you down and give you your medicine – whether you like it or not.
I don’t know about you, but I find this bill completely disturbing.
Topics: Snarkasm | 14 Comments »
August 29th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Chavez, Jr.
August 29th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Just a few short time ago these same people were crying about losing their civil liberties under G Bush. Now they want to take mine away? They can have my mouse when they pry it from my cold dead hand. MUD
August 29th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Why would you find that “disturbing”, Wyatt? It’s not like they’ve ever asked for anyone to turn in
dissentersun-American non-patriots, who might not support their agenda, via an Orwellian site such as, oh, I don’t know, saaaay …August 29th, 2009 at 11:26 am
RT – Freedom is just a word, dontcha know?
Dennis – Well played!
B.C. – But, but, Hillary Clinton said it was “patriotic” to disagree with an administration!
August 29th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
2010 just can’t come soon enough.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
How many more liberties are they going to take away, how many more ways are they going to try and control the citizens, before the people of the United States start a revolution? Don’t think for even a minute, if this continues, that something extremely dire isn’t going to happen.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Smite – It seems like Obama has been in office for years, doesn’t it?
E.L. – If this bill were very specific, I wouldn’t have as much an issue with it. But, it is completely vague, and lends itself to any interpretation. That’s dangerous.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
King, er, President Obama will let us know when there is information on the Internet that does not conflict withhis iron fisted rule of Americaour best interests!August 29th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Welcome to Burma, I mean Myanmar. Formerly known as the United States.
August 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Al Gore will become the new internet Czar in 3, 2, 1….
August 29th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
No, sully. Not Captain Corpulence–Ahmadinejad. His Wholly Reluctance God/King Obama is still green and needs a few more lessons on ruthlessly enslaving the populace.
Nice snark, Wyatt. My post was a bit less patient.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Randall??? This is your hero doing this.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:04 am
First, he’s not my hero.
Second, this will pass as soon a full-blown public healthcare passes.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:10 am
EL:
It will continue until we lose all of the liberties. When a socialist is elected you get socialism.
It happens when nearly half of the population are free loaders.