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Bill would give president emergency control of Internet

jujuman13

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Bill would give president emergency control of Internet | Politics and Law - CNET News

In much the same way Chavez of Venezuela is also steadily chipping away at the foundations of Democracy in that country.

Goebbels of Germany aided the Nazi regime by seizing the media outlets.

Lenin did likewise within Russia.

Putin is doing the same in post Soviet Russia.

Every time some group (usually Left wingers) seek to promote their ideology to the exclusion of any other ideology, they seek to suppress free discussion.

Control the Media you control the Country.
 
Isn't this only in case of attack? Not that I agree with it - rather Orwellian. But the US is amazingly vulnerable to cyber attack.
 
If the facists weren't in power this wouldn't concern me. However,...

Get yourself some radio equipment people, GMRS, shortwave, AM/FM.
 
This is very troubling and hopefully it dies a quick death.

Maybe some of you computer people can tell me: Why is it so easy for powerful entities (like governments) to control the flow of information on the internet? Is there anything technologically that can be done to make this more difficult/impossible?
 
Much like the gov't has the right to seize control of television, radio, the highway system and even Marshall Law in the case of emergency, this bill protects the the US in case the govt's network(s) are compromised. They already have a deal with Walmart regarding backup networks.

LETS DEBATE THE ACTUAL LEGISLATION instead of crying Totalitarianism. Its Homeland Security precautions written by 2 Dems and 1 Republican which Obama has had no say in and applies to this administration and all after. Cyber-terror attacks are a real world problem and it's great we are outlining a backup plan!

Read for yourself:

"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;

(3) shall designate an agency to be responsible for coordinating the response and restoration of any Federal Government or United States critical infrastructure information system or network affected by a cybersecurity emergency declaration under paragraph (2);

(4) shall, through the appropriate department or agency, review equipment that would be needed after a cybersecurity attack and develop a strategy for the acquisition, storage, and periodic replacement of such equipment;

(5) shall direct the periodic mapping of Federal Government and United States critical infrastructure information systems or networks, and shall develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of the mapping process;

(6) may order the disconnection of any Federal Government or United States critical infrastructure information systems or networks in the interest of national security;

(7) shall, through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, direct an annual review of all Federal cyber technology research and development investments;

(8) may delegate original classification authority to the appropriate Federal official for the purposes of improving the Nation’s cybersecurity posture;

(9) shall, through the appropriate department or agency, promulgate rules for Federal professional responsibilities regarding cybersecurity, and shall provide to the Congress an annual report on Federal agency compliance with those rules;

(10) shall withhold additional compensation, direct corrective action for Federal personnel, or terminate a Federal contract in violation of Federal rules, and shall report any such action to the Congress in an unclassified format within 48 hours after taking any such action; and

(11) shall notify the Congress within 48 hours after providing a cyber-related certification of legality to a United States person."
 
As has been mentioned repeatedly in the other threads on this topic(including at least one other in BN with the same I think title), this is simply a plan to defend against large scale attacks on or using the internet. It's not some plan for the president to take over the internet and curtail free speech. Let's take off the tinfoil hats.
 
As has been mentioned repeatedly in the other threads on this topic(including at least one other in BN with the same I think title), this is simply a plan to defend against large scale attacks on or using the internet. It's not some plan for the president to take over the internet and curtail free speech. Let's take off the tinfoil hats.

It sounds to me like the president can declare an emergency whenever he wants. Is there any oversight to this? Can Congress overrule him? Do certain conditions have to be met before he can declare an emergency? If the answer to any of those questions is no, this is a terrible idea.
 
Bill would give president emergency control of Internet

Chavez ...

Goebbels ...

Lenin ...

Putin ....


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It sounds to me like the president can declare an emergency whenever he wants. Is there any oversight to this? Can Congress overrule him? Do certain conditions have to be met before he can declare an emergency? If the answer to any of those questions is no, this is a terrible idea.

You have a better option for protection against attacks using the internet or against our network infrastructure? There are similar plans that the president can use in other areas, why is this different?
 
It sounds to me like the president can declare an emergency whenever he wants. Is there any oversight to this? Can Congress overrule him? Do certain conditions have to be met before he can declare an emergency? If the answer to any of those questions is no, this is a terrible idea.

Here. I will answer your questions for you, since you are to lazy to look up the legislation...

Cyber Security Act of 2009.

Quick being so "scared" and dismissive of facts before you make assumptions. Educate yourself.

Also, see if Marshall Law meets any of your prerequisites, or emergency take over of television, or emergency takeover of radio, highways, etc.

Better yet tell me what prerequisites, like um, a warrant, were needed to wiretap my phone calls.

This is a Homeland Security matter that should be strongly considered. If you want to protect the government's network infrastructure anyway.

Unless of course, you'd rather buy a futon on Walmart.com instead of allow the government to have a secure network in case of cyber attack emergencies.
 
"Internet" is such a power word these days. Oh noz, they are going to have the power to shut down certain parts of the internets in case of attack, it's a conspiracy!
 
HELL NO!!!!

Censorship of the people's voice is unconstitutional.
 
Here. I will answer your questions for you, since you are to lazy to look up the legislation...

Cyber Security Act of 2009.

Do you realize that just saying you are going to answer the questions isn't enough? You have to actually do it.

JakeFromWI said:
Quick being so "scared" and dismissive of facts before you make assumptions. Educate yourself.

Also, see if Marshall Law meets any of your prerequisites, or emergency take over of television, or emergency takeover of radio, highways, etc.

The government should not be taking over television or radio either. Highways were designed with the military in mind, and the government has always reserved the right to use those to move military equipment should the need ever arise. I don't really have a problem with that.

JakeFromWI said:
Better yet tell me what prerequisites, like um, a warrant, were needed to wiretap my phone calls.

A warrant *is* needed to wiretap your phone calls. In case you forgot, that was kind of a big scandal.

JakeFromWI said:
This is a Homeland Security matter that should be strongly considered. If you want to protect the government's network infrastructure anyway.

We don't need a government takeover of the internet which the president can authorize whenever he feels like it. There are other, more effective, less draconian ways to improve network security.

JakeFromWI said:
Unless of course, you'd rather buy a futon on Walmart.com instead of allow the government to have a secure network in case of cyber attack emergencies.

What? :confused:
 
You have a better option for protection against attacks using the internet or against our network infrastructure? There are similar plans that the president can use in other areas, why is this different?

I would think that if there was a threat to government computers then they can simply unplug or turn off the internet connection to those computers.
 
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I would think that if there was a threat to government computers then they can simply unplug or turn off the internet connection to those computers.

I do not think it is as simple as that, though I admit to being no expert on the topic.
 
I do not think it is as simple as that, though I admit to being no expert on the topic.

How hard is to call some techies or network administrators and say unplug the internet connection to those servers that the vital government computers are hooked up to or in a drastic case take a pair of wire cutters or shut the power off to those buildings that have the government computers? If those computers have no internet connection then the outside threat is no longer a problem.
 
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The problem, as I see it, is that this will allow the exectutive branch to declare an "emergency", shut down the internet, then for, "security reasons", not tell us what that emergency actually is. The White House doesn't need to pass a bill to control incoming and out going internet connections to government facilities.
 
Some folks are way too paranoid. Just Saying
 
Some folks are way too paranoid. Just Saying

You don't believe a head of state would ever want to take control of the internet for personal/political reasons? :confused:
 
I do but think people are taking this whole thing a little too serious. It is like OMG I Cannot Live Without My InterWeb. :)
 
How many threads on this now?
 
Some folks are way too paranoid. Just Saying

Better to error on the side of caution when it comes to things like this.
 
Some folks are way too paranoid. Just Saying

You would be squeeling like a pig under a fence if a Connie did something like this and you know it.
 
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