[Chongo]

And you were worried about Bush. This would be under obama's Cyber Czar
Bill would give president emergency control of Internet | Politics and Law - CNET News

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.

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.

Further down in the article

Probably the most controversial language begins in Section 201, which permits the president to "direct the national response to the cyber threat" if necessary for "the national defense and security." The White House is supposed to engage in "periodic mapping" of private networks deemed to be critical, and those companies "shall share" requested information with the federal government. ("Cyber" is defined as anything having to do with the Internet, telecommunications, computers, or computer networks.)

"The language has changed but it doesn't contain any real additional limits," EFF's Tien says. "It simply switches the more direct and obvious language they had originally to the more ambiguous (version)...The designation of what is a critical infrastructure system or network as far as I can tell has no specific process. There's no provision for any administrative process or review. That's where the problems seem to start. And then you have the amorphous powers that go along with it."

Translation: If your company is deemed "critical," a new set of regulations kick in involving who you can hire, what information you must disclose, and when the government would exercise control over your computers or network.

[Snow-i]

Its becoming hard for me to be surprised at bills like this.

When will people wake up? When will they see that our politicians don't have our best interests at heart? When will people reject the red vs blue fanaticism and realize that this is, in fast order, becoming "people vs government."


I for one, am extremely opposed to the government having any control over the internet. It isn't their place. Much less the president.

[besson3c]

Snow: are you for or against Net Neutrality?

[Snow-i]

I don't see what giving the president executive control over the networks and its attached companies is going to do for that?

I haven't formed enough of an opinion to decide either way. There are benefits on both systems. Right now I can tell you i'm totally opposed to tiered QOS...

[Chuckit]

Wow, that sounds downright evil.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Snow-i 

I don't see what giving the president executive control over the networks and its attached companies is going to do for that?

I haven't formed enough of an opinion to decide either way. There are benefits on both systems. Right now I can tell you i'm totally opposed to tiered QOS...

If you are for neutrality, perhaps the original statement that the government should take a completely hands free approach with the internet should be revised? If it were to do so, we'd have tiered service and private companies doing what they do best: trying to monopolize for their own gains at the expense of others.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Snow: are you for or against Net Neutrality?

Why don't you stick to the topic: Are YOU for or against that bill ?

-t

[finboy]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Snow: are you for or against Net Neutrality?

The government has the ability to shut down substantial parts of the backbone now, without special authority. Why? Because they own it already. Same way they close roads when there's a flood. Is there an infrastructure in place? Not really. This might be an effort to set that up, or at least start in that direction.

More government red tape. I think it's a good idea, though, so that when the Dems get thrown out the Right People (TM) can take charge of the IntraWeb, blur everyone's mind, and freeze out the Leftie scrubs on there.

[besson3c]

Wow, okay, stepping away now.... slowly... I can see this won't end well. I apologize to the original poster for my slightly tangential posts.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Chongo 

0bama

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[hyteckit]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Ch0ng0's 'O' key is broken.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Wow, okay, stepping away now.... slowly... I can see this won't end well. I apologize to the original poster for my slightly tangential posts.

You don't have to. You could just answer the question

-t

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by hyteckit 

Ch0ng0's 'O' key is broken.

Mine, t00.

I blame Öbämä.

-t

[Andy8]

The land of the free™