Bill would give president emergency control of Internet

[NHSparky]

Bill would give president emergency control of Internet

by Declan McCullagh
(c) CNET.com
August 28, 2009 12:34 AM PDT

LINK

<excerpt>

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.

"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.

A spokesman for Rockefeller also declined to comment on the record Thursday, saying that many people were unavailable because of the summer recess. A Senate source familiar with the bill compared the president's power to take control of portions of the Internet to what President Bush did when grounding all aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001. The source said that one primary concern was the electrical grid, and what would happen if it were attacked from a broadband connection.

======================================================================

Oh, that's nice--compare it to 9/11 or the Patriot Act.  Holy smokes.  The hits just keep coming, don't they?

And for the record:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-773

[Karin]

This issue is on fire today, all over the place.  This would, of course, suspend the Constitution. 

[DumbAss Tanker]

What a ****ing wonderful idea.

[Chris_]

What a ****ing wonderful idea.

Almost as much fun as, say, requiring every firearm in the country to be listed on their owner's tax return?  I sense that the 'Reich really doesn't think we're serious out here.

[vesta111]

Bill would give president emergency control of Internet

by Declan McCullagh
(c) CNET.com
August 28, 2009 12:34 AM PDT

LINK

<excerpt>

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.

"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.

A spokesman for Rockefeller also declined to comment on the record Thursday, saying that many people were unavailable because of the summer recess. A Senate source familiar with the bill compared the president's power to take control of portions of the Internet to what President Bush did when grounding all aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001. The source said that one primary concern was the electrical grid, and what would happen if it were attacked from a broadband connection.

======================================================================

Oh, that's nice--compare it to 9/11 or the Patriot Act.  Holy smokes.  The hits just keep coming, don't they?

And for the record:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-773

 Now is the time to learn Mores code and buy a cheap sender and receiver.  These things have tanked in value and people are too lazy to learn code  until now.

They can jump into our PC but Morris code can be sent from the back of ones car.

I did at one time know the code as both boys were in boyscouts and that was their project. We messed about after dark in the back yard sending messages  with flash lights, and later sent messages at the dining room table by tapping on a glass of ice water.

 We had so much fun with the code, we could hold hands and tap the palm of another and
 like texting, no one else knew what we were saying.

I would buy the set up but not get a license as when if they come for my computer they cannot get my eye on the world.  

Naturally no one will confiscate my PC but the content can be changed,  Those with voice sent long wave may find the FCC at their door

We been using Short wave since WW1 and needs to be brought back.

Regards    --.-

[jinxmchue]

They can jump into our PC but Morris code can be sent from the back of ones car.

People do a lot of things in the backs of their cars.  It says a lot about you that you think of Morse code.   

[jinxmchue]

Imagine the moonbats' reaction if a Republican senator had introduced such a bill under President Bush.

[Thor]

Now is the time to learn Mores code and buy a cheap sender and receiver.  These things have tanked in value and people are too lazy to learn code  until now.

They can jump into our PC but Morris code can be sent from the back of ones car.

I did at one time know the code as both boys were in boyscouts and that was their project. We messed about after dark in the back yard sending messages  with flash lights, and later sent messages at the dining room table by tapping on a glass of ice water.

 We had so much fun with the code, we could hold hands and tap the palm of another and
 like texting, no one else knew what we were saying.

I would buy the set up but not get a license as when if they come for my computer they cannot get my eye on the world.  

Naturally no one will confiscate my PC but the content can be changed,  Those with voice sent long wave may find the FCC at their door

We been using Short wave since WW1 and needs to be brought back.

Regards    --.-

It's MORSE Code. Developed by Samuel Morse. Furthermore, people are required to obtain an FCC License in order to operate & maintain their transmission equipment. Finally, there's plenty of Ham Radio Operators out there transmitting legally and all one really needs is to learn Morse code and obtain a receiver.

[RightCoast]

Boy I hope the Republicans are warming up a Reagan...

[Chris_]

Boy I hope the Republicans are warming up a Reagan...

Nope.  Just more McLame.

Palin seems to be gearing up in spite of the pantywaists in the Republican Party.

[RightCoast]

Nope.  Just more McLame.

Palin seems to be gearing up in spite of the pantywaists in the Republican Party.

 I hope she watches her back - I know I will be.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Almost as much fun as, say, requiring every firearm in the country to be listed on their owner's tax return?  I sense that the 'Reich really doesn't think we're serious out here.

There'd be a few tens of millions of new 'criminals' created if that BS ever got out of committee.

[JohnnyReb]

Yeah, I remember all the gossip when word got out that Morris Cody had done Becky in the backseat of his old '49 Ford coupe. Talk about spots and splashes.

[ReaganForRushmore]

We as Americans cannot depend upon another Ronald Reagan. If Reagan in his prime were around today, He'd be pissed. Reagan would also say that it is up to us
to stand up and be active as Americans in expressing and defending our God given rights. Like Reagan in New Hampshire when running for his first term as President in 1980. "I paid for this microphone!" We have paid for this country, and I , for one, am not going quietly into that good night. I want the USA for my kids and grand kids to have better opportunities than I did in growing up, not to be enslaved financially or spiritually to the State.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Now is the time to learn Mores code and buy a cheap sender and receiver.  These things have tanked in value and people are too lazy to learn code  until now.

They can jump into our PC but Morris code can be sent from the back of ones car.

Is that the code we have to use during "Marshall Law"?

[Chris]

Did somebody say ham?

[Eupher]

Lord Zero clearly has legions of moonbats that sit around thinking of stupid shit like this. 

[Chris_]

Lord Zero clearly has legions of moonbats that sit around thinking of stupid shit like this. 

Or alternately, it could be the one efficiently run government run operation in all of the Federal Gummint, and just have two or three on a PC scanning the DUmp for brilliant ideas.

Nah.  Government is completely incapable of being efficient. 

[WMD Owl]

Why go through the legislative process?  If the Zero is up to no good, he doesn't need a law--he would just "do it" anyway and say "screw the legal pretense"...

Who is going to argue with a bunch of heavily armed people dressed in US Military uniforms when they invade and take over the AT&T communications node?

Anyone remember the movie "Seven Days in May" from the early 60's?

[thundley4]

I know AT&T already had cooperated with DHS under President Bush, and it wouldn't take much to get the major ISPs to fall in line.  Then there are all the people who have land lines that use VOIP technology.  Their phones would go dead.

[GOBUCKS]

Is that the code we have to use during "Marshall Law"?

I'm gonna use a system I learned from watching a TV show in the 70s.

There's no way those damn democrats will know what I'm saying in Mork's Code.

[seabelle]

Imagine the moonbats' reaction if a Republican senator had introduced such a bill under President Bush.

My first thought too.  Does it pass the "....if Bush did it" sniff test ?

[crockspot]

This issue is on fire today, all over the place.  This would, of course, suspend the Constitution. 

Everywhere except the DUmp apparently. I could not any mention of it over there.

[crockspot]

Everywhere except the DUmp apparently. I could not any mention of it over there.

Oh, I did find a thread, it's in the Editorials forum. The DUmmies don't seem to like this idea much either.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x475618

Plus a fresh one just flared up in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6415431

[Hawkgirl]

I have three thoughts on this nonsense...

1.  I'd like to see him try.

2.  Law of Unintended Consequences (next Republican president just may shoot down DU...but then I'll lose a good source of comedy relief.

3.  It's just a bad idea.