Net Taps Without Warrants?
disappear writes "In the wake of yesterday's threats to cryptography, more ominous news: Wired News reports
that a bill permitting warrantless Internet surveilance has been passed by the Senate." This is just part of the expected and unfortunate backlash from tuesday. The terrorists are winning simply because the govt. can use their threat as a blank check to take away our rights. The worst part is that this will do no good whatsoever. Does the govt really think that crypto export restrictions have prevented terrorists from having strong crypto?
Quick everyone install ssh and disable telnet!
No ftp, only sftp and scp.
No un-encrypted emails!
Now lets look at WHAT THEY JUST SAID! They have released a statement not only saying 'if you attack us we will GET REVENGE by OTHER MEANS' but call for ALL MUSLIMS to fight the US. Forget about calling for all muslims to help the victims and their families... forget about calling for all muslims to help find the true culprits. No, we will basically admit our guilt and then hypocritically and ironically threaten the US (except its not ironic for those who know what Islam trully stands for)
This bill is quite limited in its scope, allowing only 48 hours to tap without approval and only for immediate threats to "National Security."
Yes, and with terrorism now the flavor of the month, and theoretically anyone capable of being a terrorist, that's still too broad for my comfort. I wouldn't trust our government with a Swiss Army knife, let alone effective omniscience.
Many civil liberties are restricted during threats to "National Security."
You say that like it excuses it.
Ever heard of martial law and curfews?
Ever heard of Auschwitz?
It's a slippery slope, that's all I'm saying. Taxes were originally raised for wartime purposes as a purely temporary measure as well.