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Sen Hatch Would Like To Destroy Filetraders' PCs
CBackSlash writes "Sen. Hatch is interested in technology to remotely destroy computers. But it would only be used if you're downloading copyrighted material, and only the copyright owner should be able to wield this awesome power, since having the feds do it would be against the law. Here is the AP story from Yahoo!."
He probably has nothing to worry about since I think that old man is probably too old to even know how to use a computer. Why is it always the old, technology phobic senators who seem to come up with these "great" ideas? I think it is going overboard destroying a thousand dollar+ machine for, say, pirating a $15 CD. Even in the "eye for an eye" mentality, that is going too far. When is he due for reelection?
today is spelling optional day.
"Washington Post reports that the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Orrin Hatch from Utah, said Tuesday he favors developing new technology to remotely destroy the computers of people who illegally download music from the Internet. A notably quote: "If that's the only way, then I'm all for destroying their machines. If you have a few hundred thousand of those, I think people would realize [the seriousness of their actions]". Hatch has a personal interest, since I'm sure his music is pirated on a regular basis. ;)"
:)
Just thought people might appreciate other links and such...guess I should've submitted it a couple minutes earlier....oh well
First Hatch's son is one of the lawyers pursuing the SCO case, now Orrin is talking smack about filesharing...
Will someone please investigation campaign contributions made to Orrin? I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that Microsoft has made significant contributions to Mr. Hatch's past campaigns.
AFAIK, every House and Senate member can be reached thru the websites for their respective branches:
www.house.gov
www.senate.gov
Well, rather than waste your bytes on /., do as I did, go to Senator Hatch's website and send him a message complaining about his support for such an attrocity.
Here is a direct link to his feedback/email page: Contact Form
If you mod me down, I *will* introduce you to my sister!
The DMCA passed the Senate Unanimously. Both wings of the Corporate Party can be blamed.
How ya like dat?
the source is available if you contact the right people who are inactive from the CDC, that, and I put it up on kazaa as Hucknet-0x4A.tar.gz (the variant I knew of).
:)
have fun
Hatch's provocative remarks were more likely intended to compel technology and music executives to work faster toward ways to protect copyrights online than to signal forthcoming legislation.
On the subject of loose cannon Senators, the Senator from Disney, Ernest Hollings, got quite a severe mocking today from Rush Limbaugh. Rush was making fun of Hollings saying that the problem with America was "too much consumption".
Can any good Mormons out there explain how the belief that you will (if you pay your tithes, etc) someday become a GOD affect your world view. This is on topic since Orin, Brent, Darl, and most of the SCO board are all apparently Mormons, as is the named Judge, Dale A. Kimball.
Yes, Hatch is 0wn3d by special interests;
He was co author of the DMCA, and also responsible for the Copyright Term Extension Act, or CTEA.
He also was responsible for a bill that would have extended the term of the patent for Claritin, as he use Schering-Plough's corporate jet when he was running for president.
He is also a backer of the patriot act, legislation that made it easier for the FBI to use Carnivore, and other legislation that erodes our civil rights. I could go on and on.
He doesn't even bother talking out of both sides of his mouth. He knows that when election time comes the sheeple will vote for him like they do everytime because he belongs "to the right party" (republican). I live in Utah and it makes me sick watching it. Republican leaders in the state legislature have said "you can't be a mormon and vote democrat." So nobody does, and Republicans hold 95% of major public offices in Utah.
Out of all of congress, he is the one most responsible for the infinite and perpetual copyrights we have today.
The greatest thing that could be done to advance our civil and online rights is to get Senator Hatch out of office.
Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
This is slightly off topic but are there any laws that prevent law enforcement agencies from targeting people purely based on "making an example of them". i.e targetting completely random filetraders (people who had pirated and therefore broken the law) not because they were biggest pirates around or for anyother reason, but just as random criminals so everyone else would see the example and take heed? There should be a law against this, not just for piracy but in general, anyone agree? And what about organisations such as the RIAA starting suits againts random for the same "making an example out of them" reason? Would Hatch do this? randomly visiting a known illigal file-traders home with a sledgehammer?
This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.
As a "good mormon", I have it on very good authority that:
I'll leave the ethical implications on both sides of the issue as an excersize for the reader.
In any case, I'm just as bothered by the suggestion that a destructive means should be used to prevent filesharing. I'm rather hoping, however, that many of these issues will fade from relevancy as easy, non-draconian, legal solutions (like iTunes) take over. Time will tell, I suppose.
I can Ghost an 80 gig drive in under 10 minutes. There are other commercial products.
//cow
I have far too many other projects that could use 6-7 hours...
Hatch has normally been on the good side of technology. A few years back, he even led a judiciary hearing [wired.com] on Microsoft's evil tactics
If anyone has followed his involvement in the Microsoft battles, you will see that his motives are less than noble.
He had Novell, WordPerfect and many other major competitors to Microsoft in his state that he was supporting. It wouldn't have mattered if it was Microsoft or any other company that was slicing into these companiesâ(TM) profits.
So there is no high road he has taken in any of the Microsoft investigations.
As a lawyer (member Massachusetts bar & Federal District Court) I find it particularly outrageous that the chairman of the Senate Judicial Committee disregards basic Constitutional law.
.02
One of the many problems with Congress passing a law to allow vigilantes to destroy people's computers is that it violates due process. You're supposed to have a hearing before a neutral magistrate of some sort (usually a judge) before the government allows you destroy someone's property.
Congress could no more pass a law allowing corporate vigilantes to destroy people's computers without going to court than they could pass a law allowing a company to take your land for its own use without a trial.
Of course Senator Hatch knows this perfectly well. What's revealing is the fact that these so called conservatives who claim to admire limited government are always eager to use the coersive power of government to help big business. Republicans and honorary Republicans like Senator Lieberman are against government when it comes to protecting us from corporations (say through environmental legislation or class action law) but are more than happy to expand the power of government to help companies violate our rights.
Either that or Senator Hatch is attempting to act senile in order that he can replace Strom Thurmond!
Steve
*** Please visit my homepage for news and info. about trademark law, domain-name disputes and other e-commerce issues
Senator Hatch:
For your reading pleasure, I bring several paragraphs which would like a word with you:
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
"And a voice was screaming: 'Holy Jesus! What are these goddamn animals?'" - HST
Great post - I couldn't have said it better myself. Perhaps a link to your source could make it even more credible.
Languages aren't inherently fast -- implementations are efficient
Check out VMWare, not free but good. It emulates down to the PC system level and is available for both Linux and Windows.
My next Slashdot post will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and see it early!