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Emergency Government Control of the Internet?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the big-brother-bigger-than-ever dept.

TheZid writes "A newly proposed bill would give Uncle Sam the power to disconnect private sector computers from the internet in the event of a 'cyber security emergency.' As usual, our government is trying to take away our privacy by citing security. What actually counts as a 'Cyber-Security Emergency?' Does the president now have the option of disconnecting people when they disagree with his policies? How about disconnecting bloggers that criticize his health care reform? What counts as an emergency? Can political opponents be deemed a cyber-security emergency?"

9 of 853 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Backwards by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I call it the 1337th Ammendment.

  2. Summary by Eternauta3k · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does the president now have the option of disconnecting people when they disagree with his policies? Disconnect bloggers that criticize his health-reform? What counts as an emergency, can political opponents be deemed a cyber security emergency?"

    Jesus christ man, leave something for the comments!

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    Yeah. Would you choose a neurosurgeon who pokes around people's brains in his spare time? I wouldn't.
    1. Re:Summary by Minwee · · Score: 4, Funny

      He didn't say a word about how they disconnected the Internet in Nazi Germany.

  3. Presidential Ban Button by gilleain · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does the president now have the option of disconnecting people when they disagree with his policies?

    Perhaps he could have a big red button on his desk labelled "BAN", and could amuse himself by disconnecting people that make fun of him? The summary seems a little alarmist...

  4. Re:Backwards by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It sounds like they'd only shut off their access to the outside world in the hopes to cut off cyberthreats like North Korean hackers trying to access nukes.

    LoL. Well I live in Canada. The US Government can do whatever they want with their internets. It'll suck because the Halo servers will be down, along with Steam, WoW, Battlefield... ... ... ...

    *sigh*

  5. Oh shit, they can take away my porn? by antifoidulus · · Score: 5, Funny

    I gotta go start chiseling naked women into rocks as a backup solution!

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    Monstar L
  6. Re:It's times like these... by bwintx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Judging by CCTV footage shown on the news, it doesn't seem possible to distinguish face from ass.

    Judging from the appearance of some criminals, it doesn't seem likely that's always the camera's fault.

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  7. Re:Backwards by jason.sweet · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you are going to claim to be from Texas, please try to understand the difference between "succeed" and "secede" and between "apart" and "a part". I understand you probably went to school in Oklahoma, but the rest of the world does not get that.

  8. Re:Backwards by catman · · Score: 5, Funny

    If at first you don't secede, try, try again ...