Proposed Bill Gives Obama Power to Shut Down Internet
Mike Grace posted on 6 Apr 2009 14:09


A new cybersecurity bill being proposed would give the President emergency authority to halt web traffic and access private data, effectively declaring martial law on the web.

Last week, senators John Rockefeller and Olympia Snowe proposed the Cybersecurity Act that would create the Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor. Its powers are detailed in the The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 (PDF), and this is where it gets very scary indeed.

If the President so chooses, he can call a "cybersecurity emergency" and shut down or limit any 'net traffic on a "critical" network "in the name of national security," though the bill fails to provide concrete definitions on what is "critical" or what constitutes an "emergency."

The Secretary of Commerce would also have the power to "access to all relevant data concerning [critical] networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting such access."

"We must protect our critical infrastructure at all costs - from our water to our electricity, to banking, traffic lights and electronic health records-the list goes on," said Senator Rockefeller in a statement. His colleague, Senator Snowe, took the metaphor further saying, "if we fail to take swift action, we, regrettably, risk a cyber-(hurricane) Katrina."

As you can imagine, the thought of such powers has put a number of internet advocacy groups on full alert. "The cybersecurity threat is real," said Leslie Harris, head of the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), "but such a drastic federal intervention in private communications technology and networks could harm both security and privacy."

Another DHS idea. We need to disband DHS. They are the REAL terrorists.

Nope. It gives whatever President power to do so.

willing...with some of the things on your computer....they should shut it down

Interesting thought...there was a really good article about trying to shut down the internet in last months Popular Science...would not be easy...there are apparently a butt load of redundant safe gaurd contingiencies....

even if it was possible in the states...short of blowing up the planet...at this point even nuclear holocaust would not take out the net.

I have already seen this on the news. Its source is DHS ,thru the Senate.Yes it gives the president the power to do so. Doesnt matter who that president is.

Ah, the insanity of it all, Rose.

Remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you not to leave because I'd go berserk?
Well, you left me anyhow and then the days got worse and worse and now you see I've gone completely out of my mind
And, they're coming to take me away, ha, ha
They're coming to take me away, ho, ho, hee, hee, ha, ha
To the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
And they're coming to take me away, ha, ha

You thought it was a joke and so you laughed, you laughed when I had said that losing you would make me flip my lid, right?
You know you laughed
I heard you laugh, you laughed, you laughed and laughed and then you left but now you know I'm utterly mad
And, they're coming to take me away, ha, ha
They're coming to take me away, ho, ho, hee, hee, ha, ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away, ha, ha

I cooked your food, I cleaned your house and this is how you pay me back for all my kind unselfish loving deeds, huh?
Well, you just wait, they'll find you yet
And when they do, they'll put you in the a.s.p.c.a, you mangy mutt
And, they're coming to take me away, ha, ha
They're coming to take me away, ho, ho, hee, hee, ha, ha
To the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
And they're coming to take me away, ha, ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away, ha, ha
To the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young men...

Hmmmm

willing

I swear to God! I HAD THAT 45!!!!!!!!

I cooked your food, I cleaned your house and this is how you pay me back for all my kind unselfish loving deeds

willing.... if you had done in it the maid's outfit i provided for you....this wouldn't be an issue

Suppose, for the sake of national security, all land line internet providers were mandated to route through the Gov. location before they are branched out, all it would take is a key switch to cut the circuit. Basic electricity.
If, it were not cost effective, a presidential order could be sent to all the land line providers to pull the plug. They can do it
Same with wireless, cut the transmission by executive order.
All he would have to do is hold up a finger, poof, no more internet.
They'd have to comply.

Forgive me for being so stubborn and not being more obedient. I promise, no more Bad Boy. I'll be good, honest, I will!

ok...back to the topic. i have noticed that I have found articles on things before and now they are gone. not sure why though

If Obama shut down the internet, there would be masses taking to the streets screaming and ranting about they got kicked off WoW.

You don't want to make the nerds angry

psst cloudy...then what are we???

Half nerds, we can live out our lives without the internet for short periods of time

we can????

Byte your tongue

Cool^^^