![Big Brother is Watching..New Bill to Give Obama Control over Internet]()
by
Just when you thought it wouldn't get worse, it does. A pair of bills (Sen 773 & 778) have been introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (W-WV) that would be a part what's being called the "Cybersecurity Act of 2009". These bills would grant the White House sweeping new powers to access private data online, regulate the cybersecurity industry, and shut down portions of internet traffic if it deems there is an "emergency". A new office called the Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor would be created and would report directly to the President. Hmmm....wonder how I apply for that position. Do I have to pay taxes to be considered?
For your enjoyment, here is a working draft of the bill:
http://cdt.org/security/CYBERSEC4.pdf
This new Act raises privacy concerns on many fronts, not the least of which is it grants the White House the authority to disconnect "critical infrastructure" networks from the internet. These would include banking, utilities, health/medical, etc.
Sounds all well and good right? If there were a massive cyberwarfare attack on our infrastructure, this is just another way to protect critical elements. However, we know that this power can [...]
![Big Brother is Watching..New Bill to Give Obama Control over Internet]()
by Art Smith
Thank goodness there must have been SOME voice of reason in the US House today regarding the switch to digital television transmission and the shutting down of analog transmissions. Although the special rules required a 2/3 vote to approve, at least the House did not roll over and give in like the idiots in the Senate on Monday night (who voted for this travesty unanimously).
Why is this bill a problem?
Well, we understand and accept the fact that, ahem, 4% of households have not yet switched to the digital format (most simply needing a $50 converter box that the government has been providing a $40 coupon for now for over a year now. Evidently, part of the issue is the sudden delay in sending out coupons. According to the Wall Street Journal:
Republicans say the extra money isn't necessary because
by Art Smith
Just now, Wolf Blitzer is talking with Jessica Yellin via, get this, Hologram. First time on live TV.
I'm quite impressed with what they've accomplished here. Jessica is in Chicago and Wolf is in New York. The image was a little herky-jerky (that's a lot of data to transmit) from multiple cameras that were surrounding Jessica in a small tent.
I don't know for sure if the image was actually projected onto the set or just merged digitally, but Wolf gave the impression that he was looking right at the image. And there was a red circle on the floor that appeared as if it could have been part of the projection aparatus.
Bravo, CNN!
by Art Smith
I spent most of the afternoon today in meetings, and of course, we don’t touch our Blackberries while we’re focused on the Present (I’m pretty serious about this, Blackberry use means I don’t need to be in the meeting). However, during times...
by Art Smith
On Van and Bonnie on WHO this morning, there was an interview with a political telemarketing expert from George Washington University. The topic was the technologies, techniques, and purpose for all those phone calls we’ve been getting here in Iowa the past few...
