Senate proposes Internet "kill switch"

A Senate draft bill proposes giving the President the power to "kill" the Internet during times of national emergency. It's mainly designed to prevent a massive cyberattack, but there's lots of things to be wary -- hell, downright scared -- of here. It's not the first time they've tried this, apparently, so let's hope it dies a quick and fiery death.

There's also this, which seems like a handwritten invitation to abuse...

http://cbs4.com/technology/internet.freedom.regulation.2.1757643.html

 

Another attempt at censorship from "Holy" Joe Lieberman. Bad idea.

 

Hadassah Leiberman, please stop slipping crack in your husband's coffee.

 

I am sure all of Joe's close warm personal friends will jump right on this bandwagon with him.

 

Terrific plan, cutting off all information from the public during mass crisis. That should instill a great sense of security, when no one can find out what's happening or what they should be doing. Outstanding.

 

It's not his fastball that's scary. I think it's the slider. :

 

For anyone in our profession, this is *scary*.

The First Amendment protects freedom of the press. Like it or not, the information superhighway means "the press" is increasingly online. Kill the Internet, and you suddenly have an opportunity to censor the press in the manner that is somewhat chilling.

As a (soon to be) journalism teacher, I'm preparing students for a world that will largely involve/include online journalism. This bill MUST be killed at all costs.

 

But then print makes a comeback.

 

If Strasburg isn't over his pitch limit, maybe he can wing one under Lieberman's chin for proposing this idiotic legislation.

 

I can't remember which dystopian novel this plot line is from.

 

I think George Orwell cut it from 1984 because it was too nightmarish.