Tel-Chai Nation

CNET reports that the Democrats are trying to do more damage, as much as possible before the November election, to the technology sphere (Hat tip: Moonbattery):

A new U.S. Senate bill would grant the president far-reaching emergency powers to seize control of or even shut down portions of the Internet.

The legislation announced [last] Thursday says that companies such as broadband providers, search engines, or software firms that the government selects "shall immediately comply with any emergency measure or action developed" by the Department of Homeland Security. [...]

That emergency authority would allow the federal government to "preserve those networks and assets and our country and protect our people," Joe Lieberman, the primary sponsor of the measure and the chairman of the Homeland Security committee, told reporters.

Notice that Lieberman is the sponsor of this bill. He may have sided with Israel in dealing with its enemies, but that one positive quality doesn't make him worth supporting at all costs, any more than say, Charles Schumer. Fortunately, there is opposition:

TechAmerica, probably the largest U.S. technology lobby group, said it was concerned about "unintended consequences that would result from the legislation's regulatory approach" and "the potential for absolute power." And the Center for Democracy and Technology publicly worried that the Lieberman bill's emergency powers "include authority to shut down or limit Internet traffic on private systems."

I'm glad they're concerned, because this could get way out of hand indeed.

Labels: communications, political corruption, United States