To continue along the same lines as the recent post about blog censorship, according to a Washington Times story it appears that "Homeland Security" is mulling over ideas that include censoring the entire internet:
Access to networks like the World Wide Web might need to be limited to those who can show they take security seriously, [Former CIA Director George J. Tenet] said.
"I know that these actions will be controversial in this age when we still think the Internet is a free and open society with no control or accountability," he told an information-technology security conference in Washington, "but ultimately the Wild West must give way to governance and control."
I'm honestly not sure whether to laugh or cry...laugh at our government's attempt to "rein in" something they have no control over or cry at the inevitable mess they could make of trying. But I suppose it should not be surprising that the entire Internet might become a target; because the net allows for things such as absolutely free speech and for like minds (fellow dissenters) to connect, it is therefore an enormous threat to our control-happy government. Add open-source software and music downloading into the mix, and, well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the Internet might become the next target of "security."
Internet
Well, it's definitely in the best interests of our ruling class (the heads of the mega-corporations, not the politicians who are only their obsequious servants), that the Internet be "tamed." The Internet has become a scourge for so many of them. The RIAA, MPAA deluge Congress with campaign-fund dumping lobbyists to ensure their voice rings out far louder than any pitiful voter's. It makes sense that their lapdog government would use the old rhetoric of "homeland security" to justify the destruction of that public sphere. Yeah, it's about stopping them thar tarrorists, Jethro, this here internet got to be controlled. Them tarrorists could be anywhar! Why, I might be up in my deer-stand tomorrow and look down thar and see a tarrorist!"
If anyone here isn't already a member of the EFF and IPac, what the hell are you waiting for? This is our fight. If thousands of our young people are sacrificing their lives today as a result of the corporate control of Congress, we can at least sacrifice some of our spending money to help take that power back. Netizens, UNITE!
Forget censoring blogs; the entire Internet is in trouble
"I know that these actions will be controversial in this age when we still think the Internet is a free and open society with no control or accountability," he told an information-technology security conference in Washington, "but ultimately the Wild...