Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Should the Internet have an 'off' switch?
Physorg.com Technology ^ | February 21, 2011 | Jon Swartz

Posted on 02/21/2011 5:56:42 PM PST by LucyT

Just as the Egyptian government recently forced the Internet to go dark, U.S. officials could flip the switch if the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset legislation becomes law, say its critics.

Proponents of the bill, which is expected to be reintroduced in the current session of Congress, dismiss the detractors as ill-informed - even naive.

The ominously nicknamed Kill Switch bill is sure to be a flashpoint of discussion at ..."

[snip]

The debate is sure to intensify after the 0bama administration announced Tuesday a new policy on Internet freedom ..."

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

(Excerpt) Read more at physorg.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Society
KEYWORDS: communication; freespeech; internet
A raging debate over new legislation, and its influence on the Internet, has tongues wagging and fingers pointing from Silicon Valley to Washington, D.C.

But it has free-speech advocates and privacy experts howling over the prospect of a government agency quelling the communications of hundreds of millions of people.

1 posted on 02/21/2011 5:56:48 PM PST by LucyT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Can’t think of any good reason unless the guvmint wants to control it like China does.

HELL TO THE NO!


2 posted on 02/21/2011 5:58:42 PM PST by TribalPrincess2U (They don't need to do another 911. They have BHO.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

These are the people who thought it was Hitleresque to monitor cell phone calls from Al Qaeda.


3 posted on 02/21/2011 6:00:03 PM PST by marron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

We need an OFF switch on the government mainly the IRS.


4 posted on 02/21/2011 6:01:06 PM PST by mountainlion (The government is not my god no matter how much they preach.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


5 posted on 02/21/2011 6:02:50 PM PST by LucyT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

I have one word. Fidonet. (just in case)


6 posted on 02/21/2011 6:06:29 PM PST by Pete (29thday.org Exponential problems require exponential solutions)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT
INTERNET SHUTDOWN BUTTON

7 posted on 02/21/2011 6:09:56 PM PST by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

An “OFF” switch might be just what we need to show the disinterested citizens how evil the government is. Imagine the scenario where Big Sister decides that our free speech is getting a little out of hand and she switches it off.

All of a sudden, the apolitical folks find themselves without porn and World of Warcraft. They’ll be mad as hell, and when Big Sis comes out to explain why she needed to turn off Free Republic and The Blaze, she’ll be met by millions of angry and frustrated masturbators and gamers! :-)


8 posted on 02/21/2011 6:11:15 PM PST by Bryanw92 (We don't need to win elections. We need to win a revolution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing

Heh. Neat graphic.


9 posted on 02/21/2011 6:18:06 PM PST by LucyT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

D.C. should have an OFF switch.


10 posted on 02/21/2011 7:08:22 PM PST by bgill (Kenyan Parliament - how could a man born in Kenya who is not even a native American become the POTUS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bgill

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner! :-)


11 posted on 02/21/2011 7:25:27 PM PST by Immerito (Reading Through the Bible in 90 Days)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

If the internet had an off switch, any number of despots could and would push the button.

Obama would push it whenever things weren’t going his way.


12 posted on 02/21/2011 8:11:06 PM PST by Rocky (REPEAL IT!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pete

What happens when they shut off the telephones too?


13 posted on 02/21/2011 9:07:41 PM PST by FlyFisher
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: FlyFisher

If they shut off the phones, it will be to the point where most of our time will be spent on food and shelter.


14 posted on 02/23/2011 9:03:08 PM PST by Pete (29thday.org Exponential problems require exponential solutions)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson