Posted on 03/08/2012 3:55:59 AM PST by ShadowAce
The FCC is currently seeking public comments on whether or not it is appropriate and feasible to grant local police forces the power to shut down mobile phone networks.
The request for the public’s input comes after BATR officials in San Fransisco shut down cell towers in an attempt to stop a first amendment protected protest for “public safety” reasons.
An article published by CFO World broke down the FCC request in an easy to understand fashion:
The FCC asks several questions in its request for comments. Among them:
– When have government agencies in the U.S. considered interrupting mobile service?
– When would it be appropriate for agencies to interrupt service?
– What risks to the public could be caused by interrupted service?
– Could mobile carriers allow customers to still dial 911 if other service was shut down?
If the FCC does decide to grant local police the authority to indiscriminately shut down cell phone service whenever they feel there is a public safety concern you can count on legitimate, first amendment protected activities to be targeted throughout the country.
This makes no sense. Most municipalities use cell phones for their means of communication so they would be cutting their own method of connecting during the so-called crisis. I also don’t think the cell carriers will stand for this.
This will make it easier to remove individuals who are causing problems and nobody else will know.
People will disappear in the middle of the night.
I’ve been thinking of getting a short wave radio; now I’m looking into it.
> FCC Considers Granting Police the Authority to Shut Down Cell Phone Networks
Another power that the police can abuse.
The already have police paramilitary in near violation of posse commitatas.
And why don’t police ever read someone the complete Miranda statement, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?”
They NEVER tell add the sentence, “Nothing you say can be used in court in your defense.” Because, for the prosecution, you are providing evidence carrying the weight of confession, but for the defense anything you say to help your case is here-say.
I was wondering about that. Can signal jammers, jam those, too?
Barring civil insurrection against the government, what event would be substantial enough to warrant shutting down communications?
This kind of ruling would be on the same level as the detention of Americans in the recent Defense bill — that McCain and others supported.
More and more, it is becoming THEM vs US.
What was that quotation from Thomas Jefferson about a little rebellion periodically?
ECOMCON. We’ll meet at Site Y.
People will disappear in the middle of the night.
You are right on the mark. My now deceased parents and I, as a small child, witnessed and lived through exactly what you describe.
tactic to have available if/when tea parties at the Capitol start to look like “arab spring on the potomac”
As long as the sheep can play “Words with Friends”on their phones everything will be fine.
Civil libertarians slam McCain cybersecurity bill
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/civil-libertarians-slam-mccain-cybersecurity-bill-202619424.html
Excerpt:
President Obama’s proposed legislation, like the omnibus bill Reid wants, would leave DHS in charge of cybersecurity. DHS could ask for help from the NSA, but would be subject to closer oversight than actions led by the NSA and other parts of the Defense Department.
McCain last month said he wanted the NSA to be more involved, and the agency is seen as having greater defensive and offensive capability. Under his bill, which was co-authored by seven other Republicans, the cybersecurity centers could use the information they get to investigate crime and for “a national security purpose.”
another source:
ACLU Attacks John McCain’s Cybersecurity Bill
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=24181
This sounds like BS. The police have no business shutting down cell phone networks. I can see them using this power to stop the spread of chaos, but is that fair? If I know a dirty bomb is in my hometown, I should be able to call my loved ones and warn them to get out.
Scary how our interests seem to be aligning with nutjobs like Wikipedia and Anonymous despite everything else.
Who's talking about fairness? Of course it's not fair. This is about control--control of the population, and control of movement. With no communication, you couldn't warn your family to leave town, and that's the way they want it.
Makes you wonder whether they really are nutjobs, or just out in front.
America, she is long gone.
Yep. ‘Tis unsettling.
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