Will Internet Free Speech Crackdowns Come to America?

Pajamas Media ^ | July 24 | Kathy Shaidle

[AJKauf]

The Cybersecurity Act of 2009, now in committee, “risks giving the federal government unprecedented power over the Internet,” says Jennifer Granick of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Among other things, the act gives the president the authority to shut down Internet traffic (run mostly on privately owned networks) in an emergency — with “emergency” left undefined.

As well, the Commerce Department would have “absolute, non-emergency” access to “all relevant data”; like its Canadian equivalent, the Cybersecurity Act allows authorities access to this data without judicial review.

Others are concerned about President Obama’s choice to lead the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Harvard Law Professor Cass Sunstein. As Paul Hsieh reported earlier this year for Pajamas Media, Sunstein’s book Nudge posits a philosophy of “libertarian paternalism”: that it is government’s role to “nudge” its citizens into behaving in a particular fashion — for their own good, of course.

If “nudging” sounds like a cuddly synonym for “creeping government control,” there’s a reason for that. Sunstein’s forthcoming book, On Rumors: How Falsehoods Spread, Why We Believe Them, What Can Be Done, he argues for the passage of a “notice and take down law,” to force websites to remove “falsehoods” from their pages upon government request. These “falsehoods” would include remarks left by anonymous commenters....

[Tzimisce]

Nah. It doesn’t censor the internet.

You’ll still be free to say anything your government approves of. :)

[Niuhuru]

See my tagline. You can’t control the ability of digital technology it adapt or outsmart the people who are digital anarchists.

[mysterio]

I wonder if the “if you’re not doing anything wrong” crowd supports this measure.

[allmost]

I was jerkin off then all of the sudden I wasn’t.

[GodGunsGuts]

Scary stuff! The ring must be destroyed!

[The Great RJ]

In Australia the government is attempting to block access to “objectionable” sites as a protection against child porn. Of course objectionable could also include “hate” sites. Internet censorship is a mouse click away. By the end of Obama’s term I expect the only source of uncensored news and opinion will be from shortwave broadcasts from over the Obama Curtain.

[fullchroma]

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

[nascarnation]

I think the Baraqqis are using China for the beta testing.
Then it will be implemented in the US.

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

“In Australia the government is attempting to block access to “objectionable” sites as a protection against child porn. Of course objectionable could also include “hate” sites. Internet censorship is a mouse click away. By the end of Obama’s term I expect the only source of uncensored news and opinion will be from shortwave broadcasts from over the Obama “

Shortwave broadcasts from where?

“Where” is left?

[KevinDavis]

If they think it will stop porn, they will..

[ducdriver]

ROBERTS: I, Barack Hussein Obama…

OBAMA: I, Barack…

ROBERTS: … do solemnly swear…

OBAMA: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear…

ROBERTS: … that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully…

OBAMA: … that I will execute…

ROBERTS: … faithfully the office of president of the United States…

OBAMA: … the office of president of the United States faithfully…

ROBERTS: … and will to the best of my ability…

OBAMA: … and will to the best of my ability…

ROBERTS: … preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

OBAMA: … preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

ROBERTS: So help you God?

OBAMA: So help me God.

http://blogs.reuters.com/frontrow/2009/01/20/roberts-obama-jumble-presidential-oath-of-office/

[BipolarBob]

They’ll censor the internet, but let the NYSlimes publish any traitorous and top secret slander they want. Hmmmm

[Since 2009-07-21]

Will Internet Free Speech Crackdowns Come to America?


If the health care bill passes, it sure will! Why hesitate controlling the internet/radio/any opposition speech, when you've already passed something as tyrannical, all-controlling, morally obscene as the health care bill?

[Dick Bachert]

MEMO TO THE CURRENT CROP OF MORONS IN MALFUNCTION JUNCTION: This is precisely why the Founders put the Second Amendment right below the First. TO SUPPORT IT!!!

[Docs Galore]

I have it in my “stack of stuff” that he stated that the bloggers were out of control that they must be corraled. I need to go and find that quote! But I know that he said it.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Was that the first time 0bammy tried the oath and the Bible was burning his hand or the second time when he was using the koran?

[Sig Sauer P220]

In response to the question, count on it.

[Know et al]

Not just the internet but all forms of communications.

[yorkie01]

If states move ahead with the provisions of the 10th amendment, you can be assured that this marxist/socialist/facist government already has plans in place to move in this direction. Just as the people have the right to bear arms, we must ensure that we are able to communicate at all times to protect our civil rights.