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September 23, 2010 By News Staff
The bad guys who troll America’s digital infrastructure looking for networks to attack may have some problems coming their way if a proposed bill circulating through Capitol Hill goes through. The legislation would give the president the power to declare a national cyber-emergency if a huge network attack happened.
Reuters reported Tuesday, Sept. 21, that the presidential declaration, in case of an imminent threat to critical things like the electrical grid or water supply, could require companies to shut down temporarily or take certain steps, like enhancing their cyber-defenses. The declaration would last for 30 days, though the president could renew it, it couldn’t go longer than 90 days without congressional action.
The legislation in its current form merges two other cyber-security bills that came before. A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said backers in Congress hope to pass it before year’s end.
Some companies worry the bill would give the government too much power over their businesses, since it could give the public sector power to designate whether a company’s — or industry’s — technology operations would be shut down or altered, or just certain portions. Private-sector opposition could make it difficult for the bill to get through Congress before the year is over.
You may use or reference this story with attribution and a link to
http://www.govtech.com/security/Proposed-Bill-Would-Give-President-Emergency-Cyber-Superpowers.html
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What the heck?! That is the stupidest idea I've ever heard...
All these bastards want is more and more intrusive control over our lives. I'm a moderate who is voting for the Tea Party only to throw the brakes on encroaching socalism. This power grab is a perfect example of why.
This reminds me of the plot of Die Hard 4...
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.” -Ben Franklin
Nick, Wow, what an appropriate quote. Joe
So where are all of the Oba-worshippers now?
It's not a bad idea. It's only if there were a terrorist threat to major companies. Sounds safe. OH WAIT, NO PLEASE POISON MY WATER. sure thing.
Well, I posted a comment but the POB decided not to put it out here.
yeah, I think mine was taken down too.
a shame, since it wasn't offensive, at least not as offensive as the ignorance and racism (fried chicken hands?), that I see on here.
Neither were mine... and I work in the utility biz. Like the plot of Die Hard 4 is "on topic". Guess peeps just don't understand the next attack will be in cyber space.
Where have you people been? Title 50 of the US Code gives the President authority to do absolutely anything he likes. The Bill is superfluous.
So...say 90 days before the 2012 Presidential election, if there were to be a "cyber attack" and an emergency was declared, and all the right wing web sites were to be shut down...no big deal. Nothing to see here citizen, move along.
This is NOTHING compared to the Patriot Act.
Jesus, this is nothing compared to the ACTA. It would give many countries the power to shut down websites they simply don't like whenever they want. Why is no one concerned with that?
No checks? No balances? Get out of office and don't slam the door.
Didn't the media scream about totalitarianism when the last guy in the Oval Office proposed "emergency powers" like this?
Lol. Check out the EMC ads under the heading "Related Products". I wonder how much they gave to the B.O. campaign. "A tremor in the Force. The last time I felt it was in the presence of my old master." - Darth Vader
Look at the caption under Obama's picture. "Senator Barack Obama"? Makes me wonder about the fact checking in the rest of the article.
The term "cyber" covers just about anything electronic. Do they realize that would give Obama the power to shut down the NEWS as well as electronic voting, etc.
Where were you when they passed the "Patriot" Act? Worry about something REALLY dangerous!