U.S. Government Proposes "Internet Kill Switch"

[TheSquirrelisKing]

Wait.... What? A kill switch? Would there be warning beforehand or would we just be told "We're Turning off your Internetz! HA!"

Actually, part of me hopes they don't give out a warning, like if someone is watching a *Ahem* certain Genre of video and just as it actually starts doing what *ahem* it promises... BOOM! You have no internet!

Calumon: I hope this doesn't catch on.

...Oh my god... Just started watching Digimon Tamers... I just... you're awesome.
And ya, just think what that would do to all the poor digimon
On a serious note, this would have to be nearly impossible to implement. Also, the wording of the bill is WAY too vague for my tastes.
You know that joke that goes "if this actually happens, I'm leaving the country"? Thinking I may soon have to move to a whole new planet. *sigh*

 

[Snotnarok]

Just hire Sam Collins, he'll Samuraize and transform into Servo and defeat any incoming computer virus.

Or Gridman if you're Japanese.

 

[Tolerant Fanboy]

Cyber.

That is all.

 

[someotherguy]

Isn't this old news? I remember hearing of this a long time ago, and it garnered resistance 100 times its support.

If this, however, is something else, I seriously doubt it will gain support, or atleast support from anyone who knows what the internet is, and isn't afraid.

 

[Caradinist]

I can't believe how closed-minded the people in this thread are. Sure, it's easy to cry 'freedom of speech! lolol' and blast the decision, but if you were to stop and think about it's intended usage or *gasp* actually read the bill, you'd understand just how important it is.

...

Also, shouldn't we consider the fact that the Government already has the power to use nuclear weapons? The power to sieze control of broadcasts? The power to disrupt travel patterns? This is hardly anything new- just look at the example set by the pre-existing measures: when was the last time the Government abused it's power to close down airlines? Never, if I recall correctly.

I think you're missing why people think it's absurd. It's absurd because Joe Lieberman, the guy shown below, is sponsoring it.

 

[SinisterGehe]

"as well as critical internet components in other countries." They are going to inform the other countries of this RIGHT?
Anti-spying becomes Spying... H'ray

 

[havoc_91]

worst. idea. ever.

 

[bad_dog14]

Huh? How can you 'turn off' the internet? And if this becomes reality, is the president going to turn off the internets all around the globe, or just in America?

 

[S-Unleashed]

How are the people in Conress to think of this? Oh wait..

 

[The Cheezy One]

seems to be very pro-US to give them the power over what is the largest controller of free speech and economy. so its just to shut the internet down, what next? allowing them to shut down certain sites, stop things being searched for, if this goes through we are one step away from being in a totalitarian ragime here!
doesnt matter though

the IT crowd will defend it to the death!

 

[Smallells]

I am reminded of a Penny Arcade comic.
"They've taken our internets sir!"
"Which one's?"
"ALL OF THEM"
A kill switch would *only* be useful in this situation. I mean, I can understand the fear - if it wasn't completely wrong and mentally handicapped.

I would be devoid of silly youtube video's. And that would make me angry. Veeeeery angry........

 

[Feralbreed]

There are pro's and con's in everything. You can't just let the government control everything. Sure we have some trouble with pirates, hackers and other scum, but by letting the government control my internet I would just let a different band of criminals take over.

All things considered, this is still a horrible idea. To chain the last free media...


Also; I accidentally the whole internet.

 

[Feralbreed]

Also, shouldn't we consider the fact that the Government already has the power to use nuclear weapons? The power to sieze control of broadcasts? The power to disrupt travel patterns? This is hardly anything new- just look at the example set by the pre-existing measures: when was the last time the Government abused it's power to close down airlines? Never, if I recall correctly.

And they did use that power too! It was your fucked up government who used Nuclear weapons in a cowardly attack in WW2. Infact the only country that has ever used Nuclear weapons despite Russia and everything. To trust my internet to them.

 

[Sev72]

Did someone in Homeland Security take Die-Hard 3 waaaaaaaaaay too seriously?

 

[dietpeachsnapple]

18 cybers - not bad.

I think the sub-title bolded text might be advisably changed to "the president" as opposed to "him" as him implies that LIEBERMAN has the kill switch.

Anyway... um... opinions on the matter? hmmmmm - silliness. Outright and obnoxious silliness. Politicians putting their fingers in another pie that doesn't belong to them. I don't mean to sound needlessly "small government," but this is not something we should be trying to fund, nor is it something the federal government should preside over.

Don't scoff at the risk this could be Cyber 9/11 times 1000!

The trouble with the internet is it was designed to withstand Nuclear attacks. You can't stop the signal.

Where, precisely, would one drop a nuke with the intention of targeting "the Internet?" I see your point on this.

 

[Kayden]

*President looks at /b/*
President: OMFG MY EYES!!!!!
*hits kill switch*

>_> there is a good scenario

 

[Obsidian Rocker]

Also remember that the US also wants to send unarmed predator UAV drones to patrol the "Border" (My arse) and now this? Land of the free, eh? Keep telling yourself that, America. It's not coming true. It's just the sad state of affairs that take place in the world today.

 

[Obsidian Rocker]

seems to be very pro-US to give them the power over what is the largest controller of free speech and economy. so its just to shut the internet down, what next? allowing them to shut down certain sites, stop things being searched for, if this goes through we are one step away from being in a totalitarian ragime here!
doesnt matter though

the IT crowd will defend it to the death!

Shouldn't that thing be atop big ben? Best reception around I hear.

P.S. Watching the new season?