Did you miss this story like I did?
Evidently in a speech last week for government managers--but barred to the press--Tenet explicitly called for the era of internet freedom to come to an end.
The money quotes:
"I know that these actions would be controversial in this age where we still think the Internet is a free and open society with no control or accountability," he added.
"But, ultimately, the Wild West must give way to governance and control."
The way the Internet was built might be part of the problem, he said. Its open architecture allows Web surfing, but that openness makes the system vulnerable...Access to networks like the World Wide Web might need to be limited to those who can show they take security seriously"
More below:
I rarely write diaries but this has stunned me and demands a response.
Evidently allowing 9/11 to happen wasn't enough of a stain on this incompetent yet powerful man's career. He's now conceiving of transforming the Internet into a militarized zone with identity checkpoints and monitored content. All in the name of security. That is not a tin-foil interpretation, that is what he is actually clearly proposing. (The tin-foil comes in when I think to myself that the GOP would benefit from stemming the tide of Leftist organizing and fundraising on the internet.)
I suggest you read the linked articles and get your head around what George Tenet is actually saying. It is shocking and this story needs to grow some legs NOW.
Linked articles:
here
here
here
Slashdot discussion here.
Anyways, you should be aware that this trial balloon is being floated. This is what they are thinking about and it looks crazy to me. Does it look crazy to you too or am I overreacting?
Ideas for responses? Is it even technologically feasible to put the World Wide Web on "lockdown" in America? I'd like to hear a Kos discussion on this matter.