Fast on the heels of reading Kathy Riordin’s post about the Neda Video, an article about a proposed bill that would give the president of the United States emergency power to seize control of or turn off part or all of the internet.  I can imagine valid reasons why this could seem like a good thing, yet there is a huge knot in my stomach that says such power is ripe for abuse.

The main sponsor of the bill is Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Homeland Security committee.  Lieberman states that enactment of his Bill needs to be a top congressional priority.  "For all of its 'user-friendly' allure, the internet can also be a dangerous place with electronic pipelines that run directly into everything from our personal bank accounts to key infrastructure to government and industrial secrets," he said. "Our economic security, national security and public safety are now all at risk from new kinds of enemies — cyber-warriors, cyber-spies, cyber-terrorists and cyber-criminals."

I don’t see where these threats are new and while I am sure that security measures could be beefed up most everywhere I am really not thrilled with the idea of giving ANYone complete power over any portion of my life, even if it is for my protection.  I already believe the government abuses privileges under the guise of homeland security and other departments so why would this be any different?

I will say this, I want to know a whole lot more about exactly what the power is that is being proposed and under what circumstances it would be permitted.  I’m not saying that there is not merit in the idea, only that, unlike other recent bills, it should be thought and planned out carefully and with FULL DISCLOSURE to the people.  Please share with me your thoughts on this very important issue.

You can read the bill (a .pdf document requiring Adobe Reader) here.