Internet companies and civil liberties groups were alarmed this spring when a U.S. Senate bill proposed handing the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet.
They're not much happier about a revised version that aides to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, have spent months drafting behind closed doors. CNET News has obtained a copy of the 55-page draft of S.773 (excerpt), which still appears to permit the president to seize temporary control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency.
Strategypage mentioned a vaguely similar idea nearly two years ago to fight cyber-enemies. But it didn't reach anywhere near this level of control over individuals. I suggested an alternative.
Can you imagine the outcry in the media if Bush had done this? Truly, Obama can do anything. Perhaps he is a god after all.
