Bush Authorizes NSA to police the internet via AT&T

[The_cavalierman]

Want to know why getting that retroactive telecom immunity is so important to Bush? It’s not just about tapping phone calls.

Scholars & Rogues:

Following up on my post from a little while back discussing Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell’s desire to police the Internet, the Washington Post’s Ellen Nakashima confirmed last weekend that the Decider had signed a classified directive authorizing the NSA to more expansively monitor intrusions on federal networks for signs of cyberattacks:

Until now, the government’s efforts to protect itself from cyber-attacks — which run the gamut from hackers to organized crime to foreign governments trying to steal sensitive data — have been piecemeal. Under the new initiative, a task force headed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) will coordinate efforts to identify the source of cyber-attacks against government computer systems. As part of that effort, the Department of Homeland Security will work to protect the systems and the Pentagon will devise strategies for counterattacks against the intruders.

As Brian has said recently, the U.S. is absolutely not ready to handle cyberwar on almost any front. I’m all in favor of redirecting tax money towards protecting and strengthening our Internet infrastructure against any one of the millions of crippling threats it can face, rather than expensive, crappy weapons systems that have little measurable effect except fattening defense contractors’ coffers.





But in an expansive profile of Mike McConnell, the New Yorker’s Lawrence Wright touches on the myriad obstacles our intelligence community faces towards handling a real threat, and why they get it wrong so often.

[Corcaigh]

This article doesn't get to the issue. It is suggesting that the NSA wants to aggressively investigate attempted intrusion attempts on government networks. This seems reasonable until you understand how they are going to do that. McConnell says the only way to do this is to monitor ALL Internet traffic in the USA so that they can stop attacks before they happen.

[Predicto]

This has "mission creep" written all over it.

[The_cavalierman]

This article doesn't get to the issue. It is suggesting that the NSA wants to aggressively investigate attempted intrusion attempts on government networks. This seems reasonable until you understand how they are going to do that. McConnell says the only way to do this is to monitor ALL Internet traffic in the USA so that they can stop attacks before they happen.

Indeed....

It is the "how" that bothers the crap outta me.

[GibbsFactor]

This has "mission creep" written all over it.

I disagree, it was the mission from the get go.

[Corcaigh]

Indeed....

It is the "how" that bothers the crap outta me.

Before long we'll be abandoning our electronic communications and have to talk to people face to face again if we want any privacy.

[GibbsFactor]

Before long we'll be abandoning our electronic communications and have to talk to people face to face again if we want any privacy.

I guess that's not a bad thing, except by then, we'll all be outfitted with RFID chips so it won't matter anyway.

[GoSkins561]

I am not sure how or why people complain when there hasn't been a single attack on our soil since 9-11.

[alexey]

Without a doubt protecting government systems from cyber attacks is extremely important, and will become even more important in the future.

On the other hand I would not trust Mr. Bush to even tie my shoelaces.

Maybe it would be best to put this off for a year...

[GibbsFactor]

“Those that sacrifice liberty for safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”.

[alexey]

I am not sure how or why people complain when there hasn't been a single attack on our soil since 9-11.

Trains didn't start flying either; they must be doing a heck of a job making sure those stay on the ground.

[DGreenistheBest]

“Those that sacrifice liberty for safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”.

QFT

[Ax]

"...the report says people actually think this hasn't been happening, until now"...
"Come on and eat dear, before your dinner gets cold."

[GibbsFactor]

"...the report says people actually think this hasn't been happening, until now"...
"Come on and eat dear, before your dinner gets cold."

Not the point, now it's legal and we are becoming more and more comfortable with becoming a facsist state.

[Corcaigh]

I guess that's not a bad thing, except by then, we'll all be outfitted with RFID chips so it won't matter anyway.

Don't start it, or else you'll be made a member of the mop and strawberry milk club..