Irony- Obama administration warns of governments trying to control the internet

[Da Coach]

I found this article rather ironic-
US warns of governments trying to control the internet

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jiXnifoIFRChtxQnIKdMPil69pgw?docId=658529008ff7418da6a4f23be0cd7b7e

PJ Star article (if you haven't exceeded your page limit)

http://www.pjstar.com/free/x1700909665/U-S-warns-of-governments-trying-to-control-the-Internet

Here is the irony- it was the Obama administration that has tried to pursue new laws that would allow the US government control of the internet whenever it deemed necessary and access to private citizens' personal and financial information.-

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/10/05/phil-kerpen-obama-internet-czar-acorn/

http://blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2010/06/21/government-pushing-to-control-internet/

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=93966

[ChewaBrave]

The government controlling the entire internet is bad.

That having been said, none of the bills mentioned over the past 2 years have ever passed either house of congress (even when controlled by democrats in both houses). One of the articles actually refers to a bill in 2009, that was sponsored by both republicans and democrats, and failed. One of the sources, runs through a laundry list of things instituted by congressed/administrations prior to the "obama era" in regards to policing the internet. And one of them references net neutrality, which I support and is in most circles viewed as a more populous movement within the internet than the alternative. I guess it just depends on how you read the articles I guess.

Personally, the biggest problem with any of this is that the budget should be everyone's concern right now.

[tornado]

There has been a gradual push for years by arrogant government people who want to control what people say and think...

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=142961&postcount=1

they feel it is one way to control those whose opinions oppose yours......

it's the same reason that certain people in govenment who try to jam unpopular legislation down people's throats always are the same folks who want to reinstate the
"Fairness Doctrine" -- in order to silence their opposition...they cannot stand to be exposed publicly!
They all hold the opinion they know what's best for you to think than you do!

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/ken-shepherd/2008/06/25/pelosi-i-want-bring-back-fairness-doctrine

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/605-technology/63875-blackburn-net-neutrality-is-qfairness-doctrine-for-the-internetq

[ChewaBrave]

For the most part, I agree with Tornado - for a decade congress has been trying to figure out how to deal with the internet. Some of it good, most of it bad.

I don't have a problem with net neutrality, and really don't think the "fairness doctrine" needs to be revived.

[tornado]

they want more than net neutrality...
note they have already passed laws requiring anyone who posts a blog or an opinion about a product or service to disclose if they gain in any way from that service!
In other words -- the federal government thinks the average person reading something on the internet is so stupid that he can't make up his mind for himself what to buy or believe and that the feds have to step in and help him out and clear the air so he doesn't end up buying some snake oil from a snake oil salesman.

http://internet-law.lawyers.com/Truth-in-Blogging-New-FTC-Blog-Disclosure-Rules.html

That means if I blog about Bradley and give them a positive review...I would be required to disclose whether I have received anything of substantial benefit for my positive review!!
this is insane and virtually impossible to police as there are now over 100 million blogs out there 4/5 of which are from foreign sites thus outside the jurisdiction of our government anyway..

[ChewaBrave]

No argument. I never really understood how they planned on doing anything with the FTC rules - and I don't really think it is necessary. I'm pretty sure i mentioned "some good, mostly bad" :P hehe. I just think congress for the past decade has been fumbling through internet regulation and its a bit off to title something as though the current administration is suddenly changing everything.

perhaps more importantly, alluding that things like full disclosures, or net neutrality bills in congress are equal or similar to effectively shutting down the internet in your county to stifle a populous rebellion, or block entire segments of the internet to avoid negative government opinion, is a bit far fetched.

Maybe we should start fixing our regulation of the internet by reworking or getting rid of the patriot act.