Silencing the Internet
Jul 26th, 2010 | By Andrew| Category: Misc |Print This ArticleA new bill has been making its way through the United States Senate and it is controversial … a true tinderbox issue. It is so “hot,”in fact, that it is causing consternation and anger on both sides ofthe political aisle. And it’s no wonder …
The bill in question, when and if passed, will give President Obama, and all future presidents, as well, the power to shut down the Internet for up to four months,perhaps even longer. Known as the “kill switch,” the bill was recentlyapproved by a key Senate committee and is ready to move to the floor ofthe Senate where all members will have an opportunity to vote on it … tocast a “yea” or “nay” vote.
It’s called “The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act” … and ithas been inflaming passions since it first saw the light of day and madeits way into committee. Senator Joe Lieberman, (I) Connecticut, hasbeen a powerful advocate of the bill which, if it becomes law, willprovide the head of the federal government (the President) with absolute power to shut down theInternet and block incoming Internet traffic from specific countriesduring “national emergencies.”
Clearly, such power in the hands of a single individual (even an American president), can be dangerous and lead to tyranny and/or abuse.It’s not difficult to imagine how this power, used improperly, couldcreate serious free speech problems in America.
In fact, the Center for Democracy and Technology, acting in concert with 23 other privacy and technology organizations, has written lettersto Senator Lieberman and other supporters of the bill to express theirconcern that the legislation can be an instrument that stifles free speech in America.
The widespread criticism of the bill has had some impact. Its sponsors have added language that would require the federal governmentto obtain congressional approval in order to extend the shutting down ofthe Internet beyond 120 days (four months), but, of course, it doesnothing to address the initial 120 days.
This means that if no further changes are added to the bill, President Obama will have the power and authority to stop all Internetactivity – on a whim or for purely political reasons – withoutcongressional oversight or approval for up to four months.
Senators who are behind this bill rejected opposition claims that it was a “kill switch” that could turn the Internet “dark” although theydid not deny that President Obama would have the authority to do justthat if the legislation becomes law. These senators made the claim thatthe power to shut down the Internet already exists under the“Communications Act” so their bill essentially only reinforces anexisting presidential power. This begs the question; if the“Communications Act” already authorizes it, why the need for morelegislation?
Is their argument correct? It’s possible. Let’s just say it’s open to personal interpretation. The “Communications Act” actually provides thepresident with the authority to “cause the closing of any facility orstation for wire communication when there is a state or threat of war.”
As I said, the power to shut down the Internet, based on the law I just described, is open to interpretation. The language is broad andleaves itself open to differing opinions as to its true meaning.
Opponents clearly believe that the legislation’s aim is to bring the Internet under the regulatory power of the U.S. government so that itcan begin to dismantle free speech. It’s a frightening thought, but itmay have some merit. Here’s why …
Senator Lieberman has stated that the idea behind the impending new law was to copy (or mimic) China’s stringent policies of policing andcontrolling the free flow of information through the use of censorshipand coercion. That a U.S. senator would feel comfortable statingpublicly that we should copy China, a nation with a notorious trackrecord for civil liberties, is troubling.
Currently, the Chinese government has the power to disconnect parts of the Internet in times of war. The senator from Connecticut wants theAmerican government to have that same power.
While public attention has been focused on the tragic Gulf coast oil spill and other serious problems, Democrats in Congress have beenworking quietly to lay the groundwork for this bill which will become,in effect, a technologicaliron curtain that turns over complete control of the Internet tothe federal government.
This can open the door to potential governmental tyranny, something one would never have imagined could ever occur in America. But considerthe facts. Many suspect that the real agenda driving this bill rests inan unshakeable determination to strangle this rapidly-growingalternative to traditional media because it is not part of theestablishment, will not “play ball” with politicians … and will insteadexpose government misdeeds, cover-ups and cronyism.
In truth, this bill, if passed, can be used by those in power to literally silence anyone who is critical of government or individuals ingovernment. That makes it a potentially very dangerous weapon … athreat to the freedom that Americans have always enjoyed.
The pros and cons of this bill need to be debated openly and honestly — in full view of the American electorate.
Other articles in this issue:
(I like this person's comment so I pasted it here, too. We've found that people everywhere are feeling the need to prepare, and more and more of us are talking it about with each other.) edina
yeah so if there is a national disaster in a certain part of the country-no one has to know about it. If governement or foreign govermentwants to overthrow a certain region, or set up shop or even conductexperiments-no one knows…..also what about all of our money that is “outthere in the system tied up…” good way to lose track of it if thesystem is down. More importantly, as we get near election time, it givesa perfect way for results to be thwarted- how could we as a country beso blind. Since day one there have been signs, that God has given us,and foolishly we conjure up excuses and reasons to cover his *ss andnow look where we have really brought ourselves. This is the beginningof hard times my friend, like we have never seen it before. We are goingto be brought to our knees and forced to stay there. Get yourself rightwith the Lord, get your finances in order, men-get your houses inorder, draw your family nigh. The country is divided, and will startcrumbling-you need to keep your families from dividing. Keep strong yourfamily’s train of thought, found it in God’s Word. Everyone will betested and some will not make it. This isn’t just going to be acrumbling-its going to be a takeover. Prepare yourselves-NOW.
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sevenstars77 
Stating facts is impressive, but it's time to deliver, otherwise we just go in circles again, bouncing back and forth on relative thoughts from our ego and conditionings (the two brain hemispheres). Anyone can easily achieve actual self-realization through that natural process of awakening and silent meditation, but the point is that it has to tangibly happen inside.
Sincerity and enthusiasm are not enough. Every person has the unprecedented opportunity to reach enlightenment now, but it's a very specific process, not just some wonderful knowledge to get excited about.
Best wishes for all,
Ed
edwardsaugstad.com
Thanks for sharing this video.
/Geisha
To Fly Like The Eagle
To Dare Like A Bear
To Raise Like A Mountain
To Love Instead Of Fear
Dick Scott
dickscotts.blogspot.com
I agree with Edward, who commented earlier that the state of “becoming” or “being” is to be experienced; it won’t come through mere “information” digested through the intellect, however fascinating and heartfelt the “information” and however many kernels of truth it may contain. This always leads to intellectualizing, confusion and debate, which keeps us in our heads. Devotion to concepts, at best, further clouds our vision,
at worst, leads to warring.
If we don't feel for ourselves the infinite within the finite ... which is the miracle of this life, what does it matter what may or may not happen tomorrow? Without the clarity, what does it matter how many "light beings" may be among us if we can't or won't see them for what they are?
I know someone who does deliver on this; I want to share with you my teacher, Prem Rawat, also known as Maharaji. He’s beautiful to listen to, but more importantly, he offers a practical, hands-on technique for going within, which he calls "Knowledge" (some might call it meditation.) "Knowledge" is a first-hand experience, not information based on the experiences of others.
Maharaji speaks for himself so I won’t say anything more other than to say that nothing I’ve ever learned compares to this and I'm deeply grateful.
Maharaji can be seen at:
wopg.org
(Interestingly, I just found that a few videos of Maharaji speaking at events have been posted here on "vimeo.")
This informaton sharing from Keisha Crowther "Little Grandmother" is truly beautiful. THANK you Keisha for your efforts and all other participating in these videos!
It makes a bit more sence now when I think about that I always been drawn to the "primitive people" wisdom, such as indians and africans..
Living in harmony with each other and mother earth that's what life is all about..
Also a ton of thanx to Bob Keeton whom posted these videos..
vimeo.com/11191065
Most important, to me, is the fact that we are ALL teachers and we are ALL students.
Be Peace, Love and Light
A man named Benjamin Creme, chairman of Share International, has been a speaker for 'Maitreya', the World Teacher for the coming age. Creme has actually stated that Maitreya has started his 'open mission' and will reveal himself in the not to distant future (haha, well, we've heard that before, but hey, we'll see...:) Now, I won't go into whether you believe his message or not, that is totally up to you, but what it interesting is that with Maitreya, also the Masters return to the Earth (some already have). This is very similar to what has been said by Kiesha about the return of the lightbeings. Also, from what I've read in books from an author called Ken Carey like 'The Return of the Bird Tribes' and Starseed Transmissions, there is talk about very similar things and revelations. It is also said by both Creme and Carey (well, information given to them), that this is said to happen in or around the first decade of the 21st century.
However, I am very much mind oriented, critical and sceptical, and so I am not convinced by mere talk, however convincing or similar it has been. I wish I had faith, but I haven't found it yet, so I sincerely wish that what people like Creme, Carey and Kiesha have been saying for the past years, actually and finally will be visible and proven beyond a shadow of doubt. Until it does, however much I try to convince myself that this is actually happening (which I've tried and failed), it will be stuff of the mind to ponder over. And this sort of information is not something meant for the mind, but for the heart, at least that is what i believe.
Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed listening to Kiesha, loved here spontaneity :-)
I know and have interviewed Benjamin Creme and several others related to the Maitreya 'movement' and I have many questions but chief among them is the value in waiting for someone to come and 'save us'.
Most of the wisdom-keepers are saying it's a do-it-yourself proposition and that, to me, sounds far more realistic.
The very best to you and again, thanks for sharing your insights and views on this critically important material.
But...of course, I hang on to no specific movement or person. I only trust myself, and I will see what happens. This is all I can do at the moment :-)