This isn’t an astronomy blog. I normally try to keep out of politics, but this issue seems to have united Democrats, Independents, Libertarians and Republicans (in alphabetical order).
The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) died a death of procedural motions today in the Senate. I personally was not unhappy to see it go. However, there are newer better plans in the works so that the government can pass along all your electronic communications to whomever they like. Without your permission, of course.
CISPA would have allowed the sharing of Internet traffic information between the U.S. government and technology and manufacturing companies. The stated aim of the bill was to help the U.S government investigate cyber threats and ensure the security of networks against cyberattacks.
Don’t worry about that pesky 4th Amendment. CISPA would have allowed private sector firms to search personal and sensitive user data of ordinary U.S. residents to identify “threat information,” which would then be shared with other opt-in firms and the U.S. government — without the need for a court-ordered warrant.
You however, would not be able to opt-out.
In case you did not take Constitutional law, the Fourth Amendment states:
More good news, CISPA would have also amended the National Security Act to allow U.S. intelligence services to hand over classified information to entities and people that do not have security clearance.
It seems that the bills sponsor Michigan Republican Mike Rogers had a lot to gain from the passage of this bill. His wife, Kristi Clemens Rogers, was, until recently, the president and CEO of Aegis LLC a “security” defense contractor company, whom she helped to secure a $10 billion (with a b) contract with the State Department. The company describes itself as “a leading private security company, provides government and corporate clients with a full spectrum of intelligence-led, culturally-sensitive security solutions to operational and development challenges around the world.”
Perhaps Rep. Rogers has figured out how much your privacy is worth, to him at least.
Despite Rep. Rogers insistence that that the only opposition to CISPA came from
14-year-old kids in their basement, I am not a 14 year child. I am a concerned citizen of this country and a Veteran. I did not serve my country to see A**holes like this sell freedom to the highest bidder (in this case, his wife).
I will now resume my regular, non-political ramblings about other important stuff. Like, why haven’t we colonized space yet? (Shout out to
Republic of Lagrangia)
– Ex astris, scientia –
I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney. As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +
Norman
