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Stop the Online Spying Bill
Want to give the federal government and big companies new powers to spy on you?
You’re in luck: There's a bill for that. 
CISPA could lead to attacks on our right to speak freely online.
It's called CISPA — the "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act" — and it's a frightening piece of legislation. It could allow for a new online spying regime, letting Big Brother read, watch and listen to everything we do on the InterneT.
CISPA would allow companies and the government to bypass privacy protections and share all sorts of information about what Americans do online. The legislation makes it far easier for authorities to spy on your email traffic, comb through your mobile texts, filter your online content and even block access to popular websites.
It would have a chilling effect on free speech — creating an environment in which we refrain from posting on Facebook, conducting Web searches, sending emails, writing blog posts or communicating online for fear that the National Security Agency — the same agency that’s conducted online "warrantless wiretapping" for years — could come knocking. (Go here to learn more about the bill and to take action to stop it.)
If this bill passes, authorities won't have to worry about pesky privacy laws getting in the way the next time they want to grab your Facebook history or search through your email. All they'll need is the vague sense that the information relates to a "cyber threat" — a poorly defined concept in the bill. And you'll never know they shared that information.
CISPA’s broad language could lead all too easily to governmental and corporate attacks on our right to speak freely online. And while there is a real need to protect vital national interests from cyber attacks, we can’t do it at the expense of our basic civil rights.
This awful bill helps erode our very basic civil liberties. In the coming weeks we’ll announce more ways for you to help stop it. For now, please go here to take action.
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22 Comments so far
Show AllIt's a perfect complement to strip searches and airport nude-body scans... all part of a protocol of lock-downs inside the Homeland Security State. The more the elite powers wish to hide behind State Secrets, the greater the transparency demanded of citizens... it's a 180-degree inversion of the premise of freedom.
"Where are your papers, frauline?"
Only the uniforms have changed to keep up with fashion in the new millennia. The fascist mentality has not.
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Just another kick to the embalmed corpse of proto-democracy, Fräulein.
The major languages used in the most intensely fascist states have changed too.
But German hasn't changed all that much.
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A sure sign of the creeping corporatocracy that the USA is morphing into.
Anyone who thinks that amerika is not a fascist military police state has got their head in the sand ! It will get much worse, as the empire will come down harder on those who resist the fascist rulers.
But, La Lucha will go on; and the oppressors WILL BE overthrown ! There is enormous power behind the Rebellion !
A bit of advice to anyone who has correspondence he or she wants to protect from being snooped by the NSA, DHS, FBI, CIA, or other US spy agency is to use the usual Unix encryption prog "crypt" (or download progs for unix/linux, Windows, or Mac OS - the "crypt" program is rather weak, one can also use the PGP prog that is much stronger) to encrypt and decrypt correspondence files over the internet. When I send encrypted files, I append the file name with "gif" or "jpg" or "mp3" or "mp4" to give the impression they are digital media files. All the encrypted suff can be decrypted without a key, but with a lot of work. If lots of folks did this, it would drive the US spy agencies and industries bat shit mad.
PGP is pretty good (LOL). But changing a file's suffix isn't going to fool anyone, especially a computer. Sentinel software just as easily scan the first few hundred kilobytes of a file looking for header/metadata information.
There are problems with using encryption. Unless everyone encrypted files and overloaded the system, you are just identifying yourself for closer scrutiny and auditing. It is like wearing a t-shirt that says "Mad Bomber" in an airport.
PGP is exactly what it means, no more and no less. Also, if the NSA were to add header checking of every one of the massive number of media mime type attached files that passes through its scanners on a daily basis, the systems would crawl. Also, it was stated here that decryption was possible, however decrypting everything that is unintelligible with respect to its file suffix would be a mammoth effort, even within the publicly funded US espionage entities. It could become necessary for the US to outsource some of its snooping of domestic internet correspondence to the Chinese who are quite adept at this business. Also, flagging of members of the US public as potential subversives can be done with clear text scanning, given the stuff that some of the contributors here on CD submit, assuming that they're not trolls in the employ of the said FBI, CIA, NSA, DHS, NYPD, or private security firms contracted to one of the many agencies of the national espionage complex.
Also, if folks out there haven't attended the German movie "The Lives of Others" (Das Leben der Anderen), look it up on Netflix. It's a story of Stasi eavesdropping on citizens of the now defunct DDR. We have met the Stasi, and they is us.
Could we drop all this about how horrible the German Democratic Republic? Bill Blum, a West bloc dissident has let all know that the problem "is not what we know" as Will Rogers would say "but what we know that just ain't so." The people who lived in the GDR in 1999 in a USA Today poll backed going back to the East bloc over being part of the federal republic by over half to about a third. Let the facts of the opinions of those who've experienced capitalism and the East bloc speak for themselves. He has also debunked much of the hot air about the Berlin Wall. It had not much at all to do with freedom contrary to Western propaganda.
The German Democratic Republic might not have had halos over its head nor would I try to put one there, but let' not get to putiting even the worst of the left in with the the worst. That's simply the falacy of the false equation. The left made some mistakes. But they tried to get it right and to serve the people. We all would be better to move toward what the indigenous people had in this hemisphere and before Europeans.
Who the hell is sponsoring this bill? And what organization is behind them? I wish the article had included this info, but since it did not, I ask if any posters here have that info?
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H.R.3523
Latest Title: Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011
Sponsor: Rep Rogers, Mike J. [MI-8] (introduced 11/30/2011) Cosponsors (106)
Latest Major Action: 12/1/2011 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 1.
COSPONSORS(106), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Rep Amodei, Mark E. [NV-2] - 11/30/2011
Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] - 2/27/2012
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] - 11/30/2011
Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 2/16/2012
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 3/29/2012
Rep Benishek, Dan [MI-1] - 2/13/2012
Rep Bilbray, Brian P. [CA-50] - 3/29/2012
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] - 3/5/2012
Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45] - 2/16/2012
Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] - 3/19/2012
Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] - 11/30/2011
Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] - 2/28/2012
Rep Brooks, Mo [AL-5] - 2/7/2012
Rep Broun, Paul C. [GA-10] - 2/13/2012
Rep Burgess, Michael C. [TX-26] - 11/30/2011
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] - 11/30/2011
Rep Camp, Dave [MI-4] - 12/16/2011
Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. [CA-18] - 3/29/2012
Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] - 2/7/2012
Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] - 11/30/2011
Rep Coffman, Mike [CO-6] - 1/18/2012
Rep Cole, Tom [OK-4] - 2/1/2012
Rep Conaway, K. Michael [TX-11] - 11/30/2011
Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] - 3/22/2012
Rep Costa, Jim [CA-20] - 3/29/2012
Rep Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [AR-1] - 3/8/2012
Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] - 2/14/2012
Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 11/30/2011
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 12/20/2011
Rep Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [TN-3] - 2/27/2012
Rep Forbes, J. Randy [VA-4] - 1/25/2012
Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 3/19/2012
Rep Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [NJ-11] - 12/8/2011
Rep Gingrey, Phil [GA-11] - 11/30/2011
Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] - 1/18/2012
Rep Griffith, H. Morgan [VA-9] - 3/29/2012
Rep Grimm, Michael G. [NY-13] - 2/13/2012
Rep Guthrie, Brett [KY-2] - 2/13/2012
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 11/30/2011
Rep Hartzler, Vicky [MO-4] - 2/7/2012
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 3/5/2012
Rep Hastings, Doc [WA-4] - 2/14/2012
Rep Heck, Joseph J. [NV-3] - 11/30/2011
Rep Huizenga, Bill [MI-2] - 2/7/2012
Rep Hultgren, Randy [IL-14] - 3/5/2012
Rep Hurt, Robert [VA-5] - 3/5/2012
Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] - 1/31/2012
Rep Johnson, Bill [OH-6] - 3/8/2012
Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] - 11/30/2011
Rep Kinzinger, Adam [IL-11] - 11/30/2011
Rep Kissell, Larry [NC-8] - 3/29/2012
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 2/16/2012
Rep Lance, Leonard [NJ-7] - 2/14/2012
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 11/30/2011
Rep Larsen, Rick [WA-2] - 3/19/2012
Rep Latta, Robert E. [OH-5] - 12/8/2011
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] - 11/30/2011
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [TX-10] - 11/30/2011
Rep McHenry, Patrick T. [NC-10] - 12/8/2011
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 3/29/2012
Rep McKinley, David B. [WV-1] - 1/18/2012
Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] - 1/18/2012
Rep Meehan, Patrick [PA-7] - 2/14/2012
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 12/20/2011
Rep Miller, Candice S. [MI-10] - 2/13/2012
Rep Miller, Gary G. [CA-42] - 1/31/2012
Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] - 11/30/2011
Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [NC-9] - 11/30/2011
Rep Noem, Kristi L. [SD] - 2/28/2012
Rep Nunes, Devin [CA-21] - 11/30/2011
Rep Olson, Pete [TX-22] - 2/16/2012
Rep Owens, William L. [NY-23] - 3/29/2012
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 3/29/2012
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 3/22/2012
Rep Pompeo, Mike [KS-4] - 11/30/2011
Rep Quayle, Benjamin [AZ-3] - 12/8/2011
Rep Roe, David P. [TN-1] - 2/27/2012
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] - 2/13/2012
Rep Rooney, Thomas J. [FL-16] - 11/30/2011
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] - 1/18/2012
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 3/22/2012
Rep Runyan, Jon [NJ-3] - 3/22/2012
Rep Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [MD-2] - 11/30/2011
Rep Scalise, Steve [LA-1] - 3/29/2012
Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] - 2/16/2012
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] - 11/30/2011
Rep Shuler, Heath [NC-11] - 3/29/2012
Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9] - 2/16/2012
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] - 3/19/2012
Rep Smith, Adrian [NE-3] - 3/8/2012
Rep Stearns, Cliff [FL-6] - 1/31/2012
Rep Stivers, Steve [OH-15] - 3/29/2012
Rep Sullivan, John [OK-1] - 1/18/2012
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 11/30/2011
Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-1] - 11/30/2011
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 3/19/2012
Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] - 2/1/2012
Rep Upton, Fred [MI-6] - 11/30/2011
Rep Walberg, Tim [MI-7] - 12/16/2011
Rep Walden, Greg [OR-2] - 11/30/2011
Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [GA-3] - 11/30/2011
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 3/29/2012
Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1] - 3/1/2012
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 1/25/2012
Rep Woodall, Rob [GA-7] - 3/29/2012
Rep Yoder, Kevin [KS-3] - 12/8/2011
Source: The Library of Congress Thomas site (URL http://thomas.loc.gov)
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Wow. Even Norm Dicks way out here on the coast. The elites must be expecting trouble.
As I read this list, they are all Dicks. Well, perhaps not Bachmann.
>>joshuafalchion wrote: "Who the hell is sponsoring this bill? And what organization is behind them?"<<
"PuffinThrush" posted the bill sponsors. Here are the companies that support the bill (not a complete list!):
CISPA supporters list: 800+ companies that could help Uncle Sam snag your data
http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/cispa-supporters-list-800-companies-that-could-help-uncle-sam-snag-your-data
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The sponsor, cosponsors, other information about the bill, and text of the bill can be found at the Library of Congress Thomas site (URL http://thomas.loc.gov) by searching for "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act".
The bill isn't very long.
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H.R.3523 -- Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011 (Introduced in House - IH)
HR 3523 IH
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3523
To provide for the sharing of certain cyber threat intelligence and cyber threat information between the intelligence community and cybersecurity entities, and for other purposes.
Source: The Library of Congress Thomas site (URL http://thomas.loc.gov)
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As if the intelligence community and "cyber security entities" haven't been doing this already. Maybe Barack Obama will explain how he interprets the phrase "and for other purposes" in a signing statement when he signs the bill.
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I thought this was already in place? Recent news has been full of the Wired article on the new NSA mega-facility in Utah which scans and archives all digital communications.
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Seems the National Security State does something and then gets Congress to approve it later.
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Good story! But a thought occurs.
Would a privatized, contracted out version of Orwellian 1984 be any better than the government one which this story inveighs against? Just a question!
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Better? IMHO no.
Besides the contracting out is already happening.
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I think it's high time that people started paying attention to CISPA, which many bloggers say could be worse than SOPA and PIPA. The most worrying fact is that while SOPA and PIPA faced opposition from tech companies, CISPA seems to have enough support, and that would make fighting this particular bill all the more difficult! The empire is like a monstrous machine, moving relentlessly, and often by stealth. Now it's near the last line of defense for ordinary people all over the world!
Even worse than SOPA: New CISPA cybersecurity bill will censor the Web
http://rt.com/usa/news/cispa-bill-sopa-internet-175
Facebook defends CISPA while pledging not to share more data:
The proposed bill would give law enforcement new powers over the Internet. Facebook says not to worry.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57413960-93/facebook-defends-cispa-while-pledging-not-to-share-more-data
CISPA supporters list: 800+ companies that could help Uncle Sam snag your data
http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/cispa-supporters-list-800-companies-that-could-help-uncle-sam-snag-your-data
Check out the companies on the list (not complete!) that support CISPA!