The Little Brown Reader

Ashcroft: KEEP BIG BROTHER'S HANDS OFF THE INTERNET

I only read the beginning of this and scanned the rest. The irony was too thick -- it was choking up my brain.

This is not a joke article, as much as it might seem so.

KEEP BIG BROTHER'S HANDS OFF THE INTERNET

By Senator John Ashcroft

Republican, Missouri
Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce and Tourism

[Senator Ashcroft takes issue with administration views on the Internet
and the use of encryption technology.]

Excerpt:

The Clinton administration would like the Federal government to have the capability to read any international or domestic computer communications. The FBI wants access to decode, digest, and discuss financial transactions, personal e-mail, and proprietary information sent abroad -- all in the name of national security. To accomplish this, President Clinton would like government agencies to have the keys for decoding all exported U.S. software and Internet communications.

There is a concern that the Internet could be used to commit crimes and that advanced encryption could disguise such activity. However, we do not provide the government with phone jacks outside our homes for unlimited wiretaps. Why, then, should we grant government the Orwellian capability to listen at will and in real time to our communications across the Web?

Why indeed, Senator?

Read the whole hypocritical thing here.

Read It Rating: 5.5
Left/Right Rating: R?
Freedom Rating: ?
Learning Percentage: 40%