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Title: Congress Wants To Monitor All E-Mails, IMs, Etc.
Source:
Crooks & Liars
URL Source: http://crooksandliars.com/
Published: Feb 12, 2007
Author: Crooks & Liars
Post Date: 2007-02-12 21:11:31 by Zipporah
Keywords: None
Views: 400
Comments: 33
The Agonist: A bill introduced last week by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) is beginning to raise eyebrows. [It] would require ISPs to record all users' surfing activity, IM conversations and email traffic indefinitely. The bill, dubbed the Safety Act by sponsor Lamar Smith, a republican congressman from Texas, would impose fines and a prison term of one year on ISPs which failed to keep full records. (emphasis mine) This is a terrifying development and it must be stopped before it gains any significant momentum. Background, Action items and contact information below the fold. Under the guise of reducing child pornography, the SAFETY (Stopping Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Today's Youth Act) Act is currently the gravest threat to digital privacy rights on the Internet. Given the increasing tendency of people, especially young people, to use the Internet as a primary means of communications, this measure would effect nearly all Americans in ways we are only beginning to understand. Also, given the fact that the Act requires all Internet Service Providers to record the web surfing activity of all Internet users, this amounts to the warrantless wiretapping of the entire Internet. Does this worry you? Good. It should. If this continues, it is an OUTRAGEOUS violation of our privacy and civil liberties. Read the full article and start contacting people immediately. Contact list at the bottom of the article.
Poster Comment: Ruh roh :P
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 32.
#4. To: Zipporah, TEXANS UNITE (#0)
[It] would require ISPs to record all users' surfing activity, IM conversations and email traffic indefinitely. How many more kicks in the face will we take before we fight back.
How the hell can we fight this shit? Voting does not work. Letters and calls do not work. Bitching in the face the people that are sent to DC does not work....
That's not what I had in mind. I know those don't work. This jackass needs 10,000 thousand people literally dragging his ass out into the street and scaring the living shit out of him. [That's more than the size of Austin's finest and the loca DPS and the county yokals all put together. It's time for some late 18th century style tar and feathering.
nothing short of a V for Vendetta scenario will stop this juggernaut..it would literally take millions and millions of us.
I'm thinkin' there's only about 250,000 of "us" in the whole country...tops.
Enter Screen Names of recipients separated by commas or semicolons. 250,001 if you count me. And I was in Denver at the Capitol attending a Senate hearing on a bill of interest all day today. Talking to my lobby friends and letting the Senators I know I am there. I was named division leader of six precients here a few weeks ago, and a member of the Orwellian "Central Commitee" of the county that I live in. What's my point? Not sure either. But I am trying to work within the system - and outside of it as a rebel. I'll tell you this. From what I know - a smalll group a dedicated folks could pretty much, if not take control, but dramatically impact, the county political system that I see, and it really wouldn't be all that difficult. Might take a year or so. In six weeks any intelligent small organization with a few $$ can easily get on the speed dial of a state representative or senator. Apathy is the best friend of the status quo. And it can be the best friend of an unapathetic organization.
I agree with you, tom007. I write and fax letters to my congresscritters, picking my battles of course so as not to appear to be a chronic complainer. Election year is around the corner and one of my senators and my house rep, are up for re-election and the house rep is looking a little wobbly because he's voted party lines 100 % of the time well except when he's absent. Nowadays both he and the senator respond to me with nice almost personal letters within 3-4 days - the house rep responds the fastest ( wobblier) and the senator not too much later ( less wobbly but not 100% popular). The senator who was re-elected in November does not respond at all - how's that for chutzpah? So the next 2 years, I recommend all of you to contact your critters who are up for re-election. Though incumbency is a major advantage for them, they love their power and even if there is a 2% chance they will not get re-elected, that 2% keeps them up at night if they get numerous well written complaint letters - make sure your friends and neighbors write letters too. These DC gazelles know they are "ordinary"in real life without the limousines and perks from power - they don't want to end up "ordinary" again anytime soon.
#33. To: scrapper2 (#32)
They listen MUCH better as the election gets closer. If it is a state rep/senator, having a neighborhood "meet the candidate" night at your house can endear you to him.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestA bill introduced last week by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) is beginning to raise eyebrows.
This sob needs to be dragged out of his freeking office for a public street trial.
#16. To: IndieTX (#4)
How many more kicks in the face will we take before we fight back.
#17. To: Pepper, christine (#16)
Voting does not work. Letters and calls do not work. Bitching in the face the people that are sent to DC does not work....
#20. To: IndieTX, Pepper (#17)
#21. To: christine (#20)
..it would literally take millions and millions of us.
#24. To: Esso, tommythemad artist, diana, robin, (#21)
'm thinkin' there's only about 250,000 of "us" in the whole country...tops.
#32. To: tom007 (#24)
Apathy is the best friend of the status quo. And it can be the best friend of an unapathetic organization.
Replies to Comment # 32. So the next 2 years, I recommend all of you to contact your critters who are up for re-election.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 32.