Another Disgusting Power Grab By The Bush Regime
In another power grab orchestrated by the Bush Regime, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez has announced a push to require ISPs to maintain records of all sites a user may access while online. A particular quote of interest from the article included:
Mr Gonzales also said that he is also investigating ways to ensure that ISPs retain records of a user’s web activities to track down offenders.
“The investigation and prosecution of child predators depends critically on the availability of evidence that is often in the hands of internet service providers,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the failure of some internet service providers to keep records has hampered our ability to conduct investigations in this area.”
I guess the terrorism excuse is not playing well anymore, so they needed a new ‘boogey man’ that tests well with the focus groups.
No one can deny that child pornography is sick and disgusting, but to use it to justify a blatant power grab and a gross invasion of privacy of all Internet users is equally disgusting.
You cannot shortcut a good investigation by law enforcement. The basic premise of law in the US does not mandate that private industry maintain a paper trail on every citizen to be produced upon request of the government. The burden of proof is on the prosecution for a reason . . . we shouldn’t make their job any easier.
If this law passes, ISPs would be required to maintain records of your online activities in the event that you are suspected of participating in the trade and distribution of child pornography.
Now in the age of the Bush regime, where a court order is no longer ‘required’ to procure data under the guise of national security, there are no safeguards to protect ordinary citizens from spying by the government.
In other words, there’s no one guarding the hen house . . . and the chicken hawks are circling outside.
