1984 in 2013

   Ever heard of the SOPA? How about the PIPA? Well don't worry because now we have the CISPA! Yes folks, the government has done it again! According to this news article, the government is trying to traffic the internet. And to think that government is suppose to serve its people. Tsk.

 

       This news article basically informs us that this bill will allow corporations/companies to cyber-attack each other and individuals, risk free. They have access and can alter your personal information (ex. They require you to state your Facebook password.). No warrant? No problem. This act will protect the companies from getting sued. They will make sure we don't find out about it until it's too late.

 

       Even though the bill seems ridiculous trough common knowledge, I can't believe the House of Representatives let this bill pass with an overwhelming vote of 288-127! What do these old, rich, white folks know about the internet anyways? At least the Senate gave us some closure by stating that they will not vote on the bill...for now. But when worse comes to worst, I hope that the President will back us up. The White House better veto this bill or else the Obama Nation will just become an abomination. I know for a fact now that our rights to privacy is not protected by any of the amendments but the government shouldn't cross the line by playing "Big Brother." It's during times like these where I wished that they created a "midterm reelection" for the rebellious politicians who get out of hand.

 

       What worries me the most is the fact that this situation might already have a fixed outcome. This idea was sprung by the government's move in building the Utah Data Center. This data center can store up to 5 zettabyte! And if you don't know how much that is,"in theory it could store every email, cell phone call, Google search, and surveillance video in America for a very long time." So when will this facility be up and running? It is estimated that this facility will be finished this year. 2013. 

 

      Why even create this bill you ask? "Advocates argue that such information sharing is required to ward off attacks in real time."  I'm assuming that this has to do with the infamous Chinese hackers. But seriously, if the problem is the incompetency of creating a virtually "hack free" system, why take it out on the masses?! Why not divert the effort to research more ways of creating a firewall instead of micro-monitoring the cyberspace. In addition, if this is the government's effort to preventing terrorist attacks, I don't think that it's worth the trouble.  I'm sure those sneaky bastards will find other means of communication anyways.

No pocket knifes today keeps the terrorist away!

      My colleague posted a commentary in their blog about the fact that TSA made a mistake on allowing pocket knifes on planes. To this I can agree. Although pocket knifes are useful during a survival situation, when we are in the comfort of a plane cabin, I do not see the use for them. When TSA uses the "if we allow pocket knifes, we can spend more time worrying over more important matters" reasoning, I think they are being illogical. By placing this restriction, TSA personnel must examine these knives to see if they qualify the requirements. To me, it seems like this would consume more time than just banning it in first place! All they have to do is find the item, confiscate, and throw. Instead of: find the item, measure its exact dimensions, make sure it meets guidelines, then either return it if it does or throw it away if it doesn't. Have fun waiting in line as the security officer whips out his ruler to measure the knife of the douche-bag in front of you. Isn't that the only way to make sure that the knife is exactly 2.36 inches? COUNT. ME. OUT. Lines are long enough as it is, please don't make our lives harder.

 

      In addition, I also agree with Ale on the fact that "there is always the risk of misuse for a blade." Especially when there is unlimited duty free alcohol that is served in a plane. When combined, a pocket knife and alcohol could heighten the chances for disaster. A borderline lunatic might get the courage to preform the crime of his dreams. I mean, all you have to do is sharpen the dull blade, duct tape the thing up to create a lock, and voila! A makeshift weapon! Stab somebody in the throat during an international flight and you might have a chance in killing them. A good example of this would be the story of the student who stabbed his colleges with an X-acto knife like object and managed to wound them pretty well. (Is ammo shortage is getting pretty critical to the point that one has to think of other methods to commit a crime?) I guess we really do "have to look out for the little things that have the potential to become a big issue." These regulations should have not been approved in the first place. This small pocket knife is no match for the airplane but to us it is a threat to both our mental and physical well-being. Not looking forward to April 25. NOT. AT. ALL. What do you think? Am I just  the only one that's being too paranoid?