SOPA failed to pass last year because of a MASSIVE internet uproar that made it so politically toxic, even co-authors pulled their support.

This time, John Boehner‘s House Intelligence Committee is doing a good job of keeping it’s successor, CISPA, very quiet — and indeed, passing it with as little noise as possible.

Passing in a vote of 18-2 in the House Intelligence Committee, one of the dissenters to the bill, Rep. Jan Schakowski (D-IL) specifically voted against it, because she wished to attach riders to the bill that, among other things:

Rep. Jan Schakowski (D-IL)

“…would have strengthened privacy protections, ensured that consumers can hold companies accountable for misuse of their private information, required that companies report cyber threat information directly to civilian agencies…  I strongly agree with the need to enact effective cyber-security legislation… but this bill doesn’t sufficiently protect individual privacy rights.”

When she proposed these amendments above, she was overruled in Committe, saying that the amendments were not acceptable.  Moreover — the bill amends the National Security Act of 1947, a law that, while arguably, needs constant “boning up,” to keep the law up to date with those who would go “around the law” to harm American citizens.

If this is such a horrible problem — particularly with American citizens, why is a warrant unnecessary?  Why are your browsing histories, your private email, and your other digital rights now any less meaningful than your other privacy rights?

Law Enforcement needs a warrant to enter your home… and right now, Law Enforcement needs a warrant to access your private documents, browsing history, and your other private digital information.  CISPA, essentially says, “no longer necessary.”

I find this highly disturbing.  Does anybody else?  If you’re as disturbed by this as I am, call your members of Congress, both the Senate AND the House — and demand a NO vote on this nonsense.

Personally, I think they don’t get to play with privacy rights on the internet until they fix… oh, I don’t know… THE DEFICIT?  Maybe the Fiscal Cliff disaster, too?

A good video with further information -> The Young Turks – 12 April 2013: “What Privacy?  CISPA Passes in Closed Door Vote.”

Related articles

• CISPA, stripped of privacy protections, heads for House vote (rt.com)
• CISPA Passes Committee, Advances to House Vote (mashable.com)
• CLOSED-DOOR VOTE RESULTS IN CISPA MOVING TO HOUSE … Again (secretsofthefed.com)
• CISPA Debate Will Happen Behind Closed Doors (leaksource.wordpress.com)
• CISPA Moves to House After Intelligence Committee Closed-Door Vote (leaksource.wordpress.com)
• Privacy protections booted from CISPA data-sharing bill (blacklistednews.com)
• White House statement suggests it will veto new CISPA bill (electronista.com)
• Amended CISPA moves to House after closed-door vote (rt.com)
• CISPA Cyber Security Bill Moves Forward, IRS Says no Warrant Needed for Email Access (intellihub.com)