29th August 2009, 12:26 PM
I don't think I'm being naive, and I don't think this is a bad law. Honestly, if the government were to routinely take control of the internet for no legitimate reason, the American people would respond with mass outrage and dissent. That's one thing the Americans do best - no other nation cares about and defends its personal freedoms more passionately than the USA, but sometimes this passion toes the line of paranoia and irrationality (see: "Nazi Health Care," "Death Panels," insane town hall meetings). If personal liberties were encroached upon so severly by the government, that government would be swiftly voted out of office. And that's something the Obama administration is definitely aware of, from a survival standpoint if nothing else. I think the greatest check on power is the will of the American people, but it definitely does not mean that all government power is harmful. I personally can't think of a situation of "cyberterror" that would necessitate the government to assume control of the internet. I can't predict the future. But who knows, maybe someday such a situaion might arise. I hope not, though.