A Senate bill would give the President the authority to shut the internet down in an emergency situation.

"Senate Bill would give the President emergency control of the internet". "A Senate bill would offer President Obama emergency control of the Internet and may give him a "kill switch" to shut down online traffic by seizing private networks -- a move cybersecurity experts worry will choke off industry and civil liberties." Here is the Cnet article, "The White House is supposed to engage in "periodic mapping" of private networks deemed to be critical, and those companies "shall share" requested information with the federal government. ("Cyber" is defined as anything having to do with the Internet, telecommunications, computers, or computer networks.)" This is a major new power of the President. It is coming about because of the nature of the world we live in. There are constant threats from terrorist and nations, such as China and Russia, who are constantly hacking into our government computer system and our nation's computer infrastructure.

"A Senate source familiar with the bill likened the new power to take control of portions of the Internet to what President Bush did when he grounded all aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001, CNET News reported." I agree that something must be done to deal with these new and present threats to our national security. But should the government be given sole authority to deal with this issue? "The bill would also let the government create a detailed set of standards for licensing "cybersecurity professionals" who would oversee a single standard for security measures." I usually don't like government monopolies over essential functions.

'Simply put, who has the expertise?' "he[Cnet] told FOXNews.com in April." 'It's the industry, not the government. We have a responsibility to increase and improve security. That responsibility cannot be captured in a government standard.' " The question is if the government or the private industry or both should be the one to deal with these threats.

Terrorism has forever changed America in terms of the size and scope of government authority and power due to the necessity to combat this new threat, and with other nations attempting to get an advantage over America militarily by attacking our Internet and government computer systems and our nation's infrastructure, I don't have a better word, something does need to be done. I don't necessarily think this new power is a bad thing, but it does show how the current security threats to our nation and the overall nature of the world we live in has increased the government's power and authority, much like it has during other periods of war; but with the new technology present today these war time powers are far more reaching in terms of encroaching on our liberties and freedoms. I am a little concerned that any government and especially the current government would have these powers, especially considering who is running our government. A system necessary to control a society is being set up. This new power coupled with the knowledge of the current government's goal of creating an authoritarian system is worth noting. I am not questioning the reasoning of this particular aspect of this system, something does need to be done to protect us from this threat; but it is irrelevant to the fact that this could be used as a major tool to implement control over our society and that there is an over arching system necessary for control being set up withing our society and government.