By: Arlen Williams
Gulag Bound
Firstly, “White House legislation;” what’s wrong with that picture? Well, that’s not so uncommon (except in the Obama administration, where he usually hides behind Congress, while his comrades type and type and type). Anyway…
I remember reading a comment in a forum or somesuch, in maybe the Spring of 2008. Maybe it was in FreeRepublic.com. The commentator asserted that Barack Obama was not a liberal; rather he was an authoritarian Marxist. That was one of those “consciousness raisers,” that year.
Consciousness raiser… by Occam’s Razor, what concerns does this news evoke, about the Obama Administration and our progressives in Congress?
It comes to mind again seeing this, at Federal News Radio.
White House draft bill expands DHS cyber responsibilities
April 14, 2011 – 4:08pm
WFED’s Jason Miller on the Federal DriveBy Jason Miller
Executive Editor
Federal News RadioUnder a White House plan, the Homeland Security Department will have far-reaching oversight over all civilian agency computer networks.
The proposal would codify much of the administration’s memo from July 2010 expanding DHS’s cyber responsibilities for civilian networks.
The White House, however, is taking those responsibilities further, according to a source familiar with the document. The administration drafted a legislative proposal to give DHS many, if not all, of the same authorities for the .gov networks that the Defense Department has for the .mil networks.
Federal News Radio recently viewed a draft copy of the legislative proposal.
“I have to question why the Executive branch is writing legislation,” said the source, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about it. “This is not a proposal or white paper like the White House usually sends to Capitol Hill. This is the actual legislation.”
The source said the 100-page document is going through interagency review. DHS sent the document around to agencies late last Friday and asked for comments by Monday. The source said few agencies had time to take a hard look at the document, especially in light of the possible government shutdown.
Sources on Capitol Hill and in government confirmed the White House is working on such a proposal.
A DHS spokesman said the agency doesn’t comment on pending legislation.
Incorporates Senate cyber bill, OMB memo
The bill would bring together legislative proposals by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Tom Carper (D-Del.), as well as Office of Management and Budget’s memo from July 2010 expanding DHS’s authorities.
The anonymous DC source also introduces the “Google provision,” which would establish vaguely drafted national controls over whose servers may store .gov sites. The report further states, this legislation broadens RICO standards in the prosecution of private actions deemed cyber crimes.
So, here is another piece of legislation that requires high intensity light.
Cass Sunstein, so lauded by progressive on both sides of the Congressional aisles, also comes to mind.