Now That Our Civil Liberties Are Safe Again

Now that the Reign of Witches has passed over, the Times can front-page a story with massive civil liberties implications and no one will care:

U.S. Steps Up Effort on Digital Defenses

By DAVID E. SANGER, JOHN MARKOFF and THOM SHANKER

This article was reported by David E. Sanger, John Markoff and Thom Shanker and written by Mr. Sanger.

When American forces in Iraq wanted to lure members of Al Qaeda into a trap, they hacked into one of the group’s computers and altered information that drove them into American gun sights.

When President George W. Bush ordered new ways to slow Iran’s progress toward a nuclear bomb last year, he approved a plan for an experimental covert program — its results still unclear — to bore into their computers and undermine the project.

And the Pentagon has commissioned military contractors to develop a highly classified replica of the Internet of the future. The goal is to simulate what it would take for adversaries to shut down the country’s power stations, telecommunications and aviation systems, or freeze the financial markets — in an effort to build better defenses against such attacks, as well as a new generation of online weapons.

Just as the invention of the atomic bomb changed warfare and deterrence 64 years ago, a new international race has begun to develop cyberweapons and systems to protect against them.

Not all of the Intertubes are overseas:

So far, however, there are no broad authorizations for American forces to engage in cyberwar. The invasion of the Qaeda computer in Iraq several years ago and the covert activity in Iran were each individually authorized by Mr. Bush. When he issued a set of classified presidential orders in January 2008 to organize and improve America’s online defenses, the administration could not agree on how to write the authorization.

A principal architect of that order said the issue had been passed on to the next president, in part because of the complexities of cyberwar operations that, by necessity, would most likely be conducted on both domestic and foreign Internet sites. After the controversy surrounding domestic spying, Mr. Bush’s aides concluded, the Bush White House did not have the credibility or the political capital to deal with the subject.

And what sort of capabilities are under review?

The most exotic innovations under consideration would enable a Pentagon programmer to surreptitiously enter a computer server in Russia or China, for example, and destroy a “botnet” — a potentially destructive program that commandeers infected machines into a vast network that can be clandestinely controlled — before it could be unleashed in the United States.

Or American intelligence agencies could activate malicious code that is secretly embedded on computer chips when they are manufactured, enabling the United States to take command of an enemy’s computers by remote control over the Internet. That, of course, is exactly the kind of attack officials fear could be launched on American targets, often through Chinese-made chips or computer servers.

Oh, well - as long as its only Russian or Chinese computers, and as long as these secret chips are only deployed overseas, its all good.

I'm not thrilled that the Times is reporting on (and leading with) our successful hacking of Al Qaeda, but maybe we tortured their PC or something.  As to the rest - as we approach lunchtime this story has scored a zero at Memeorandum.

Comments

[clarice]

This is a topic for CHACOMAN

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I guess since I've only been doing this stuff for 25 years or so, I'm less surprised than the Times. But yeah, there is a DoD effort directed at computer security on one hand -- thus the simulated Internet test bed, and be glad some damn fool didn't figure they could just test on the regular net -- and on figuring out how to attack adversary computers on the other.

Next?

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Sorry, Clarice, I tried to get there faster.

[Harrison]

Just wait until we get that "smart" power network that Obama keeps talking about that can be hacked.

[narciso]

WTH, I'm refraining from using stronger language, they leak planning of operations against Iran and AQ, so when these folks do conduct a cyber attack, they'll have a pretext. they terrorize innocentbystanders in Lower Manhattan, and torment soldiers and aggressively minded intelligence
officers; What's the part that begins "When in the Course of Human Events.

[Thomas Collins]

What is the position on this of the soon to be former RINO and new Dem (see LUN)?

[matt]

Can we get a digital defense against that dirtbag Spectre? He has been a scumbag since he was first elected DA in Philadelphia 40 years ago. Arlen is out strictly for Arlen.

[Pofarmer]

I'm not thrilled that the Times is reporting on (and leading with) our successful hacking of Al Qaeda,M

We might as well just unlock the doors to Langley and walk away.

[Mike Huggins]

Whew, Am I glad that we got those CTU computers back on line!

@4 was truly a craptacular, leftwing wet-dream fantasy last night. Ooh, we're all gonna die because the rightwing Blackwater military industrial complex is going to set up poor pitiful Islamists as the bad guys, while they're merrily killing thousands of American citizens, for more power and influence, or something. Where's Jaffleck Ryan?

And hearing Barfolo blabbing about the constitution (Or was it the Bill of Rights?) gave me a wave of nausea. Bring on the "Mars Attacks" aliens.

[Mike Huggins]

Sigh... @4 = 24.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

What?

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Ah.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

We might as well just unlock the doors to Langley and walk away.

We should be so lucky.

[PDinDetroit]

Best Idiot Comment Of The Day @ the Times Article:

Wouldn't it be easier - and cheaper - if we just learned how to get along with each other? I'm just saying...

— Stephen Reichard, Portland

Yeah, that sounds like it would work REAL Well. Even worse, 25 people recommended that comment.

What the hell will it take to wake people up about the Dangers in the REAL World?

[PDinDetroit]

Slightly OT - text from an email I received this morning...

I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, the wars, jobs, Savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc......

I called Lifeline.

Got a freakin' call center in Pakistan!

I told them I was suicidal...

They all got excited and asked if I could drive a truck...

[Extraneus]

Awake or not, do you think that fool or his recommenders would even fight a head-chopper, PD? Millions would probably just go quietly.

[Extraneus]

And good riddance to Specter. He just chickening out against running in the primary vs. Toomey. I bet Toomey beats his ass in 2010 either way.

[Pofarmer]

What is the position on this of the soon to be former RINO and new Dem

Isn't it kind of a Jihadi tradition to always switch side to the perceived strong horse?

What the hell will it take to wake people up about the Dangers in the REAL World?

More attacks, unfortunately. Even then, some won't get it, but they'll be told to sit down and shut up if it gets bad enough.

[Captain Hate]

Best Idiot Comment Of The Day @ the Times Article:

Wouldn't it be easier - and cheaper - if we just learned how to get along with each other? I'm just saying...

— Stephen Reichard, Portland

Portrait of a dhimmi. Some people are just not up to the challenge of freedom.

[Jack is Back!]

You would have to be living in a vacuum for the last 20 years if you couldn't even imagine that the US DoD and other agencies were not developing cyberwar defenses and counter measures. I guess I don't see what it so newsy about this since anyone with a phone, computer or server has to be aware that they are always vulnerable either to viral attacks, hacks, network disruption or botnets. Even AQ and the Taliban know that with each bit of transmitted data (voice or digital) they are being covered. Its the actual technique and usage that is the killer and it doesn't appear that there is any credible information as to that in the article.

[Chris Jamison]

I agree Stephen Reichard of Portland, it would easier and cheaper to just get along. Just send me $1,000.00 and I will be your buddy for life. Oh and the offer stands for any of your other peace loving friends.

[PDinDetroit]

Ex - I hope that people will wake up some day SOON and realize what is going on around them.

Just the eternal optimist in me - the glass is always full, just half-full of air and half-full of water.

[RichatUF]

OT for a bit-

So with Coleman out (and that was a Soros special-too bad Coleman couldn't have had some real Congressional hearings on OFF instead of the pattiecake he played) and Specter switching, yea, the Dems got it to 60 votes. So the Dems have command of the federal bureaucracy, the Obama Administration is to the left of Johnson or Carter, and they have a filibuster proof Senate majority with Congressional Dems and the Administration pushing to use the budget reconcilation process for nationalized healthcare and cap-and-trade.

Very curious that the market hasn't sold off by about a thousand points yet because the jabber that this is going to be like the 91 recession recovery (short and led by healthcare and technology) is getting more difficult to credit by the day. The "good news" is that the Treasury had their $35 billion dollar 5 year bond auction and consumer confidence "surged" to a level not seen since just before Obama was elected president.

[Mickey]

This type of warfare will be very much a part of the landscape going forward. I don't understand why we always get so wrapped up about what we should do and not do. When you are at war or you are providing for your own defense, isn't the objective to win? It is all right that people line up opposite each other and shoot, but we should give a good look on that cyber attack issue.

[PDinDetroit]

Rich - those who are hoping The Obama "pulls" the US out of the current problems are more than just actively "rooting" that he succeeds. They are betting their very future on it.

My brother commented this morning that if Obama cannot do it, then we are in a world of hurt. I told him we already are there and Obama is only going to make it worse.

I now believe that my brother has become a Democrat. My father must be rolling in his grave.

[Cecelia]

"After the controversy surrounding domestic spying, Mr. Bush’s aides concluded, the Bush White House did not have the credibility or the political capital to deal with the subject."

The NYT is so full of it...

[hit and run]

Son, we live in a world that has firewalls and those firewalls need to be configured by men with brains. Who's gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and curse the nerds; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives and that my existence, while socially awkward and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you never invite me to, you want me on that firewall, you need me on that firewall. We use words like gateway, code, encrypt. We use them as the backbone proxy servers of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who logs on and surfs the internet under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you put down your keyboard and stop posting. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

[PDinDetroit]

Hit - that was a great post, makes me want to watch that movie again.

[Jane]

Funny Story (I think)

Arlen Specter switched parties while I was on the radio. The secretary came in and handed me a note. Dick was positively sparkling over the news. Much to his chagrin, so was I.

It was pretty funny.

[clarice]

It is true that we ought not to be forced to watch the defensive sausage making, hit..Can you imagine the calls to surrender if the day by day of WWII had been available online. Imagine ..

[bad]

Wouldn't it be easier - and cheaper - if we just learned how to get along with each other? I'm just saying...

— Stephen Reichard, Portland
======================================

This dimwit probably treats the wait staff poorly and doesn't bother to clean up his dog's poop...

[Mike Huggins]

Wow! Freakin' awesome.

[clarice]

Quit picking on Stephen--get his anme and email addy so Mr PUK and I can approach him with a wonderful business proposition.

[PDinDetroit]

So, the Global Security Group of my company just sent out an email about the Swine Flu Outbreak (don't see emails from this group often). There is quite a bit of information on the Internal Site and they are taking this very seriously.

But, my government told me not to panic and that it is no big deal. They wouldn't lie to me or withhold valuable information, would they?

Who needs hackers when we have Swine Flu to do the work!

[centralcal]

Jane, that is funny!

If we are gonna be in the desert for awhile, then lets purge our system and get rid of Susan and Olympia too.

Susan is already whining to Politico about how the poor "moderates" are so badly treated by the GOP.

Who else needs to go, once and for all? Someone on another blog suggested McCain and his daughter.

[Extraneus]

I'm with you, Jane. Happy to be rid of Specter; let the Dems have him. Never heard a principled word out of the jerk's mouth in all the years of hoping he'd come through on something. Toomey will probably kick his butt in 2010 anyway, and he'll certainly get help from me.

[Jane]

I love Toomey, and Specter makes me want to barf. I hardly think either Specter or Al Frankin are worth crowing about - altho Is suppose next to Nancy Pelosi...

[Charlie (Colorado)]

PD, unless that information included some really dramatic differences from what's been published, "take it seriously" but "don't panic" is about right. I just went through it with someone on my PJM article, and so far, what I'm getting says the death rate in Mexico would have to be 3-4 times what it is right now for it to be statistically significantly worse than regular old flu.

[PDinDetroit]

I guess I forgot the /sarc off tag...

[jimmyk]

On Specter's switch: The average IQ of both parties has now increased.

[PeterUK]

Yes Clarice,FRIENDS FOR LIFE means that for a samall monthly payment members can receive TWELVE FREE EMAILS a year saying,"You're not alone,we love you"
The DELUXE membership includes BIRTHDAY AND SEASONAL wishes.
So STEVE,even before you hit that PAYPAL button.
"WE LOVE YOU".

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

IIRC, (although the recollection is dim) Specter used to be a Dem when he was with the Philadelphia DA's office. His one talent has been counting votes. He understands he couldn't win the Republican primary as he won by only 1% last time and his support from the conservative wing of the party has eroded to almost nothing. Philadelphia won't help much in the Republican primary, and that's where his strength has always been.

Also, unlike Lieberman, he can't win as an independent. The Democrat State and Local machines delight in trouncing him.

In order to stay alive politically (and probably physically), in his eyes, he has to switch.

Specter is an opportunist, but he is also a survivor. As we all know, he is on balance, a liberal, but Reid and Leahy will find him hard to handle. He is a prick(ly) individual.

[centralcal]

I completely agree with this from Jim DeMint:

"DeMint continued: “I would rather have 30 Republicans in the Senate who really believe in principles of limited government, free markets, free people, than to have 60 that don’t have a set of beliefs.”

Also, per the Examiner, there is a "sore loser" law in PA - if you lose your primary, you can't run for the same office as a member of a different party.

[hit and run]

Are they saying that http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/28/despite-reports-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-waterboarded-times/> the NYT and liberal bloggers lied to us?

Shocking!

Despite Reports, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Was Not Waterboarded 183 Times
The number of times Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded was the focus of major media attention -- and highly misleading.

The New York Times reported last week that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, was waterboarded 183 times in one month by CIA interrogators. The "183 times" was widely circulated by news outlets throughout the world.

It was shocking. And it was highly misleading. The number is a vast inflation, according to information from a U.S. official and the testimony of the terrorists themselves.

A U.S. official with knowledge of the interrogation program told FOX News that the much-cited figure represents the number of times water was poured onto Mohammed's face -- not the number of times the CIA applied the simulated-drowning technique on the terror suspect. According to a 2007 Red Cross report, he was subjected a total of "five sessions of ill-treatment."

"The water was poured 183 times -- there were 183 pours," the official explained, adding that "each pour was a matter of seconds."

[sylvia]

I'm glad this topic is getting more attention lately. I've had my suspicions for a while now that there is a lot of cyber monkey business going on in all kinds of areas. For one reason, it's just too easy to do. Some by foreign governments, some perhaps by radical groups. We've heard about messing with the electrical grids, defense departments. I think the other main things to look at is voting and Wall Street, including the commodity markets such as oil. Plus as might be a personal interest here I think the blogs have been invaded, particularly the right blogs, although not as harmful as invading electrical grids perhaps. I think if people start looking and researching we will uncover more and more.