Allegged Terrorist Links to Piracy (moved from ATSNN)

The Homeland Security committee of the Senate heard testimony from John Stedman hinting of an association between intellectual property crime and terrorist organizations. As well, this testimony comes in some proximity to an introduction of a bill for stricter copyright policies to Congress. The testimony brought forth is considered circumstantial and does necessitate a relationship between piracy and terrorist organizations.



In this day of corporate-dominated government policy and fear-mongering, we inevitably see the two intertwine. This instance has taken the form of RIAA legislation being influenced by charges of terroristic piracy. But, how exactly would a terrorist group make money off of pirating software? They could sell pirated software of course, but the amount of money to be made would be minimal. I also wonder the exact nature of this piracy. This article leaves many questions unanswered, but as CNET stated so truthfully, terrorism is the trump card in US politics.

Oh for sure, a bunch of kids copying some game or a movie are a bunch of terrorists...how convinient.
The phrase "you do as i say, or youre a terrorist" comes to mind

I keep saying the same thing..having all these special laws to combat terrorism is fine, so long as you're not a terrorist. Problem is, they keep expanding the meaning of terrorist, day by day, to include more and more people.

You might wake up tommorow to find out you're a terrorist too.

I'm a terrorist, because I gather news. That makes me a terrorist. Oh, and I believe in freedom of information too, so that makes me a terrorist, but like, x2...

I think justice is only just when it treats us all equally. I know I'm not alone on that hill...

Just calling someone a terrorist changes the whole due process concept into parody...

So be careful of jumping on the 'let's get us some terrorists' bandwagon, because one day you might be the terrorist, in the eyes of your 'betters.'

Justice, law, two of the most beautiful human concepts. Unfortunately, like all great philosophies, they looked a lot better on paper...

It always falls apart in the implementation, doesn't it?

It is a crime that I am not surprised by this. Corporate interests using "terrorism" to adjust bottom lines are molding America like clay and it's too late to do anything about it.

Each and every citizen in America is disenfranchised.

Zip

I sense a very chilling trend here.

Patriot Act II goes before review this week? With a Republican majority in congress, its passage stands a good chance.

The Bush Administration begins to shift and re-define its anti-terrorist focus from the Global War On Terrorism to what it terms "Violent Extremism"; while the FBI claims that "radical extremists" within the US itself pose a greater immediate threat to the security of the Nation than international terrorist organizations such as Al-Quieda.

The FBI seeks to aquire the capability to seize personal and busines records without a formal warrent, and seeks to aquire access to ISP records, pressumably, again without a warrant.

Finally, an official of a major metropolitan police force testifies before a Sentate committee that file-sharing may be supporting terrorist organizations!

How soon will it be before the Government shuts down public acces to the Internet? How soon will anyone cuaght using the web without permission be arrested and "disappeared" as an "Enemy Combatant"?