On Thu, 09 Mar 2000 16:53:51 -0700 Tim <weavert@PRIMENET.COM> writes: I can't imagine that Reno doesn't know about Wyatt Earpp's reputation in Arizona...(for those not in the know...he was as much a criminal as he was a lawman...NOT like you see in the movies). The way the Federal Baby Incincerators operate these days, I think she MUST know...
http://www.vny.com/cf/News/upidetail.cfm?QID=70019
Thursday, 9 March 2000 12:00 (ET)
Officials target 'Net law enforcement
By MICHAEL KIRKLAND
WASHINGTON, March 9 (UPI) -- A new administration report on Internet crime released Thursday says cyberspace should be treated just like the real world when it comes to law enforcement and prosecution of criminals.
(edit: Does this mean that there is selective enforcement and un equal applicability of the law, contrary to the 14 Amendment?. Gary)
The administration is trying to counteract what it considers the prevailing ethos among many users of the Internet, that the laws of the "physical world" do not always apply "in the wild" of cyberspace.
Attorney General Janet Reno, who joined other officials in releasing the report at the Justice Department, cited credit card fraud and hacker attacks on Web sites. Even the "Wild West had Wyatt Earp" to enforce the law, shesaid.
But officials also made it clear they do not want to blunt the vitality of the Internet with a too heavy hand from government.
(Edit: They can't get as much tax revenue from it then. Gary)
"We absolutely must do this right," said Commerce Secretary William Daily. "People must trust the Internet." (edit: Yeah, like we trust the gvt!. Gary) Daily insisted that there was no need for new laws to punish cyber-crime. (edit: Just like the gun laws. Gary) "In most cases, our (existing) laws do work," he said, adding that there is a need to apply more resources (Edit: read MONEY. Gary) to the problem, but it should be done in a way that is "not harmful to the Internet." (edit: In other words, we don't want to kill the golden goose. Gary)
The commerce secretary said administration policy is to "let business lead the way" in setting new safety guidelines for the World Wide Web. "We don't want them (e-commerce companies) to be online cops," Daily said, "we want them to be online Neighborhood Watch groups."
Joining Daily and Reno in releasing the report, American Online assistant general counsel John Ryan said the new report and its recommendations provide "a framework for dialogue" between the private and public sectors, not hard and fast rules.
Ryan said existing federal law, such as the Privacy Act, must provide adequate safeguards for consumer privacy. "The growth of the medium depends on consumer trust and confidence," he added.
(edit: See last edit about trust. Gary)
President Clinton ordered that the report, "The Electronic Frontier: The challenge of unlawful conduct involving he use of the Internet," last August.
The report has three principal recommendations.
First, that cyber-space be treated like the real world when it comes to crime. In the government-speak of the report, official policy should ensure "that online conduct is treated in a manner consistent with the way offline conduct is treated, in a technology neutral manner, and in a manner that accounts for important societal interests such as privacy and protection of civil liberties."
Second, that law enforcement should meet the "significant" nw challenges of the Internet with new training, resources, investigative tools and cooperation among the federal, state and local levels. (edit: read, more Fed power. Gary)
And third, government must support "private sector leadership" in the development of "cyberethics," new technological tools and consumer support to combat crime on the Internet. Again, in government-speak, the federal government must foster private-sector initiatives that "educate and empower Internet users to prevent and minimize the risks of unlawful activity." (edit: Gee, I thought that is why citizens carried guns in the real world.Gary)
Reno said she would be holding conferences on both coasts this year to further define law enforcement's approach to the Internet.
(edit: Typical, the middle fo the country doesn't count in these people's minds. Gary)
Daily said the issue is important because almost everyone's life is now affected by the computer world. "A few years ago it was up to you whethe you wanted to play in the Internet," he said. "Today, you don't have a choice. You're in there."
Copyright 2000 by United Press International. All rights reserved
Editorial comments.
a) Am I getting too cynical???
b) Does anyone else see parallels with firearms laws?
c) Does anyone believe this?