What if the internet is shut down at the start of the Iran aggression?

[hang a left]

I wonder if there will be a false flag terror attack in the US first causing mass hysteria and confusion??

How will those of us who will know WHO is responsible be able to communicate??

I could not go through that without DU.

Imagine only having FOX and CNN to tell us what is going on??

[napi21]

1. OH GOD! I'd freak without my internet connection!

Don't even hint at that possibility!

[RagingInMiami]

2. Don't give them any ideas

But I think there is too much money that is exchanged via the internet for them to ever shut it down.

[LiberalVoice]

3. The world economy couldnt withstand the shock of americans...

...not being able to access the internet.

[hang a left]

6. What about CERTAIN sites

like DU and other lefty sites??

[LiberalVoice]

11. Then we'll have a problem.

And by we I mean them.

[longship]

4. Internet views censorship as damage and routes around it

In the US, it would be very difficult to control the Internet. Even in China, where there is a total police state, Net users have succeeded in routing around the censorship.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. Maybe all us keyboard warriors would actually get out on the

streets and DO something about it.

There are times when I wonders if the venting done online might tend to diffuse the passion that makes activists. There hasn't been an anti-war rally here in I don't know how long -- and I spend a couple hours a day online, but I haven't made any protests happen.

How was it done in the days before the internet?

[Selatius]

7. You can't shut down the "internet" in any realistic sense

If you could cut power to every computer server on the planet, you could do that, but all the computer servers and infrastructure that makes the internet possible is not necessarily located on US soil to be shut down by the authorities.

[Freedom_Aflaim]

9. Yes and NO

Contrary to popular belief shutting down the Internet would not be that difficult.

Touching millions of servers would be futile, however the Internet is composed of less than 100 critical connection points in the US.

100 or less teams of jackbooted thugs raiding these "connection points" and shutting down power would effectively end the Internet in the US.

http://cryptome.org/maee-birdseye.htm Is an example of the largest of these connection points, or NAPs as they are called. Shutting down power to this one building would have a massive impact on the Northeast and ripple effects through the US (and world).

In fact, if the the largest 10 or 12 points were shutdown, it would proably blackout the Internet for about 80% of the US.

Nonetheless, it won't happen as it would be counter productive to Bush's schemes. Shutting down the Internet would destroy commerce and hurt the pocket books of Bush and his closest friends.

[Freedom_Aflaim]

8. What if all the Gas stations are closed

What if the Power companys are shutdown?

What if the all the banks are closed?

A million things could happen, but shutting down the internet is about as likely as my examples above.

Shutting down the Internet would destroy the economy and would do far more (economic)damage than Pearl Harbor or 9/11

See here is the thing. Bush doesnt really care if folks have him figured out. He is going to do what he is going to do and a million lines of Internet chat will not change that.

However shutting down the Internet would have a MASSIVE impact on commerce and Industry and THAT would affect Bush's pocketbook..and thats why he won't do it.

As I said, bush doesnt care if we know. Look how much MIHOP/LIHOP is discussed quite openly and it hasnt done squat.

[seriousstan]

10. My tinfoil stock would go through the ROOF!!!

[Behind the Aegis]

12. LMAO!

[OneBlueSky]

13. too much business is transacted via the internet to shut it down . . .

doing so would have a huge negative impact on the US and world economies . . .

simply not a viable option no matter how much BushCo might wish it were . . .

[MadHound]

14. Calm down and don't worry

If the internet is shut down or censored, us oldtimers know how to get the word out without using the computer. Underground newspapers, leaflets, pamphlets, etc. etc. Yes, it will be a bit slower, but it was effective in helping stop one war, and it will work again.

[MrBenchley]

15. Where will the anti-Hillary posters dogpile?

WHO will sit around pissing and moaning about the DLC?

I know I can't imagine going through the day without hearing from the tinfoil hat crowd how doomed the Democrats are....

"How will those of us who will know WHO is responsible be able to communicate??"
Here's a tip--flap your lips and make wind go through your voice box.

[Ken Burch]

16. The party is winning because of the mobilization of progressives

None of this vindicates the "don't attack, don't have ideas" strategy.

Democrats are winning because the country is rejecting conservatism. Deal with it.

You centrists haven't done a damn thing to make this happen.