08.02.12
The Cyberdefense Shoeshine Boys tour — failed
The Senate’s failure to move forward on a bill to strengthen U.S. computer defenses leaves little chance that Congress can find a compromise this year, as lawmakers turn their attention to November’s election.
The chamber’s Democratic leadership failed yesterday to get the 60 votes needed to force a final vote on the cybersecurity measure before the Senate leaves this week for an August recess. The vote was 52-46, largely along party lines, as most Republicans opposed a bill their leaders called a burden for businesses …
The Republicans’ roadblock was a setback for President Barack Obama’s administration, which tried to build support through a series of briefings for senators on potential dangers of a digital attack on the nation’s infrastructure, including a simulated assault on New York City’s power grid …
Cyber attacks on U.S. computer networks increased 17-fold from 2009 through 2011, General Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency and the U.S. Cyber Command, said last month, citing reports that digital adversaries have stolen $1 trillion of U.S. intellectual property.
Of course, the Republicans didn’t block this for any reason related to the issue of cybersecurity. It was blocked because, y’know, it was the socialist in the White House’s thing.
Oh, hai. No can haz cyberdefense against greatest transfer of wealth in history this year.