Hackers: Uncle Sam Wants You! 590
scraemondaemon writes: "A new TV public service announcement targets U.S. computer hacktivists with a blunt message: Uncle Sam wants you to help fight the war on terrorism. They demonize you and criminalize you and then ask for your help. What's a hacker to do?"
In the famous words of... (Score:4, Funny)
-The Slashdolt
Re:In the famous words of... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:"In the famous words of..." I can see it now (Score:4, Funny)
What's a hacker to do? (Score:2, Insightful)
They demonize you and criminalize you and then ask for your help. What's a hacker to do?"
Be an American and fight for our survival. You think they'd have messed with 767's if they had nukes? This isn't a game.
Agreed (Score:4, Informative)
Be careful (Score:5, Interesting)
The DoD's had it's fair share of smudged histories. Be Alert. Keep your pistol handy.
Yes, you can be useful in combatting terrorism. Just make sure you know where the line is getting drawn and be on the correct side of it.
And realize that some of combatting terrorism may go against projects you've been supporting, like anonymous remailers, strong crypto for everyone, anti-censorship protections, and the elusive set of projects working to enable dissidents in countries such as China to safely communicate with the outside world. These and other tools can also be used by the bad guys, and will no doubt become targets.
Be very careful (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Why Draft doesn't worry me (too much) (Score:5, Insightful)
Ummm, yeah. Right.
Be careful, here. US Marine Corps Boot Camp is 13 weeks, plus anoth 12 weeks of advanced infantry training. That's just over six months, start to finish. Training HVPI's (High Velocity Projective Interceptors) doesn't take three years at all. How is that possible, when the Army has a two-year contract for an Infantry position?
And, as a former Marine, I would state that any "talented computer hacker" who knows nothing about the actual operations of the military would be better off catching bullets than writing bugs.
- Hans
Re:Why Draft doesn't worry me (too much) (Score:5, Informative)
-Jeff
Re:What's a hacker to do? (Score:5, Interesting)
You think they'd have done anything at all if the CIA, through Pakistan's ISI, hadn't trained [globalresearch.ca] them [public-i.org] to be extremists [msnbc.com]? Like you said, this isn't a game - I just wish states and their "intelligence" arms would realize that next time someone involved with them feels like installing a military junta or training "freedom fighters" to "uphold policy". Nations in both East and West are guilty of this, and until these deadly cloak-and-dagger games of subversion and manipulation stop, there will be more incidents involving "blowback," where innocent civilians - like WTC employees, and women in Afghanistan - get caught in the crossfire of others who should know better.
And you wonder why people trust their governments less and less...
Re:What's a hacker to do? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:What's a hacker to do? (Score:3, Informative)
Hah! That's true only insofar as the bases in Saudi Arabia were built for the purpose of attacking Iraq in the Gulf War, which chronologically was after Soviet Union had moved into Afganistan. It was also after Soviet Union had moved out :-) By no means was it a result of the war in Afganistan.
This is exactly what pissed off Osama bin Laden, BTW -- the presence of US troops in the holy land and their continued attacks on Iraq.
Re:What's a hacker to do? (Score:5, Insightful)
Hell yes! The goal of these extremists is to destabalize the US and give their own forces a chance to set up what is essentially a police state across the Muslim world. Think of the Iron Curtain back in the bad old days.
Stratfor.com suggests that bin Laden and his peers feel that they can get the US out of the picture by dragging the US into another Vietnam-esque war, destabalizing the US government as Americans get pissed off once again at the meat grinder war a conventional invasion of Afghanistan would turn out to be.
The reason such an invasion of Afghanistan would be such a pain is because we need to borrow other countries' airspace (if not ground bases). A nuclear attack by these terrorists, on the other hand, would justify a nuclear response by the US on the terrorsits and their sponsor countries (legally if not morally). ICBMs don't need to travel through anybody's airspace but ours and the target's. We might be nice and borrow Pakistan's airspace just long enough to send over B-52s to drop leaflets warning civilians near targets to get out of the way, but that's it.
When it's all over, instead of taking over the Islamic world, there may not be an Islamic world for these people to take over.
These people may be cruel, but they're not stupid. They know they need a US hampered by it's own morality/decadence/sloth (depends on your point of view) than MIRVs raining down on their heads.
Re:What's a hacker to do? (Score:3, Funny)
Rather odd to hear "Che Guevarra" say that, considering he was executed by the CIA in Bolivia in 1967.
question (Score:4, Funny)
Re:question (Score:3, Interesting)
I guess my point is that the government may want to consider a benefit for someone who volunteers their time. I know that the righteous argument is that everyone should want to help/fight for their country, but we all know that this is clearly not the case. If we want the best, we may need to offer something in return
punnery (Score:3, Interesting)
you've won a new car! (Score:5, Insightful)
a trick routinely employed by authorities to catch wanted criminals. they send out a mass mailing to wanted individuals stating they've won something fantastic, and all they have to do is show up to claim it. they show up, and their prize is an all expense stay in levenworth 8-)
of course, i'm sure our government wouldn't do something like this to hackers.
for the motivated, self starter, http://www.shamalbank.com/ is a bank with known bin laden accounts 8-)
not that i'm suggesting anything...
Re:you've won a new car! (Score:5, Informative)
Do you have a black sheep to your family? I do, but he drives fast cars, smokes cigars, and lives alone. He isn't a rich raving lunatic with a chip on his shoulder.
Is the rest of the bin Laden family necessarily guilty? Perhaps you've been watching too much of the Sopranos.
Re:you've won a new car! (Score:5, Informative)
On topic, however, note that they don't appear to ask you to "come forward", they just ask you to not screw up the Net in retalitory attacks.
Oh, and finally, do you know that the bank in question has accounts owned by Osama bin Laden, or merely by the bin Laden family? The bin Laden family disowned Osama nearly a decade ago, froze most of his funds, and have done a great deal of good work, both in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. Including a Israeli-Palestinian student exchange program to try and reduce misunderstandings and violence in Israel.
Re:you've won a new car! (Score:4, Insightful)
Ashcroft: "Hey, you! Yeah, you! Quit fucking with government websites, you little twerp! Do you want life in prison? Do you aspire to be a terrorist? Listen, you little bastard! If you think you can get away with this, you don't stand a snowball's chance in hell! I will find you, and I will bury you in the deepest hole–"
Cyberangels: "Please excuse him, he's having a bad day. See, we're having trouble getting intel on bin Laden and his pals. Maybe you can help us out here..."
Re:you've won a new car! (Score:4, Informative)
On the bright side though, this is most definately a W2K box as that is what activeisp seems to be pushing, so breaking in should be really easy.
Again, use your own time and tools to figure this info out for sure.... I can't be bothered right now.
Interest is Evil (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Worst episode ever! (Score:2, Informative)
They ask hackers to help them. (Score:4, Funny)
For all we know maybe they just want to test biological weapons on us.
Re:They ask hackers to help them. (Score:5, Informative)
But they don't say how.
For all we know maybe they just want to test biological weapons on us.
From the article:
"Cyberangels hopes to enlist politically motivated hackers instead to help with online intelligence gathering, such as tracking down computer criminals who attempt to attack the Internet infrastructure, said Aftab.
The organization is also seeking information on any terrorist groups that may have attempted to commission computer security experts to aid them, she said."
Seems pretty clear to me. Contact the cyberangels and offer your services if you believe you can help gather intelligence, or give them ayn info you may have on terrorists attemptimg to commission security experts.
It looks to me like they have contact info on their website [cyberangels.com]
well, they actually don't want you (Score:2, Informative)
"retaliatory hacking " attack what? (Score:4, Insightful)
Aren't the Afgan's essentially in the stone age? - at least that's what has been spun in the media to us all.
What potential targets would hackers have?
It looks like more of a CEASE AND DESIST (Score:4, Interesting)
Translation, "Script kiddies and trolls put down your keyboards." Not a bad thing to ask, and the appeal to patriotism is nice too. The message is consistent with others, such as making DOS attacks and cracks a terrorist offense with a real death penalty. "Doodz, you got the death penalty?", not to funny anymore and much less nice.
You don't really think the US government wants to hire out 10,000 script kiddies do you? What, with every CS teacher, National Lab researcher and defense contractor willing to jump right in the US has no shortage of computer operators. OK, they might use one or two. Warrez operators please report to the office of cracker mobilization right next door to the Imigration and Nationalization Free Refridgerator Service Office for Illegal Aliens.
Give it up, bitches! Turn off your crack bots and behave. Carry out useful and constructive protests instead. In the end, survival is cultural victory, so build up rather than tear down.
I'm in favor of this (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:I'm in favor of this (Score:5, Funny)
I can shoot, theoretically, 'cause I've played all the Quake games, and, according to Lieberman and crew, this qualifies me as a triple-A marksman.
Plus, I have extensive anti-terrorist training by way of all the Counterstrike hours I've logged. The gov't could just drop be into de_kabul and let me frag away!
Re:I'm in favor of this (Score:2)
Re:I'm in favor of this (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I'm in favor of this (Score:3, Funny)
Wait a tick... Maybe it could be a good thing. Sure, those poor Afghanis think they're going to be able to call up AOHell after their 1000 hours runs out and cancel, but have you ever tried to get through to Tech Support? We'd cripple their financial infrastructure by way of recurring credit card charges that won't go away!
'Course, last I checked AOL wasn't accepting either rocks or opium as valid currency...
AOL CDs should be part of airline safety package (Score:3, Funny)
Next time you're in a plane, and some crazed fanatical "Holy Warrior" threatens you with a box cutter, take out the AOL CDs, distrubute them among the passengers and break them apart.
Voila, now everybody is armed with sharp CD fragments ready to impale the "Holy Warriors".
See, AOL CDs are very useful. Thank you AOL !
No mixed messages here. (Score:4, Insightful)
(They're asking 'hacktivists' to lay off)
good lord - this world today (Score:5, Funny)
funny how things change.
Easy to see why they're doing this. (Score:2, Interesting)
This is really the greatest recruitment campaign ever! If the Govt wants to let the hacker go, but doesn't want to risk them breaking into their former boss' company, label them a terrorist and have them serve 50 years. Before trial.
If the hacker is hired by someone else, then their current bosses are "harboring a terrorist" and have two choices - let them go, or go to jail themselves. Again, that's a no-brainer for most bosses.
Since hackers tend to be more into the craft than martyrdom, the consequences are painfully obvious. Every single highly-skilled computer geek under the sun will switch to working for the US Government, under duress and with their new boss under NO obligation to honor any kind of ethical standard. The risks of not doing so are just too high for most people.
remember Alan Turing... (Score:2, Insightful)
...and then they killed him. (Score:2, Interesting)
But, that wasn't good enough for the British, who later killed him [turing.org.uk] for being a homosexual..
Re:remember Alan Turing... (Score:2, Interesting)
Yes, spam the enemy! (Score:5, Funny)
Their server farms and e-commerce terrorist sites that litter the internet cafes of Afghanistan will feel our rath. Our exploits will decimate their ftp sites and not a single router will go unpunished.
Re:Yes, spam the enemy! (Score:2)
It was a joke! (Score:5, Informative)
At least, I hope it was a joke. There is nothing to attack in Afghanistan.. The Taliban banned the internet a while back because it permitted access to "immoral content". Afghanistan doesn't have an information infrastructure, much less one that connects to the big wide world.
Check out the .af domain sometime. Totally barren. That's what makes this whole thing so ridiculous.
Uncle Sam?? (Score:2)
No Kidding... (Score:3, Insightful)
Anybody here work in advertising or media produciton? If you want to serve your country organize a "I Call Bullshit" ad campaign. So we all chip in cash and run ads to address all the misinformation put out by the spin doctors in the government. Fight fire with fire.
I've got 23 dollars to chip in.
Rubicom for hacktivists (Score:2)
Do they want to criticize the system which establishes the Internet on which they operate? To reform it?
Or do they want to transform it?
Hacktivism may involve what I call "Matrix" tactics soon - like the people in the Matrix, people who want freedom on the internet will have to evade universal identification and tracking systems that are put there by a central, all-encompassing authority in whose name the internet itself is maintained and operated.
That means, instead of throwing up a banner with some poorly written political prose, they will have to maintain entire alternate networks of communication to maintain their own freedom.
I fear that many people, seeing the true weaponry and force of the enforcement authorities arrayed against them (and ready to name them "terrorist") will drop into Uncle Sam's ranks.
I hope that more people will stick their foot in the door of technological freedom before it slams shut, and will keep it there for free communication.
Simple solution... (Score:2, Funny)
Simple... hold out for more money
This is an important step for white-hat hackers (Score:3, Funny)
It looks like this can change. If we hackers take up the United States' call for help, it will help garner the positive attention we need to get our views heard. While fighting terrorism, we will also be fighting the image of the "evil" hacker that has been ingrained in the public psyche. I urge you to take this major step. Once hackers become heroes, we will finally be able to stand up against Corporate Interest. Remember, image is everything.
Re:This is an important step for white-hat hackers (Score:3, Insightful)
You nailed it, bud. The American Government has always been honest and true to what it says. Politicians never lie, so we know that every hacker will be free to go when this war is over. They would never jump on the opportunity to go after someone after that helped the U.S.!
## end sarcasm ##
Ironically, it isn't even Uncle sam that is putting out this message. In fact, the government has nothing to do with it. Even if you did become a hero, it would be in the eyes of the "Cyberangels"... and I'm sorry, but that just sounds too much like a cheap movie title where cameron diaz learns how to be an 31337 haX0r...
It's not so much that they're asking for help... (Score:3, Informative)
The write-up made it sound like Uncle Sam was putting together a crack commando unit of hackers.
Do they talk to each other (Score:2, Informative)
Hackers are 'Terrorists' Under Ashcroft's New Act [slashdot.org]
-TheStruuus
Foreign Policy deja vu (Score:4, Redundant)
Step 1: Fight those bad people.
Step 2: Hey, they could be useful to us.
Step 3: Let's give them tools and have them fight our war for us. Call CNN and let them know about these freedom fighters
Step 4: Hmmmm, they aren't useful to us anymore. Better call CNN and tell them to start calling them bad people again. At least we know who they are now.
Laughable! (Score:4, Funny)
Wow. I'm in awe here people. They've got them there hackers pegged!
Laughable indeed ... (Score:2)
And in all seriousness, tonights premier of "Star Trek: Enterprise" would be the most suitable
Thankfully, "double jeopardy" still governs (Score:5, Interesting)
What's more, the Sixth Amendment's "double jeopardy" clause is still in effect (one of the few clauses with some teeth left in it after decades of judicial erosion). If the Federal government establishes an arrangement whereby criminal acts are committed by individuals acting under government aegis and with the encouragement of state agents, then those acts cannot be subsequently punished (apart from certain situations such as genocide and other circumscribed offenses). One only need remind oneself of Whitey Bulger [fbi.gov] (on the FBI's most wanted list) who has gotten the FBI into a bit of a morass by acting as an informant for many years and during those years receiving tacit permission from the FBI to commit all manner of offenses including murder. The egg on the FBI's face hangs pendulously, because the FBI is now without legal recourse to punish those acts.
That glib tone is unbecoming, by the way.
uh, hello (Score:2, Informative)
On the other hand, I don't exaactly think that a bunch of vigilante crackers is going to do more good than harm, so I'm not really against the message of the ad.
Target audience (Score:2, Funny)
Buffy? You'd get better hacker demographics by advertising on AOL. Or Slashdot. Oh wait..
Wait a second... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Wait a second... (Score:3, Funny)
If you are hacking for the Gubment, I assure you, you will be called a Freedom Fighter.
What's a hacker to do? (Score:2)
They demonize you and criminalize you and then ask for your help. What's a hacker to do?
If this is a reference to the proposed measures against "hacking offences", then you need to re-read the laws that are being proposed. They are neither as bad or as radical as the Slashdot article about it like to make it to be.
As far as what's a hacker to do, it's very simple: Do your part to protect the lives of innocent people and fight the war against those who don't respect the rights of humans to live.
Its our time now (Score:4, Troll)
I used to dislike cops. THey harassed me, the were disrespectful to me, and messed with my friends.
I take it all back. All of it.
I have a new respect for all police in New York City since the attacks on the world trade center. They, along with the firemen all risked thier lives to help get people out of the buildings as quickly as they could. But, as you know, the building collapsed, trapping thousands (literally) of New York's finest men and women, who selflessly gave thier lives to help the rest of us.
Now, when I see a police man on the street, I smile at him. He is ensuring my safety, and the safety of others.
Now, its our turn. Sure, the government may have "demonized" us before. But times are fundamentally different now. This is not about image, or public policy, this is about honest to god people. People's lives, thousands, mabey millions of people, are at risk. I for one will do ANYTHING, yes ANTHING, the government needs done. (And yes, if they have enough tech people, I will gladly go to the front line in Afganistan, or Iraq, or wherever).
It is now our turn to step up, and help defend our country.
Make no mistake, our society, our values, the very things that allowed us to achieve such levels of science and technology, is under attack.
Lets show those bastards they messed with the wrong people
--Alex Fishman
Re:Its our time now (Score:3, Insightful)
I caution you to avoid the urge to let things slide that should not. The police department may have acted well in this situation (and I assume they have), however very few residents will deny that their past abuses make them a completely trustworthy agency.
I urge you not to ignore the facts in the name of patritoism
Re:Its our time now (Score:3, Insightful)
Last night I was walking through a park in Manhattan at 11 pm. I do this a lot, it clears my head. I saw an NYPD patrol car cruising through the park. Rather than run away or hide from them, I continued on my path as they approached. What did I have to hide?
They asked me to approach the car, I did. They explained to me that the park closed at 10 and that I was not supposed to be there. They asked for id, which I gave them. Then they explained to me that I would need to appear in court in about a month. I have to go to court because I was walking through a park, no reason more.
What will happen in court? I have no idea. The police claimed that I will probably just be told not to walk through the park anymore. If I don't go? A warrant for my arrest...for not appearing in court on charges for "Failure to Comply With Sign."
Yes, some members of the NYPD have done heroic things. However, there are at least two of them that have nothing better to do than to treat a harmless citizen as though a criminal.
This doesn't necessarily apply to my experience but I can understand that we need to tight up security in light of recent events. However, we are running the risk of a new era of McCarthyism, where we create criminals out of those who simply step out of line.
I did not meet two heros in a patrol car last night.
think again (Score:3, Interesting)
NateKid [slashdot.org] said: If you let one bombing change your opinions about ANYTHING (other than stiffer package checks at the airport), Osama Bin Laden has completely won. The poiont of terrorism is to instill terror in civilians and in your case it looks like they've succeeded.
Some have said that allowing the attacks to change the way we think is wrong, and I think that argument is flawed.
People are more grateful for the good things they have and grateful for those who have survived. They are more aware of the world they live in, aware that vigilance is necessary and that freedom is not always easy.
Not learning anything from events is a backward step in evolution.
Humans attempt to learn, to improve ourselves, it's what we do.
And that includes improvements in airport security *and* gratitude replacing taken-for-granted attitudes towards the police.
fosh [slashdot.org] said: Sure, the government may have "demonized" us before.
Putting aside the past mistakes of the police when they ask for your help (showing that you in fact can help and are capable) is putting aside pettiness for something more important, something constructive.
Pettiness begets fighting and achieves very little.
Maybe not all cops are heroes, but very little in this world is absolute. Be grateful for the good things you have and do what you can to change the bad things, without becoming bad yourself.
If you want to improve the police force, do something positive like joining it and doing it right.
Vint Cerf Radio Interview 9/25/01 (Score:5, Interesting)
He is joined by George Sadowski [prserv.net], Executive Director of the Global Internet Policy Initiative, GIPI [gipiproject.org].
Re:Vint Cerf Radio Interview 9/25/01 (Score:3, Interesting)
The way network peering works (and the politics and money involved) at the highest levels is actually quite different than what they originally intended for the Internet. The only reason the Internet didn't come crashing down (at least in major portions of the country) is that the WTC, while a financial and business center, represents just an isolated leaf node on the Internet.
Had the terrorists slammed a plane into one of the major NAP centers, things would have been extremely different, with vast portions of the population denied access to vast portions of the Internet.
Of course, doing this wouldn't really be in the terrorists best interest..Loss of internet access is nothing compared to the loss of 6k+ lives, but Vint's argument is very weak because the circumstances involving the attack aren't at all related to an enemy purposefully trying to take out communication channels.
If they REALLY want to hit their demographic... (Score:2, Funny)
They really are missing an opportunity. (Score:3, Insightful)
The perfect opportunity is tonight on UPN when the new Star Trek premiers.
Sheesh.
US Govt = Two-Faced? (Score:2, Interesting)
Is it just me or does this sound like a stab in the back to provoke hackers into the open, then after they have done the work the US Govt would like them to do, jail them for breaking this so-called Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA)?
-- M
reminds me of turing... (Score:5, Insightful)
Hackers need to ask for policy changes first. (Score:3, Interesting)
Hackers shouldn't provide the same blind devotion. If the US Government really wants help from hackers, the first thing the US Government can do is STOP DEMONIZING THE HACKERS! Drop the DMCA, drop the case against Dmitry, drop the new laws being introduce that criminalize the use of a computer for everything but shopping on eBay, and GIVE US SOME GUARANTEES THAT OUR FREEDOMS WILL BE PROTECTED!
If the US Government wants our aid, they need to make efforts to indicate their good faith towards us. And they have a LOT of catching up to do.
I'll be the biggest patriot you've ever seen when the Liberty this country is supposed to stand for is restored to me. It is Liberty that makes the country great, not the fact that it happens to be (out of some random chance) where I was born, live, and work.
Hate is already all over the newsgroups. (Score:2)
The Hate Troll.
A large number of posts are dominated by "Hack this Muslim site" or, "Hackers fight back against terror!" And of course these twits then list a site (which often has nothing to do with terrorisim, and often is hosted in the U.S... Not that the posters have discovered whois or nslookup yet...)
Fortunately the regulars (those who actually deserve the monoinker "hacker") ignore or flame the hell out of the poster. Not that that is an issue. The regulars can determine between free speech (freedom) and censorship (terrorism of words).
Unfortunately, the skript kiddies can't. Of course, this is the crowd that the advertisements are targeted towards. Not that it will help - the kiddies are incredibly thick skulled.
I just wish I could see the commercial (I don't watch T.V.) maybe it will show up on adcritic.
What do they want (Score:2)
Now, this is stupid. (Score:3, Insightful)
Piss poor. And anyway, a whole bunch of people are going to want a whole load of legal protection for what they know before they will do this. I mean, spend the next six months breaking terrorists servers apart and in a years time when
But if anyone goes for this: good luck. I do have some pretty serious problems with piling into Afghanistan and blowing shit up; but no moral qualms whatsoever when it comes to merely trashing terrorists ability to operate.
Dave
Why don't we wait until next week and see? (Score:3, Informative)
It they were hiring at the NSA or FBI it would be far more attractive. They could use some new blood from what they *say*. Joining a semi-approved vigilante organization is different. The alphabet agencies are somewhat well known for using and discarding people with plausible deniability, like Noreiga for example.
It's all whether they are really looking for people to protect the Internet, or to help them with the Big Brother program. Some of the provisions of the ATA are nonsensical -- they help the terrorists more than us. They are all very nifty domestic surveillance measures however. So I'm not following any leaders until this measure is finalized. If you want to protect the Internet what could be better, for now, than protecting your own systems?
The ATA makes it life in prison without chance for parole for defacing a web site. While I agree that action is illegal, I am not in favor of paying taxes to support the script-kiddies for life.
If you'd like to help them decide here's a petitition getting broad bipartisan support.
In Defense Of Freedom [indefenseoffreedom.org]
Two Birds (Score:4, Troll)
Many of these
But don't just take this opportunity to show
And besides, even if no one but you ever knows what you did... donating time and effort to help the war efforts and/or disaster victims is still the right thing to do.
Yarr matey (Score:5, Interesting)
The English tried this before... giving ships the right to be privateers, attack their opponents, and keep the loot. When the war ended, the government took back the permission, and pirates were born.
What Brought This On (Score:4, Informative)
www.govtech.net/news/features/news_feature.phtm
(take out the extra space between d and o)
Crackers Prepare Retaliation for Tues. Terrorist Attacks
www.newsbytes.com/news/01/170117.html
These stories from last week are probably what brought about this PSA.
Slashdot's double standard (Score:3, Informative)
How come when the "major media" get stuff wrong, it's due to pro-corporate bias and part of an evil conspiracy, but when michael or someone else on Slashdot publishes falsehoods, it's an honest mistake?
Which is it?
better than being drafted... (Score:5, Funny)
EXT - NAMELESS AFGHAN PLAIN - MORNING.
An Apache helicopter settles onto the barren plain. Out from it emerge three plain males. They wear an assortment of camouflage combined with curious t-shirts, with sayings like "I don't work here" and "will frag for bandwidth".
Just as Geek1 begins to aim his machine gun at JonKatz, to put an end to his ravings once and for all, a crazed member of the Taliban comes flying over the desert horizon. He is screaming something.
The Geeks all stop and look at him. Terror strikes into their very hearts and souls. The words of their enemy shock them into utter panic. The three begin to flee in the opposite direction, now heading directly into a minefield. Geek1 stops running, a serene expression coming across his face. He grabs Geek2's shoulder by his t-shirt, quietly, allowing JonKatz to continue to flee further into the minefield. The two geeks turn to face their adversary, brandishing their weapons with a newfound confidence and sense of purpose. JonKatz vanishes over the horizon, screaming wildly.
CUT TO...
How do we know this isn't a "sting"? (Score:3, Interesting)
Besides, is this [zmag.org] something you want to be supporting?
Some people just don't get it... (Score:5, Insightful)
- America is the largest producer and exporter of weapons on the planet.
- America has the largest arsenal of nuclear and toxic weapeons on the planet.
- America is the largest producer and exportor of torture equipment on the planet.
- America is the largest producer and exportor of anti-personnel landmines on the planet.
America supports more oppressive regimes around the world than anyone else, as and when it suits them. A while ago they were supplying the Iraqis with weapons. Then they went after them. During the Russo-Afghan war, they were funding, supplying and even training the very afghans that are now described as 'evil'. 20 years ago they were called freedom fighter. Now they are deemed 'evil'.
Two weeks ago hacking was illegal. Now it's OK, just as long as it's not a
Just because you are not shooting at someone doesn't mean your actions are peaceful. This is another attempt by the American government to whip up what is already a frenzy of 'They're evil! Get them!' sentiment.
If people had the foresight to try and work out *why* the events of the 11th happened, then maybe we could make some progress. As it is we'll be bombarded with the same old footage of disaster and death followed by Bush claiming that these people are 'evil'.
No doubt people will start port-scanning the few afghan/islamic websites that are around. Maybe while you are waiting you go to Amazon and buy The Plague by Camus. Oh, and switch of CNN.
Re:Some people just don't get it... (Score:3, Flamebait)
2) When was the last time we used them on a civilian target? It's only happened once, and the vast majority of us would say we never want it to happen again. Terrorists on the other hand don't feel that way towards our civilians.
3) See point 1. This is a silly straw man.
4) See point 1 again.
The fact that companies in the US manufacture and export lots of stuff does not in any way legitimize terrorist attacks against our civilians. Colombian organizations produce and manufacture lots of cocaine that has resulted in lots of deaths around the world. I don't use that to legitimize killing civilians in that country either.
Eurotrolling has become absurdly common on Slashdot and its entirely uninteresting. Whiny leftist eurotrash drivel spewed all over the place does not make it any more correct. Come up with some real arguments next time.
Re:Some people just don't get it... (Score:3, Insightful)
The fact that the US sells them on to whoever will pay the list price, irrespective of their social or humanitarian policy doesn't bother you? And you are accusing me of not coming up with any real arguments? That's pretty funny!
I wasn't in any way condoning what happened on the 11th, which is what you seem to be accusing me of. I was trying to shed some light on *why* it happened.
My 'whiny leftist eurotrash drivel', as you so delicately put it, is anti-torture devices, anti-landmines, anti-bombs and anti-guns. If you disagree with that then I suggest you take a look at yourself and your views and try to consider just why people outside of America dislike the country and some of the people that live there.
Re:Some people just don't get it... (Score:5, Informative)
America isn't currrently producing nuclear and (if we believe our government, at least) toxic weapons.
America hasn't produced landmines in years.
Now, as for the part about working out *why* the events happened, I think our responses to date have shown an effort to figure out *why* the events happened. We're not going to carpet bomb Afghanistan (I think and hope...again, if we are to believe our leaders). We're going to do something that is more effective against the terrorists in a manner that will minimize the likelyhood of future terrorist attacks. That likely means toppling the Taliban, and supporting a secular government in its place, following up with tons of humanitarian aid. This sounds to me like the US is beginning to understand the threat, and what drives this threat.
I, quite frankly, am totally surprised. I have been pretty strongly anti-Bush until this conflict. Even now, I'd say I'm more pro-Powell than anything. But I have been thoroughly impressed with our government's handling of this situation.
As an American in the UK, let me say how amazed I have been at the compassion and solidarity shown by the Brits in this crisis. There are a few people that have been rather offensive. And a few more that criticized our certain heavy hand in the early days, only to turn around and criticize our lack of response now. You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't, I guess.
Oh well. I'm just sitting here hoping this isn't the beginning of WWIII. Cheers, and peace!
Last Issue of 2600 (Score:5, Interesting)
I saw a letter about this in the most recent (summer 2001, p. 52) issue of 2600. It is as follows...
"Dear 2600: I was going to send you an e-mail two weeks ago stating that we should channel many of our frustrations with the U.S. justice system toward our adversaries, i.e., China. All of us in the U.S. hacker community are still U.S. citizens. Let us not completely denounce our country. We can utilize our special skills in a constructive manner that is conducive to U.S. information warfare policy. Later, we may use this as legal leverage for future legislation. -ICFN PMP
*response* As one of many such messages we got from the Navy, let us remind you that hackers are not soldiers and are far too individualistic and free-thinking to buy into jingoistic nonsense, regardless of the source. You should seriously consider the effects of reducing hackers to the equivalent of some kind of weapon. It will only increase paranoia and fear. And we find it extremely telling that the authorities, the media, and apparantly a whole lof of people in the military feel it's OK to vandalize sites if it's done for nationalistic purposes."
(As an aside, there's an interesting picture of an Ewok holding a rifle behind the article)
It would seem quite hypocritical for us (typical /. posters), who are so against Big Brother poking his nose into our business to turn right back around and do EXACTLY the same thing to other members of the US public. I seriously doubt "fighting terrorism" involves busting into a secret (insert arabic country here) computer and taking vital military plans. Rather, it will involve spying on your neighbors and seeking internal 'threats,' probably in ways which violate the 4th amendment to the constitution.
Do they take us for suckers? (Score:3, Insightful)
If you're a hacker, my suggestion to you is that you don't just help out of the goodness of your heart. Fair is fair: Demand just compensation, in the form of pro-hacker legislation and ditching the DMCA and the laws that are currently on the table. If they want hacker help, they're going to have to change the laws to be more hacker friendly.
It's that simple, folks. If they don't support you, you don't support them. If the USA really wants hackers to help them, the first thing the USA can do is to help the hackers.
This and after Monday's posting (Score:3, Interesting)
-Bob
I'm insulted. (Score:3, Insightful)
America this, America that. Isn't this the same Uncle Sam that creates messes like the DMCA and SSSCA? Isn't this the same Uncle Sam that's trying to keep us all from using GPG and copy files? And now this Uncle Sam comes crawling back to us hackers and ask for us to help him?
Go ahead and mod me down, but it has to be said. Uncle Sam is not the entity to be helping. He's become old, senile, and tyrannical. If it we up to him, all hackers would be in jail! So instead he's giving us a choice: work for me or get labeled a terrorist. I think not. I don't know about other Slashdot readers, but I've about had it with these shenanigans.
I don't care if Uncle Sam wants to hunt me down, but I'm keeping my 31337 5k1Llz to myself. If I get drafted I'll move to Canada or get a sex change. (Why is it that only males are drafted?)
Anyway, I'm pissed. Uncle Sam can shove it where the sun don't shine.
Suspicious, neh? (Score:3, Funny)
Hmm...Last week they were calling hackers terrorists, this week they're telling them to identify themselves. Seems a bit suspicious to me...like you're going to be doing the aforementioned hacking from within a jail cell
wasn't there a movie about this?? (Score:3, Interesting)
I know that there have been a lot of movies that have portraid hackers to be the bad guys, but there have also been some shows that portray them as the good guys. Independance day where he hacked the enemy and blew up the mother ship. The movie hackers where they saved the oiltanker. I think one of the big reasons that hackers got such a bad rap was that movie with mathew brodrick in it that portraid hackers as bad guys and the goverment was trying to lock them up, rather than getting his help.
Now being a war vetran myself (Desert Storm), I can tell you that if the goverment wants to recruit hackers then I'd say that is probably the best way to serve your country. You would probably not have to fire a gun, you could do what you like, and if htey are understanding and don't get in your way (hahaha) then you can pretty much write your own ticket at that point. Anyway I'd do it, if I were a hacker.
Kevin Mitnick should offer his services (Score:3, Insightful)
Subject line says it all.
Uncle sam isn't in this... (Score:3)
Re:One word... Mitnick (Score:2, Insightful)
"not today, uncle sam, not today. i've dealt with you before. didn't work out too well for me."
Re:Hackers are terrorists? (Score:2, Informative)
A new TV public service announcement targets U.S. computer hacktivists with a blunt message: Uncle Sam wants you to help fight the war on terrorism.
But the spot, which organizers hope to begin airing nationwide next week on major networks, will warn that misguided patriotic efforts from software experts can hurt the cause.
"Computer attacks and hate speech do not contribute in any constructive way to dealing with the many problems our global civilization faces," said WorldCom senior vice president Vinton Cerf, who is scheduled to appear in the televised announcement.
In other words, they want hackers to help by not hacking.
Re:Time to show them the truth (Score:3, Funny)
Quid pro quo (Score:5, Insightful)
Publish on a Web site. Ask for signatures. Make clear that the signers DO mean to enlist if the above happens.
As I said, I'm not from the US, so it'd be weird if I made such page myself. Anyone who likes the suggestion, fell free to go ahead. The idea is hereby placed in the public domain.
Re:Quid pro quo (Score:3, Funny)
Thats good.
Because I was worried you got a patent on political activism.
And that would fuck up my whole production.
The Return of Joe McCarthy (Score:3, Funny)
Seriously though, the slippery slope arguent with regard to civil liberties is vary difficult to make, since based on that argument, organizations such as the ACLU and other organizations have had to defend all sorts of morally reprehensible (yet still legal) activities/things/people, to such a degree as to alienate a large portion of the population. This effect of having to act based on the slippery slope argument, has resulted in members of the news media recently making statements such as those on the ABC sunday discussion program This Week, which were to the effect (and not an exact quote):These light treatments by the news media, of the civil liberties issues around the right to privacy, as manifested by the ability to use cryptographic mechanisms in communication, are inexcusable. Unfortunately, here I suppose I'm preaching to the choir.
--CTH