Obama the Internet pharaoh Push to regulate online speech gains momentum..

The power of social media tools like Twitter and Facebook to fan the flames of upheaval along the Nile must keep potential dictators up late at night. The Mubarak government’s ham-fisted order to cut off Egypt’s electronic access to the outside world on Jan. 27 is a potent reminder of how deeply strongmen resent the freedom of speech the Internet embodies. Although service was restored Wednesday, Egypt’s response to troublesome tweets is not so foreign. A number of schemes are in the works to grant U.S. leaders similar powers in the name of fairness and safety.
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut Independent, introduced legislation last session that would have given a White House cyberczar Mubarak-like power to declare an emergency and issue directives to any private companies deemed to be critical by government...


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