Internet(s)--the plural!!--dare i ask if W. knew this military project??

[rodeodance]

"http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/13/technology/13warnet.html?oref=login&th'


November 13, 2004
Pentagon Envisioning a Costly Internet for War
By TIM WEINER

The Pentagon is building its own Internet, the military's world wide web for the wars of the future.

The goal is to give all American commanders and troops a moving picture of all foreign enemies and threats - "a God's-eye view" of battle.

This "Internet in the sky," Peter Teets, under secretary of the Air Force, told Congress, would allow "marines in a Humvee, in a faraway land, in the middle of a rainstorm, to open up their laptops, request imagery" from a spy satellite, and "get it downloaded within seconds."

The Pentagon calls the secure network the Global Information Grid, or GIG. Conceived six years ago, its first connections were laid six weeks ago. It may take two decades and hundreds of billions of dollars to build the new war net and its components.

Skeptics say the costs are staggering and the technological hurdles huge. ...

[dogman]

1. When is B$$$co selling this to the Saudis?

Or has that contract been let already?

[juliagoolia]

2. Surely you are kidding..

He was not talking plural in this sense..

He don't know no internet or internets one way or another.. you can't fool him with two internets

[eleonora]

3. hmm...and will terrorists be able to HACK it?

You know, to use it against us...

Money well spent, huh?

[dogman]

4. Hell, it's probably been outsourced to them.

They're writing the code now.

[eleonora]

5. LOL..oh no...in India I bet!

[izzie]

6. Well I will give it 10 minutes to stay in the military.

I do not know much about this INTERNET stuff but every tool of the military has very fast got to the out side world and why would this be any different?

[nine23]

7. So, in other words...

...just another "network", only exclusive to the military? Big deal. Is that so unique?

Now, regarding costs, do toilet seats in the washrooms on military transports still cost three thousand bucks apiece? Anyone remember that fiasco back in the 70's and 80's?

Will this "network" prevent a terrorist from simply "leaving behind" some sarin gas under a seat on the NYC subway?

This paranoia on the part of the US military is truly astounding. A "God's-eye view of battle"? Gee, if I didn't know better, it sounds like they're out "looking" for a scrap.

If it wasn't so (sort of) scary, it would be hilarious. Or a B-movie screenplay. If Stanley Kubrick were still alive, he'd be working on a "new" Dr. Stranglove. Not a sequel per se, though...even he'd have to completely re-work this type of comedy/insanity.

Perhaps they should work on taking Falluja first. For assured "victory" in winning the hearts and minds of Iraqis, maybe try something REALLY HIGH TECH, like buiding a wall around the place. Consultant: Ariel Sharon. Contractor: Halliburton.

It's looking sillier by the day, folks.

[keopeli]

8. ALERT - This article is KoolAid! Don't Drink!

First of all, the subject line must reflect the headline.

Most importantly, let us all remember the truth of where we live today.

Military = Government = Corporations

This is what businesses want bush to do. This is their big payoff. They've been wanting this huge project where there is a brand new internet that is TOTALLY CLOSED so that it can be secure for businesses to make confidential transactions.

And what's more important (as an excuse for doing this) than national security?

It will happen MUCH sooner than they project. All it needs is money to happen. Will this be the project that sinks the Murikan Empire? Who knows.

[Moderator]

9. Duplicate and headline wrong

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=985197

Your subject line does not match the story headline