CISPA Sponsor Claims Opposition Is '14 Year Olds In Their Basement'

from the taking-the-high-road? dept

Tue, Apr 16th 2013 1:47pm — Mike Masnick

The House Committee on Rules has been debating CISPA and what will be covered in the official floor debate and what amendments will be presented tomorrow or the next day (whenever it hits the floor). Much of it was routine stuff, but there were some typical bogus grandstanding about the giant threat of a cyberattack that's going to kill us all (be afraid!) if we don't do something (no worry about if that something will actually help). Representative Mike Rogers, the sponsor of CISPA and its main backer, decided that he was going to take the lowest road possible in talking about the concerns of privacy advocates by saying that the only opposition is "14-year-olds in their basement." That statement followed the claim that "Silicon Valley CEOs support CISPA."

Update: Sina Khanifer has uploaded a video of Rogers making these comments. This is insulting on a whole variety of levels. First of all, it suggests that privacy advocates are nothing more than children. That's ridiculous. The White House, who have raised privacy concerns about the bill, are 14-year-olds in their basement? Rogers honestly thinks insulting the President is the way to get CISPA passed? The ACLU are 14-year-olds in their basement? Really? The tens of thousands of people who have contacted Congress in the past few weeks about this are all 14-year-olds in their basement? Rogers owes the public he represents a massive apology.

Second, the comment about Silicon Valley CEOs is not true. Yes, there are some tech companies who are in favor of CISPA, mainly because of the liability protections they would get. But it is hardly an across the board belief. Many, many tech companies are all quite concerned about CISPA and what it will mean for the privacy of their users. Both Mozilla and Reddit have strongly spoken out against CISPA. Do they not count?

Third, the idea that because some Silicon Valley CEOs support CISPA, it means that there couldn't possibly be any concern. This is a outgrowth of the myth that SOPA was only stopped because tech companies spoke out. As such, politicians like Rogers think all they need to do is appease tech CEOs, and not the public, whom they're supposed to represent. That Rogers would so outwardly admit that as long as a small group of tech CEOs favor the bill (which is already a highly questionable statement), that he can ignore the public and insult them, is really stunning.

Of course, what this really shows is Rep. Mike Rogers' absolute disdain for privacy. He doesn't take the concerns of the public, of privacy advocates, and even of the White House seriously. Instead, he sees privacy as something that should be mocked and those who support it insulted. Why should such a person be in charge of wiping out privacy laws on the internet?

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Filed Under: cispa, concerns, congress, cybersecurity, mike rogers, opposition, privacy

61 Comments

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Zakida Paul (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 1:50pm

The nonsensical ramblings of the desperate.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:16pm
  
  Re:
  If anything these politicians should acknowledge the fact that fourteen year olds showing such a concern for their government and their future is a good thing. I bet you when most of these politicians were fourteen they weren't nearly as forward thinking.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 1:50pm

President should veto this out of existence now.
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- Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2013 @ 7:27am
  
  Re:
  I'm sure he will veto this just as he vetoed the NDAA.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 1:54pm

The Question is...
Are you smarter than a 14 year old, Mr. Rogers.
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- Digdug (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:50pm
  
  Re: The Question is...
  Obviously, or he wouldn't have said it. Wait...
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 1:56pm

If anything, CISPA's supporters are 14 year old. They want everything their way, throw temper tantrums when they don't, and scream and shout until someone notices them.

Wait, that's not 14. That's 4.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:08pm
  
  Re:
  No, the supporters are 90 year old luddites living in nursing homes.
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  - Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:32pm
    
    Re: Re:
    No, they're reptilian shape shifting cats that pose as natives. You think our leaders lead? Which ones have cats? Hm? Makes you think twice about mice, doesn't it?
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  - Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:11pm
    
    Re: Re:
    This bill is so dumb that even 14 year olds can see the folly in it.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:22pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Instead of insulting these fourteen year olds the politicians should attempt to actually address their concerns. Or is this an admission that they can't even address a bunch of fourteen year old criticisms? Is the bill really that bad?
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      - Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:46pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        obviously
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:01pm
  
  Re:
  This is an insult to 14 year olds. 14 year olds are too smart to support such a dumb bill.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:03pm

What a cynical way to dismiss opposition, especially given the interest 14 year olds generally show in politics.
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out_of_the_blue, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:13pm

First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
That's almost certain. Sheerly PR game to make you believe is still in play.

2nd, for the guy who here in his own blog called Orrin Hatch "Senator Fido" to now chide whoever with a stretch that he insulted Obama... Sheesh. YOU are one of the 14-year olds referred to, Mike. No self-awareness at all. Just whatever you do is automatically right. You begin, after 15 years, to be a little puzzled why no one in DC obeys your diktat, but your chutzpah sees you through. -- Try holding your breath until you turn BLUE, heh, heh.

Take a loopy tour of Techdirt.com! You always end up same place!
http://techdirt.com/
Where Mike daily proves the value of an economics degree.
10:13:30[l-170-3]
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- AC Unknown, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:14pm
  
  Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
  I told you not to do that, Blue. Now, I look forward to the day when Mike finally drops the banhammer on your IP address.
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- Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:47pm
  
  Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
  Wait. Are you really Mike's evil twin? Because I'm starting to go there. I've got conspiracy theories on my mind so you're either the evil twin, an omega reptilian cat alien, a mouse or a timed out troll that thinks it's found its bridge.
  
  Ah, right, and the sig - perhaps make it, I don't know, shorter like.. The Loop Tour 99 mother fuckers!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:58pm
    
    Re: Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
    I certainly hope not, I would lose all respect for this blog if OOTB was a sockpuppet of Mike.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:08pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
      Ugh, sorry about that...
      
      I should probably read the post I'm replying to a little better...
      
      I'd put my money on OOTB being a 14 year old evil clone made by aliens. Then again with the tact he demonstrates, he might be 5.
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    - Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:12pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
      mm, yeah, I guess. But conspiracy! And it would definitely be cool if he was a reptilian cat alien, no? Definitely. But, yeah, I guess tired trolls need bridges too.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:10pm
  
  Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
  Hey look guys I have a secret code only I can check so you guys know if it's really me posting. That makes sense right guys, right?
  
  So the guy above me is an imposter who failed my secret code challenge. I am the real ootb. Look I can prove it:
  
  11:12:61[I-D10-T]
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  - Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:18pm
    
    Re: Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
    o_0 Meet your squad leader representative at rendezvous section one six at the south sector molting litter area: fur refurb sector one seven niner Got it!
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- DP, 17 Apr 2013 @ 11:50am
  
  Re: First, Mike: Obama promising veto means the fix is in.
  Is "Blue" actually as old as fourteen? Seems like he's rambling more and more about nothing in particular these days. Fed up with being reported by the community are you, Blue? I always do it on sight.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:16pm

If they are the same kind of 14-year old as The wizzkids from the 80's, dear mr. Rogers, they're probably right...
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crade (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:17pm

Now where is that old man yells at cloud picture when you need it?
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toyotabedzrock (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:17pm

The 14yo china computer squad
So then is CISPA really about an agist assault of young computer geniuses?
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:22pm

Mike Rogers has 14-year-olds in his basement???? No wonder they oppose him!
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- Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:22pm
  
  Re:
  Und a cat, I'm know this. Gotta be.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:27pm

I'm 30, and I don't have a basement. You lose, Congressman.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:29pm

You mean we were supposed to leave our homes at 14 and start our own billion dollar enterprises?

Oh wait, it's not the 1950s anymore.
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Stay away from Mike Rogers, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:36pm

how do i know this
How does Mike Rogers know that 15 year olds in their basements are responding to this? Does Mike Rogers make it a regular habit to hang out with 15 year olds in their basement? Is he plying them with liquor before raping them? One must know.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:00pm
  
  Re: how do i know this
  Mike Rogers, as opposed to everyone else in the world, knows exactly what the law is for.
  It appears to be targeted at 14 year olds living in basements as opposed to cybercrime.
  "Those nasty teenagers and their datamats, when I was young they were the size of houses!"
  Just to calm you down: He was talking about the 14 year olds not the computers!
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Lorpius Prime (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:37pm

It's also insulting on a fourth level, Mr. Masnick: 14 year olds don't deserve to have their opinions and concerns dismissed out of hand, even if they do express them from basements.
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- Beech, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:08pm
  
  Re:
  I, too, was insulted that a public figure had to resort to making ad homs about a caricature of his opponents. Maybe say something good about the bill instead? Maybe allay the fears of government spying? ...Well I guess he couldn't do that because that's exactly what the bill is about, so childish ad homs it is!
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The Firewall, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:37pm

Boston Bombing will be used to bolster support for CISPA
Political opportunists being what they are, we can fully expect the White House to use whatever they can from this tragedy to further their policy agenda.

And there is some red meat in the bombing story the administration can use to support the need for CISPA:

http://libertyfirewall.com/2013/04/16/watch-for-it-boston-bombing-will-justify-attack-on-1 st-amendment/
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- Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:58pm
  
  Re: Boston Bombing will be used to bolster support for CISPA
  Indeed. And to think how well they were doing without it. Censorship bitches are bitches.
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Nigel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:39pm

Fair enough
Lets see how he likes getting his ass handed to him by a bunch of 14 year olds.

Nigel
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:43pm

so why was he voted in in the first place? dont tell me that the other choice was even worse? this guy needs to be seriously scorned by all those he is 'supposedly representing'! he needs to be made aware of the fact that the writing is on the wall as far as his next term is concerned! considering he relies totally on the public voting for him, how does he expect to belay their fears of complete intrusion, total lack of privacy and nothing other than insulting behaviour? the thing that would put the icing on the cake though, would be to find out who has treated him like the half-wit he undoubtedly is, and paid him to propose the bill in the first place!! that could prove very interesting!!
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:47pm
  
  Re:
  Welcome to party politics. Nobody cares about how their supposed representative are because nobody ever really represents their assigned riding. The only thing people care about is whether they're voting red or blue.
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- Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:04pm
  
  Re:
  Ideaz. Send an email to each of his constituents, ask them pointedly "Do you think those that oppose CISPA are 14 years old that live in their basement?" and invite them to a group chat so that they can defend their stance. Screw congressmen, let's just, you know, hook up. Congress is doing it wrong, has been doing it wrong for years and who's left with the pieces? Nah, bitches, you don't get to speak for us for very much longer and it's looking like too long at that.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:40pm
  
  Re:
  He is from a country district in Alabama. After the latest gerrymandering, the chance of republicans losing in the race is very low. Internally he is so conservative socially and "he is in vehement opposition to abortion, gay marriage and immigration". So he cannot fear anything from the right side in the primaries let alone a resurrection of George freaking Wallace...
  
  Btw. His record earned him "April 2012 Porker of the Month"
  
  Welcome to american politics where gerrymandering is more potent as a way to win than actual politicy.
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gorehound (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:57pm

Shove it up your gaping Asshole Rep. Mike Rogers !!! You are a fool whom I hope is Voted out next Election.
Same goes to the schmuck Rep. Steve King who uses the Boston Tragedy for his Politics without knowing who even did it.
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- Rapnel (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:24pm
  
  Re:
  Ugh, that's were they hid the cats, isn't it? Horrid. Fuck alien cats!
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AC Unknown, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:59pm

So, one of the politicians behind this monstrosity of a bill reveals his true colors.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 2:59pm

If President Obama is a 14 year old in his basement, then he's not eligible to be president of our country. IMPEACH OBAMA!!!
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:00pm

It seems that 14 year olds are much smarter than CISPA sponsors. With a healthy willingness to defend our civil liberties and rights these 14 year olds are very mature for their age in thinking about their future.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:10pm
  
  Re:
  In fact, I wish more 14 year olds would get involved in politics and show a concern for their future.
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  - Josef Anvil (profile), 17 Apr 2013 @ 12:26am
    
    Re: Re: EXACTLY
    Oh how I wish this were actually true. If that many 14 year olds were actually so aware of what goes on in Congress, we could be assured that our current representatives won't have their jobs much longer.
    
    Sadly, this is not reality.
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:27pm

I might be 14 now Mr. Rodgers but I'm drinking Democracy.
And I'm going to keep drinking Democracy.
And when I grow up I'm going to vote you and your cronies out of office, and look for ways to punish you for selling out the public to corporations.

Got Democracy?
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:04pm
  
  Re:
  I for one am inspired to see so many fourteen year olds showing concern for our political process.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:31pm

This guy is an idiot. Everyone knows 13 is the magical insult number.
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The Real Michael, 16 Apr 2013 @ 3:33pm

Wait, doesn't that imply that anytime Washington passes a bill "for the children," they're covertly supporting the opposition to their own bills?
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:20pm

Of course, what this really shows is Rep. Mike Rogers' absolute disdain for privacy.

Also his immaturity. This type of name-calling befits small children during recess, not a grown man, much less a man with significant political responsibility.
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Josh Taylor, 16 Apr 2013 @ 4:23pm

Don't this title mean "12-Year olds living in their mommy's basement in Kansas playing with vinyl blow up dolls/plastic girlfriend."?

I got this from a troll at Washington Watch. :)
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 9:12pm

I think I'm willing to be arrested to find this guy and kick him in the nuts.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2013 @ 11:03pm

He be surprised to see how many people nowadays actually live in the basement but he is wrong they are all 14 years old although if kids can catch fraudulent fish produce using DNA testing and invent new ways to harvest solar energy why would he dismiss them will be forever a mystery to me.
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Marcel de Jong (profile), 17 Apr 2013 @ 2:15am

2 can play that game
Lawmakers are escapees from a mental hospital, stamping their feet like 2 year olds.

See, Mike Rogers? We, too, can make grand sweeping statements to put down competition.
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Loki, 17 Apr 2013 @ 3:50am

This is a outgrowth of the myth that SOPA was only stopped because tech companies spoke out. As such, politicians like Rogers think all they need to do is appease tech CEOs, and not the public, whom they're supposed to represent. That Rogers would so outwardly admit that as long as a small group of tech CEOs favor the bill (which is already a highly questionable statement), that he can ignore the public and insult them, is really stunning.

I don't find it stunning at all, nor do I consider it a myth. Despite the massive public outcry, I still firmly believe it was the massive business pushback that resulted in the death of SOPA.

If I were a politician, I too would have nothing but contempt for people who constantly whined about my job performance and then let me and all my pals keep their jobs every few years.
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- Shon Gale (profile), 17 Apr 2013 @ 7:48am
  
  Re:
  I didn't elect this wanker! Think before you speak idiot.
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Nova6K0, 19 Apr 2013 @ 9:35am

His ideals Mr. Rogers, if they are children of 14 years or less

Greetings.
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Nova6K0, 19 Apr 2013 @ 10:19am

His ideals Mr. Rogers, if they are children of 14 years or less

Greetings.
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