People aren't buying Pentagon Internet policy

Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) remained on the Pentagon's case last week, noting that it was continuing with its policy of blocking certain Internet sites from personnel stationed abroad, and was joined by YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. YouTube and MySpace are among 13 sites being blocked.

According to Associated Press, Hurley claimed, "They said it might be a bandwidth issue, but they created the Internet, so I don't know what the problem is."

Markey said, "I still have not heard a sound defense of this decision by the Pentagon to completely cut off access to web sites that provide a critical link between deployed solders and their family and friends back home."
He said he understands to need to protect classified information, "But I do not see how preventing a soldier of Marine from sending a video message to Mom, to a spouse, a child, or a friend improves our national security."

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