Beck declares victory: Cash for Clunkers website changes terms of use
posted at 8:57 pm on August 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
No surprise that they changed it. The language about your computer becoming government property once you log onto the site went way over the line into Orwellville. But the question I posed on Friday remains: Did the language accurately reflect what the feds were actually doing or was it just a case of a moronic government lawyer trying to cover his legal bases by drafting the language overbroadly? The latter explanation is the simpler one, especially now that we’ve learned the Cash for Clunkers page in question was for dealers, not for the general public; if you’re a government snoop eager to see what America’s downloading, it’s exceedingly strange that you’d target your snooping so narrowly. Jonah Goldberg even tried to nudge Beck on Friday towards treating this as a likely case of government stupidity instead of government malfeasance. Yet, amazingly, in neither of the two clips below is the possibility even entertained that this was a drafting mistake by a lawyer rather than a naked admission of a blockbuster plot by the federal government to spy on Americans’ Internet communications. In fact, by the end of the second clip, the only real question being debated by Beck and his two guests — one of whom is Alex Jones admirer Andrew Napolitano — is how few computers the feds would need access to in order to introduce a worm that would bring everyone’s data files under their microscope. Which neatly explains why they targeted the dealers instead of the public at large: The dealers are but the link to the entire Internet, you see. Wheels within wheels.
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Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
eforhan on August 3, 2009 at 9:00 PM
“don’t worry I read your e-mail”
//nsa bumpersticker
sven10077 on August 3, 2009 at 9:01 PM
never trust in the apparent stupidity of the malicious
sven10077 on August 3, 2009 at 9:02 PM
I am surprised anyone online doesn’t think they are spying on us already.
SouthernGent on August 3, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Smart move, slightly nutty reasoning. Alex Jones needs to be shuns.
darii on August 3, 2009 at 9:04 PM
The Judge pisses me off all the time. Not watching.
MarkABinVA on August 3, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Why would they need to snoop our emails when everyone knows that Cheney had a surveillance chip implanted in our stomach lining using public water systems.
Bishop on August 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Yeah, for real. With so much unencrypted, including most people’s email, along with data mining on the web it certainly is wide open for abuse.
eforhan on August 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Is this one of the “tribe” of the same Napolitano that calls all right wing types… Terrorists?
upinak on August 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
They haven’t changed or revoked anything, they’ve just made it harder for people to discern their intent now.
Ryan Gandy on August 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
If one buys into the notion that the “owning your computer” stuff was just idiotic boilerplate that has been removed, fine. But that boilerplate must have been written for a reason at some point with some specific intention. I will buy that it was over the top for the cash for clunkers site … but which site was that designed for? Why was it even dreamed up in the first place?
That’s the part that makes me wonder. Why would such things even occur to them?
crosspatch on August 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
The CEO of google is Obama’s BFF. Do you really think you’re not already being watched? Come on.
JustTruth101 on August 3, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Can anyone blame Beck for assuming that Ochimpy and his minions WOULD try that type of Marxist crap? There was a day when we were confident that a lying black supremist, Marxist, would ever be elected to the presidency. Yet 50+ million Americans voted him in.
Never under estimate the brazenness of liberals when half the country is made up of ignorant morons.
csdeven on August 3, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Nice thought in its day but Obama and his minions cannot all be explained by stupidity. They would love the ignorant to believe that. But they are Machiavellian to the end in their operations and have shown themselves to operate on malice and vendetta. Pure fricking amoral Marxists.
enoughalready on August 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Jesus tap dancing Christ, why is Beck having Napolitano on? It’s bad enough the guy has his own show. That loon is more of a blight on that network than O’Reilly.
MadisonConservative on August 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Dittos. The guy should go back to taking bribes from John Gotti.
Percy_Peabody on August 3, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Ask Bush’s attorneys if that’s a possibility with the current administration.
Ronnie on August 3, 2009 at 9:11 PM
As an attorney, I have to go with “a case of a moronic government lawyer trying to cover his legal bases by drafting the language overbroadly”, which does not mean it could not later be turned to more nefarious means, especially when the new owner of GM and Chrysler is looking for more dealers to axe.
holdfast on August 3, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Sorry, more nefarious ends.
holdfast on August 3, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Judge Napolitano is a wise man- I give him credence for his knowledge of the Constitution
hawkman on August 3, 2009 at 9:13 PM
This is a distinction without a difference. Look at what TARP was intended to do and then look at what it’s been used to do. Then look at how Geithner interpreted TARP as being a slush fund that replenishes itself as loans are paid back. And TARP is now used to do anything that Geithner wants. ANYTHING.
The government will take any power it can find, and if it finds that your computer has been signed over to become government property, then you can bet your life it will be used by the government, as government property, at some point.
progressoverpeace on August 3, 2009 at 9:13 PM
I’m getting this strange sensation running up my leg that is telling me the right better reject the “Alex Jones admirer Andrew Napolitano,” and embrace MegMacWhalin.
Upstater85 on August 3, 2009 at 9:15 PM
I don’t like Napolitano. Chocolate and Vanilla are great, but I really don’t care for Strawberry ice cream.
Proud Rino on August 3, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Come on now, don’t tell me that you think the government is untrustworthy?
/
thomasaur on August 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Rush must be worried that Beck is stealing his title as Number 1 Boogieman of the Left.
Speedwagon82 on August 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Wowwwwwww…..
ladyingray on August 3, 2009 at 9:18 PM
At this point,how can anybody,unless your a Kool-Aid
drinker,trust anything connected with the Obama Admin
istration!
canopfor on August 3, 2009 at 9:18 PM
You didn’t get the same feeling after reading the post? ;)
Upstater85 on August 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Yeah,, it was broad to state that your PC is their PC.
How about this one,,,
“There is no safety for honest men but by believing all possible evil of evil men.”
–Edmund Burke
JellyToast on August 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Shhhh. I don’t want to embarrass any of the squeamish right. They’re so sensitive, you know.
progressoverpeace on August 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Eddie Munster is a judge now?
Patrick S on August 3, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Rush must be worried that Beck is stealing his title as Number 1 Boogieman of the Left.
Speedwagon82 on August 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Speedwagon82:Interesting,I would surmise,that the SRM will
soon let everyone know who takes the No.1 slot
as the leader of the Republican Party!!:)
canopfor on August 3, 2009 at 9:25 PM
With all of the squishing going on sometimes I feel like we’re surrounded by a bunch of wet sneakers.
thomasaur on August 3, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Shhhh. I don’t want to embarrass any of the squeamish right. They’re so sensitive, you know.
progressoverpeace on August 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM
progressoverpeace: HEY! I HEARD THAT!!! HaHa,–:)
canopfor on August 3, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Shhhh. I don’t want to embarrass any of the squeamish right. They’re so sensitive, you know.
progressoverpeace on August 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM
With all of the squishing going on sometimes I feel like we’re surrounded by a bunch of wet sneakers.
thomasaur on August 3, 2009 at 9:25 PM
thomasaur: With wet sneakers,comes the reek!
And that reek,would be the moderates!!Tee-Hee:)
canopfor on August 3, 2009 at 9:28 PM
This kind of stupidity is systematic in bureaucracies. Add a hefty dose of Leftist intellectual elitism, the notion that common people are just ignorant riffraff, and you have a major problem. As in what we have under Obama.
Loxodonta on August 3, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Have you ever seen Terms of Service written like this anywhere before? What about the Obamacare bill?
d1carter on August 3, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Beck is obviously attempting to be as outrageous as Rush but doing so with far less talent.
AnninCA on August 3, 2009 at 9:32 PM
If Glenn hadn’t have done this story on Friday would the government have modified the website? I think not.Do not trust this administration and you can’t make me.
thomasaur on August 3, 2009 at 9:32 PM
I don’t know. I went online a while back to order stamps. The agreement was so detailed and intrusive and spooked me, I said screwed it and just logged off. There was some sort of disclaimer that they could use my info to serve me with a subpoena and crap like that.
Blake on August 3, 2009 at 9:33 PM
America needs watchdogs and the 4th Estate has abdicated their responsibility. It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it. thnx Glenn
thomasaur on August 3, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Kudos to Glen, then. He deserves his credit.
Spirit of 1776 on August 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Allah seems to think that if we simply all just act level headed on our side – the other side will too. And we’ll all be able to get along – and more importantly, Conservative ideals will win out on the level playing field.
Newsflash Allah – this isn’t a fair fight and the other side isn’t interested in playing by your rules of honor. I admire your sense of morality – but I have to condemn it as naivety.
We are fighting socialism and socialists, Marxists, along with anarchists and anti-Americans. They COUNT ON your naivety and your sense of morals.
The founding fathers were able to BEAT the English using the rifled musket and guerrilla tactics – which the British found to be uncivilized and dishonorable. Yet – in the end, the battlefield surrenders itself to he who wins the battle. The field cares not for morality.
HondaV65 on August 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
All I want to know is what name does Allah-P post under on HuffingtonPost?
klickink.wordpress.com on August 3, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Ckattattack ^^
Upstater85 on August 3, 2009 at 9:45 PM
No, no, those terms of agreements are if you get sick you just go away and die. Don’t ask for help we are tryint to save money here.
boomer on August 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Ah ha!
Loxodonta on August 3, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Re: whether it was a mistake or deliberate, does it really matter? One person’s mistake is another person’s loophole. The reason the Constitution is written the way it is, is to limit the power of less then honorable men.
Spirit of 1776 on August 3, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Is there any evidence that a dealer connecting to cars.gov/dealers is getting malware or spyware of any sort? If Beck can find that out (it shouldn’t be that tough with the right IT person) then I’ll listen. Otherwise, he is going overboard on a poorly worded disclaimer on the site. Yes the wording needed to be changed, but being overly shrill on the whole matter isn’t going to help. I like Beck on a lot of things, but I think he needs to dial it back here.
Remember. Just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you!
Ordinary1 on August 3, 2009 at 9:51 PM
And never underestimate the malice and the stupidity of the Obama administration.
LASue on August 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Nope thats Janet Napolitano no relation
tjexcite on August 3, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Humorously Beck wasn’t upset about the Bush/Cheney policy of warrantless wiretaps. He even argued for their need (I mean there are terrorists out there guys!). That actually happened, the government downloading your hard drive because you accessed cars.gov *cant’t* happen. That’s not how computers work.
jonknee on August 3, 2009 at 10:01 PM
What I like about Beck is that he says what he thinks and what he feels.
Unlike the squishy Vichy Right, he doesn’t worry that he may offend those who will take offense no matter what he says.
Blake on August 3, 2009 at 10:03 PM
I worry about Glenn sometimes. He can sound like his watch is wound too tight sometimes. And then he has these inspired shows where he is like a latter-day prophet. I wish he would work less, sleep more, and stay 100% sane. We need him.
smellthecoffee on August 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Thanks for clearing that up for us Mr. Gore.
thomasaur on August 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I SUPPORT WIRELESS WIRETAPS!
Blake on August 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Oops! WARRENTLESS WIRETAPS!
Blake on August 3, 2009 at 10:06 PM
When a terrorist in Pakistan is calling the US, the line should be tapped. I understand that the left doesn’t like this, since it would put a big crimp in their fundraising activities.
progressoverpeace on August 3, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Local radio is yapping about the Obama joker posters. Considering the disgusting Bush/Cheney/Nazi posters they had plastered all over my neighborhood for 8 years, they can piss off.
Blake on August 3, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Jelly Toast
Would that more would read Edmund Burke….. especially Anne in CA….. statist that she is.
MNDavenotPC on August 3, 2009 at 10:17 PM
What’s the problem with getting a warrant? Without checks and balances the system can easily be abused.
jonknee on August 3, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Nice screen cap of Beck on the home page. Either he was holding his breath until the website changed to his liking or he needs more fiber.
AP is so subtle.
Terrie on August 3, 2009 at 10:27 PM
If they were gonna worm the whole InnerToobes, 1] aren’t there a whole lot of easier ways? b] why admit it?
Claire on August 3, 2009 at 10:32 PM
The government would never have a nefarious motive.
Johan Klaus on August 3, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I agree with you, unfortunately AP seems to believe that if you stand by the constitution and what is says, you are a wack job.
conservnut on August 3, 2009 at 10:36 PM
HondaV65 on August 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
+100
and if you have any inclination to believe that Pinnochio might be a closet Muslim then you have to understand to lie to the enemy to further your adgenda (world rule by Islam) is honorable and an important part of a Jihadi’s arsenal.
To say Pinnochio lies like a bedwetter is to slander bedwetters!
dhunter on August 3, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I like Napolitano. I live/work in northern NJ and work in the legal profession. Back in the day when Napolitano was a superior court judge he was a fair and ethical judge.
He has a mastery of constitutional law that Obama could only hope to have.
Willie on August 3, 2009 at 10:40 PM
These are international calls with suspected terrorists at one end. Demanding warrants for the taps is like Mirandizing terrorists we pick up in Afghanistan.
progressoverpeace on August 3, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Does it matter? And if it does? How?
javamartini on August 3, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Blake on August 3, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Where can I get one? I want to plaster it to my van window and drive around town darin Obama voters to open their stupid traps!
Wait a minute is that O.K. with McCain?
dhunter on August 3, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Too quick on the submit button there…I mean, we can’t trust them so no matter what excuse they come up with, it does not matter to me.
javamartini on August 3, 2009 at 10:43 PM
So, we should get a warrant to tap a call from a terrorist from outside of the U.S.A.? And, I guess that you think that illegal un-uniformed combatants should have the same rights availible as a U.S. citizen?
Johan Klaus on August 3, 2009 at 10:45 PM
What did the original language say? Why say that it was changed without saying what the original said?
HotWeaver on August 3, 2009 at 10:46 PM
To prevent the government page from taking over your computer, just use Firefox with NoScript. Then you get the following stuff:
Problem solved, until the government learns to not use pop-ups.
unclesmrgol on August 3, 2009 at 10:47 PM
The problem is who is a terrorist and what proof is needed to make that distinction. FISA was set up for just this thing. Without checks and balances the terrorist label can be applied when the Feds think a court order will be denied. You may have trusted Bush to only spy on terrorists, but who’s to say Obama will keep that going?
jonknee on August 3, 2009 at 10:50 PM
“They changed it, but I was still right. It really meant nothing at all” Great. You Win Allah
TheBigOldDog on August 3, 2009 at 10:52 PM
These calls originate from outside of the U.S..
Johan Klaus on August 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Go ahead – make fun of Beck all you want……but he is not letting this administration off the hook. We need more people to question and READ all the crapulous that is coming out of this incredibly evil government.
KEEP IT UP BECK!!
whatzit2u on August 3, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I’d prefer that Beck sound the alarm bell and be wrong than not sound the alarm at all. I don’t trust government in general, and especially this administration.
Red State State of Mind on August 3, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Well, I am a 14+ year IT professional and I can tell you, calling that boilerplate ‘overbroad’ is an understatement. You basically agreed to give your system and all its contents to be shared with anyone the government wants, including law enforcement and foreign governments. Did they have nefarious plans, probably not. But with this administration….
well…
Wolftech on August 3, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Yeah it’s not like the government would want to take over car companies or anything. . .
- The Cat
MirCat on August 3, 2009 at 11:05 PM
might not have a plan now – but I bet they were putting all the mechanisms in place for when they do. I don’t trust this admin at all – the Czars stink to high heaven and everyone in the media just seems to ignore them. When are the people going to wake up and have a good old fashion revolt!!
whatzit2u on August 3, 2009 at 11:06 PM
P.S. What would the Founding Fathers say about giving the ruling class the benefit of the doubt?
MirCat on August 3, 2009 at 11:10 PM
When they walk off the train and feel the heat of the ovens?
dhunter on August 3, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Glenn was asking on his program today that no one use any violence. That sounds nice, but if they pass this healthcare bill and raise taxes on everyone and everyone has lousy care and no medicine or treatments, just what the hell are we supposed to do? If this gets passed, there is no way that it can be backed out or reversed. We are so screwed.
cjs1943 on August 3, 2009 at 11:22 PM
AP, your cynicism of Beck is tiresome.
Beck has been spot on about so much over the years and lately is frighteningly accurate.
katy on August 3, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Cash for Clunker’s…
… has been an exceptional success…!
Geezer on August 3, 2009 at 11:26 PM
when we are walking to the trains, we will be talking about Beck and how on spot he really was…..and WHY THE HELL didn’t everyone listen to him!!
whatzit2u on August 3, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Are you freaking kidding me?? Where have you been?
whatzit2u on August 3, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Agreed.
Beck and the media seem to be caught in a Catch-22. If they tell you about something like this and tell you their thoughts about where this could lead the elite of HA say that he is (they are) overdoing it. If he ignores the story, or plays it down, others at HA would crucify him for being a liberal or worse a RINO like they think of O’Reilly.
So Beck sticks true to himself. Bravo. Love the guy. He gives me the story at least.
journeyintothewhirlwind on August 3, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Still not ready to be fitted for a tinfoil hat, Allah?
They give you better radio reception, and they’re a great conversation starter … if you can get anyone to sit within ten feet of you.
Seriously, I would not put ANYTHING past the current administration with regard to invasion of privacy, or controlling freedoms.
And we are still waiting to hear what account you use to post on HuffingtonPost (and DailyKOS) …
VibrioCocci on August 3, 2009 at 11:37 PM
+1000+
cntrlfrk on August 3, 2009 at 11:37 PM
“…Beck has been spot on about so much over the years and lately is frighteningly accurate.
katy on August 3, 2009 at 11:25 PM
“spot” is “frighteningly”…
Your description “katy”…?
You dah babe…Glen’s the guy…!
and U… wathtzit2u…Huh…?
Gotta luv yah both…sittin…in the back of the classroom…!
Geezer on August 3, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Unfortunately, Geezer is serious. Note previous post:
Yikes!
VibrioCocci on August 3, 2009 at 11:39 PM
katy,
I think the deal with AP and many in the media with college degrees see Beck as a rube with no book learnin’. They think that a person can’t be insightful without a sheepskin. I’ll take a guy who pays attention over the guy who paid tuition any day.
thomasaur on August 3, 2009 at 11:40 PM
katy on August 3, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Exactly!
There’s a lot to be said for instinct and wisdom.
Knowledge without wisdom is folly. Kinda like the whole of DC presently.
katy on August 3, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Too much of a problem trying to figure out who’s who with a “surveillance chip” much easier just to turn on your “cell phone” remotely and listen in.
Oh the cell phone thing? That’s no joke, its real.
“on stare, always on” aint no lie.
Did ya knowed dat?
DSchoen on August 3, 2009 at 11:53 PM
+1000+
cntrlfrk on August 3, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Hey freak…
Yah spent way to much time earlier with the Captain…
…never saw more then +1 or perhaps +2…?
Geezer on August 3, 2009 at 11:58 PM
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