Network World — Communism, Fascism, treading on liberties, censorship and other political cries greeted the news of proposed legislation in the U.S. Senate that would give the president power to disconnect the Internet.

While many Network World readers thought the story on a bill introduced April 1 in the Senate concerning cybersecurity was an April Fools' gag, it was not.

"This was an April Fools, right? Please say that it was," one reader wrote.

The bill was introduced by West Virginia Democratic Sen. John Rockefeller, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Republican from Maine.

The sweeping legislation included a provision to give the president the power to "order the disconnection of any Federal government or United States critical infrastructure information systems or networks in the interest of national security."

Critics of the measure said the provision needed to be more clearly defined, but expected the Internet, along with telecommunications and banking systems, to fall under "critical infrastructure."

Many Network World readers said the bill gives the government too much power and liken the scope of its provisions to China and other communist countries or regimes.

And many criticized President Obama for abuse of power even though he had nothing to do with the bi-partisan legislation that would pertain to any sitting president.

"This guy is taking over banks, auto and now the internet. Is it time to move to a small deserted island in the Pacific until this madness runs it's course." wrote one anonymous responder.

Still others said that cybersecurity is a serious issue that will take some difficult decisions to combat.

"...Some good may come off the mere existence of this idea. As for security standards: It can be something sweeping, or something as basic as "Use of a hardened OS is required," which is loose enough to permit variety," said reader N. Secure.

Some were put off by the ill-defined reference to national security that was part of the bill.

"You would be amazed at what the government can consider 'national security.' Let's see... A report about black water goes public on CNN. Government feels report undermines its authority... Next thing you know, CNN is disconnected from the world due to "National Security," said G3iMacMan, on Network World's Web site. "This is government censorship. That is what is happening in China. Do you know what to do in the event of a cyber attack? You unplug YOUR OWN network cable. And you ADVISE others to do the same. This is a VERY BAD IDEA."

Continue Reading