ASP Banned on Military Computers
June 17th, 2008 by Admin
About ten days ago, I noticed a disturbing trend: our readership had dropped dramatically; almost overnight. Then, I got an email from a friend in Afghanistan that he could no longer access ASP. Then, I got an email from a friend in Iraq that he could no longer access ASP. Then, I got an email from Terri and a few other buddies at Fort Hood that ASP was blocked on their computers. So, it occurred to me to check the backend to see what was going on. It used to be that .mil extensions would account for upwards of 30% of our traffic. Now, it's down to about 1%.
Why would the Pentagon decide to systematically begin blocking a blog that has been so successful in getting out the good word of our military successes as well as telling the stories of the good deeds our troops are doing? Why would they deny access to the very site responsible for helping tell their story? I literally get requests EVERY DAY from one DoD entity or another to publish information, participate in a bloggers roundtable, or some other request for information. Not only that, but various general officers have wrapped their arms around us as a useful tool to get out information about their specific units' accomplishments. While we don't publish every request, we do a great job of using it and passing the information along.
I would also add that I am on the White House media mailing list – a mailing list reserved strictly for media outlets. I am sent the President's schedules, speeches, and other information well before the general public knows about it. I take that seriously as I am entrusted with embargoed information on a weekly basis.
I don't know what's going on, but I sure hope this is just an oversight from some overzealous junior officer and not an institutional change. I understand the concern that Soldiers and civilians would be using government computers for non-official purposes (ie: checking ASP), but it is perfectly acceptable to use government computers for simple web searches, information gathering, checking personal emails, etc during breaks and on personal time. So what gives?
Posted in Military Perspective
CJ,
I hope this is a mistake and like you said an oversight of some overzealous junior officer blocking you. Hope the problem is fixed soon!
This "overzealous" officer problem seems to be coming up more often, even in my own country. My brothers who were in the Army told me stories of people who jump rank due to good results in their education before joining the army.
They randomly make rules without knowing how most things are done, and nobody dares to challenge them due to their status.
I know some people who work on Army-issued computers. The recurring theme is that their IT people have no goal other than security.
That would be great if paired with a goal of making sure that the users can do their jobs. Unfortunately, functionality often seems to be sacrificed for the sake of making sure that data is secure.
It could be that ASP is a victim of the same kind of zealousness.
Lima Charlie at Ft Stewart. Blocks are apparently local.
I agree with Jacki. In my experience, if there was a problem with connectivity it was the IT-guys getting overzealous about security. Now I know security is extremely important, but as with everything else, there has to be a balance. For example, we decided to give up buying law books and "migrate" to using electronic legal databases for legal research to save money; but then the IT-folks blocked our access to the research sites in the name of security. So how do we do our jobs? The "fix" required a dose of common sense coupled with the strategic application of rank in the right place; but amazingly, the problem would still periodically crop up whenever a new security "fix" would be applied. Unfortunate, but true. Functionality sacrificed for total security.
I don't have any problems here at Redstone Arsenal either.
Perhaps it's because of the violation of the use of the military registered trademarks.
Steve, how much training does it take to become as ignorant as you are? It can't be natural, that's for sure.
All I know is, when I reported your trademark violation to the DOD as you suggested they said they would look into it.
CJ,
I think the same kind of training Morton went through. Pretty expensive to be sure, since the subjects don't even know what happened to them.
Well, Steve, I haven't been contacted yet. Did you make sure they had my email address and contact information? Make sure they know that the owner of this site is Army First Sergeant CJ Grisham. It's important they know who they're looking for. Unless….they DID look into and realized that I've done nothing wrong. After all, I have a very detailed disclaimer that is prominently displayed above the banner!
Now, isn't there a homeowner's association violation you need to report. Or maybe there's a cross or copy of the ten commandments in a courthouse somewhere about which you should contact the ACLU. If you look hard enough, there is plenty wrong with this country that isn't any of your business and people to whom I'm sure you can complain. Everyone loves a whiner – even the Pentagon!!
Now, Steve, they have some really cool Binkies on Ebay if you need a new one. Get off my teet!
CJ, you're making me look like a complete fool in the Charlotte airport from laughing. Good one!
Steve, do you really have nothing else better to do than be the internet police? Last I checked, using images associated with various branches of the armed services wasn't illegal. If you can provide proof the contrary, I'd be glad to take a look at it.
Here ya go, sailor….
marines.mil/u....aspx#emblem
"EMBLEM USAGE
Can I use the Eagle, Globe and Anchor on my business cards?
Department of Defense and Military Seals are protected by law from unauthorized use. These seals may NOT be used for non-official purposes.
However, the Military Services typically approve the use of their Service emblem or coat of arms on a case-by-case basis as a substitute. There is no such substitute for the Department of Defense Seal."
So you can put all the disclaimers you want if you don't have permission you are in violation of the law. I requested they prosecute you under civilian law but they might go with UCMJ. With the bashing of "overzealous officers" you might want to request a trial under civilian law.
Steve,
So… excatly how is that going to help ASP or its readers? Are you doing this for the sake of it? If you that we should all do the right thing, inform CJ and Marcus and that should be the end of it, why does it have to spread so far as this where you bash the whole site because of their use of logo?
Unless of course there is a little doubt at the back of your mind that refuses to go away no matter how many times you slap it down…
"Unless of course there is a little doubt at the back of your mind that refuses to go away no matter how many times you slap it down%u2026"
What does that even mean?
I informed them of the trademark issue awhile ago. Instead of doing the right thing, and complying with the law, they challenged me to do something about and provided a link so I could report it. I've not posted one negative thing about the site. What kind of society would we have if people didn't comply with the laws just because they didn't feel like it? The funny thing is, if they requested it, they would probably get permission and it wouldn't cost them a dime.
Steve,
What I mean, is that after you reported this issue (which I assume you have done long ago), you should just drop it and let the DOD settle everything. If they are in the wrong, they would get a call soon enough, why do you keep pressuring CJ and Marcus non-stop about it?
If you are doing the right thing, then why the constant stepping on CJ's toes?
We obviously have different definitions of "Non-stop". Instead of being concerned with a violation of US law you're focusing on me mentioning it twice? The only reason I brought it up again was because CJ was wondering about why the site was blocked. I merely offered my hypothesis. Why aren't you asking Marcus and CJ why they, after being informed of the violation, continue to flaunt US law?
Steve, I anxiously await my "prosecution" by "overzealous officers" that you speak. You see, ASP is not a business. I don't make money off it – unlike many bumper sticker producers. It's not even a non-profit site. ASP is a site about military news and the Marine Corps and Army logos are available for public consumption under that.
While I appreciate the fact that instead of ensuring that you do something positive for mankind, you are adamant to contact the DoD on our behalf about our use of publicly recognized symbols. Something tells me, though, that if the DOD is unwilling/unable to track down deserters, that a site dedicated to truth on military topics probably doesn't rank very high on their list of priorities.
Steve, I assure you I am not worried about your little crusade. Please keep calling and demanding an answer. You deserve it Steve! By golly, you're an American tax payer and this military belongs to YOU. Gosh DAMN us for such flagrant violations of copyright law. If you aren't getting anywhere with that phone number, call your congressman. But, call him quickly. He may not be in office come November and that's just around the corner.
If you'd like, I can schedule a trip to DC to meet with you and you can handcuff me and take me straight to the front door of the Pentagon. I'm sure that would make you feel a lot better.
In the meantime, I have to get going. There are some anti-war protesters out today that need to be educated.
Isaac, he's right. Marcus and I are copyright felons and deserve to be dealt with. We should be waterboarded, made to stand on a box with wires attached to our fingers, and then stuck at Club Gitmo. I'm all about the hard right over the easy wrong. Please don't discourage him from his quest. No one likes a quitter!
Oh, BJ we both know they aren't going to bother to prosecute you. They will find another way, maybe by blocking your site from military computers…..oops, they already did that! Well done, BJ!
Steve,
YAWN……………….
Hehe, and you resort to name calling. Typical of a six-year old. I'm not banned on all military computers by the way. I can still see it on my computers at work, Fort Knox, Fort Campbell, Fort Benning, and I'm sure many others.
You still have a LONG way to go. Keep at it! You're doing great.
You've been calling me names throughout. Way to lead by example…First Sergeant. Wow…First Sergeant Don't Ask Don't Tell has been very good to your kind.
I just checked and can't quite find where I've ever called you a name. I did mention you were being ignorant (an adjective; i can define the word for you) and also that you were whining (a verb, not a noun). If you stop whining and educate yourself, you'll probably realize a few things about this site.
Instead, you resort to baseless namecalling. I am a First Sergeant, but that has nothing to do with this site. I'm not homophobic either, so your homo-erotic slandering doesn't really phase me much. Perhaps, though, YOU have some closet issues you may need to work through.
Enjoy the freedoms you are fighting for.
It's only going to get BETTER!
CJ, may I make a suggestion? Why don't you contact the D.o.D. and ask them why they blocked this blog from some of the military's computers?
If our blog being being banned from some of the computers in the service was just like what Donna had said earlier; "a mistake", then we could finally put an end to the aimless bickering that has been taking place in this thread.
If Steve has no concerns to be blogging here other than the one that has drawn him to this thread, then guess what? We have good news, he'll be gone like a stain on the window after being mopped up with Windex.
Imagine that, CJ. You won't have to bicker anymore, and I know how wasting time is not within the general make up of your character so this would be awesome news.
Oh, great. That means I'm next.