To the Point
Anonymous and the Real World Implications of 'Hacktivism'
The Internet can be used creatively, but also has malicious purposes. Also, the Greek threat to the debt plan, and a change in cocaine sentencing and African Americans.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenThe Internet's been a crucial facilitator of the Arab Spring, but it can be used for malicious purposes as well as political creativity. How important is anonymity and those calling themselves "Anonymous?" Also, the Greek referendum threatens debt plan, roils world markets, and a change in sentencing law for crack cocaine eliminates a perceived injustice to African Americans.
Banner image: Screen grab from one of Anonymous' many YouTube videos
In this episode
3 storiesGreek Referendum Threatens Debt Plan, Roils World Markets
Greek Prime Minister Papandreou's cabinet has approved his call for a national referendum on the deal to save the Eurozone. But Papandreou's government may not survive a no-confidence vote at the end of this week. In the meantime, other European leaders are applying all the pressure they can.
Read the story8 min'Anonymous' and Privacy on the Internet
With hangings, beheadings and mass murders, drug cartels have created a culture of fear in Mexico, which extends even to the Internet. A YouTube video that went viral has drawn attention to a cyberspace collective calling itself "Anonymous."
Read the story35 minCrack Sentencing Reforms Take Effect
Twelve thousand inmates are eligible for release from federal prisons due to reforms of sentencing laws for crack cocaine. Cocaine is illegal in all its forms but, in federal sentencing law, there's a disparity between crack and powder. The penalty for possession or distribution of crack used to be 100 times greater than for powder.
Read the story8 min
