Why do I have this feeling that on an airfield nearby a squadron of pigs is preparing for take off?
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The U.S. military has blocked access to a range of popular commercial websites in order to free up bandwidth for use in Japan recovery efforts, according to information from the U.S. Strategic Command.
The sites, which, amongst others, including YouTube, ESPN, Amazon, eBay and MTV, were chosen not for their content (if you believe that then you believe in Santa Claus too) but because their popularity among users of military computers account for significant bandwidth.
The block, instituted Monday, is intended to make sure bandwidth was available in Japan for military operations as the United States helps in the aftermath of last week's deadly earthquake and tsunami, so claims a spokesperson for the U.S Strategic Command.
U.S. Pacific Command made the request to free up the bandwidth. The sites, 13 in all, are blocked across the Department of Defense's .mil computer system and it is being emphasized that it was a temporary measure and just a response to a time of extreme demand for networks.
It has been said that the blockage will be of a temporary nature and may increase or decrease in the size and scope as necessary.
The blocked websites are:
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Youtube.com
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Googlevideo.com
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Amazon.com
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ESPN.go.com
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eBay.com
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Doubleclick.com
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Eyewonder.com
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Pandora.com
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streamtheworld.com
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Mtv.com
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Ifilm.com
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Myspace.com
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Metacafe.com
As a watcher of military and political affairs my feelings on this lead me to believe that this block has more to do with a planned military operation somewhere, and a very large scale one at that, rather than anything with any relief operations for Japan.
Let the reader make up his or her own mind here.
© 2011
