Warning: Don’t Access CARS.gov

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, August 21, 2009
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. “Big Brother” is doing his watching and listening these days from the most unusual places. For example, everybody’s heard about the “Cash for Clunkers” buy-off of good old vintage gas-guzzling cars. But the media hasn’t openly warned us about what happens if you link up to the CARS.gov Web site. So, let me caution you with the facts.

After you agree to the site’s “Privacy Act and Security Statement”, a REALLY troubling warning pops up. But before I read it, I encourage you to listen very carefully to every word. It says, “This application provides access to the Department of Transportation CARS system. When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a Federal computer system and is the property of the U.S. Government.” Did you get that? If you log onto CARS.gov, you’re forewarned that your computer will be treated as property of the federal government.

The warning continues with this: “Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, Department of Transportation, and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign.” Now, did you notice? If you continue on that site, everything on your computer is not only property of the federal government, it will be fair game for use by anyone, for any reason, anywhere in this country and around the world.

In August, this was confirmed by Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle and syndicated columnist Jonah Goldberg. Now it’s on YouTube. So, I have a question. Is the federal government taking control of every car dealer’s computer during “cash for clunkers” deals? If a dealer discards the computer he uses for “Cash-for-Clunkers” deals, would his replacement computer, also, be considered property of the federal government? The Fox News anchor says it’s perfectly legal for government to do this. She, also, said the system is like a huge octopus with tentacles everywhere. But, be forewarned. If you stay off the CARS.gov Web site, you won’t become a victim … this time. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol Correspondent.