A secret plan to kill net neutrality. Very creepy, guys.

[beachmom]

Not sure you have followed the news on net neutrality since the court ruling that said the FCC had no jurisdiction over the internet the way they do over telecommunications. Well, the chairman (much credit to him) changed the rules so they will be able to oversee the internet and make sure net neutrality will remain. Meanwhile, telecoms and cable companies have gotten into bed with Grover Norquist, launching a creepy campaign aimed at video gamers to turn people against net neutrality (which they call Net Brutality):

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/05/11/netneutrality-grover-afp/

Net neutrality, a guiding principle for preserving a free and fair Internet, means that Internet service providers are not allowed to discriminate based on content for its customers. However, telecommunications firms — like AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and others — are firmly against net neutrality because they would like to increase their profits by deciding which websites customers can see, and at what speed. The telecom industry has dumped hundreds of millions of dollars into a lobby campaign against net neutrality. As the FCC now takes up net neutrality rule making, the industry is pushing an “outside approach” of hiring front groups and astroturf operatives.

This morning, representatives from various front groups launched a new coordinated campaign to kill net neutrality. Speaking on Capitol Hill, these front groups took turns decrying the evils of the principle of a fair and unbiased Internet. LULAC, which is funded by AT&T, called Net Neutrality “Obamacare for the Internet.” Americans for Prosperity — a corporate front group founded by oil billionaire David Koch but also funded by telecom interests — unveiled a new ad smearing net neutrality as a “government takeover” (the initial ad buy is $1.4 million dollars). And Grover Norquist, representing his “Americans for Tax Reform” corporate front group, said net neutrality is like what China does, “putting policemen on every corner, on the street or on the Internet.”

Much more to read at the link, but damn -- comparing net neutrality to what the Chinese are doing with their internet? I mean, THAT is a pack of lies. The problem is I think a lot of people will fall for it. They don't realize that corporations are the real Big Brothers on the internet (see: Facebook http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/facebook-timeline).