Congress Casting Vote on Future of Internet

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

by Josh Silver
Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-silver/congress-casting-vote-on-_b_19793.html

<snip>

By keeping net neutrality off the books, they can charge content and applications providers -- from non-profit organizations to innovative entrepreneurs to Internet giants like Google, Yahoo! and I-Tunes -- for super-fast delivery to consumers.

Who will be able to afford this? Only the biggest companies; everyone else will be shunted to the slow lane in this zero-sum game. Every time one Web site is accelerated, another must be slowed down. It spells the end of equality on the Internet and the beginning of a world where most content providers get stuck in the slow lane. Ultimately, the absence of net neutrality will result in a handful of massive companies turning the Internet into a product like cable TV -- where they, not you, decide what you get to see, how fast it downloads, and who gets preferential treatment.

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Let's enjoy this last bastion of freedom while we can---its days are clearly numbered.

[fooj]

1. KandR!

Peace.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

2. Thanks for the K & R...

...Hopefully this issue will put more of us in the same fighting mood as Huff Post comments poster CharlesMac who wrote:

It looks like the committee vote is well on its way to a no-go for Net Neutrality. This is a clever end run while everybody is busy looking at Iraq and the gas pump and throwing up.

All we can hope for is if a provider makes a move to tiering. There is no blogger, small company, iTuner, news junkie, or political crackpot(s) like us that won't flood the politicos. We can put it to them "Have you ever thought about what you wanted to do after government service?"

We'll go NRA on their asses.

"Out of my dead cold hands, you take my keyboard."

I know that's not exactly the issue, but we can make it that issue.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Hey....I like CharlesMac's attitude!

We'll go NRA on their asses.

"Out of my dead cold hands, you take my keyboard."

that's probably what it'll take!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

4. Agreed. We'll have to fight this very hard. nt.

[OneBlueSky]

5. it's all about POWER . . .

the Internet gives power to the people -- power that competes with that weilded by those who actually believe that THEY hold all the power . . . this is a direct threat to their world view, and must be stamped out if they are to continue to rule . . . goes for Republicans and Democrats alike . . .

[Oversea Visitor]

6. Another very stupid move

Do this
And world set up alternative internet site and engine

This issue no different from what US try to do and claim control of internet

WARNING already given then
Dont lock yourself and throw key away.

[Beowulf]

8. Exactly

This is a bad bill and should be defeated. But even if it passes, the big ISP's may find their market share actually decreases. It would be an excellent opportunity for a new ISP to enter the field. This could end up being a huge over-reach by the large ISP's.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. No person safe while Republican Congresses in session, but FatCats are.

[northamericancitizen]

9. K & R

[Wisconsin Larry]

10. There's a couple of things that everyone can do, co-sponsor Markey

Net Neutrality amendment by clicking on
http://www.democraticleader.house.gov/issues/net_neutrality_/index.cfm

and use the Save The Internet form to send a strong message to your representatives at
http://action.freepress.net/campaign/savethenet

One of the points in my letter to Congress is that as a small business, I will not be able to afford the fees that Corporate America can. As such, new clients will not be finding me on the Net anymore and I'll be going out of business.

Washington has got to stop selling us out to corporate America and this is a good place to start.

[BeTheChange]

11. Good.. maybe this will finally piss off the kids..

if they cant get their free bit torrents maybe they will get up off their asses and start some protesting.

If there is no draft, this is a good hedge bet.

[Initech]

12. Once again, big business wins, everyone else gets fucked.

Argh, I'm tired of this shit! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! :nuke:

[dogday]

13. This government has done nothing but

screw the american people... Everything they do is for big business and they just stick it to us all the more.... This not only affects the internet, but they want to destroy PAC on television.. No more public access channels.. Can't have anyone express their opinions now can we?????


Fascists taking over our communications, what is next????

[pushycat]

14. Google our new internet resource? Check this out:

http://google.blognewschannel.com/index.php/archives/2005/07/07/google-bets-on-broadband-over-power-lines/

http://www.desktoppipeline.com/blog/archives/2006/02/bully_boy_ed_wh.html

Let the greedy ones go ahead and shoot themselves in the foot financially, We'll have a 'do no evil' Google internet to go to.

[The Doctor.]

18. That.... is amazing!

Google Rocks.

[The Doctor.]

15. When is the vote?

Did they hold it already?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

17. Here is a map of the Committee vote:

http://www.savetheinternet.com/=map

[The Doctor.]

16. So it's in committee right now....

And if it passes committee then it goes to the full house... right?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

19. I believe so, but I'm not an...

...authority on House procedures. Here's a link that may help answer that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives#Procedure

Here's a good FAQ link about Network Neutrality:

http://www.savetheinternet.com/=faq#congress