Net Neutrality Issue Exploding
April 25th, 2006 by MattThe public is waking up and taking this issue seriously. I’m reading posts at Firewheeldesign to Manatheater to Josh Marshall to James Hudnall to Ralph Maughan’s Wildlife Reports. And it’s making a difference on Capitol Hill, according to National Journal.
The triple whammy of renewed opposition to the current bill is likely to complicate the drive by House Energy and Commerce Committee Joe Barton, R-Texas, to win approval. His legislation is highly favored by Bell telephone companies seeking to quickly enter the pay-television market on a nationwide basis. It is scheduled for a Wednesday committee vote.
Americans like their internet freedom. Congress is finding that out.
April 25th, 2006 at 3:30 am
I think that one of the easiest ways to spread this info is through myspace. I myself just created a bulletin and I hope people will pass it on.
April 25th, 2006 at 8:16 am
Critics blast SBC-Rush relationship
April 25, 2006
BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sweet25.html
WASHINGTON — An Englewood community center founded by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), a key player on telecommunications legislation, received a $1 million grant from the charitable arm of SBC/AT&T, one of the nation’s largest phone companies.
The chief of a congressional watchdog group says Rush’s ongoing association with the Rebirth of Englewood Community Development Corporation and his role in shaping telecommunications law as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee is a conflict of interest. Using charitable giving as a backdoor way to curry favor with lawmakers is coming under increasing scrutiny, figuring in controversies associated with former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), who was forced to temporarily step aside as the ranking Democrat on the Ethics panel.
On Wednesday, the energy and commerce panel on which Rush sits is set to vote on a controversial rewrite of telecommunications law co-sponsored by Rush and backed by major phone companies eager to compete with cable television companies.
April 25th, 2006 at 9:25 am
I am taking the issue of Net Neutrality to the local level.
Verizon has applied for a cable TV franchise in my town Red Bank, New Jersey. I am pushing the town council to make Verizon address the Net Neutrality as part of the franchise agreement. I think this is a key way to enforce Net Neutrality.
Verizon has already spent the money on running fiber in my town, they are ready to roll out their cable TV service and now I want to force them to have to address the issue of Net Neutrality before they get our town’s approval.
In my opinion this is the best way to fight for Net Neutrality.
Take a look at my blog for more information about our very local fight for Net Neutrality.
http://www.redbanktv.org
Thanks
Tom @ redbanktv dot org
April 25th, 2006 at 10:23 am
I work on a college campus and if there were small posters available for download I would print some out and post them. It could help.
April 25th, 2006 at 10:54 am
Flyers would be great
April 25th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Recuse Yourself…
As Tim, over at the Free Press writes:
According to a report in today’s Chicago Sun-Times, the charitable arm of AT&T — formerly known as SBC Communications — donated $1 million to the Rebirth of Englewood Community Development Corporation, a n…
April 25th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
You need to remember the USA is a freemarket society if the companies want to pay the providers for faster speed and better access they should be allowed to do that.
Get off your LIBERAL Democrat high horse and let the US fly free as it always has.
Jessica
April 28th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
This will wreak havoc in public libraries where we are working hard to bridge the digital divide. Rep. Dingell (MI-D) is working hard to defend Net Neutrality and we are so grateful.