Article: Net-Roots Army Slays Giants in DC
October 2nd, 2006 by tkarrA ragtag army of bloggers and Internet activists have tripped up the phone and cable “Goliaths” using an arsenal of YouTube videos, MySpace sites, musical remixes, traditional grassroots tactics and innovative online organizing to make the case for Net Neutrality.
That’s how Daniel Reilly portrayed SavetheInternet.com’s efforts today in his lead feature at Salon.com. Reilly writes about ordinary people who have banded together to beat back corporate lobbyists and their allies in Congress. This broad grass- and net-roots mobilization has successfully stalled a piece of legislation that only nine months earlier was slated for quick passage on Capitol Hill.
Reilly writes:
“[T]he Net Neutrality issue surfaced from the Internet and murky halls of Congress into wider public awareness. An unlikely coalition of advocates … motivated by what they see as threats to free speech, started taking the issue to their constituents with renewed passion. [Craig] Aaron of SavetheInternet.com says the strange coalition has definitely turned heads in Washington. ‘For far too long, media policy has been big companies making decisions behind closed doors. Folks in D.C. got very used to making this sort of monumental decision without ever bothering to ask the public what they think about it.’”
At the beginning of the year most had predicted that the 2006 telecom bill was on the legislative fast track — with Congress deep under the influence of hand outs from the phone and cable lobby.
According to OpenSecrets.org and Arlen Communications, these companies have spent more than $100 million on campaign contributions, Beltway TV and radio ads, congressional junkets and lobbyists this year. This spending spree is part of an effort to pressure elected officials to pass regulations that would place the financial interests of companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast before those of the public.
Many elected officials were willing to reap the corporate largesse and gut Internet freedom until a loose network of Web organizers, online innovators and grassroots activists brought the Internet sell off to light.
“Two very different models are now coming to head,” Aaron told Reilly. “One is entrenched lobbyists in D.C. doing what they have always done, fighting it out inside the Beltway. On the other side is this new grass-roots movement, using new communications tools and finding new ways to organize. This is people using the Internet to save the Internet.”
While we’re pleased to receive praise for SavetheInternet.com’s efforts, it’s too early to declare victory for the grass roots and Net Neutrality. Members of Congress this week returned home as the 2006 election cycle enters its home stretch. It’s possible, though, that Senator Stevens’ will push his bad legislation through during the “lame duck” session that follows the November 7 vote.
Americans need to stay on alert. It’s time to let all elected representatives know that a vote against Net Neutrality and for Stevens’ bad bill, is a vote against a free and open Internet and a healthy democracy.
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:25 pm
Sen. Isakson of Georgia’s telephone number has been disconnected: The number listed is 404 347-2202.
Is there another contact number available?
October 4th, 2006 at 9:57 am
If you can’t find Isakson’s number through normal means, try Bill Simon at Political Vine and I’m sure Bill will have it or be able to get it. He’d also love to know that it’s been disconnected!
October 4th, 2006 at 10:10 am
[…] It looks like all the noise us bloggers have made, as well as the grassroots organizing and demonstrations, and letters to congress have made at least one difference. We’ve begun to get picked up by larger media, at least on the internet itself. Salon dot com is the latest write up. I especially like the visual reference to Daniel slaying Goliath. […]
October 5th, 2006 at 4:40 am
Bill Moyers is going to be covering Net Neutrality later this month on PBS. It’s no wonder “they” have gutted PBS funding (in 2 years). Programs like his show what’s really going on in America, if people would wake up.
Lobbyists have had their way for so long that they’re used to their brib, er gifts getting them the legislation they want.
October 8th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
[…] On other fronts, the 2006 Telecommunications Act has been stalled in the Senate thanks to the massive outcry over Net Neutrality — anchored by our SavetheInternet.com coalition. But the battle is far from over. We’re preparing for a “lame duck” session of Congress after the November 7 elections, when we could face a dark-of-the-night effort to eliminate Net Neutrality. Check out this excellent article at Salon.com that sums up the Net Neutrality campaign and what’s next. […]