Eric Deles

It's our Net. Let's keep it that way.

Net Neutrality is essential to free speech, equal opportunity and economic innovation in America. Since the FCC removed this basic protection in 2005, the top executives of phone and cable companies have stated their intention to become the Internet's gatekeepers and to discriminate against Web sites that don't pay their added tolls.

This fundamental change would end the open Internet as we know it. It would damage my ability to connect with others, share information and participate in our 21st century democracy and economy. The FCC must ensure that broadband providers do not block, interfere with or discriminate against any lawful Internet traffic based on its ownership, source or destination.

As a gamer, a Voter, and all around tech-guy, the net is a major part of my everyday life. I surf, play games online ranging from simple webgames to massive industry drivers like World of Warcraft. I search for Gaming news and discussion on a daily basis. My Gaming clan runs a tiny little website where we co-ordinate our play, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let some cable company limit my ability to talk with my Clanmates simply because they want money. The Gaming community, believe it or not, runs off of lots of little sites, not a handful of big ones. Sites giving out the hottest leaks on the biggest upcoming games, that's what creates all the Hype that moves games and consoles. That's what drives the Gaming Industry.

Democracy is the Idea of People ruling themselves, yes? If we allow the phone companies to control our communications, how is that different from the government controlling our communications? Fundamentally, it's not. Only things the "Gatekeeper" Companies agree with/sponsor will be featured on the Web, with everything else falling by the Wayside. Free speech, Ladies and Gentlemen. Free Bloody Speech. I'm guaranteed that, and you can't take it away.

The net's for the people. Keep it that Way.

~ E. Deles, better known as TakutheSamurai