Net Neutrality

[likwidtek]

The following is a guest blog for SavetheInternet.com by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.). Earlier this week he joined the ranks of Senators on both sides of the aisle who are taking a stand on behalf of Net Neutrality.

His posting follows. Please link to it from your blog.

Stopping the Big Giveaway
By John Kerry

On Wednesday in the Senate Commerce Committee I warned that those of us who believe in net neutrality will block legislation that doesn't get the job done.

It looks like that's the fight we're going to have.

The Commerce Committee voted on net neutrality and it failed on an 11-11 tie. This vote was a gift to cable and telephone companies, and a slap in the face of every Internet user and consumer.

It will not stand.

I voted against this lousy bill for two reasons: because net neutrality and internet build-out are crucial to building a more modern and fair Information Society, and both were pushed aside by the Republicans.

Everyone says they don't want the new world we're living in to be marked by the digital divide -- the term is so cliched it's turned to mush -- but yesterday was a test of who is willing to ask corporate America to do anything to fix it, and the Commerce Committee failed miserably. Why are United States Senators afraid to say that companies should be expected to foster growth by building out their broadband networks to increase access?

Free and open access to the internet is something all Americans should enjoy, regardless of what financial means they're born into or where they live. It is profoundly disappointing that the Senate is going let a handful of companies hold internet access hostage by legalizing the cherry-picking of cable service providers and new entrants. That is a dynamic that would leave some communities with inferior service, higher cable rates, and even the loss of service. Not to mention inadequate internet service -- in the age of the information.

This bill was passed in committee over our objections. Now we need to fight to either fix it or kill it in the full Senate. Senator Wyden has already drawn a line in the sand -- putting a "hold" on the bill, which prevents it from going forward for now. But there will be a day of reckoning on this legislation soon, make no mistake about it, and we need you to get engaged -- pressure your Senators, follow the issue, demand net neutrality and build-out.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Look here angels.  You all have probably the most important mission of the decade right here.

You all need to be activists on this matter.  The big telco companies want to create a tiered internet.  This means a fast lane for the companies who pay big telco lots of money and the slow lane for the rest of us.

You thought this site loaded slow before?  You thought your ping times sucked in MxO before?  Think again.  If this is not stopped...  you will have less of a choice of what search engine you want to use... what  site you want to buy from, what online games you wanna play... I mean the list goes on.

What the fuck can I do about this?

Good question.  Put pressure on the senate.  Luckily it's easy.  Go to http://www.savetheinternet.com and read up.  When you are educated, click the act now button.  You can, from this website, sign a petition and email your representative.  THIS MATTERS.

Please do what you can and let everyone you know that has an internet connection to act now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jHOn0EW8U

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5RQrxkGgCM

both explain it pretty well.

[Subb]

Does this apply for Brits?

[likwidtek]

It will affect you yes.  But not sure about who you can contact regarding this.  Perhaps just sign the petition or just spread the word a little.

This is really important though guys.

[Anonymous]

Thank you likwid for making a thread on this.  This is such a crucial matter to our generation and to the generations that follow.  The internet is where most americans, particularly America's youth, get there information, do their shopping, and communicate with their world.  Imagine where things may go if this is not stopped in the early stages.  Companies will be free to press their agenda by limiting what sites you can visit because they dont want you going there.  Want to shopat a website that is located overseas? Want to play online poker?  Not if your ISP decides to limit your access to non-american websites.  Want to find out about the risks and benefits of planned parenthood? Not if Your ISP doesn't want you to.  This is SO important guys.  Sign every petition and get educated.  Tell all of your friends and co-workers about this.  Many Legislators are hoping this slips under the radar.  Don't let it!!   Learn about this and right letters to the editors and to local papers.  You have your mission.  Now get out there and do it!

[likwidtek]

I really would like to get more feedback from you guys about how important this is.  

It would be amazing if each of you told at least 5 people about it and asked them to do the same.

Guys, people don't realize what this is going to do to the world as we know it if Net Neutrality is not passed.

My business will go under, sites like the one we enjoy here (the fa site) will more than likley go down as will most of the things we do online.  This will effect the way we search information, get media, play games, make money work... everything.

Please please, email some people, post something in your myspace, blog about it... what ever you have to do.  Just get people to go to savetheinternet.com explain to them how serious this is... and even allow them to watch the movies I posted above.

If in our generation there was one thing to protest, this is definatly the one.  There *IS* something we can do and we *CAN* change the minds of the senate.

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm all for Net Neutrality, Likwid. However, if it doesn't get passed, and all this regulatory shit kicks into gear, the people will not stand for it.

Various hacker groups around the world will probably throw down and fuck some shit up. That would be pretty awesome...however, lately, I haven't had time to do this. I will attempt to do it later today.

[likwidtek]

I'd rather prevent this from happening rather then letting the shit hit the fan.

Net Neutrality is the internet's first amendment.

[Anonymous]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DClkE64nFDY&feature=TopRated&page=1&t=t&f=b

I found that rather amusing, and I think you will, too

[likwidtek]

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Anonymous]

And for your own edification, yes I did sign the petition dilly, and call congress, and tell 8 people about this.

So...w00t!