Of Pens and Swords

I want to encourage everyone(the 4 or so people) who reads “Not so geeky geeks” to learn as much as possible about the concept of Network Neutrality and about the new Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act (COPE) which is frighteningly anticipated as being passed by congress.

The shorthand of the situation is this: the internet benefits from network neutrality. The telecom companies, ISPs(sorry, Internet Service Providers)and Cable Companies (Also ISPs but more diversified)can not discriminate against any data, traffic or programs running on their network. Everyone gets a fair shot and no special treatment. EUs (sorry again…End Users) can reach all websites without hindrance or interference from their service provider(s). It allows the playing field to be level and encourages innovation.

But the telecom companies, and some in congress, want to change this. The new COPE act cuts out net neutrality. If the act passes, then the people who connect you to the internet get to decide which websites you see or don’t see. They control which programs you can use over the net. They can determine how fast you get to certain websites. They control what the end user does and doesn’t get to do on the internet.

If Google does not pay your service provider a fee, it could take you longer to reach their website than a competitor who did pay the fee. Worse than that, you could end up just not reaching Google at all or be redirected to the competitor’s site instead.

Looking beyond blogs and personal entertainment what truly makes me feel threatened is how this new COPE act could affect our using utilities, reaching the bank, finding a doctor or a hospital, really important things.

I mean, I just don’t see how this could pass. If you were Google, would you pay the telecoms? These telecoms are trying desperately to stay alive. Google and Microsoft have more money than the telecoms do. If it came down to it, wouldn’t they just buy up the telecoms?

And shouldn’t you be more pissed at Congress than the telecoms about this whole thing? I thought that government was supposed to be there to serve the people. How could this possibly serve the people? It’s so sad how these lobby groups can just push our elected leaders around. Where is the pragmatic leadership we need?

the COPE act in short, as gathered from Stop The COPE Act!
The COPE Act, as it presently stands, would do two main things:

(1) It would place violation of non-discrimination principles of “controversial” or unprofitable internet content under the enforcement jurisdiction of the Federal Communication Commission.
The COPE Act would allow the FCC to enforce neutrality, however, the FCC would not be required to do so. The FCC has said that it would abide by neutrality principles, but the FCC has historically been more a servant of Big Media rather than an angel of the public interest (just look to broadcast TV as an example). Hence, this could well mean that Big Telecom could be allowed to discriminate against internet content that they couldn’t in the past.

(2) It would allow a single national video franchise precedent — first going for telecom companies (remember: video by telephone connections are increasingly widespread). Then other industries get the same privileges. That is, instead of having to negotiate for video (and funds) like cable does on a city-by-city basis, it would allow industries to negotiate once. This would give telecom companies (and other media companies they merge with) the ability to prioritize content on a national scale over more local content.

It seems to me that we as a community need to do what WE can do to stop this act from passing.

Granted this brings me to another point, one that echoes through time really. Why are the people who are unwilling to accept things that make us free put in charge of the laws that can take away our freedoms? Because the Electoral process of the Democratic United States has become a Fashion/Money show. He who has the money to get on TV, The Money to have huge corporate or extremely wealthy Private help, and a nice head of hair and good charisma put in charge when they more than likely aren’t the smartest people on the planet. George Bush is a good President for war, but is he a good President because of his speaking ability? I would say that is a resounding NO. President Bush was elected through politics, the clever manipulation that the average person does not recognize. Which to me is the fact that who would you choose? It is like an adventure book, you have to choose the lesser of the two idiots. Now the thing is as I think back to the various things that are what I consider world changing events (9/11, War on Terror, Iraq) I would not have wanted Kerry as President Of The United States. Kerry is a good guy, I don’t doubt that, I do however doubt his ability to actually have a spine. I hated George Bush as Govenor of Texas, I hate George Bush as President, but I respect his ability to make a stand and stick with his convictions. Congress is the same way. Recently with the High Gas price talks? How many congressmen drove away n Hybrid cars around the block to their SUVs? How many decided to walk when they noticed the press? Even though they were about to climb into their SUVs? They pass laws every day just to give themselves jobs for christs sake. Congress states that they do things FOR THE PEOPLE” but they do not listen to the people when making choices for them. Why you ask? Because we as a people do not MAKE them listen to us.

Do yourself a favor. This one time? MAKE THEM LISTEN!

07 Out

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Posted by Archangeln to Not so geeky geeks. at 5/16/2006 07:02:00 AM