Net Neutrality it will affect us ALL

[PineRidge]

I recently received a response to a letter that I sent to Sherrod Brown, and since it affects all of us that use the Internet I am now sharing it with you.

My personal opinion is that the Net as we now know it, is about to change dramatically.

Dear Mr. Ebner,

Thank you for expressing your support for net neutrality.

Since its inception, the Internet has been protected by rules set by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) that allowed open access to all content on the web. These rules prevented telecommunications carriers from blocking or limiting access to specific Internet content. Unfortunately, these rules are no longer in place, and telecommunications carriers now have the ability to choose which websites their subscribers can receive and force customers to pay more fees to get access to the Internet they want.

I am cosponsor of HR 5273, The Network Neutrality Act, which would restore the original rules and maintain the openness and freedom of the Internet that exists today. I have also supported net neutrality amendments to the Communication Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement (COPE) Act, which unfortunately did not pass. As the COPE bill moves through Congress, I will continue to fight to keep the Internet as open and free as it is today.

To receive email updates about my work in Congress, please visit http://sherrod.house.gov.optin.htm Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
Member of Congress

I will also be more than happy to supply a copy of the original letter (for free) in full to anyone who requests it.

 

[scott_vt]

Hello Mike,
I dont like the sounds of that at all I had no idea that anything like that was transpiring as we speak !

I would think that some well placed letters to your local representative in Washington wouldnt hurt !!!

Unfortunately when things are the way we like them, they never seem to last without someone else screwing it up

 

[PineRidge]

Scotty eBay was aware that this was coming down the pike. As I understand it they sent email to all of their registered members urging them to take action, in the form of a letter to their respective state representative. Unfortunately it didn't change a thing that I can see.

I don't like the sounds of it either. Change in this case most likely won't be good.

 

[phffft]

Ebay didn't send me a mail. They must be trying to push me off the internet.

 

[dmccarty]

This is what is on Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality.

I have read both sides of this argument and don't know who to believe. I think the extremes on both sides are really kickng up the Gloom and Doom to persuade people to come to their flag.

The article mentions some "abuse" by ISP's from a side wanting to pass the legislation. They had four or so acts of abuse. Not a lot as far as I'm concerned.

Still don't know....

Later,
Dan

 

[PineRidge]

Ebay didn't send me a mail. They must be trying to push me off the internet.

I'm curious did you have your personal eBay preferences marked that you did not want email from eBay? If so you would not be notified.

 

[riptides]

Wah, wah, wah,,,,,,,,,,

Before these idiots worry about who carries what, and what gets blocked, I'd worry about basic broadband connectivity across this country.

Another cart before the horse mindset in congress.....

-Mike Z.

 

[BamaRob]

Bob Cringley has a good write-up on this topic:

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20060622.html

 

[dmccarty]

Yuck. Cringley increases my gut feel that this is not a problem that exists and the Congress will make a mess out of this. They should just leave well enough alone. If my ISP starts filtering sites from me I'll find another ISP that won't. ISPs already provided tier service. What is the big deal. I pay for a home DSL connection. If I want faster more reliable service I pay more. If I don't like what I pay now I get another ISP.

Later,
Dan

 

[PBinWA]

Bob Cringley has a good write-up on this topic:

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20060622.html

Good find. Cringely always seems to see these things with clarity.

The less government involvement the better. We the consumers can do a pretty good job of keeping business in check.

PB