(Inter)Net Neutrality - a Win-Win for Consumers

FCC "Net Neutrality" Rules Are A Win For Consumers Business Center - PC World The FCC 's new " Net Neutrality" proposal , which would prevent carriers from slowing or blocking Internet traffic as they see fit, is a huge win for entrepreneurs and consumers, and a major setback for telecom giants such as AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast. Business Center - PC WOLD MORE RESOURCES; The Wall Street Journal Business Week magazine PC Magazine

[thompson-Western Mavrick]

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The Internet is proof that government doesn't bungle everything

Since it's so fashionable these days to question whether government can do anything right -- whether it's regulating banks, bolstering the economy or overseeing healthcare -- it's worth noting that we're about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the most important federal initiatives of our time.

The event was the launch of the Internet, which we date from Oct. 29, 1969, when a refrigerator-sized special-purpose computer in Leonard Kleinrock's engineering lab at UCLA transmitted its first message to a twin machine in Menlo Park, Calif.(The message was the first two letters of the command "Login.")

That was the first exchange over what was then known as the ARPAnet, which evolved, after many intermediate steps, into what we know today as the Internet.

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Taylor foresaw that the network he ordered up would evolve beyond an administrative convenience. In a 1968 paper entitled "The Computer as a Communication Device," co-written with his ARPA mentor, a transplanted MIT scientist named J.C.R. Licklider, he foresaw its development into a public utility.

Forty years on, that remarkable paper reads like a work of clairvoyance. "In a few years," it began, "men will be able to communicate more effectively through a machine than face to face." It forecast that the network would provide some services for which you'd "subscribe on a regular basis," like investment advice, and others that you would "call for when you need them," like dictionaries and encyclopedias. Communicating online, it concluded, "will be as natural an extension of individual work as face-to-face communication is now." Sound familiar?

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MORE ... http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik...

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[thompson-Western Mavrick]

~~ UPDATE September 22, 2009 ~~

ECONOMY -- OBAMA AND THE FCC ENDORSE NET NEUTRALITY:

In a speech at the Brookings Institution yesterday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski endorsed net neutrality, which "prevents Internet providers from blocking, speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination." "There are few goals more essential in the communications landscape than preserving and maintaining an open and robust Internet," said Genachowski.

"In view of these challenges and opportunities, and because it is vital that the Internet continue to be an engine of innovation, economic growth, competition and democratic engagement, I believe the FCC must be a smart cop on the beat preserving a free and open Internet."

In a separate speech yesterday at Hudson Valley Community College, President Obama offered his support to Genachowski's initiative. "I am pleased that he is taking this step," said Obama. "It is an important reminder that the role of government is to provide investment that spurs innovation and common-sense ground rules to ensure that there is a level playing field for all comers who seek to contribute their innovations."

Though top lawmakers like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) issued statements of support,

[and of course] Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) "introduced legislation Monday to block the Obama administration's attempt to impose formal net neutrality rules." Republican Sens. John Ensign (NV), Sen. Sam Brownback (KS), Sen. David Vitter (LA), Sen. Jim DeMint (SC), and Sen. John Thune (SD) co-sponsored Hutchison's amendment.

“a speech at the Brookings Institution”;
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0921_f...

“based on its source, ownership or destination."
http://www.savetheinternet.com/frequently-ask...

“separate speech yesterday at Hudson Valley Community College, President Obama”
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/politics/Preside...

“Pelosi, et. al., issued statements of support”
http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/09/09/21/...

“Hutchinson, et. al. introduced legislation Monday to block”
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/09/republ...

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[Mister_Sunshine]

Net neutrality is basically the internet being controlled through federal regulation,(FCC) as opposed to free market forces. Note: Mark Lloyd is the FCC Czar, formerly of the Center for American Progress (commie organization) and his goal is to shut down A.M. talk radio (free speech) through "localization" policy. Net Neutrality goes hand in hand with Lloyd's agenda. Fedral gov't controlling political speech and free market ideals expressed freely on the net = very bad for U.S. freedoms.

No wonder Obama, Pelosi, and the rest of the socialist ilk support it.

Think not? read again from Eldon's post:

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) "introduced legislation Monday to block the Obama administration's attempt to impose formal net neutrality rules."

The key words give you a hint: IMPOSE RULES

The internet has worked pretty well without these "rules".

If you are interested further, read what some of the opposing opinions are from folks engaged in the discussion on capitol hill. Just google "net neutrality opposition" for a broader discussion on this issue.