Net Neutrality Watch: New U.S. Push to Regulate Internet

By GottaLaff

Consumer groups are happy. In fact, they "hailed" the decision. This is a big deal:

In a move that will stoke a battle over the future of the Internet, the federal government plans to propose regulating broadband lines under decades-old rules designed for traditional phone networks.

The decision, by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, is likely to trigger a vigorous lobbying battle, arraying big phone and cable companies and their allies on Capitol Hill against Silicon Valley giants and consumer advocates.

Breaking a deadlock within his agency, Mr. Genachowski is expected Thursday to outline his plan for regulating broadband lines. He wants to adopt "net neutrality" rules that require Internet providers like Comcast Corp. and AT&T Inc. to treat all traffic equally, and not to slow or block access to websites.

[...] The court ruled the FCC had overstepped when it cited Comcast in 2008 for slowing some customers' Internet traffic. [...]

At stake is how far the FCC can go to dictate the way Internet providers manage traffic on their multibillion-dollar networks. For the past decade or so, the FCC has maintained a mostly hands-off approach to Internet regulation.

Again, forgive my lack of commentary today. (I've been consumed with tech issues.) But here's a short one: Yay!

H/t: ZenShadow

Video- Beck says "freedom of speech is under attack ... the person that questions [Obama] comes under vicious attack"

Then how come you're still on the air Glenn? Via Media Matters.

Court Rules Against F.C.C. in 'Net Neutrality' Case

By GottaLaff

There are 10 judges on the court appointed by Republican presidents, 4 by Dems, per Thom Hartmann (if I heard him right just now). He labeled this a "shot across the bow" and a major setback for the FCC.

Via a New York Times e-mail alert:

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Federal Communications Commission lacks the authority to require broadband providers to give equal treatment to all Internet traffic flowing over their networks.

Tuesday's ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia is a big victory for the Comcast Corporation, the nation's largest cable company. It had
challenged the F.C.C.'s authority to impose so called "net neutrality" obligations.

Worrisome, to say the least.

VIDEO- Obama's YouTube Moment: 'I'm a Big Believer in Net Neutrality'

By GottaLaff

I'm waiting for the entire video, but for now:

"I hope we can do this again," Obama said at the end of the interview. "This gives me great access to all of the people out there with your wonderful ideas. "

It also gives all of us great access to those in power. And isn’t that what protecting the open Internet is all about?

During the State of the Union YouTube follow-up interview on Feb. 1, President Obama again expressed his strong commitment to Net Neutrality.

Join the 2 Million for Net Neutrality campaign at www.savetheinternet.com

MAKEOVER FUNDRAISER VIDEO: Jon Stewart skewers anti-net neutrality politicians

By GottaLaff

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
From Here to Neutrality
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

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VIDEO: Why You Should Care About The Evils of Net Neutrality -- In 2 Minutes

By GottaLaff



This is so, so, so important. More here. It's all a Marxist plot, you know.

Diane Feinstein Trying to Kill Net Neutrality

Make the phone calls, this would kill, literally kill blogs like this.

According to The Register Diane Feinstein is trying to add language to the stimulus bill to allow for ISP throttling. Using the 'reasonable network management' euphemism, she tried to attach this to the broadband section. While this has been removed, she still plans to try to put her amendment back in committee. Rep. Waxman is also listed as supporting the amendment.

"This is the most backdoor of all the backdoor ways of doing things," Public Knowledge's Art Brodsky told The Reg. "Conference committees are notorious for being the most opaque of all legislative processes."

Please contact Senator Feinstein and Rep. Waxman to let them know you support Net Neutrality:

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
TTY/TDD: (202) 224-2501

Rep. Henry Waxman
In Washington, D.C.
2204 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3976 (phone)
(202) 225-4099 (fax)

In Los Angeles
8436 West Third Street, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 651-1040 (phone)
(818) 878-7400 (phone)
(310) 652-3095 (phone)
(323) 655-0502 (fax)