The FCC Won't Stand Up for Internet Freedom.
By Thom Hartmann A...
The Federal Communications Commission won't stand up for internet freedom. On Wednesday, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that he will not appeal the recent court ruling that struck down net neutrality. Instead, the commission will attempt to regulate internet providers on a “case-by-case basis.” In addition, the Obama Administration announced Tuesday that the president cannot order the FCC to reclassify internet providers as so-called “common carriers.” Overall, it appears that the President and the FCC are siding with giant corporations, rather than the millions of Americans who demand a free and open internet.
Since net neutrality was struck down last month, there have already been numerous reports of internet traffic being slowed down by carriers, in a blatant attempt to extort more money from content providers like Netflix. To make matters worse, Comcast also announced a merger with Time Warner, which would give that carrier even more extreme power to create a pay-for-play internet. Instead of protecting our right to freely exchange ideas and information on the web, our government appears ready to allow corporate control of the internet, and the creation of an another monopoly.
Apparently, more than a million people speaking out against the recent net neutrality ruling wasn't enough to wake up government officials. We must keep this movement growing, and keep demanding that our internet freedom is protected.
Comments
#2
Fight this one hard. We didn't and our FCC (CRTC) has allowed just a few carriers of mobile, cable and interent services in the market. We are paying three times what you are for the same service.. Good luck.
#3
John Perkins, Diary of an Economic Hitman, might have some insights into why Obama and Wheeler roll over like they do. They (the elites really in charge) don't want a well informed, well engaged, well networked public hat can hear and be heard.
It's been nice knowing you, friends. Guess I'll wait to buy a new computer. I'll probably need the money to buy scrap materials so I can build my shanty in their brave new economy.
Not much point in calling your representative, people vote with dollar bills now.
#4
Mark, I wish could find something to disagree with in your post, but I can't. Scary, hateful times, these days.
#5
This radio show hour with Thom and Pap is a rerun. Was that noted?
#6
The Fraud lies about supporting net neutrality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP01t0Z4Hr8
The next person who tells me I need to vote for a Corporatist Democrap like Obama or Hillary Clinton because they are the "lesser evil" should expect a good, swift kick to the groin.
Evil is evil. Pure and simple.
#7
Thom: Re: about your new book, Teh Crash of 2016. Thanks so much for your dedication to Tim Carpenter. It was well deserved. Very classy of you to do that.
#8
Our politicians, from the White House down, have basically been bought by the corporations and side in their favor against the American public. Voting in America and around the World is based on the dollar and how much of it you can donate in order to buy their (politicians and courts) favor. Presently the Supreme Court is just a mouth piece for the Republican Party, since they have a five to four advantage (seats) by Republican Presidents putting their guy behind the bench. But, apparently even our so called Progressive President is nothing but a mouth piece for the highest bidder. (off subject) His so called healthcare program is fixed in the favor of the Insurance Corporations. The so called "Silver plan" has a $5,000 deductible in California! Besides allowing the major internet carriers to over charge us and to monopolize the industry, Comcast just bought my carrier Time Warner, have there been any notable cases where they have blocked the ability to go to any specific websites? (Not just monetarily, actual censoring) I guess what I am asking is this just a monetary game or does anyone believe they will censor the internet as is done in China and Korea and other countries that repress the right to access the internet freely? Have there been any cases where American Corporations or where the Government has blocked access to any legal web sites? It should not be a big surprise that these carriers are in it for the profit, in the beginning I believe the most accessed sites were pay porn sites, so in a sense it has been profit that has been the primary catalyst for growth. Google is starting its own I.P. with a promise of up to a 100 times faster access to websites using fiber optics. The reason is for more profits, not to help the users have an easier and faster time accessing the web. So I guess what I am saying is the internet has grown because it is a platform for profits. Google, Yahoo, Bing (Microsoft) and other providers have expanded the net because of profits by hosting advertisements and this is just another step by the corporations to make larger profits and our Representatives in Washington follow the money trail and who has the biggest purse wins. Idealistically the Internet should be, by all reasoning, a net neutrality setting, but again money talks and our freedoms take a walk...K.W.
#9
This is an importanrt issue and we sshould publish all the names of the Senators and Representatives that voted with corporations over the people or at least let the people know how to find out how the Represenatives and Senators voted.
It is apparent that we do not have a government that works for the people who they are supposed to represent and who elect them. And the people should be made aware of this!
#10
Essentially every democrat voted for card check (Employee Free Choice Act). I do not know any who didn't. How can you call a democrat that voted card check a corporatist?
#11
Well, maybe hardcopy books and magazines will come back into fashion, as well as free, broadcast radio.
Or, we'll get a fascimile of net neutrality, for a price, and essentially, the corporations will be able to control and censor the internet now like they do other media shutting out Amy Gooman and Thom Hartmann and the like.
This essentially privatizes the net. So, we'll get "net neutrality" with none of the "unnecessary" parts. Only the good old American, consumeristic, fun hogging, empty headed, loud mouthed drivel.
#12
I'm with you, "podcasts". "Corporatist Democrap"... Ha-Hah! Priceless. - AIW
#13
Weak Obama,weaker Democratic Leaders. Have wasted thousands of dollars.Finished!
#14
Thanks. I've been voting since the late '80's, and I'm proud to say I've never, ever voted for a Republi-Con, but I'm done now with the Democraps too, and the fraudulent two-party game.
Feel free to check out my tumblr page if you like: http://brutusworks.tumblr.com/
#15
These Democraps are either total frauds, or they are the weakest, dumbest, most ineffectual, cowardly political figures in the history of mankind. Either way, they are no longer worthy of any support.
#16
"podcasts", I checked out your tumblr page and laughed my ass off. You sure have a way with sarcasm, and I'm a crusty enough old gal to appreciate it, expletives and all! That is most definitely my kind of humor..... with one exception. I think it is unwise for you, or anyone, to make reference to the color of Obama's skin (i.e. "Half-Black Vanity Candidate"). Barak Obama's skin color is not the problem; the problem with Obama is his corporatist/fascist policies. I've more than a hunch you know this as well as I do. I hate putting a damper on this exchange, Pod, but we've really gotta avoid racial slurs; even the milder, understated variety. They don't strengthen our case one iota. We've plenty of ammunition against our president without having to resort to that shit.
Where did you get the photo of Obama's middle-finger salute? Is that for real or is it computer-simulated?
I love the "Exposing treason is treason" part, and "This is how much change you've gotten..." and the part about pot prohibition. Hilarious! I highly recommend it to anyone on this forum who could use a good laugh. - Aliceinwonderland
#17
Thank you, Alice. I'm glad you enjoyed the page. I understand your point about references to Obama's color, but I don't agree that his race has to be ignored because 1) Obama has been more than happy to use his race in the most cynical way imaginable when it benefits him politically, and 2) the supporters who joined his personality cult back in pre-2008 have consistently operated off of the assumption that, because he is half-black, he has to be a progressive-- an assumption that is far more racist than anything I have ever said about him. Obama apologists are always going to use the "racist" charge against anyone who criticizes "the first black president"-- that goes with the territory, but I'm not going to hold my tongue to placate them. If I am a racist (and I know you're not calling me one), I'm a pretty strange type of racist, since I voted for Cynthia McKinney instead of Obama in 2008. Anyway, there's more I could say on this subject, but it's late, and I need to go to bed. Thanks again, though. If you'd like to converse some more, feel free to drop a note via my tumblr page.
Oh, and regarding the one-finger salute photo, don't remember where I found that, actually, but I'm pretty sure it's photoshopped. I just added the text to it.
#18
And many people who subscribe to Comcast are finding they are now having problems with their on-line surfing. Comcast is now (well, since 2012, I understand) using your Comcast home wireless access point to broadcast other traffic in your area. The person next door...down the street...in the street..can now access the internet wifi coming from your wireless access point.
Just wait till AT&T Uverse tries this with customers that are stuck with the last mile copper wire (even though beyond that is fiber...so they say). If it was fiber to the home, it wouldn't be so bad but that's just not the way it is with about 95% of Uverse customers...they all have that last mile of copper that slows things down and clogs the bandwidth.
Cable, as with Comcast, is certainly not as bad as the last mile copper on DSL connections and many people are still having problems. Cable has more bandwidth but still bottlenecks with increased numbers of customers in your area.
If everyone called up Comcast and opted out of the "internet everywhere", or whatever marketing term they now use, then Comcast would find it too much trouble to continue with it. You don't want your neighbors to be downloading porn over your Comcast wireless access point do you? People have been seeing lots of activity on their Comcast access points when they are not even on-line with their computers or other devices. So the neighbors are obviously using your access point.
#19
Aliceinwonderland: Take your pick....
http://www.tineye.com/search/e54ce1f5e49a89c4856c45ee60af30cc503e1894/
It doesn't say where the photo originated..just that a lot of people are using the photo....but, perhaps, one of those entities was the originator....??
#20
"podcasts"- I'm glad you didn't misunderstand me, because I definitely do not view you as a racist. However you accuse Obama of using his race as some sort of political device, and this has got me very curious. I've never observed this myself. Could you offer some examples? And by the way, we're on the same page about Cynthia McKinney; she rocks!
Palin, I don't know how you manage to dig all this stuff up. You are amazing. But I've gotta say, I'm glad you're no enemy of mine! I'd sure hate to have a bloodhound like you digging into my closet, or sniffin' my arse... Hey I bet you'd make an incredible private eye, were you so inclined.
Under all those images of Obama's middle-finger salute is an ad for urinary catheter supplies... I found that pretty amusing.
I don't think I'd want to be in Obama's shoes. The neocons and teabaggers all hate him, and now he's alienated most people on our side of the fence... When his second term is up, that guy won't have many friends. His legacy is toast. I doubt the historians will cut him much slack either. Oh well... the guy made his bed! He'll just have to lie in it. - AIW
#21
Thanks Aliceinwonderland. Actually, anyone can use tineye.com to look up photos...like avatars. Just right click on an avatar and then "copy image location" then enter that location into tineye.com and if it is not a one of a kind photo then others may also be using it as well. If you do this on any of the avatars on this blog...some will show that they are only used on thomhartmann.com and others are used a lot of places. For one thing, I guess it could show how popular an avatar is...and an indication of who is using them. If you own the copyright to that photo and if someone else is using it without permission....well....that's one reason why I don't use them anymore...If I used one of my own creation..then I wouldn't have to worry about it. But that's not about to happen.
#22
Aw shucks, PD! I wanna see your mug. I've shown you mine; now I wanna see yours! - AIW
#23
;-)
#24
You handsome devil you...
#25
It is becoming increasingly difficult to remain optimistic about the future of our nation. President Obama continues to fraudulently expound his policies to the public. His actions are contrary to what he states his policies to be. Net Neutrality is just the latest in a line of policies not matching his actions. President Obama appointed Tom Wheeler Chairman of the FCC Nov. 2013. Mr. Wheeler comes from corporate media, just the right choice to protect the people from giant corporations from continuing their takeover of all media! I have read his speeches, since he became Chairman, and he talks in glowing terms about his philosophy as FCC chairman. This is a direct quote from one of his speeches: “Network Compact – universal accessibility, interconnection, public safety, and consumer protection - constitute the things we have to promote and protect if we are to be faithful to the public interest imperative.” Yesterday, Chairman Wheeler did a 180 on his philosophy, when he declined to protect the peoples’ “commons” (public airwaves) by affirming “net neutrality” as the law governing the internet. Now, the internet, that is one of the few sources of communication and information left to find the truth, is up for sale to the same corporations that now control our TV news.
My firm belief is that no other time in the history of our Republic has capital so completely taken over our governments. The complete takeover of newspapers, magazines, TV, and cable, has destroyed our First Amendments right of a free press. The sad fact that no test of the actions of Congress and the FCC has been challenged in the courts is incomprehensible. The Justice Department and the President do not seem to recognize these unconstitutional acts. They, along with the other two branches of our government have violated their oath of office, to protect and defend the Constitution. Why is our government no longer representing the people and not enforcing the Constitution? Simply put, the Constitution is no longer relevant. It has been purchased and destroyed by money. The United States of America no longer exist!! It has been destroyed by Trans-National Corporations, whose goal may be to create The World Government of Corporation, whose Constitution will read: We the Corporations of the World, in order to form a more perfect union of multinationals, establish domination, insure domestic submission, provide for resistance, promote the Welfare of The World Government, and to secure the Blessings of Wealth to ourselves and our heirs, do decree and establish this World Order of the World Government of Corporation. WGC!! WCG!! WGC!!
#26
I hear you Mr. Brannon, and wholeheartedly agree. We are in deep do-do.
- AIW
#27
That's why my Kindle is so full and I keep my XM radio on a lot. There are only a few programs worth watching anymore - Bill Maher and Newsroom are the only 2 reasons I keep HBO. Have Cocks here in this area and until recently was only kid on the block other that DirecTV and did NOT want that. Now CenturyLink has run its lines out our way and have Prism - don't know anyone else who has it but am pretty sure that their service would not be much better than what we have now - except for the "introductory period" when they are trying to such you in.
My son has Comcast in Tallahassee, FL and has absolutely nothing but problems. His security system is linked to that and when Comcast is down that is, too - a real difficulty since he is disabled. But, general consensus is that they ALL SUCH! and those who have the power will do whatever's pocke they are in - not interested in us and our cries for net neutrality. I don't usually give in but we have been fighting this for so long and I am not sure that we have many ways left to fight. But, I will still continue to write, email, sign petitions in the hope that just maybe SOMEONE in power will side with us. Other than that, I am ready to disconnect and just get a decent ISP, use my cell phone and screw TV. Getting more disgusted daily with this whole thing.
#28
Gator Girl, I've felt your pain. As I've mentioned many times here already, we disconnected from cable TV seven years ago. Haven't looked back, nor have I suffered one twinge of withdrawal. Ahhh... silence is golden! When the choice is between corporate fascist drivel and nothing at all, we're better off with nothing. - AIW
#29
, The FCC is another watch dog agency that fails us! Recently appointed commissioner Ajit Pai, upon taking office, gave a speech informing that the agency will help to grow the econopmy and jobs. Apparently, when appointed he wasn't informed as to what the agency was established for. I remind us of the power of the media, made very evident by big business purchasing it all. I remind us of the overwhelming number of neighbors seeking change. I remind us that the last significant political change occurred when our news media was in the hands of thousands of citizens, rather than that of a handful of industrialists whose control presents flagrant conflicts of interest, and the calls for reform were fostered by news media!
#30
The FCC, like the FDA, has been reduced to a impotent figurehead. "Grow the economy and jobs", Mr. Pai? You guys can't even do the job your agency was designed for. Pathetic.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
Thom & Louise at a "private audience" with His Holiness Pope John Paul II at his summer palace, Castle Gandolfo, Italy
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Hartmann combines a remarkable piece of historical research with a brilliant literary style to tell the grand story of corporate corruption and its consequences for society with the force and readability of a great novel."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"In an age rife with media-inspired confusion and political cowardice, we yearn for a decent, caring, deeply human soul whose grasp of the problems confronting us provides a light by which we can make our way through the quagmire of lies, distortions, pandering, and hollow self-puffery that strips the American Dream of its promise. How lucky we are, then, to have access to the wit, wisdom, and willingness of Thom Hartmann, who shares with us here that very light, grown out of his own life experience."
From Screwed:
"If we are going to live in a Democracy, we need to have a healthy middle class. Thom Hartmann shows us how the ‘cons’ have wronged this country, and tells us what needs to be done to reclaim what it is to be American."
Yesterday's LA Times (Feb 19, 2014) had an article by Hiltzik about how Comcast illegally stomps on competition. One of the examples was about Bit-Current. Comcast wrote software to slow down a provider of content. This was in 2008.