Net Neutrality being neutered?
Net (Internet) Neutrality can be defined as the condition for which there are no restrictions by Internet service providers or governments on consumers’ access to networks that participate in the internet.
Most citizens support net neutrality in keeping with their desire for unfettered access to the Internet. Most organizations involved in providing services through the Internet also support Net Neutrality.
A summary of the history of Net Neutrality can be found in a memo prepared for Net Neutrality Congressional hearings.
In the United States communications are regulated by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) . The FCC has five members. The Chairman is appointed by the President. The other four members are usually split between the two political parties.
The FCC is chaired now by Julius Genachowski a longtime Obama friend and a top 2008 campaign fundraiser,
In 2005 the FCC declared “The Commission has a duty to preserve and promote the vibrant and open character of the Internet as the telecommunications marketplace enters the broadband age. To foster creation, adoption and use of Internet broadband content, applications, services and attachments, and to ensure consumers benefit from the innovation that comes from competition; the Commission will incorporate the above principles into its ongoing policymaking activities”
The FCC left the Internet alone until December 21, 2010 when it issued FCC Net Neutrality order FCC 10-201. The order is a non-trivial regulation occupying 194 pages. The order adopts rules “embodying four core principles: transparency, no blocking, no unreasonable discrimination, and reasonable network management.”
A reading of the order gives one the impression it is an attempt to take over another segment of our daily lives much as Obamacare takes over our health care.
The FCC order states: “These rules are generally consistent with, and should not require significant changes to, broadband providers’ current practices”.
If that is true, why are regulations necessary?
The order includes, at the end, a “DISSENTING STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MEREDITH ATTWELL BAKER” The dissent is a statement from a minority (Republican) Commissioner about the action of the majority (Democratic) Commissioners and includes the following statements:
”the Internet is open today. The evidentiary record in our proceeding has reaffirmed that government action is not necessary to preserve it. Yet the majority acts, and acts decisively, to adopt Net Neutrality rules, imposing the heavy hand of government into how broadband networks will be managed and operated. The data most certainly does not drive us to this result. In the final analysis, the Commission intervenes to regulate the Internet because it wants to, not because it needs to.”
“The majority is unable to identify a single ongoing practice of a single broadband provider that it finds problematic upon which to base this action.”
“the majority regulates an entire sector of the Internet without any legitimate legal authority to do so.”
” The majority does all of this without any apparent appreciation of the regulatory costs and distortive effect of government micromanagement of broadband networks.”
“I keep returning to what should be a threshold question: why do we intervene in the one sector of the economy that is working so well to create high-paying jobs, untold consumer choice, and entrepreneurial opportunity?”
“I have seven principal objections to this decision. First, the factual record does not support government intervention. Second, the majority’s claim that consumers will benefit from this government overreach is unsupported and deeply flawed. Third, the majority’s focus on preserving network operators’ current conditions will distort tomorrow’s Internet. Fourth, the majority puts the Commission in the unworkable role of Internet referee. Fifth, the majority fails to marshal a sustainable legal foundation. Sixth, the majority’s decision to act a legislator, not regulator, is a mistake that may undermine our agency’s mission. And, lastly, opportunity cost. By that I mean, we have squandered months on this effort, diverting resources and political capital away from real problems that lie within our core competencies, like universal service and spectrum reform.”
The dissenting statement then provides extensive details to back up the seven objections enumerated above.
The FCC must understand the public is not happy with its regulatory efforts because it has created a web site to sell its regulations to the public.
Because of the controversy stirred up by this net neutrality order and the economic stakes involved, it is likely not the last word.
Author David Bego Explains the Dangers Posed by SEIU in 2012
The Jupiter/PBG Chapter of PBCTP met last night at the Double Tree Hotel. Anita Carbone, out-going Chapter Leader, started the meeting with an Invocation, the Pledge and a playing of the National Anthem. Prior to our keynote speaker, Mel Grossman spoke about upcoming Rallies and the Gold Rush Tea Party Social fund-raiser. Terry Brady also spoke about fund-raising and the upcoming Fashion Show and Anita, Mel and Terry all stressed the importance the donations serve to putting on debates and other educational awareness events. Iris Scheibl spoke about activism and encouraged the attendees to participate in the Presidential Primary campaigns for a candidate of their choice.
Pam Wohlschlegel, County Co-ordinator, made a few announcement about the PBCTP newsletter, and introduced our in-coming new Jupiter/PBC Chapter leader – Gary Summers – who recently moved to the area. Gary and his wife will serve as co-leaders of the Chapter. Thank you Anita for being instrumental in the founding of PBCTP and in everything you’ve done to make the Jupiter/PBG chapter a success! And welcome, Gary!
Our keynote speaker was David Bego – author of “The Devil at My Doorstep”. Mr. Bego recounted his multi year battle against SEIU. He described SEIU’s strategy as one of a ‘thousand tiny cuts’ and showed how SEIU’s long term approach wears down 95% of targeted small and large businesses. They attack all aspects of an entity – the owners, the management, the customers and the employees with the intent of unionizing the business – not so much with the hope of bettering the plight of the workers, but to gain access to the union dues which can then be used to fund campaign coffers. David described the inter-relationship between SEIU, President Obama, Acorn and the Democrat party – all focused on re-election in 2012 and showed a couple of videos highlighting then candidate Obama talking to SEIU members and former SEIU president, Andy Stern (who has visited the White House more than any other person) relating their role in the election. The author made it clear that he never had a goal of writing a book or being on a book tour – but that he wanted us to all be aware of the challenges, strategy and tactics that will be used in the upcoming 2012 election cycle. His emotions came through as it was clear that he loved his employees, and he loves his country!
The meeting concluded with the drawing and candidate announcements.
Pictures from Fred and Ed.
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Candidate Training Classes
Are you thinking about being a candidate for public office? Not sure how to get started?
The BizPac Political Training Institute will be holding classes over the next four weeks that will answer all your questions.
For more information:
The BIZPAC Political Training Institute (PTI) is designed to give participants a firsthand look at the political process and the technical details of operating a political campaign. From demographic profiles to press relations and fund raising, PTI looks at every aspect and idiosyncrasy of the political campaign process and gives participants the knowledge and the resources they need to enter the political arena. Good for potential candidates, campaign workers or volunteers, PTI covers the do’s and don’ts of successful political campaigning.
PTI includes four Tuesday night sessions beginning October 11th. Each session is held from 6pm-9pm and includes dinner. The schedule is as follows:
Session 1 – Becoming a Candidate and Creating a Campaign, October 11
Session 2 – Funding Your Campaign (Smile & Dial), October 18
Session 3 – Candidate Presentation and Image, October 25
Session 4 – Communicating The Campaign Message to Win, November 1
Each night will feature a panel of instructors including political consultants, elected officials, former candidates, representatives from the media and other professionals who work with candidates.
The cost to attend all four session is $95.
One Nation
The Federal Government is Out of Control
Our founding fathers warned us about the natural progression of the federal government—and they drafted a brilliant document called the US Constitution to try to preclude this from happening. However, the majority of our elected officials today either don’t understand or appreciate what is in this document—the attached video is worth watching—all this is going on under “YOUR” watch—and there is only one way in this country that you can change this—it will happen in November of 2012—don’t miss it—each and everyone of you can make a “CHANGE”. If it is not changed in Nov 2012—it is not “their” fault—it IS YOURS!
A short video you really should see
Government jobs – This is truly shocking
Just a short video you really should and must see…..a real eye opener!
If you seldom watch a forwarded video, I urge you to watch this one.
I did not realize that the numbers were this large and was very shocked.
It’s rather short so does not take long to view it….
If this doesn’t open your eyes nothing will.
Big Brother
I do not have a brother to perform some of the usual family functions, so Big Brother has kindly stepped into fill the void.
I will (hopefully) have a birthday later this month and today received the following email message:
“Subject: Important Message from Medicare
Dear EDWARD A WOLFF
Happy Birthday from Medicare! We wish you well in the upcoming year. Our records show you are currently up-to-date on your preventive services. Congratulations on using Medicare to help you stay healthy. We will send you emails in the future as you become eligible for other Medicare preventive services that will be listed in the calendar below to assist you with planning and scheduling your appointments.”
It may not be polite to express disdain over an honest expression of concern for my continued well-being, but of all the people from whom I was expecting to receive birthday wishes, I must confess Medicare was not one of them. I never ascribed anthropomorphic qualities to Medicare, yet here they were graciously updating me on the status of my health as if they knew more about me than I do. As part of the Big Brother establishment, maybe they do.
Does this portend the future under Obamacare? Is this a part of the “You have to pass the bill to know what is in it” prescription?
We do not want to sound ungrateful, but how many civil servants have we hired to program the government computers to analyze citizen medical records and spit out emails to tell them when it is time to see the doctor and what they need to ask the doctor about?
We were having trouble understanding how the country could have racked up the tremendous debt it carries, but if this is an example of what the country is hiring people to do it is starting to add up.
The Postal Service is going bankrupt because, they say, they are being supplanted by email. So here is another branch of government saving money by using emails and helping the put the Postal Service under the bus.
It is time to go back and reread Alice in Wonderland and 1984.
