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Net Neutrality Takes On More Supporters
Aug. 13th, 2010 08:59 amI am growing more and more frustrated with the so-called Net Neutrality nonsense. Net Neutrality is two-fold. The first part is something we can all agree with --- Basically, it calls for ISPs to allow all Internet content to be streamed or delivered at the same speed. As of now, individual ISPs can actually "slow" your connection to certain sites if it wishes. While this is not as prevalent as it once was, it is an issue. And I, for one, have no problem with the FCC cracking down on those who "slow" connections.
But it is the second part that is frightening. Google, cell companies and some left-of-center organizations (like Free Press) argue that broadband Internet be reclassified as a type II communication. Why? Because the FCC controls all type II communication. One would think we would want the government to stay out of the business of regulating broadband connections. But Google and other telecommunications corporations want broadband to be regulated the way they are regulated. To create a "level playing field" for Google, broadband connections would necessarily suffer. Rates would necessarily rise.
Worse, it will allow the very political FCC to determine what can be uploaded and downloaded via the "public" type II technology. A right-of-center FCC could ban pornography or gambling. A left-of-center FCC could ban religious sites and those depicting the military. Internet content would fall into the public realm where politicians can determine who gets to see what online.
This is an awful idea. As a conservative, I fear a left-of-center FCC/Washington barring me from blogging about their abuses. But I know this is a two-way street. I want my left-of-center friends to be able to "call out" the abuses of the right online as well. I always have and I always will. I don't just say "free speech" and then kill it when I disagree like the American left tends to do. I want it protected. But there is no place more sacred these days than the Internet.
Sadly, unions are now joining the cause of Net Neutrality. I just read with a deep heart that the Writers Guild of America has now signed on as a NN supporter. The Screen Actors Guild and others appear to be readying themselves to follow suit. As a writer, it pains me to see the professionals sign on the dotted line that will, likely, end in the end of online freedoms in order to further their liberal masters.
Worse, non-entertainment unions appear to also be readying their members to rally to the cause of Net Neutrality.
What a sad day for America...
But it is the second part that is frightening. Google, cell companies and some left-of-center organizations (like Free Press) argue that broadband Internet be reclassified as a type II communication. Why? Because the FCC controls all type II communication. One would think we would want the government to stay out of the business of regulating broadband connections. But Google and other telecommunications corporations want broadband to be regulated the way they are regulated. To create a "level playing field" for Google, broadband connections would necessarily suffer. Rates would necessarily rise.
Worse, it will allow the very political FCC to determine what can be uploaded and downloaded via the "public" type II technology. A right-of-center FCC could ban pornography or gambling. A left-of-center FCC could ban religious sites and those depicting the military. Internet content would fall into the public realm where politicians can determine who gets to see what online.
This is an awful idea. As a conservative, I fear a left-of-center FCC/Washington barring me from blogging about their abuses. But I know this is a two-way street. I want my left-of-center friends to be able to "call out" the abuses of the right online as well. I always have and I always will. I don't just say "free speech" and then kill it when I disagree like the American left tends to do. I want it protected. But there is no place more sacred these days than the Internet.
Sadly, unions are now joining the cause of Net Neutrality. I just read with a deep heart that the Writers Guild of America has now signed on as a NN supporter. The Screen Actors Guild and others appear to be readying themselves to follow suit. As a writer, it pains me to see the professionals sign on the dotted line that will, likely, end in the end of online freedoms in order to further their liberal masters.
Worse, non-entertainment unions appear to also be readying their members to rally to the cause of Net Neutrality.
What a sad day for America...
