The leading tech companies in the U.S. have a message for the Federal Communications Commission: Don't do it.
More than 100 big and small tech companies, including Facebook, Google, Netflix and Amazon, signed off on a letter urging the FCC to rethink its proposed changes to previous net neutrality regulations, calling these changes "a grave threat to the Internet."
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
The Democrats never miss an opportunity to exert more control over the masses. Thank You Tom Wheeler and your 2 Demorat cronies for supporting this garbage.
Remember Ronald Reagan's "nine most terrifying words in the English language"? This is exactly the type of crap he was referring to. Here's the government getting involved via the FCC and screwing things up...Again.
I was rolling watching this! There's some language, so don't click if you mind that. It's totally worth the whole 13 minutes, but if you really only want the best part, start watching at about minute 12. :HighFive:
[youtube:18fsbae5][/youtube:18fsbae5]
Published on Jun 1, 2014
Cable companies are trying to create an unequal playing field for internet speeds, but they're doing it so boringly that most news outlets aren't covering it.
John Oliver explains the controversy and lets viewers know how they can voice their displeasure to the FCC.
There might actually be something you can still do.
The FCC are literally inviting internet comments at this address.
http://www.fcc.gov/comments
At this point, and I can't believe I'm about to do this, I would like to address the internet commenters out there directly. <deep breath>
Good evening Monsters.
This is the moment you were made for Commenters. Like Ralph Macchio, you've been honing your skills waxing cars and painting fences. Well, guess what? Now it's time to do some f***ing karate.
For once in your life we need to you channel that anger. That badly spelled bile that you normally reserve for unforgivable attacks on actresses you seem to think have put on weight. Or politicians you disagree with. I'm talking to you OneDirectionForever, and I'm talking to you OneDirectionSucksBalls!
Seize your moment my lovely trolls, turn on CAPS LOCK and fly my pretties, FLY!
:rofllol
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Last edit: 24 Aug 2014 22:35 by MyMountainTown. Reason: Starring out a word not intended for this forum based on its rating
As it stands now, the FCC's proposal—initial public comments on it close Tuesday—would allow broadband providers to charge content companies for a so called "fast lane" of service.
The issue, according the Internet Association, which represents 35 Internet companies, is that anything but vigilant protection of net neutrality will disadvantage Internet companies—start-ups in particular.
"Preserving the Internet's neutrality ensures that it remains an engine for economic growth, innovation, and democratic values.... Broadband Internet access providers, however, have the incentive to discriminate and block Internet traffic. They have the tools to carry this out. They also have the ability to hide their actions by distributing the blame to other stakeholders," the organization said in a 23-page document.
It's obvious why broadband-hogging services like Netflix and YouTube want net neutrality, but why is it so important for companies that do not stream large amounts of video, like Etsy, Uber or AirBNB?
In fact, smaller companies are worried that they won't be able to compete with giants like Amazon and Google, who have deep pockets and can therefore pay to have their data prioritized.
In a filing with the FCC, Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson wrote: "If the proposed rules were in place when Etsy was founded, we would never have achieved the success we have today.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
In light of the recent actions by the FCC to take it upon themselves to ignore clear language in the 1996 Telecommunications Act and substitute their own desires in its place by redefining broadband internet providers as "common carriers" under Title II of the 1996 Act, I thought this thread might be worth a bump so that we can discuss the recent actions of the FCC.
This is the relevant section of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 - passed with 90+ votes in the Senate, 400+ votes in the House and signed into law by then President Clinton. I include the vote totals in an effort to stem any attempts by anyone to lay claim to this being the result of a Republican Congress. Over 95% of the Representatives and 90% of the Senators voted in favor of this law.
`(41) INFORMATION SERVICE- The term `information service' means the offering of a capability for generating, acquiring, storing, transforming, processing, retrieving, utilizing, or making available information via telecommunications, and includes electronic publishing, but does not include any use of any such capability for the management, control, or operation of a telecommunications system or the management of a telecommunications service.
thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c104:1:./temp/~c104bYAZBV:e8049
:
As is plainly evident, Information Service Providers (ISPs) are a defined entity within the body of the law and as such the FCC doesn't get to invent their own definition of what constitutes either an Information Service or an ISP to bring them under the "common carrier" classification under Title II of the Act in order to effect their desired ends. The ends do not, in fact, justify any and all means necessary to achieve them. If the FCC wishes to have ISPs classifies as "common carriers" under Title II of the act they have to go to Congress to get that done.
:HighFive:
