[wordup] Net neutrality sinking in the USA

[Adam Shand]

Via: Brett Shand <brett at shand...>
Source: http://mail.kein.org/mailman/listinfo/nettime-l

> From Save The Internet newsletter:
>
> Yesterday, the House voted to block the FCC from protecting our right to
> access an open Internet. If successful, the move would give phone and cable
> companies absolute, unrestricted power over the Internet.
>
> In the Senate, Republicans have introduced a "resolution of disapproval"
> that would strip the FCC of its authority to protect our right to free
> speech online.1 Both of these moves come at a time when phone and cable
> giants are already restricting our ability to connect with others and share
> information.2
>
> We can stop the resolution in the Senate by getting 51 members to stand with
> us for online freedom:
>
> Tell Your Senators: Defend Our Right to Free Speech Online
>
> A House vote is on the books. It's now up to the Senate. If it doesn't stop
> this resolution, the FCC would be barred from enforcing its already weak Net
> Neutrality rule, and from acting in any way to protect Internet users
> against corporate abuses by AT&T, Comcast and Verizon.
>
> This is not a symbolic congressional exercise — it's a scorched-earth
> campaign that leaves Americans at the mercy of a corporate cartel.
>
> Imagine a world where these companies are allowed to do anything they want,
> ban any speech they don't like, charge anything they can get away with, and
> hold innovation hostage to their profit margins. If this resolution passes,
> there's nothing anyone could do about it.
>
> The resolution is filibuster-proof. We need at least 51 senators to beat it.
> Will your senators stand with us?
>
> Sign this letter to demand that Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten
> Gillibrand protect free speech online. We will deliver it to their offices
> in Washington and provide you with tools to spread the word across New York.
>
> Thanks for all you can do.
>
> Timothy Karr
> Campaign Director
> Free Press Action Fund
> www.freepress.net
> www.SavetheInternet.com
>
> 1. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and
> John Ensign (R-Nevada) introduced the “resolution of disapproval” on
> Wednesday. It already has 39 Republican cosponsors. In the House, Reps. Fred
> Upton (R-Michigan) and Greg Walden (R-Oregon) are pushing a similar measure.
>
> 2. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps outlined the recent history of “real
> threats” to Internet openness during his opening remarks Wednesday before
> the House Commerce Committee (pdf).