First many of you will ask "what is Net Neutrality?" In short is it federal regulations preventing phone and cable companies from charging extra to zip some high-bandwidth services through their wires faster than others.
A few weeks ago the House defeated a bill that would keep Net Neutrality in place. And now it is the Senate's turn.
Many groups, such as savetheinternet.com. as an example, recording artists, companies like Amazon, Ebay, Google and Microsoft are saying if Net Neutrality is voted out of the Telecommunications act of 1996 it will be the death of the internet as you and I know it.
What do these groups mean? Here are some examples:

• Google users—Another search engine could pay dominant Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon, Time Warner, etc to guarantee the competing search engine opens faster than Google on your computer.
• Innovators with the "next big idea"—Startups and entrepreneurs will be muscled out of the marketplace by big corporations that pay Internet providers for dominant placing on the Web. The little guy will be left in the "slow lane" with inferior Internet service, unable to compete.
• Ipod listeners—A company like Comcast could slow access to iTunes, steering you to a higher-priced music service that it owned.
• Political groups—Political organizing could be slowed by a handful of dominant Internet providers who ask advocacy groups to pay "protection money" for their websites and online features to work correctly.
• Nonprofits—A charity's website could open at snail-speed, and online contributions could grind to a halt, if nonprofits can't pay dominant Internet providers for access to "the fast lane" of Internet service.
• Online purchasers—Companies could pay Internet providers to guarantee their online sales process faster than competitors with lower prices—distorting your choice as a consumer.
• Small businesses and tele-commuters—When Internet companies like AT&T favor their own services, you won't be able to choose more affordable providers for online video, teleconferencing, Internet phone calls, and software that connects your home computer to your office.
• Parents and retirees—Your choices as a consumer could be controlled by your Internet provider, steering you to their preferred services for online banking, health care information, sending photos, planning vacations, etc.
• Bloggers—Costs will skyrocket to post and share video and audio clips—silencing citizen journalists and putting more power in the hands of a few corporate-owned media outlets.

However, the Telcos (telecommunication corps) say that they have invested time, millions of dollars on development, maintance and upgrades and feel that their "pipes" should not be used by, for example Ebay, Google, etc for free. I can understand their point but I also understand the groups for Net Neutrality as well. Tha would mean places like this would be no more or would have to become a membership subscription site. I don't know what to think because like with every issue like this the spin doctors on both side play it up. What is your opinions or does it really matter at all?

Micheál

it's already null and void, for all practical purposes. however, there is little or no chance of either legislative body acting against the interests of their corporate masters.

While I tend to agree Miss N, I think that's a pretty dismal way to look at life. Sometimes a little optimism and effort goes a long way towards changing the status quo! Write your senators! Speak up! I know I will!

Quote - While I tend to agree Miss N, I think that's a pretty dismal way to look at life. Sometimes a little optimism and effort goes a long way towards changing the status quo! Write your senators! Speak up! I know I will!

I have done just that and much more. And my congressmen, senators and represenatives all hate me by now. But you know what? I don't care I elected them to do a job! When people are complacent with dealing with governments it gives government the ability to tighten its hold on peoples lives and rights. History has proven that time and time again. I can’t, nor will I ever, understand what it is that lets my fellow countrymen continue to let the people they elect to office continue to live in an atmosphere of corruption, building of personal wealth and greed while many of their constituents can hardly make ends meet.

Being a former service member, here is an example of what I mentioned in the paragraph above that angers me…A LOT!  And that is when our men and women warriors who serve YOU, the people, risk their lives and have their families torn apart, are reduced to living on food stamps and other assistance because they are paid so little. HOWEVER, the fat cat senator or congressmen who is more than happy to let them do the dirty work and gladly accepts a nice big payoffs from the corporations, never has to go without heat, never has to worry about the electric, never has to choose between food or medication, transportation to work, gas prices, health care or risk to his person with very little or no outcry by the masses. Even more disturbing is the public continues to consume the products from these corporation guiding the self proclaimed kings known as ELECTED officials hands to continue their lives of corruption. Why? This country is made up of millions that has the power to control the minority in Washington. Why not do it instead of complaining.

 Is it because not enough Americans have to live this way? Is it the “ME” mentality? “It can’t happen to me”? I’ve had the misfortune to be in country and seen the effects of what a corrupt; uncheck government has done to its people. The less you challenge your senators, congressmen and representatives they become more powerful. The less you vote there is more a chance of that right being taken away. I’m sorry but it just boggles my mind why we continue to let this go on.

Sealtm2...I agree 100% with you...and if you were a Seal..I salute you, for its one hell of an accomplishment......I respect that for sure...but I am a pacifist, so don't agree with some of the methods to mission fulfillment...but that aside, the internet bill is going to destroy the internet as we know it.

Move On has a petition, at the very least, that you can sign, and by all means call and write your Senators...The House already blew it away..the bums. The interesting part is the fact they have gotten millions of signatures on the petitions, a lot of big groups trying to persuade them to vote yes on the neutrality clause, and guess what those unlistening people did? Went against what We, THE PEOPLE , wanted.

Now its time for the Senate.... and I think time we vote ALL OF THEM, oout of office, except for a couple, such as Wisconsin's Feingold, one of few that has the balls to say anything.

Sealtm2...I'm sorry to hear about this. It sounds like the end of the net for me. Unfortunately, the elected officials have a club that kicks the people who put them there to the curb while they join the club and enrich themselves on donations from the corps and big business. Anymore, it seems our freedom and the country is up for sale to the highest bidder...and it's happening because too many are fat and happy and not paying attention. As one song goes..."while the rest of the nation is still sleeping....they'll be kissing America goodbye"

While Net Neutrality is looming on the horizon, the "north american union" (do a search) will eventually neuter "we the people".  Once its in place, then they'll say "Oh having three governments openly working with each other is a bit much...we need an overarching agency to co-ordinate things...like a Parliment or some such thing." Then they'll set up something that will over ride our Constitution...and it's bye bye freedom. But the masses sleep on!

you can see the interest by looking at how many views and responses this thread is getting to this point. basically nothing.

Well, when it comes down to no choice on your internet connection, paying for email, and al the rest, you'll hear a bunch of bitching then, I'm sure

you can see the interest
In Z the investigators find a witness who could establish some facts about the assassination of a progressive Greek diplomat who stood up to the military junta. They can't get him to stop watching soccer and answer their questions.

Gore Vidal had chronicled the development of the American Empire, which is an empire of plutocrats, not Americans, and the one thing that shines in his picture is the utter complacency of Jefferson's yeoman farmers and their descendants. Philip Roth's optimism about the basic decency of the American wad is as much a fantasy as the election of Lindbergh... more, actually. Not only can it happen here, it did, six years ago.

Americans don't care about freedom; they care about HDTV. They don't love liberty; they love pictures of Christina Aquilera contemplating fellatio. They don't hate terrorists, they just like beating people up. They don't care about the downtrodden unless it's them, and they don't have the courage to stand up for their own rights if it might mean trouble. Timothy McVeigh understood that, however reprehensible his response to the realization. And read Vidal's notes on the framing of McVeigh, if you think we ever had a free press.

Give the masses their naked Vickies, and they won't care if you lynch somebody else in the alleys. That is America, and I'm so pleased to be leaving soon.

Enjoy. I expect our Fristian PTBs will delete this in a few minutes.

M

The United States constitution defines our form of government as a representative democracy. Informed, aware citizens elect congressional representatives, a president,  and vice-president who are to "establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." That does not mean elect me to office, make lots of money and igonr those who elected me.

mickmca,

Unfortunately I agree with much of your statment but let's break this down:

" Americans don't care about freedom; they care about HDTV."
To some degree this is true. But I think the MAJORITY, note I said majority NOT all, of American's do not have the hint of what true freedom is and what it's really about. To many true freedom is the ablity to choose what ring tone they want on their cell phone. Freedom in this country is taken PAST for granted.

"They don't love liberty; they love pictures of Christina Aquilera contemplating fellatio."
Again another good point. But again just like with freedom the average American has no concept of this either. It too is taken past "for granted" They are much too busy worrying about what the next Surivior, big Brother or other mindless series is going to contain. Most wonder around in their own little universe detached from reality. "Oh but Micheál reality bites!" Yes my boy it really does and ignoring it just makes it worse.

"They don't hate terrorists, they just like beating people up."
Hmmm, I don't know about this one. I feel most Americans do not tolerate bullies. However between government BS and the media pukes the term "terrorist" has become cloudy. IN fact if many of the framers of our Consititution were alive today they would be considered "terrorists".

"They don't care about the downtrodden unless it's them,"
There are many Americans who are very much part of programs and organizations to help the poor and needy. However the numbers are small. This nation is becoming, if it hasn't already, a "ME" nation. "It's all about me, my world, I'm much too self absorbed to notice my environment around me. It's not affecting me so why should I care?" Until something happens to them and then the world needs to stop and take notice.

"and they don't have the courage to stand up for their own rights if it might mean trouble."
So very true!!! But again, between the government and the media pukes many Americans are trained to think that doing this is a crime. That it makes them "Un-American" to speak out against the government. But doing this also mean a degree of discomfort  and a little self sacifice and Americans do not like either of those.

"Timothy McVeigh understood that, however reprehensible his response to the realization."
Ah yes Timothy. I can understand having an axe to grind agaist the government, boy do I ever, but don't take it out on inocent people. Take it out on the ones who are really responsible. First, carrying out operations on inocent people does nothing but hurt inocent people. Second, the guys in D.C. could really give a rats ass who is taken hostage, blown up or executed as long as their fat ass is not in any danger. This is the one thing about "terrorists" I don't understand why mess with people that have no say in policy? The government surely does not care how many die. Which leads to beleive that these "terrorists" do not care about a cause, they just want to be assholes.

"And read Vidal's notes on the framing of McVeigh, if you think we ever had a free press."
Free press? a joke, smoke and mirrors, bent facts for ratings. The press is a better oiled machine than Hitler or Stalin could have ever dreamed of as far a propaganda machine.
Media pukes could care less about truth and fact in reporting. It's all about careers and fame and being a mouth piece for some politcal party. That is why I was always pleased when command would shut them down and put them in media puke pools and limit them to un-restricted areas.

"Give the masses their naked Vickies, and they won't care if you lynch somebody else in the alleys. That is America, and I'm so pleased to be leaving soon."

Sorry to hear you're leaving but as with all places there are pros and cons. But in some ways you are right to a degree. As long as "ME" gets what "ME" wants without making "ME" uncomfortable. I don't give a damn what happens to anyone else as long as it's not "ME".

"Enjoy. I expect our Fristian PTBs will delete this in a few minutes."
If they didn't then they will now....LOL! I know I'm done with the subject.

All the non-american sites have to do is to not be connected to america so they can continue as normal surely?

Considering BT and Vodafone are two of the biggest telcos in the world - and both British based - I cannot see net preferences gaining a foothold outside the USA.  That could mean the US ends up off the net for the most part.   We have Europe, Japan, huge chunks of Africa, Australasia and Canada, so who cares? ;)   Which, more than anything, convinces me it ain't gonna happen any time soon. 

OTOH, since over 90% of Americans don't possess a passport and over 80% have never been out of the country, maybe the PTB over there will count on them not noticing. ;)  (Not a dig at my Transatlantic buddies, more a dig at the short sighted business interests who forget that the rest of the world is out there).

Seriously, I hope you all kick some serious arse and get this stupid idea overturned.

I would think that if the European Union, and the United Kingdom were to formally adopt a pro neutrality policy, then it would effective kill the American initiative, no matter what law Congress eventually passed.
David P. Hoadley

Quote - I would think that if the European Union, and the United Kingdom were to formally adopt a pro neutrality policy, then it would effective kill the American initiative, no matter what law Congress eventually passed.
David P. Hoadley

This is, as you outside-US folks remind us, a US issue. Yes, I do not think the US will be able to shove its "net for the corporations with the right attitudes" initiatives down the throats of the world. And yes, actually, I think the US is in the process of disintegrating as a world power, though it will create some final mayhem in its death throes, enough to make Hussein's igniting the oil fields of Kuwait look like small potatoes.

But the fact is, long and short term, this initiative will take us in one step from world leader in providing a "free" forum to all to membership in the Arab/Chinese thought police club. The US is in the hands of fundamentalist reactionaries as vile and despicable and death-directed as the Taliban, and it may be too late to do anything to stop them. Welcome to the future; don't get left behind. Remember, Jesus loves a good hater. Nuke the goats for Christ.

DMSeal: So we are clear: Yeah, McVeigh's "solution" was the wrong answer to the right problem. Unfortunately, there is no "right" answer.

Hey. I checked the Nudity flag. Now more folks will take a look. Naked Cheneys with a... What an odd place to carry a Vienna sausage....

M

Washington DC is in dire need of an enema.

Quote - " I think the US is in the process of disintegrating as a world power"

I am afraid you're right. Over the last 20 years the U.S. has been steadily lagging behind especially in education and job growth.

 Education is a serious issue in our country today. Many of our young people are not on the same levels as their foreign counterparts, which make them unprepared to compete with the rest of the world in many areas. Too much time is focused on playing political games and not on learning. The last time I attended a school board meeting the content was more political than on education.

 We are “out sourcing” too many jobs and little by little we send away the wrong pieces of our country at a time. Instead we should be exporting more and importing less. I have noting against helping others abroad. But you must be strong yourself before you can help others. There is thousands of people right here in American with little to eat and little access to healthcare. We have our own terrorist problem right here and that is the terror comes from violent crime, street gangs and drug lords.

 It only seems like all people are interested in is money, cash, bling bling and in themselves. If Americans don’t start taking notice and acting there will be no more America! That means every man and women that has ever served this country did so in vain.

sealtm2...you and I must be tied together at the brain on this topic.

I'm somewhere in the political neighborhood of Che Guevara, but I come from a military family.  I'm proud that my father won the Congressional Medal of Honor in WWII. He served in Korea and Viet Nam and was buried with full military honors twenty years ago. We were adverasries, but never enemies. Each of his wars was less a matter of honor, and I think he knew his integrity had been betrayed, at the end.

I am sick to pure revulsion of the "You 'n' him fight" patriots willing to sacrifice men like my father to their almighty bottom line and sitting home playing war on their Nintendos. From the Jay Goulds of Lincoln's terrible war to the Cheneys and Halliburtons feeding on our children's blood, they are the true enemies of America. When a generation came back from Viet Nam with the know-how to kick ass, the lardy patriots were wetting themselves for a decade. Wait till this generation of trained killers comes home, folks. They will not take "Veterans need not apply" for an answer. I think the Left and the military are about to converge against a common enemy, and that enemy is casting its sweaty votes against the people in Washington, DC. Two parties, one master.

The kidnapping of the Internet is just one more attempt to neutralize the power of the poor, who are the real army, the meat that the patriot brains are helpless without. They can steal our money, they can steal our votes, they can steal our homes, and even our country, but ants beat lions, and they are not lions, for all the pretty costumes. Bills are coming due. It may cost some time, but the barbarians are coming, and I wish I could watch when they get here.

M