Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Democrats Urge Tighter FCC Rules

Senate Democrats pressed the Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission yesterday to slap tighter controls on media ownership, public-interest broadcasting and television violence.

Concentrate on the ownership problem. With the experience thus far in the 110th Congress, common sense dictates not displaying any optimism in the Dems chances of success in this matter.


C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Tom Tancredo wasn’t the first
to wave the flag on illegal
immigration, but he’s been among
the most relentless. (That’s
good.) Unfortunately, he’s also
been among the most unyielding.
(That’s bad.)

By his willingness to sound the alarm, the Republican who holds
Colorado’s 6th Congressional District seat has become the face of the
anti-illegal movement. Now it’s time to achieve a solution, and Tancredo
can play a leading role if he has the nerve to see it through.

To the fine voters of the Colorado 6th Congressional District this advice
is offered. Do not vote for anyone but Tom Tancredo. The reason for
this advice is the pathetic so-called endorsement by the Denver Post that
puts it all in perspective. They endorse with trepidation which is equal to
no endorsement at all It’s an incredible endorsement sham favoring Winter
who will spend you into education ruin and give amnesty to every illegal
immigrant.
If you have read or if you do read this piece by the Denver Post it will be
clear to you. It is in the best interest of any newspaper’s profit margin to
be pro amnesty and pro education spending. They will allow immigration
of any kind to extend the profit motive of corporate America who owns
the media. They will also spend us into default through education policy
that has no connection to performance or actually educating America’s
students. Once again, we urge you to vote for Tom Tancredo. If you are
wondering why a website with no obvious connection to Colorado would
take the time to promote Tom Tancredo it is because many people across
the country appreciate the efforts of Tom Tancredo to support the rule of
law and oppose uncontrolled immigration. This site is not payed for by any
political organization nor otherwise beholding to anyone. Once again, your
vote for Tom Tancredo is appreciated. We also favor James Sensenbrenner
of WI, who along with Mr Tancredo have done some good work. In addition
to immigration, they are two of eight Republicans who voted against the
COPE Act. Something we find equally compelling as reason to vote
for them. Enough said.

Stanford Matthews, MoreWhat.com

We were late getting into the most recent net neutrality debate that is
identified by the relatively quiet passing of HR 5252 in the House and
its expected quiet passage in the Senate in the lame duck session after
the mid term elections.
However, we are not seeing enough discussion on this anywhere on the
net. Internet users should not be apathetic or too lazy to participate in this
legislative matter. Going down the wrong road could ruin the internet.
Stanford Matthews, MoreWhat.com staff

Net neutrality gives equal access to Internet

By Devin Hansen, Rock Island | Sunday, October 22, 2006
Whether you are left wing or right wing, or preferably somewhere in the
middle, there is an issue of dire necessity that you must work to defeat.
Lobbyists in Congress are pushing for the end of Net neutrality, which
prevents companies like AT&T and Verizon from deciding which Web
sites upload the fastest based on who pays them the most.

Another good reason to oppose COPE Act and favor net neutrality. If the
RBOC’s (regional bell operating companies) are only in favor of the COPE
Act to increase profits and have the public and customers of their choosing
pay for their costs of doing business, that’s reason enough to oppose COPE.
C. Harris, MoreWhat.com staff

New US Congress could push ‘Net neutrality, hurt RBOCs

Jim Duffy
A Democratic victory in November could introduce IP networks to
government regulation by bringin net neutrality and other issues
back to the front burner. Democratic control of Congress, expected next year caused by unease over
the Iraq War and a Republican sex scandal, would be “negative” for the
RBOCs by “bringing the government regulation to the IP networks for the
first time” that would discourage investment and inhibit profitability, states
investment firm UBS Warburg in a research report issued Thursday.

The phrase above, “hurt RBOC’s” should not alarm you. It means hurt their
bottom line and/or profit margins. That is preferable to hurting internet users
universally and big biz controlling who gets what on the internet.
C. Harris MoreWhat.com staff

Oregon Speaks Out For Net Neutrality

MedfordNews.com, OR - Oct 19, 2006
… by creating discriminatory networks that play favorites,” said Senator Wyden, the first
member of Congress to introduce legislation protecting Net Neutrality.”. …

COPE Act, Net Neutrality & the Telecom Industry It is likely in your own best interest to pay attention to this legislation and help defeat it in the Senate since it has a version that passed the House. The roll call voting results will be provided in a subsequent post this week.
Stanford Harris
MoreWhat.com staff

First paragraph of the CRS Summary of HR 5252, as amended and passed on June 8, 2006 by the House. H.R.5252 (with blogger comments in red text)

The information below is from Congressman Ed Markey’s website and it seems he is passionately supporting legislation to oppose the COPE Act without Net Neutrality language inserted. HR5252 passed in the House and has been sent to the Senate. It is out understanding it is awaiting judgment and may or may not get shoved through in a lame duck session after the mid terms. We suggest you involve yourselves in this one if you like the net the way it is. Things may change drastically if the COPE Act is allowed to survive without net neurtrality protections in place. As we get our collective heads wrapped around this one we will do our best to keep you informed.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com staff

October 21 2006
Become a Citizen Co-Sponsor of the Net Neutrality Amendment
We, the undersigned, oppose the lack of Network Neutrality protections in the the COPE Act, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton. We strongly urge passage of the Network Neutrality amendment sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, along with Representatives Rick Boucher, Anna Eshoo, and Jay Inslee.

Click Here to Co-sponsor!

Whereas, the free and open nature of the Internet has fostered unprecedented innovation and economic growth;Whereas, a fundamental part of the Internet’s nature is the fact that no one owns it and it is open to all comers;

Whereas, the Barton Bill would block the FCC from restoring meaningful protections for Internet consumers and entrepreneurs, and from prohibiting the imposition of bottleneck taxes and other discriminatory actions on the part of broadband network operators, such as AT&T and Verizon;

Whereas, the imposition of additional fees for Internet content providers would unduly burden web-based small businesses, start-ups, as well as communications for non-commercial users, religious speech, civic involvement, and exercising our First Amendment freedoms;

Whereas, the Markey amendment will effectively thwart attempts by broadband behemoths to block, impair, or degrade a consumer’s ability to access any lawful Internet content, application, or service; will protect my right to attach any device for use with a broadband connection,; will ensure that phone and cable companies cannot favor themselves or affiliated parties to the detriment of other broadband competitors, innovators, and independent entrepreneurs; and it will prohibit the broadband Internet providers from charging extra fees and warping the web in a multi-tiered network of bandwidth haves and have-nots.

Therefore, I join as a citizen co-sponsor of the Markey Amendment to save the Internet as we know it.

Click Here to Co-sponsor!