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Utopia Talk / Politics / "Net neutrality is Obamacare for internet"
Jesse Malcolm Barack
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Tue Nov 11 04:14:23 2014
http://onl...WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

President Weighs In as Agency Seeks to Finish Regulations

President Barack Obama on Monday called on the Federal Communications Commission to significantly expand its regulatory control over broadband providers, saying the “strongest possible rules” are needed to protect consumers and ensure that the Internet doesn’t become divided into fast and slow lanes.

In a detailed statement and video, Mr. Obama called for bright-line rules that ban broadband providers from blocking websites or cutting deals with content companies for better access to consumers, known as paid prioritization. The statement was his strongest and most specific comment to date on net neutrality, the principle that all Internet traffic should be treated equally.

Jesse Malcolm Barack
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Tue Nov 11 04:15:31 2014
Lets see what the usual retards have to say about net neutrality

"net neutrality is like obamacare" - ted cruz http://i.imgur.com/PDDJ4TN.jpg

House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) called the White House plan “disappointing but not surprising,” and said “an open, vibrant Internet is essential to a growing economy, and net neutrality is a textbook example of the kind of Washington regulations that destroy innovation and entrepreneurship.”

In a written statement, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) called the president’s plan a “terrible idea,” saying the commission would be wise to reject it. He pointed to a letter several Republican lawmakers sent to the FCC in May raising concerns about any proposal that would apply “monopoly-era Title II regulations to our nation’s competitive and dynamic broadband economy.”

Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) took a slightly different stance, saying the issue should fall back to Congress. “Instead of reclassifying Internet service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, the FCC should allow Congress to update this law,” he said in a statement, saying it should be a top priority of the new Republican-led Congress to clarify the FCC’s role “in the modern communications landscape.”
Sam Adams
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Tue Nov 11 04:20:20 2014
cruz is a fucking retard.
Fred Felcher
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Tue Nov 11 05:13:01 2014
no doubt
CrownRoyal
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Tue Nov 11 10:04:22 2014
The stupidest tweet ever? Has to be.
CrownRoyal
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Tue Nov 11 10:06:18 2014
Also good on obama for going all the way. Title II ftw
Average Ameriacn
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Tue Nov 11 11:23:43 2014
Nets neutrality is like political correctness, you have to treat blacks and homos and muslims the same way like you treat whites.

Nets neutrality is like taking away all guns so we are all the same: defenseless.

Nets neutrality is like paying everyone the same wage regardless how hard he works.
Paramount
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Tue Nov 11 13:49:30 2014
Net neutrality is also anti-semitic and anti-Israel.
CrownRoyal
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Tue Nov 11 13:52:22 2014
http://theoatmeal.com/blog/net_neutrality
Hot Rod
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Tue Nov 11 15:27:39 2014

Why do you people want to destroy the internet?

You must know that if the government starts regulating it it will change into some kind of monstrosity that will no longer be as free as it is today.

What we know as the internet today will be lost forever.

Camaban
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Tue Nov 11 15:30:06 2014
Not an issue in many places, but for America:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK7ix5BwCjk
Hot Rod
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Tue Nov 11 15:34:45 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK7ix5BwCjk

tumbleweed
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Tue Nov 11 17:11:53 2014
"What we know as the internet today will be lost forever. "

again lying R's manage to convince their sheep of the complete opposite of reality
MrPresident07
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Tue Nov 11 17:17:18 2014
How is it that the government has the right to tell a private service what to do with said service?
Im better then you
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Tue Nov 11 17:21:14 2014
The party that believes the internet is like a bunch of tubes is running both houses.

God helps us.
Im better then you
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Tue Nov 11 17:26:33 2014
Cause it's the government and net neutrality is good for everyone.
Hot Rod
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Tue Nov 11 17:27:28 2014

Ibty, it is the fucking democrats that want to take over and control the internet.

Damn it man, pay attention.

MrPresident07
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Tue Nov 11 17:32:03 2014
I don't really see a winner in this debate. Both ways you go could lead to disastrous results for consumers.
tumbleweed
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Tue Nov 11 17:44:14 2014
Time Warner Cable [ISP] got the worst rating of all companies by the American Customer Satisfaction Index in 2014... but let's hand them control, because Obama
LazyCommunist
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Tue Nov 11 17:48:39 2014
Net neutrality gave us the current internet.
Hrothgar
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Tue Nov 11 18:34:36 2014
"Why do you people want to destroy the internet?

You must know that if the government starts regulating it it will change into some kind of monstrosity that will no longer be as free as it is today.

What we know as the internet today will be lost forever."

I can't tell if HR is just trolling or what. But the internet today is EXACTLY what Obama is attempting to preserve. Otherwise, the Utopia Politics web site will find itself on the slow lane vs. Netflix/Amazon Prime traffic - just as a simple example.
Hot Rod
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Tue Nov 11 19:50:26 2014

What Obama is good at is creating a $500 Million website that neither works nor is it secure from the least intelligent hackers.

No matter how much you love healthcare for everyone just take a serious look at Obamacare and see how screwed it up it is.

Look at the veterans administration and the post office.

Look at our nearly $18 Trillion debt.

Look at our out of control entitlement programs and all of the stupid Political Correctness that the government is allowing.


Everything the government touches they screw up beyond all reason.

Hrothgar
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Tue Nov 11 23:38:43 2014
By your post you obviously know 0 about what the term "net neutrality" even means. I suggest you go read CrownRoyal's link. It's a nice simple description.

The government dictating net neutrality is not the same thing as the government running/controlling/maintaining the internet. It is simply making governing rules about how companies can control data transmitted over the internet in order to prevent corporate abuses.

Hood
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Wed Nov 12 02:09:25 2014
"I don't really see a winner in this debate."

The moment you leave, we all are winners, if ever so slightly.
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 02:22:28 2014

Hrothgar, slippery slope.

Wait and see.

Cthulhu
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Wed Nov 12 02:34:45 2014
You need to read what net neutrality is HR
Hood
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Wed Nov 12 02:40:08 2014
No he doesn't, fox told him what it "means."
Hot Stick
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Wed Nov 12 02:44:19 2014
I suggest *YOU* learn what net neutrality is

http://www...ng-obamacare-for-the-internet/

“[Net neutrality] puts the government in charge of determining Internet pricing, terms of service, and what types of products and services can be delivered, leading to fewer choices, fewer opportunities, and higher prices for consumers,” Cruz said.

Internet providers are opposed regulations that would remove their ability to offer various prices or rates to consumers or customers, essentially arguing that it would turn their broadband infrastructure into mere government-controlled transmission tubes. Cruz took aim at the FCC in May, saying that Congress, not “an unelected commission,” should take the lead on modernizing telecommunications laws.
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 02:56:39 2014

Hood, FOX didn't tell me shit. All I had to hear is the government wanted to pass a law.

You kids just don't understand how incompetent the government really is. Perhaps the net will be safe under net-neutrality, but just wait till the next law or the one after.

Just wait.



Hood
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Wed Nov 12 03:08:29 2014
http://www...s-title-ii-net-neutrality-fcc/

relevant section:

"Wheeler’s proposal said that if it does decide to reclassify ISPs, the FCC would likely forbear from applying all but sections 201, 202, 208, 222, 254, and 255 of Title II."

section 201:
Don't be a dbag. If you act like an ass (against public interest) it's unlawful and you can be held accountable.

section 202:
It is illegal to force unjust contracts on people (end users and other businesses alike). Violating this will incur penalties.

section 208:
the FCC is the arbiter of disputes and has time limitations to settle arbitration.

section 222:
giant privacy clause. I didn't bother reading it all, but it dealt with protection of privacy for customers and businesses.

section 254:
service should be available to everyone for reasonable rates. There is nothing specific about what is reasonable. Access for public good services (schools, hospitals, etc.) is required as well.

section 255:
access for people with disabilities (pointless).
---------------

So the only "sky is falling" provision is section 254 and there is nothing specific about that section that is negative. And the sky ain't falling there, either.

So basically Cruz is full of shit.
Hood
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Wed Nov 12 03:10:03 2014
"You kids just don't understand how incompetent the government really is. Perhaps the net will be safe under net-neutrality, but just wait till the next law or the one after."

You mean like how the telephone industry fell apart?

Oh, wait. It took an entirely new technology (the internet) to replace it. Seems like the most important invention of the industrial world is still going to be massively successful.
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 03:12:54 2014

"section 201:
Don't be a dbag. If you act like an ass (against public interest) it's unlawful and you can be held accountable."

Free speech restriction?


Hood
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Wed Nov 12 04:22:43 2014
You don't think every telecom in existence would have sued the shit out of the federal government if it was?
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 04:28:05 2014

So who is going to act "(against public interest"?

)
tumbleweed
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Wed Nov 12 04:36:56 2014
the merged Time Warner/Comcast monstrosity would be happy to further act against public interest
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 04:42:11 2014

And the government will break them up into small groups that will charge more.

Cthulhu
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Wed Nov 12 04:52:44 2014
http://en....eutrality_in_the_United_States
earthpig
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Wed Nov 12 05:18:48 2014
Net Neutrality is a founding constitutional principle of the internet.

Certain large entities are trying to break that covenant, and little guys are fighting it.

All Net Neutrality as law does is formalize and clarify the existing obligations of service providers.

In HR-speak, this is the 1789 Constitution of the United States replacing the Articles of Confederation.

The fact that the GOP is managing to convince retards that Net Neutrality is the opposite of what it is, is telling.
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 05:26:48 2014

If the liberals are for it that is enough to cause great worry.

Mirror Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 05:28:32 2014
I am deeply concerned about legalized weed, for example.
Hood
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Wed Nov 12 06:22:29 2014
"And the government will break them up into small groups that will charge more."

They would have had to approve the merger in the first place. You are an idiot.
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 06:35:10 2014

The statement assumes the event.

Idiot.

Hood
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Wed Nov 12 06:40:58 2014
If they approved the merger, why would they then split them up so quickly?
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 06:43:27 2014

You are the only one using the word 'quickly'.

Hood
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Wed Nov 12 07:30:29 2014
Considering Comcast should probably already be broken up, yes quickly.
Forwyn
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Wed Nov 12 07:34:23 2014
When local and regional monopolies are enforced, and municipalities are forbidden from establishing their own ISPs, you cannot then claim that free market forces will allow consumers to dictate the market.

One or the other, Rod.
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 07:40:46 2014

The localities and municipalities are the ones who allowed those monopolies.

Forwyn
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Wed Nov 12 07:55:40 2014
Sure. So is it "Obamacare for internet" if legislators at the state or federal level deny municipalities the freedom to price gouge and deny free market competition?
obaminated
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Wed Nov 12 09:09:28 2014
1) Let's have the government tell a company how to sell their services.

2) Let's have the government get their hands into the internet industry, because what could go wrong there?

3) You are fools if you think the government is going to make the internet better. You don't like your internet service? Go to a different provider. Don't run to the government you faggots.
pillz
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Wed Nov 12 09:38:25 2014
literally most retarded post in the thread. And you're in competition with Hot Rod in a technology thread.

congrats dude.
Hot Rod
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Wed Nov 12 13:46:31 2014

Just take a close look at the Veterans Hospitals and you will see what is in store for the internet, only much worse.

I would laugh because it is you guys that will have to live with it not me.

But, it is just too sad.

CrownRoyal
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Wed Nov 12 14:17:25 2014
Why not be optimistic, buddy, taking a look at your existence, made possible only by the grace of several majestically efficient government programs?
CrownRoyal
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Wed Nov 12 14:26:43 2014
But reading Rod's claptrap, I am thinking that americans really ought to be careful here. This is obviously the same bullshit they peddle on Fox and talk radio, pretending that NN means government running internet, never mind the truth where NN means leaving internet as it is right now, and protecting it from telecom's shitfuckery. Well, maybe not all are pretending, some are just illiterate and some are just against everything omama is for. But since americans are historically susceptible to bullshit, telecoms and republitards just might win.
hood
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Wed Nov 12 18:04:27 2014
Did mt really say "go to a different provider"?

I'd laugh, but it's too depressing that people are truly that retarded.
Camaban
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Wed Nov 12 18:07:53 2014
If there were other providers, I'd think keeping NN away was quite reasonable.

But...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK7ix5BwCjk
Forwyn
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Wed Nov 12 18:11:12 2014
"You don't like your internet service? Go to a different provider."

Only an hour and a half before that...

"When local and regional monopolies are enforced, and municipalities are forbidden from establishing their own ISPs, you cannot then claim that free market forces will allow consumers to dictate the market."
obaminated
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Wed Nov 12 18:30:44 2014
This is so infuriating. They aren't monopolies, to use that is to cheapen the word not unlike when gays whine about their civil rights. You have options. You simply don't like your options and are whining to the government to offer you something better which is both dangerous and idiotic.
Forwyn
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Wed Nov 12 18:55:55 2014
Uhh, when only 2-3 ISPs can exist within a given municipality or region, due to governmental regulation, this is a government enforced monopoly.

"You have options."

Yes, you typically have 2-3 options. If you don't like Comcast, try Cox.

http://cdn.bgr.com/2014/03/top-isp-without-twc-1024x731.png

"You simply don't like your options and are whining to the government to offer you something better"

No. Either A) end governmental regulation that prevents true consumer choice, or B) make sure that our government enforced choices do not assfuck us ala "I'm sorry, but www.utopiaforums.com is not included in your internet package. Please contact your provider to learn how to unlock this website".
Hood
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Thu Nov 13 00:47:41 2014
"Yes, you typically have 2-3 options"

This is actually wrong. Most of the US only has 1 option at the 10 mbps+ internet speed. Your options are either to have real internet or some shitty DSL connection that will be good enough to browse web pages, maybe look at a few youtube videos. And that's all.

So, no. There aren't any other reasonable options for people. You have 1, MAYBE 2 options at real internet. Those with 2 options are lucky.
pillz
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Thu Nov 13 00:50:07 2014
inb4 obaminated or Hot Rod says that if you use those shitty options they will get better because of the free market.
Forwyn
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Thu Nov 13 01:23:28 2014
Yeah, I've noticed its especially bad in larger cities.

I'm lucky enough to at least be able to choose between Cox and U-Verse, which are both decent. Google is coming soon...if my municipality plays ball, of course.
Hood
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Thu Nov 13 01:41:03 2014
Just looked into AT&T.

I could get "high speed DSL" at up to 6mbps internet. Under current rulings, this counts as broadband service (4mbps). However, a proposed change to 10mbps broadband definition would put me back into only 1 option.

Looks like I only have 1 option for real internet.
TJ
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Thu Nov 13 01:51:52 2014
Anyone who wants to see their options in the States.

http://www...lid=CLX4odOe9sECFQcSMwodcGkAYA
obaminated
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Thu Nov 13 03:38:09 2014
Let's see, I can choose from time warner, Uverse or Fios in my market. Why is that? Because my market is fucking profitable. It isn't the government's job to force a company to invest in an area where there simply isn't much profit to it. Besides, as shitty as it would be, having a 5mbps download speed is not the end of the fucking world.

The internet is a luxury, not a right.
obaminated
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Thu Nov 13 03:40:37 2014
There's also smaller companies I can choose from like Cox.
Hood
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Thu Nov 13 03:58:23 2014
"The internet is a luxury, not a right."

If telephone is worthy of title II consideration, internet is infinitely more worthy.
Forwyn
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Thu Nov 13 04:17:45 2014
"It isn't the government's job to force a company to invest in an area where there simply isn't much profit to it."

Who the fuck argued that? The problem is government exclusion, not a lack of government coercion.
Camaban
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Thu Nov 13 08:33:13 2014
>>Let's see, I can choose from time warner, Uverse or Fios in my market. Why is that? Because my market is fucking profitable. It isn't the government's job to force a company to invest in an area where there simply isn't much profit to it. Besides, as shitty as it would be, having a 5mbps download speed is not the end of the fucking world<<

In your own words, what do you think net neutrality actually is?
Hood
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Thu Nov 13 08:35:11 2014
"Who the fuck argued that?"

Nobody. However...

The companies themselves get paid + tax incentives when they make promises to build into unprofitable areas. And then those companies don't deliver anyway. And still get their money/incentives.

But, you know, it's the government that we need to worry about!
earthpig
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Fri Nov 14 21:25:40 2014
"You are fools if you think the government is going to make the internet better."

The internet wouldn't exist if not for government.

You are just trying to copy/paste anti-Obamacare arguments without actually thinking things through or giving any consideration to context.
Camaban
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Sat Nov 15 10:45:38 2014
Yeah, they've gone.

If they do return, I wouldn't mind an explanation of what the internet would be like today without government intervention.
CrownRoyal
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Fri Jan 16 04:00:10 2015

GOP makes U-turn on net neutrality
By KATE TUMMARELLO 1/15/15 3:55 PM EST Updated 1/15/15 6:40 PM EST

Republicans in Congress are doing a 180 on net neutrality as the Federal Communications Commission prepares to issue new rules within weeks.

For years, GOP lawmakers have adamantly opposed any rules requiring Internet service providers to treat all Web traffic equally, calling them unnecessary and an example of Washington overreach.
Story Continued Below

But now that the FCC is moving toward issuing a tough net neutrality order that would subject broadband to utility-style regulation — an approach endorsed by President Barack Obama — top Republicans in both chambers are making plans to legislate their own rules to ensure the agency doesn’t go too far.

“Times have changed,” Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the chairman of the House telecom subcommittee, said when asked about the evolving GOP position on net neutrality. “The administration has latched onto this [utility-style regulation], and the FCC’s independence is nominal at best.”
According to Walden, the Republican bill — which “is ready” and will be released in the coming days — “gives the protections that the president and FCC say they want, and does it in a legally sustainable way.”

Walden and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) announced late Wednesday that they plan to hold double-header hearings on net neutrality next week, and Thune laid out set of principles that will guide them as they craft the legislation.

The language Republicans are using to talk about their proposed bill illustrates just how far the GOP has come on the issue. The principles embrace and even bolster ideas that were once controversial in Republican circles, like banning “paid prioritization,” the practice of charging content companies for an online fast lane.

Thune’s principles also include bans on blocking or throttling Web traffic and extending net neutrality protections to wireless networks, an idea put forward by Obama and congressional Democrats.

At the same time, the GOP measure would tie the FCC’s hands, prohibiting it from reclassifying broadband as a utility under Title II of the Communications Act, or using other sections of the law to create new rules.

Still, the fact that Republicans are even talking about legislating net neutrality marks a stark departure from their past position.

When a federal appeals court last year threw out the FCC’s previous attempt at net neutrality rules, Walden and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) called the court decision “a victory for jobs and innovation … by keeping the government’s hands off the Internet” and preventing the government “from playing the role of traffic cop.”

Even those furthest to the right on net neutrality appear to be open to working on legislation. In an interview last week, Thune said all his committee members are ready to work on a measure. “Obviously, not everybody is in lock step, and we haven’t shown a bill yet, but in terms of general principles, I think everybody is pretty much in the same place,” he said.

Thune’s committee includes Sen. Ted Cruz, who in November called net neutrality “Obamacare for the Internet.” Now, Cruz “looks forward to having a vigorous discussion on how we can best ensure the Internet remains a forum for freedom and innovation” as the FCC eyes stricter regulations, according to a Cruz spokesman.


Read more: http://www...-fcc-114296.html#ixzz3OwggJGfu
CrownRoyal
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Fri Jan 16 04:00:36 2015

"Thune’s committee includes Sen. Ted Cruz, who in November called net neutrality “Obamacare for the Internet.” Now, Cruz “looks forward to having a vigorous discussion on how we can best ensure the Internet remains a forum for freedom and innovation” as the FCC eyes stricter regulations, according to a Cruz spokesman. "

What a moron
crownRoyal
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Wed Feb 04 19:47:49 2015
http://www...79/fcc-net-neutrality-proposal

Obamacare for the Internet is coming! FCC ftw
Hot Stick
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Wed Feb 04 23:52:06 2015
Why do you people want the government to control the internet?
roland
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Thu Feb 05 00:28:52 2015
Do you even understand what net neutrality is, Roddy?
Camaban
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Thu Feb 05 00:34:23 2015
On the one hand, that's hot stick, not hot rod.

On the other hand, I'm fairly certain the answer is still no.
roland
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Thu Feb 05 00:37:38 2015
no, I just didnt realise it was an old post. I doubt Rod has learn anything though
Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 11:56:55 2015
It's doubtful.

I've seen they seem to be making it explicitly about paying to prioritise/avoid being deprioritised. Good. For a while I was concerned they might outright ban traffic management. (Too valuable. Particularly when it comes to time-sensitive protocols)
Hot Rod
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Fri Feb 06 12:32:13 2015

That's where government involvement starts.

Where exactly does it end?

Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 12:43:01 2015
Where would the internet be today without government involvement?
Hot Rod
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Fri Feb 06 13:01:05 2015

There is a law that was created back in Carter's day called The Community Reinvestment Act. It allows poor folks to buy houses hey cannot afford.

Here is a history of The Act.

2 History

2.1 Original act
2.2 Legislative revision history
2.3 Legislative changes 1989
2.4 Legislative changes 1991
2.5 Legislative changes 1992
2.6 Legislative changes 1994
2.7 Regulatory changes 1995
2.8 Legislative changes 1999
2.9 Regulatory changes 2005
2.10 Regulatory changes 2007
2.11 Legislative changes 2008
2.12 CRA reform proposals

Once the government starts regulating their next step is to start regulating more.

They fail at almost everything they get involved in.

Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 13:06:57 2015
Cool. So anyway, where would the internet be today without government involvement?
Hot Rod
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Fri Feb 06 13:11:59 2015

Some enterprising private company or individual would very likely have discovered it anyway.

Your comment is like asking where would the telephone industry be without Alex Bell.

Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 13:17:32 2015
Discovered?

The internet wasn't discovered it was built from nothing. It was also a bit more than just a single communications device.

Designed and built from nothing on government funds and with government control from day one. An Internet without government involvement has never existed.
Hot Rod
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Fri Feb 06 13:28:38 2015

But it would have.

Someone else would have "discovered" how to put those pieces together.


Where would the personal computer be without Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak?


Any invention that we currently enjoy would have been invented by someone else were it not for those who did invent it.

Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 15:08:39 2015
>>But it would have. <<

Probably. But when?
Would we have one today? Or would it be something our children thought was awesome?

We definitely wouldn't have had something as advanced as we do today.

>>Where would the personal computer be without Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak? <<

They didn't invent the personal computer.

They made the PC more convenient, but that's entirely different.

>>Any invention that we currently enjoy would have been invented by someone else were it not for those who did invent it. <<

What made what we've got today inevitable?

You can say what might have been, what we've got is what was.

And what we've got is an internet that was formed as a government project, built as a government project, run as a government project and opened from beginnings as a government project.

And again: The internet has never been something that existed without government involvement. Right from its earliest beginnings, there was government.
Hot Rod
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Fri Feb 06 15:24:33 2015

It was a military project wasn't it? So they could have direct contact with a few universities that the needed info from?

Which is neither here nor there.

What it boils down to is you have more faith in the government than I do.

Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 15:38:33 2015
>>It was a military project wasn't it? So they could have direct contact with a few universities that the needed info from? <<

It became a military project.

>>Which is neither here nor there.

What it boils down to is you have more faith in the government than I do. <<

What it boils down to is that there has never, at any point in the internet's history, by any reasonable stretch of the imagination, been a time when the government wasn't involved in the internet.

If there was, please give the year.
Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 15:41:38 2015
Adding onto this:

Considering how far it's gone, at least the US government involvement in the internet has been pretty fantastic.

Obviously not perfect, nothing is. However, there's been a shitload of very smart decisions made and relatively few mis-steps.
Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 15:42:44 2015
Most of the mis-steps I can think of revolved around a lack of foresight on just how universal the Internet would become. (And ignoring that not everyone is entirely trustworthy)
roland
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Fri Feb 06 16:12:54 2015
"What it boils down to is you have more faith in the government than I do. "

Well you certainly have faith in the government when we are talking about starting wars and killing people. So, you dont even believe in what you said.

On net neutrality, you may not like some of the things they do, but let's not mix different things together. Net neutrality is an important concept if you want the internet to remain as open as possible like it is now, an open network that everyone can communicate with others without being discriminated, and with low amount of censorship,restrictions, etc.

The alternative would be your internet works like your cable channels. It works fine if you are sticking with the companies that has close association with your ISP, but otherwise, you will have a poor experience unless you pay more money to your ISP.
Hot Rod
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Fri Feb 06 21:35:27 2015

By 1990, ARPANET had been overtaken and replaced by newer networking technologies and the project came to a close. New network service providers including PSINet, Alternet, CERFNet, ANS CO+RE, and many others were offering network access to commercial customers. NSFNET was no longer the de facto backbone and exchange point for Internet. The Commercial Internet eXchange (CIX), Metropolitan Area Exchanges (MAEs), and later Network Access Points (NAPs) were becoming the primary interconnections between many networks. The final restrictions on carrying commercial traffic ended on April 30, 1995 when the National Science Foundation ended its sponsorship of the NSFNET Backbone Service and the service ended.[51][52] NSF provided initial support for the NAPs and interim support to help the regional research and education networks transition to commercial ISPs. NSF also sponsored the very high speed Backbone Network Service (vBNS) which continued to provide support for the supercomputing centers and research and education in the United States.[53]


Is this what you mean?


BTW, I really don't care anymore.

But, when the government starts controlling and limiting the internet you might remember this conversation.

Camaban
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Fri Feb 06 21:39:41 2015
>>Is this what you mean? <<
In relation to which comment?

>>BTW, I really don't care anymore.

But, when the government starts controlling and limiting the internet you might remember this conversation. <<

As opposed to ISPs accepting cash and using monopolistic positions to start controlling and limiting the internet?

Given the US government's track record on managing the net, I'm going to trust them first. Not perfect, but a shitload better than purely commercial alternatives.
Hood
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Sat Feb 07 02:01:58 2015
http://ars...influence-over-net-neutrality/

-facepalm-

fucking republicans. they'll grasp at anything.

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Congressional Republicans are accusing the White House of having "an improper influence" over the Federal Communications Commission's decision on net neutrality, and are launching an investigation.

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform wrote to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler today demanding documentation of all communication between FCC personnel and the White House, as well as calendar appointments, visitor logs, and meeting minutes related to meetings with the White House, and all internal documents discussing the views and recommendations of the White House.

"Reports indicate that the views expressed by the White House potentially had an improper influence on the development of the draft Open Internet Order circulated internally at the Commission on February 5, 2015," the letter from committee chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) said. "Specifically, there are questions regarding the FCC's decision to promote the reclassification of broadband services under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934."

The committee's document request had several other components, including "all documents in the possession of FCC personnel working in the Office of Chairman Wheeler and the Office of General Counsel."

President Obama in November called upon the FCC to reclassify broadband Internet access as a common carrier service, and to impose net neutrality rules that prevent Internet providers from interfering with Web traffic. Despite making his opinion known, Obama said at the time that the FCC is an independent agency and can do as it wishes.

This week, Wheeler issued his proposal to reclassify broadband as Obama suggested.

Chaffetz has some big donors from the technology industry. Comcast, a staunch opponent of Title II classification, accounted for $15,100 in donations in the most recent election cycle through the company's political action committee and employees, according to OpenSecrets.org. An even bigger donor for Chaffetz was Google, which gave $21,000. Google told the FCC that Title II could provide some advantages to its Google Fiber service, yet Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt also urged White House officials to avoid Title II reclassification, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Chaffetz asked Wheeler to make staff available for a briefing and provide all documents by February 20. He reminded Wheeler that the committee "has authority to investigate 'any matter' at 'any time.'"
McKobb
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Sat Feb 07 02:16:30 2015
The only rule needed is 'no blocking'.
Hood
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Sat Feb 07 02:36:03 2015
"The only rule needed is 'no blocking'."

Just wrong.
pillz
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Sat Feb 07 07:38:37 2015
Oh, but you think Amazon should be allowed to pay Comcast to slow Netflix to a crawl.
roland
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Sat Feb 07 09:46:37 2015
"But, when the government starts controlling and limiting the internet you might remember this conversation. "

But they have been in controlled and so far, they have maintain a relatively open internet. If they step out of it, it doesnt mean freedom for all, it only mean someone will step in like the large ISPs.
Camaban
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Sat Feb 07 10:40:30 2015
>>The only rule needed is 'no blocking'.<<

From a usability perspective, there's no difference between blocking and deprioritising the transfer speed (as well as a bit of shaping) until something comes in at <1kbps.

From a technical perspective, there's all the difference in the world.

>>But they have been in controlled and so far, they have maintain a relatively open internet. If they step out of it, it doesnt mean freedom for all, it only mean someone will step in like the large ISPs.<<

Pretty much.

I haven't really seen any evidence of any understanding that goes beyond "Obama is president and this is happening under him"
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