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Morning Open Thread: Net Neutrality - Tough Talk, Tough Action? |
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Far be it from me to criticize Senators for talking tough, yet I can't help feeling skeptical:
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) stepped in front of a group of tech executives in Washington this morning to deliver a caffeinated and surprisingly sharp defense of network neutrality. Pledging to use "every ounce of my energy to protect network neutrality," Wyden had a message for ISPs who might be pondering new charges for various forms of access: "think twice." If ISPs start down that road, they might soon find that they lose key legal protections including "safe harbors" and tax freedom.
As I said, I like it when Senators talk tough to corporations, especially if they are actually in the room. But consider the political realities. Congress has yet to pass a real net neutrality bill into law. This means good Senators who believe in the necessity of net neutrality are forced to ask and threaten corporations into policing themselves - something they have a poor history of doing.
And of course, in a Congress that has had a hard time not passing increased protections for telecom companies in the form of retroactive immunity for warrantless wiretapping, it's hard to imagine Capitol Hill ever actually rolling back legal protections.
So, while I'm impressed with Wyden's bluster, I hope the executives in the room knew less about politics than I do, otherwise they are probably shrugging off this likely empty threat.
What's your opinion? Think I'm wrong?
Net Neutrality is outrageously important. The internet has become such a mainstay that too often we take it for granted. But we must remember that the internet is no joke, it is changing the way the world works. It is particularly interesting how the internet has shaped this election season, from YouTube videos, campaign fund raising, online petition signing and more, we the people can communicate with each-other with a louder voice than ever. Whole movements(especially grassroots) are reaping the benefits of the internet.
So yes when I see a Senator speak out for net neutrality I am elated, but Jason you are right to question whether or not this is a political reality. With a current Senate that has shown its self to be little more than a rubber stamp for the Bush Administration, I don't buy any of their tough talk to corporations, I mean who do you think contributes to these guys campaigns (I mean other than potentially HRC if they are a super delegate up for re election…ha ha)
You don't have to look hard to find telecom campaign contributions. Jay Rockefeller, the worst of the worst on FISA, has taken a ton of money from them in the last few cycles. It's pretty ugly: http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/10/dem-pushing-spy.html
I checked out that link, and you know even though I digest this kind of rubbish on a daily basis-things like this still outrage me. I mean it just blows my mind that the people of this country aren't screaming from the rooftops about these gross violations of our privacy in the first place, and now with retroactive immunity being granted still there is virtually no out cry. What really makes these people think that this government will treat us any differently than those in Gitmo? Thats like stealing with someone and then expecting them to not steal from you… just foolish. I want to know if the presidential candidates plan to grant a pardon to dub-ya, enough of the gas tax holiday-lets ask some real questions