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"If You Like Your Internet"... Obama Calls For Regulation To Keep "Internet Open"

Tyler Durden's picture




 

"An open Internet is essential to the American economy, and increasingly to our very way of life," begins the President as he explains why the FCC should regulate the internet for Americans' own good:

  • *OBAMA CALLS FOR REGULATING INTERNET LIKE PHONE COMPANIES
  • *OBAMA ASKS FOR 'STRONGEST POSSIBLE RULES' FOR OPEN INTERNET

"The Internet has been one of the greatest gifts our economy — and our society — has ever known," and that's why Obama feels the need to regulate it to "protect an open, accessible, and free Internet."

 

In his own words...

 

Full Statement:

An open Internet is essential to the American economy, and increasingly to our very way of life. By lowering the cost of launching a new idea, igniting new political movements, and bringing communities closer together, it has been one of the most significant democratizing influences the world has ever known.

“Net neutrality” has been built into the fabric of the Internet since its creation — but it is also a principle that we cannot take for granted. We cannot allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas. That is why today, I am asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to answer the call of almost 4 million public comments, and implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality.

When I was a candidate for this office, I made clear my commitment to a free and open Internet, and my commitment remains as strong as ever. Four years ago, the FCC tried to implement rules that would protect net neutrality with little to no impact on the telecommunications companies that make important investments in our economy. After the rules were challenged, the court reviewing the rules agreed with the FCC that net neutrality was essential for preserving an environment that encourages new investment in the network, new online services and content, and everything else that makes up the Internet as we now know it. Unfortunately, the court ultimately struck down the rules — not because it disagreed with the need to protect net neutrality, but because it believed the FCC had taken the wrong legal approach.

The FCC is an independent agency, and ultimately this decision is theirs alone. I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper, restricting what you can do or see online. The rules I am asking for are simple, common-sense steps that reflect the Internet you and I use every day, and that some ISPs already observe. These bright-line rules include:
 

  • No blocking. If a consumer requests access to a website or service, and the content is legal, your ISP should not be permitted to block it. That way, every player — not just those commercially affiliated with an ISP — gets a fair shot at your business.
  • No throttling. Nor should ISPs be able to intentionally slow down some content or speed up others — through a process often called “throttling” — based on the type of service or your ISP’s preferences.
  • Increased transparency. The connection between consumers and ISPs — the so-called “last mile” — is not the only place some sites might get special treatment. So, I am also asking the FCC to make full use of the transparency authorities the court recently upheld, and if necessary to apply net neutrality rules to points of interconnection between the ISP and the rest of the Internet.
  • No paid prioritization. Simply put: No service should be stuck in a “slow lane” because it does not pay a fee. That kind of gatekeeping would undermine the level playing field essential to the Internet’s growth. So, as I have before, I am asking for an explicit ban on paid prioritization and any other restriction that has a similar effect.

If carefully designed, these rules should not create any undue burden for ISPs, and can have clear, monitored exceptions for reasonable network management and for specialized services such as dedicated, mission-critical networks serving a hospital. But combined, these rules mean everything for preserving the Internet’s openness.

The rules also have to reflect the way people use the Internet today, which increasingly means on a mobile device. I believe the FCC should make these rules fully applicable to mobile broadband as well, while recognizing the special challenges that come with managing wireless networks.

To be current, these rules must also build on the lessons of the past. For almost a century, our law has recognized that companies who connect you to the world have special obligations not to exploit the monopoly they enjoy over access in and out of your home or business. That is why a phone call from a customer of one phone company can reliably reach a customer of a different one, and why you will not be penalized solely for calling someone who is using another provider. It is common sense that the same philosophy should guide any service that is based on the transmission of information — whether a phone call, or a packet of data.

So the time has come for the FCC to recognize that broadband service is of the same importance and must carry the same obligations as so many of the other vital services do. To do that, I believe the FCC should reclassify consumer broadband service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act — while at the same time forbearing from rate regulation and other provisions less relevant to broadband services. This is a basic acknowledgment of the services ISPs provide to American homes and businesses, and the straightforward obligations necessary to ensure the network works for everyone — not just one or two companies.

Investment in wired and wireless networks has supported jobs and made America the center of a vibrant ecosystem of digital devices, apps, and platforms that fuel growth and expand opportunity. Importantly, network investment remained strong under the previous net neutrality regime, before it was struck down by the court; in fact, the court agreed that protecting net neutrality helps foster more investment and innovation. If the FCC appropriately forbears from the Title II regulations that are not needed to implement the principles above — principles that most ISPs have followed for years — it will help ensure new rules are consistent with incentives for further investment in the infrastructure of the Internet.

The Internet has been one of the greatest gifts our economy — and our society — has ever known. The FCC was chartered to promote competition, innovation, and investment in our networks. In service of that mission, there is no higher calling than protecting an open, accessible, and free Internet. I thank the Commissioners for having served this cause with distinction and integrity, and I respectfully ask them to adopt the policies I have outlined here, to preserve this technology’s promise for today, and future generations to come.

*  *  *

As we concluded previously,

This is truly the American way of censorship. Figure out how those with the deepest pockets can smother the free speech of those with little or no voice on the one medium in which information flow is still treated equally. The nightmare scenario here would be that status quo companies use their funds to price out everyone else. It would kill innovation on the web before it starts. It’s just another example of the status quo attempting to build a moat around itself that we have already seen in so many other areas of the economy.

 

The internet really is the last bastion of freedom and dynamism in the U.S. economy and this proposal could put that at serious risk. Oh, and to make matters worse, the current FCC is filled to the brim with revolving door industry lobbyists.

 

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Mon, 11/10/2014 - 13:50 | 5432922 Big Brother
Big Brother's picture

Good luck regulating the dark-side of the internet.  When zerohedge gets moved there, I hope I can find it.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 13:53 | 5432930 F em all but 6
F em all but 6's picture

Laws demand compliance. Compliance requires monitoring. Monitoring requires infrastructure which in turn requires revenue. This is a win win means to and end. Be prepared for those regulatory fees to show up on your internet bill to fund another offshoot of the NSA.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:32 | 5433089 Lostinfortwalton
Lostinfortwalton's picture

Some laws demand compliance. Then there is Eric Holder for everything else.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 13:58 | 5432936 bankonzhongguo
bankonzhongguo's picture

What this is about is metering information and controlling political opposition.

The current general structure yields a general $70/mo for around 300 GB of "unlimited" data for landline broadband.  Cell systems are higher.

Just like with Obamacare, the overarching scheme is not to provide a service, but rather to create a master schedule to separate each living person from a portion of their monthly wages.  For Obamacare and health insurance this number is around 16% monthly.

Now what Corporatists, through Obama, are structuring is a program in that if you want to so ANY communication up or down, movies, books, games, information, communication in any form you are going to pay handsomely for it - double current rates "to build out infrastructure."

Compare the US internet speeds to other developed countries.  We are 10 years behind in every way shape and form.

By injecting the FCC into "net neutrality" and forming a "public utility" you will find in time a REQUIREMENT to have a license to communicate and learn about the world around you AND you will pay for each minute for the drips and drabs- like some phone sex outfit, AND of course the government will watch everything all the time.

I say the gate fee will be 10% of your net pay and an IP address that is tied to you as a person - like an IPv6 address.  You will be required to log in to any device, get permission to do whatever because your bank account is hooked up to the ISP and the hit-record button is firmly pushed down at Fort Meade.

Nothing good will happen when Obama speaks.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:49 | 5433160 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

It's nothing more than Bath House Barry deciding what sites go on the intertubes.

Look for lots of gay, commie/nazi/ponzi sites

and also sites which he sets up to steal your bank accounts.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 13:59 | 5432944 1stepcloser
1stepcloser's picture

Watch out for the Affordable Free internet Act

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 13:59 | 5432947 Bunga Bunga
Bunga Bunga's picture

Obama just saved the home builders: 10 year "tourist" visas for Chinese.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/10/apec-beijing-obama/1...

 

 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:01 | 5432951 RougeUnderwriter
RougeUnderwriter's picture

Just like the Tea Party was to the IRS, ZH will be the same to the Net Reg guys.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:37 | 5432953 rwe2late
rwe2late's picture

  Ha Ha! Another ObamaScam,

Obama pushes for the "strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality" allegedly so that 'equal access' can be protected.
Yet, concurrently Obama ALSO PUSHES FOR mandated TPP (corporate designed) trade rules which will supersede any US internet laws.

Besides, neither the Obama-appointed FCC nor the Supreme Court will support 'net neutrality'.

http://www.vice.com/read/former-comcast-and-verizon-attorneys-now-manage...

[ a 'free but freedomless internet' given NSA spying, warrantless searches, and collusion between internet providers, PC/software makers, and government police agencies to clandestinely 'cooperate'.]

http://www.globalresearch.ca/despite-outcry-of-opposition-obama-pushes-h...

 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:03 | 5432956 cherry picker
cherry picker's picture

Watch out Alibaba!

The administration will get on its high horse and delare you illegal due to human rights violations in China, no internet, no value for the billions in investment bucks.

 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:08 | 5432984 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

"Hi, we're from the Govt. and we're going to take something that isn't broke and fix it until it is.

We do it because we care."*

*And because the lobbyists told us to.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:11 | 5432997 Mi Naem
Mi Naem's picture

OT - Comedy Gold at Yahoo:

SEC chief says undertaking comprehensive U.S. stock market review

The dykie midget troll being interviewed is proud of the SEC's record, and may now be detecting something amiss in the markets. 

 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:14 | 5433005 Keyboard Kommando
Keyboard Kommando's picture

Relax, Obama is just doing the bidding of his master Soros. If he doesn't..................Kennedy!

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:47 | 5433151 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

"Lil' Black Scambo," King of Obola.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:14 | 5433013 buzlightening
buzlightening's picture

WOW! Comments for lil scamBO dead straight on.  What an imposter.  Never saw this many neg. comments when I first came to ZH with the lil scamBO label, when the imposter of representative government 1st took office.  I've stated for a couple years now this imposter, scamBO is muslim brotherhood all the way every day and hates US citizens and all our country has stood for.  Lily white christian arses are not far from the guillotine now.  Lets hope martial law is not declared under scamBO's dictatorship or the fruition of those words will come to pass rapidly. 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:17 | 5433017 dexter_morgan
dexter_morgan's picture

What exactly is the 'problem' or 'dysfunction' of the internet that it need to be regulated? Has it become a monopoly as were the phone companies?

He really believes, and rightly so, that us 'muricans are stoopid........

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:21 | 5433046 maneco
maneco's picture

Oxymoron comes to mind!!!!

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:27 | 5433065 BeerMe
BeerMe's picture

Maybe this just pushes Internet 2.0 faster.  Leave the sheeple to Internet 1.0 and their stupid memes and viral videos.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:26 | 5433069 VWAndy
VWAndy's picture

Well last chance boys and girls. If you have anything you want to say. Time for you to speak up is now.

 

 The only way I see our world correcting itself is thru honesty and integrity and accountability. Thats whats wrong with the economy,justice,health care,liberty and on and on. It has all been built by fiat money. They use it to build monopolies that can only exsist by fiat. GM is a fine example they do not compete. They screw up and get bailed out. How can you compete with a company that fails but lives on.

 The same is absolutly true in the pollitical circus. Both parties are failed but they live on. Are you happy the Rs won. They will vote for this too. Prolly without even reading it.

The real issue is the lies are uncontested. We are about to lose what little abillity we have to contest any of it.

 So its time we all speak up.

 I just checked. I still have my sack so I will go first. Fuck you Obama you pos. Pay me in a coin with a real fucking value or you can do my job yourfucking self. Fiat must die. The sooner the better. A global stall is the only way it gets stopped. They own the force game. They dont own my fucking labor. Sure they can swipe it after I provide it. If I dont provide it they can SMD!

 My plan B is bandana man. Trust me on this its a bad plan. But its still better than this.

 

 Your turn. Say something smart while you can. tic toc mfs. So tell me what in the fuck do you stand for?

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:36 | 5433111 cherry picker
cherry picker's picture

Wait til the face book crowd discovers they can no longer communicate with a friend in a 'sanctioned' country as it is not 'legal'

Everything that happened in the last ten years did not spawn revolution in the USA.

This may be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Ask the face book crowd.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:44 | 5433143 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

All web sites will be www.blank.obola.com

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:46 | 5433146 Hamm Jamm
Hamm Jamm's picture

Does any one trust, Obama ?????????????????

 

The Lame Duck president needs to shut up and go away !! ...  he's the King of LIES

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:47 | 5433149 Edge.case
Edge.case's picture

dudes pandering to the new Republican power already.

 

f*ck

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:49 | 5433161 Ghost Writer
Ghost Writer's picture

This is the guy who appointed the Fox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Wheeler) the guard the hen house. ...and now he says he wants a positive outcome for the American people.

I'd say he's either delusional, or he thinks the American people are really stupid.

I hope is not right about the American people.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:52 | 5433173 Sun and Moon
Sun and Moon's picture

Yipee! Obama is going to improve the internet just like he did healthcare.

Maybe it is time to start practicing up on sending smoke signals.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:54 | 5433175 Jonathan Equine...
Jonathan Equine Phallus's picture

So, I'll bust my comment cherry on this one [I've read the odd ZH article for a couple years, and more regularly for the past 5 or 6 so figured I'd jump in the pool]...

 

First of all - and of course - Hail Hydra.


Second - this all may be preaching to the proverbial choir.   Essentially, "hate speech" legislation is the goal..

http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/case-censoring-hate-speech

It's for the childrens.  The precious childrens. 

Also, its harder and harder to hide war crimes these days.  So if you can't hide it - make discussion of it either aiding terror or spreading hate or both.

 

Words don't mean what they used to, it seems.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:00 | 5433176 TalkToLind
TalkToLind's picture

Word on the street is they've already created a framework and a name for a new government agency to regulate the internet:
Federal Office of Ultimate Control of Knowlege Dissemination or F.U.C.K. for short.  Lots of new jobs will be created...SES jobs and shit...in your congressman's district.  Hillary will slide right in there in 2016. Yep, that's how you create jobs, bitchez!

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:54 | 5433183 pupdog1
pupdog1's picture

If Barry wants it, it's either Communist or Fascist, to the extent that there's a difference.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:59 | 5433189 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

King Obola, the reports indicate the ZH servers took a direct hit from our hellfire missiles.

Good, that's one bunch of free-thinkers I won't have to deal with anymoar.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:58 | 5433190 anita22
anita22's picture

I'm not pro-obama (in fact I think he's the worst president the US has had in years), but I don't see how could this be used with malicious intentions, I mean, they don't need the FCC to control the internet right now.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:59 | 5433194 withglee
withglee's picture

The FCC was chartered to promote competition, innovation, and investment in our networks. In service of that mission, there is no higher calling than protecting an open, accessible, and free Internet.

No it wasn't. It was evolved from the Federal Radio Commission which was evolved from the Radio Act of 1912 which was initiated to keep one broadcaster's transmissions from stepping on another's.

The Radio Act of 1912 (37 Stat. 302) is a United States federal law that mandated that all radio stations in the United States be licensed by the federal government, as well as mandating that seagoing vessels continuously monitor distress frequencies. The original bill was initiated during the investigations following the sinking of the Titanic.

All this gook about public interest being at the heart of their charter is just another perfect example of government encroachment ... the ultimate in creeping crud.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 14:58 | 5433195 JimmyRainbow
JimmyRainbow's picture

to keep an open internet

keep your filthy hands off

ya scmmy filthy net-molester

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:00 | 5433198 Conax
Conax's picture

His fellow travelers lost because of the internet, see?  It wasn't unemployment or taxes or Benghazi or FnF or importing obola or the cowardly knock out gamers or the illegal alien distribution or the constant drone strikes and golfing, no.

It was the bad old internet, so it needs 'fixed'.  There's too much thinkin' goin' on out there, too much knowin'.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:04 | 5433214 Beowulf55
Beowulf55's picture

Been surf'n since 1992 with a copy of Mosaic at the University of Kansas.  Never ever had a problem with access to site or content.  I'm sure the government will change all that..........

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:03 | 5433216 Bloodstock
Bloodstock's picture

Hands off assholes!

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:09 | 5433226 TalkToLind
TalkToLind's picture

Hey, how come no one says bitchez on ZH anymore, are y'all turning all uppity and shit?  Better say bitchez while you still can...before it becomes thought crime.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:09 | 5433227 my_nym
my_nym's picture

What's wrong with the internet now?

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:08 | 5433236 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

"My last two years, I'm going Full Castro, Joe."
"Gee, boss, can I be Raul?"
"Reggie has that slot. You want the Che slot? You do have a shotgun."
"Ok."

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:09 | 5433240 Downtoolong
Downtoolong's picture

OBAMA CALLS FOR REGULATING INTERNET LIKE PHONE COMPANIES

Great! Where can I sign up for the list so Facebook can’t Call, Email, Post Popups, Monitor, Scan, Profile, or Sell to others the personal information I post on my Facebook Page.  

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:15 | 5433269 Peter Pan
Peter Pan's picture

Americans may as well stick feather dusters into their gun barrels because they have become spineless.

The internet will sooner or later carry compulsory messages/warnings that will interrupt your internet use and which cannot be avoided.

The internet will also come with a kill switch.

Hello. America are you still there?

Kim Jong Un is now a benign dictator the way things are going.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 18:09 | 5434043 L Bean
L Bean's picture

Well the Casey Anthony verdict crashed the central FL service providers for several hours.

They won't even need a 'kill switch', the networks will all crash when TSHTF. Bet on it.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:21 | 5433282 Bemused Observer
Bemused Observer's picture

I have no issue with those 4 'bright line' rules. What's wrong with any of them?

And why are they even needed? Because companies HAVE been doing those things, haven't they? I hate it when government steps in to regulate anything, but I also hate when private companies take advantage of existing rules and end up costing ME more money for less service. They pretty much invite the government to step in. Can't these bozo's restrain themselves, for once? The profits will still be there, no need to stage a run/grab...just fucking RELAX already!

Their mindless pursuit of more profit will just end with government taking MORE control.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:35 | 5433298 Notsobadwlad
Notsobadwlad's picture

Watch what these MoFos do, not what they say. Obummer signed an executive order allowing him to shut down the internet.

He should add to his list of rights:
1. A right to privacy from both private and public monitoring, tracking, snooping and spoofing.
2. A right to anonymity, but no right to activity that transcends the personal rights of others.
3. The government has no right to anonymity, privacy or to perform acts beyond what is legal, ethical and moral for the individual. No rights can be given to government that are not first made public and approved in a public court of law by a jury made from the public.
4. A right to not have the government cut off or restrict access at any time unless determined in a court of law by a jury of someone's peers.
5. No taxation without representation

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:25 | 5433305 scubapro
scubapro's picture

 

war is peace

debt is an asset

paper is money

regulation is freedom

 

makes sense to me

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:26 | 5433310 bcking
bcking's picture

Why in fuck's sake can't the government just leave things alone? From how much water in the toilet, to dictating gas mileage in cars, to banning large sodas. At what point did this become legal? I don't see anything in the Constitution about regulating every fucking thing in the world. Die you liberal scumbags. FUCK OFF AND DIE.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:35 | 5433383 TalkToLind
TalkToLind's picture

But it's for the chillrens, don't you have a heart? 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 15:56 | 5433508 benbushiii
benbushiii's picture

Let's look at this from a simple point of view.  The ISPs want to charge for what their investment in their infrastructure and backbones.  Not disimilar from the Interstate system, the US Postal  Service, FEDEX, and UPS.  Each of the aforementioned enterprises charges either for fuel taxes, weight, or delivery a fee for their services.  The ISPs in providing services for streaming, high content, or excessive usage would like to charge similar fees.  The Net Neutrality argument misses the point that many of these businesses such as Netflix expect a free ride.  This would be akin to dropping off packages at the Post Office, FEDEX, or UPS and expecting ones packages to be delivered, because in order to have commerce, one must have it for free.  Net Neutrality is being cast as some great equivocator, when in reality it confiscates profits from the businesses whom built the service, and rewards businesses for using a service for free, instead of requiring an expense for delivery.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 16:11 | 5433603 combatsnoopy
combatsnoopy's picture

like the roads, the internet was developed with DARPA.  So the taxpayers had already paid for it and we should just have access to it (like the roads) at no charge. 
And the icky cable companies can suck it, they're the ones slowing bandwidth down. 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 16:15 | 5433624 combatsnoopy
combatsnoopy's picture

Speaking of the internet, I noticed a bit of censorship today regarding petrodollars and bank liquidity.

 

First is from the NY Times. http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/current_issues/ci12-9/ci12-9.html

The other is a book called 

Transnational Crime in the Americas Tom J. Farer

http://books.google.com/books?id=xgZUDbcrV9EC&pg=PA77&lpg=PA77&a...

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=xgZUDbcrV9EC&lpg=PA77&ots=PpuzJ...

 

I'm working on my own blog and the data on Google Docs comes up blank when I save and publish it. 

 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 16:16 | 5433625 combatsnoopy
combatsnoopy's picture

sorry, double post. 

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 16:19 | 5433633 pine_marten
pine_marten's picture

The great communicator finds communication threatening.  A$$ wipe.......

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 17:58 | 5434003 Zymurguy
Zymurguy's picture

Gov' needs money, lots of it... they're gonna tax the fuck out of the interweb.

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 18:05 | 5434033 ednraleigh
ednraleigh's picture

Listening to the No Agenda Podcast Adam Curry asks, "What content is not "legal"? Hate speech? Bullying? Will any speech " content" be classified as not "legal"?".

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 21:40 | 5434862 One Eyed Jack
One Eyed Jack's picture

Who cares what this illegitimate repudiated narcissist candy ass has to say about anything?

As the mirrors shatter daily in this house of mirrors and the illusions fail the exit becomes clear.

Reject the lies and run away from this false paradigm; The end of the empire is at hand and the emperor is naked.

Tue, 11/11/2014 - 01:25 | 5435579 LostandFound
LostandFound's picture

If this doesnt cause an uprising, then i dont know what will.....All your freedom belong to us

Tue, 11/11/2014 - 13:18 | 5436850 dormaj
dormaj's picture

Would you folks rather have your ISP indiscriminately (for the sake of increased profit) control your content, block, throttle and prioritize content speed, QoS and access?  This is a fight against the devil - corporate reconfiguration for profit of an open system.  Obama is waging the fight with his comments - he's not the devil on this.  Do you all work for Comcast?  Or the new head of the FCC who seems to be listening to Comcast lobbyists more than concerned content providers and people waging the war for FREEDOM of the internet?  

Do you all know that the US currently ranks 42 in internet speed and has the most expensive access of virually all developed countries (http://theweek.com/article/index/257404/why-is-american-internet-so-slow).  It's because we let the ISP's get away with predatory and indiscriminate pricing and access speeds through their local and regional monopolies.  We need to stop pay-for-prioritization in it's tracks.  We really do need increased competition, and regulation along the lines of the Telecom Act.

From cnet.com:

"The term "Net neutrality" was coined in 2003 by Columbia media law professor Tim Wu, who used it to explain how the concept of "common carriage" could be applied to the Internet. "Common carriage" is a centuries-old legal concept developed to ensure that the public retain access to fundamental services that use public rights of way. The national highway system and utilities such as water and electricity are regulated under this concept. The traditional telephone network is also regulated under the concept of common carriage.

In the context of the Internet, when people talk about the Internet being regulated as a common carrier or a utility, they're talking about making sure the infrastructure used to deliver Web pages, online video and audio streaming services, and all kinds of other Internet content get the same open access.

After more than a decade of legal battles and public debate, broadband providers say they also want an open Internet and they have consented to work with the FCC to develop formal rules of the road.

But significant disagreement remains over how these Net neutrality rules should be imposed and how strict they should be. For instance, Net neutrality supporters say they want the FCC to formally reclassify broadband as a Title II service under the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which they argue will allow the agency to apply common-carrier rules to the service and protect the Internet. Broadband providers say that reclassifying broadband services would stifle innovation and may not even be legal.

In terms of the strictness of the rules, Net neutrality supporters are concerned that without a common-carrier reclassification of broadband traffic, broadband providers would still be able to create priority services or fast lanes on their networks. They argue these fast lanes would necessarily mean slower access for all other services that don't pay for priority. And they believe it would serve as a barrier to entry for new competitors online, who may not be able to afford the added fee.

Broadband providers have not explicitly indicated that they'd develop these priority services. It could be argued, though, that providing such fast lanes of service could actually improve certain services, such as streaming audio and video, which are extremely sensitive to delay. In this case, consumers could very well benefit from services like Netflix or Amazon paying for priority lanes on congested broadband networks to deliver video traffic.

These are the issues that will be addressed in the FCC's proposal to rewrite its Open Internet rules."

The President comes down on the right side of these issues and the broadband providers only make weak counter arguments.   He's making the head of FCC sweat right now because this was heading in the wrong direction.  The FCC is going to write some rules - best not to have them written by the lobbyists for Comcast, AOL, AT&T, etc...  There will be no "open, accessible, and free Internet" if you leave it to market forces alone (think about what Comcast has been doing to their custmers and about your monthly internet bill).  

And IMO 'legal' means legal.  No murder for hire, child porn or trafficking, etc...  There are state, local and national laws and that's that.  Some of you all come off as paranoid haters sometimes.

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