By now all of us bloggers and such are concerned with SCOTUS and its newest ruling on net neutrality….we are concerned that somehow we will be placed into a muzzle and not have the opportunity to voice our opinions……..I also was concerned and then I ran across this piece that put my mind to rest…at least for now….
Much of the reaction to a federal court’s decision to gut net neutrality has been of the we’re-doomed variety, with critics worried that Internet service providers such as Verizon will be free to mess up our ability to stream movies and surf the web the way we want. But another camp is urging everyone to calm down because the FCC still has the potential to keep ISPs in check:
- Yes, the court “vacated the heart of the FCC’s open Internet rules,” writes law professor John Blevins in the Washington Post, but it did not curb “the FCC’s ability to act in the future. Specifically, it concluded that the FCC could regulate Internet providers under a statute known as Section 706, which authorizes the FCC to take various steps to promote broadband deployment.” In fact, “the court may have handed the FCC—and the public—a victory that goes well beyond network neutrality.”
- Much of the decision deals with how the FCC classifies ISPs, as “information services” rather than “telecommunication services,” writes Jon Terbush at the Week. “It’s not that the FCC can’t impose anti-discrimination regulations on ISPs; it’s that they can’t do so unless they classify ISPs as ‘telecommunications services,’ which would then subject them to common carrier regulations.” The agency could change the classification, as many reformers have long suggested.
- But “even failing a common-carriers declaration, net neutrality isn’t buried,” writes Tim Fernholz at Quartz. “Both its opponents and proponents believe the court decision has unintended consequences that will empower the FCC to enforce the essentials of net neutrality without re-classifying ISPs. Even if they aren’t considered common carriers, the FCC is empowered to regulate them under a different statute.” In short, Verizon shouldn’t celebrate just yet.
I would say that I am okay now….but that would be a lie….these little toads in Washington will stop at NOTHING to get their agenda through……and that means the net…..no need to worry now….but never take your eye off what these people will try……we must be vigilante!
Regretfully its inevitable.
Yep, and we will be unaware until it is way too late…..
That’s how it usually works.
Yep, and we NEVER learn from the past….so sad….
Reblogged this on AMERICAN LIBERAL TIMES and commented:
One can hope!
John, I cannot thank you enough for the exposure that IST gets thanks to you…..I do so appreciate it….chuq
You are putting out some extremely important stuff there Chuq and if I can help in any way it is my pleasure. Just keep on keeping on – – you are providing an essential service to The American People and that is what we need in this age in which we live. Thanks for being there and thanks for what you are doing with Insaner Thought.
John, I appreciate the props…..we all must do what we can as my tag line on In Saner thought sez…..thanx my friend…..chuq
And I would like to thank Jueseppi for the reblog…I appreciate the help spreading the word….thanx my friend…..chuq
The conservative majority on the SC are just adhering to Lewis Powell’s 1971 memo that asserted “the American economic system is under broad attack.”
Larry thanx for the link….I would like to press that later today if that is acceptable….chuq
It’s part of the public domain Chuq. Please feel free.
My bad…it will be next week…have found more voter stuff to write about….
To be honest, conservatives probably should think long and hard in regards to their opposition to net neutrality. If net neutrality (as the original definition before the politicians bastardized it) is gutted, that will open the door to all sorts of shenanigans. Just the fact that MSMBC and Comcast are owned by the same company, should be enough to be concerned.
The way the ISP want to operate, we’re going to see an Internet that is going to be much like cable TV. You will only get to access what the ISP deems to let you access and the wild west characteristics of today will be a distant memory.
Hiya Terrant…nice to see you again…..to me this just sounds like protecting profits and no one is watching out for us mere mortals….
Of course, it is for profits. The issue got on the politicians radar when AT&T decided that Google should be paying them for access to their customers.
Terrant let me pass on this link that Larry of Woodgate’s View sent to me……http://billmoyers.com/content/the-powell-memo-a-call-to-arms-for-corporations/