Fresh off the press - JK at DKos

[Inuca]

this morning, on net neutrality http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/4/14/857141/-Net-Neutrality-Needs-Your-Help-TODAY

[karynnj]

1. Very nice diary

One of the strongest points for making it a broadcast service is that if it is completely not regulated, it is hard to see how you define a way to get to universal service. The government or the industry as a whole will have to subsidize providing some sort of subsidy to companies providing it in areas where it is uneconomic. In remote, lightly populated areas, for a company to make a profit, the cost of the connection would be exorbitant.

Decades ago, when the goal was universal phone service, the solution was that a high cost fund was developed that was funded by a small tax on phone service. That fund subsidized the high cost local companies. It is not clear to me if this could have been done without regulation.

[karynnj]

2. It apparently struck a nerve with the industry - here's an article

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/451450-Kerry_Calls_On_Blog_Followers_To_Push_Net_Neutrality_To_His_Colleagues.php

[blm]

4. You should repost that in GD - many aren't even aware this debate is happening NOW.

.

[karynnj]

3. Also posted on Huffington post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-kerry/net-neutrality-needs-your_b_536890.html

[beachmom]

5. Thanks. I commented but was way late to the game.

All of this hooks into things that really interest me. It actually is directly related to illegal file sharing of music, as that is what Comcast was tending to (some Bit Torrent issues) when they were fined by the FCC for which this court ruling overrules the fine. I don't like the theft of music, but clearly, there is no way to stop it unless it means absolutely trampling the rights of all of us. I have read other articles about this court ruling, and it actually isn't necessarily as dire as Sen. Kerry says. In fact, one writer termed it as Comcast "winning the battle but losing the war". They would have rather have won on a technicality than on one that will probably lead to changes in the FCC rules (and perhaps Congress will need to pass a law). I am in favor of the music industry becoming internet savvy users instead of doing terrible things like a French law which does a 3 strikes and you're out deal (internet access is cut off) to supposed illegal file sharers (except there is an air of guilty until proven innocent to it). Problem is what if someone broke into your internet account and used it to file share leaving you with the stern letter? That scares me. There is also a very bad bill that is poised to be passed in the U.K. They actually were going to block sites although apparently that provision was stripped; still, it reads like a very nutty idea to protect the music industry and Hollywood to a lesser extent. I hope the U.S. not only maintains net neutrality but does not do the bidding of an industry that has become so inept, even suing their own customers to protect a business model that is clearly outdated.

[ObamaKerryDem]

6. Another great posting from JK. :)

This is very important debate and, as some of you have already pointed out, a far more imminent issue than I think a lot of people realize. I applaud him for taking the iniative in this way (as he so often does). He deserves so much more credit than he often gets, especially from the media, though he's seemed to have gotten more lately, which of course I am glad to see. :)

On a lighter note, I like how he calls the comments section on there a "Tip Jar". Clever. :D