Navajo Nation's Internet Borked by FCC and ISP, Reservation Reverting To Smoke Signals

[Joanne98]

Thanks to billing problems and the FCC's intervention, the Navajo Nation will be sans Internet on Monday. An FCC audit uncovered the fact that satellite service provider OnSat Networks had double-billed the tribe in 2007. Since the U.S. government pays for 85 to 90 percent of the cost of Internet service, it cut off funds to OnSat, pending an investigation into the matter. And, since OnSat can't pay its subcontractors, it is shutting down service. In the meantime, the Navajo will have to find other ways to peruse LOLcat pics and update their Myspaces. Will the struggles of the Native Americans never end?
http://gizmodo.com/376507/navajo-nations-internet-borked-by-fcc-and-isp-reservation-reverting-to-smoke-signals

[hlthe2b]

1. How incredibly snide is this description

Given that the Navajo have refused to allow mining for uranium on their reservation, one might wonder if there might not be some Federal payback involved. Yet this posting from Gizmodo (I guess) is so incredibly snide and flippant. (e.g. "in the meantime, the Navajo will have to find other ways to peruse LOLcat pics and update their Myspaces. Will the struggles of the Native Americans never end?"

I hope Joanne98 does not share this attitude, appearances to the contrary. I find it disgusting and frankly racist. It is discouraging to see this posted here with this kind of disparaging & derogatory attitude.

[lonestarnot]

2. Of course Joanne98 does not share this attitude. She merely posted the article.

The author of the article is the one you need to address, not J98! I share your pain and outrage!

[hlthe2b]

3. Actually, the OP could not resist the '"smoke signal" snark

so, no, I DON'T know that she does not share this attitude. Joanne98? Do YOU?

[Joanne98]

6. I posted it exactly as it was. I haven't seen it reported anywhere else.

Have u?

[hlthe2b]

11. Yes.. at least two previous posts here, on DU on the issue...but

from articles that were "straight" reports, not with the gizmodo-added snark. That is why I reacted so strongly. I still find the gizmodo piece extremely offensive.

[EFerrari]

7. Of course she doesn't! It's sarcasm. n/t

[hlthe2b]

10. Posting without comment leads to such misunderstandings...

I think that is why we also have a :sarcasm: emoticon....

[Joanne98]

4. I don't share that attitude. It's a Gizmo link. I posted it because it's not

getting reported anywhere else. I think it's an outrage that the Indian reservations are still getting screwed. We need Congressional hearings.

[hlthe2b]

9. Good to hear... Thx for adding your own comment on the article

When one fails to do so, it leads to misunderstandings of the intent of the poster. Kudos for coming back to clarify, Joanne98. I stand corrected. :toast:

[Joanne98]

13. You're welcome. I should have put a comment in the op. Too lazy.

[flashl]

5. My question, why fiscal accountability in this instance? nt

[Joanne98]

8. After Abramnoff, you would think they would have stopped this shit.

We need hearings.

[flashl]

12. They will never stop and will continue to use filmsy excuses. nt