The Comcast Decision

I've already explained how the FCC has instituted a national broadband plan that aims to increase broadband access and create competition in the marketplace.  What I didn't mention in those pieces is that it is more than just lobbyists who are trying to thwart the FCC's plan.  Comcast and a few other telecomm giants actually sued in an attempt to limit the FCC's jurisdiction on the matter.

They won.


Which ultimately proves that our judicial system is broken and has given in to pressure from corporate America.  Which ultimately means that the people are screwed.  You no longer own yourself, you no longer have the right to expect access to utilities, and you better be prepared to pay big time for the utilities necessary to educate your family and keep yourself employed and competitive in a global market.

We've moved beyond lobbyists greasing the hands of self-serving politicians.  The Supreme Court has given corporations the ability to "donate" large sums of money to political candidates; our lower courts are continuing that trend.

The free market is only free for corporate America.  The cost for the people is steep.

Read the link first

I love my job, but sometimes I have to put the vitriol in check when writing on certain subjects.  In this case, the published article is a good one, but leaves out a lot of the issues behind the problem.  Read the article in the link first, then scroll down to read what I wanted to say.

What I said:  National Broadband Plan aims to help U.S. compete in the global market


However did we get here? Lobbyists are holding America's internet access hostage
In February of this year, the Federal Communications Commission announced a plan that aims to increase competition among U.S. telecommunications companies with the intention of driving innovation and increasing access to higher internet speeds.  But the lobbyists won't allow it. 

According to the telecommunications giants, including Comcast and Time-Warner, they shouldn't have to allow competitors to pay to use fiber optic lines that the giants have run.  Of course, they also argue that they shouldn't have to run fiber optics to rural areas where there simply aren't enough customers to make it worth the immense cost of the projects.  However, these same telecomm giants are more than happy to move into areas where DSL, provided by companies such as Qwest and AT&T, has customers frustrated with slow internet speeds.

So, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced its intention and presented plans that will help America's internet access and speeds catch up with those enjoyed in Europe and Japan.  The  FCC also wants to increase competition among telecomm providers in order to drive down the cost of internet access- even in rural areas.  Because if you move to France, you can enjoy higher speed internet than is available in the States, bundled with air-card wireless for mobile devices, and cable television, and telephone service that allows unlimited free calls to over 70 other nations; all for about $35 USD per month.  I have to admit, Insight is ripping me off at $45 per month for a comparatively mediocre speed connection.  Unfortunately, France has more strict immigration laws than the U.S.  We probably can't get in just because our government gave itself over to lobbyists decades ago.

So many political debates in this country center around morality.  Even the healthcare reform argument ended up mired in moral debate.  Americans agree to disagree on so many things, but we keep missing the big picture.  America is a young nation, and we tend to take ourselves too seriously as such.  Europe fights against special interest groups because the people feel that they have actual power to affect the government, and don't waste a bunch of time yelling about other things.  But this new revelation that America is lagging far behind other countries in technology and internet access isn't a moral issue.  It is an issue for the people to take up and unite against giant corporate lobbyists.

There is no good to allowing companies to hold America back in technology.  When we allow lobbyists to get in the way of projects and legislation that push our technology forward, what the American people get is left behind.  We already have a problem wherein school age children do not have equitable internet access, and those who do not have larger barriers to overcome as they struggle to make a better life.  The fact is, we need widespread access to the fastest possible internet connection if our children are going to be able to compete in a global economy.  Heck, we need it now if we are going to compete in the global economy. 

I encourage my fellow geeks to read up on and educate yourselves about this particular fight for the betterment of the lives of the American people.  Educate yourselves, then start educating your representatives.  Tell them that big business does not have our best interests in mind, and are willing to sacrifice the future of America for dollars in the bank right now.  And geeks, the next time you go to the polls, I urge you to vote for the candidates in your area that are most likely to join the FCC in this fight.  If we win, our MMORPGs will run faster.  

Resources
Ending the Internet's Trench Warfare by Yochai Benkler

Effort to Widen US Internet Access Sets Up Battle by Brian Stelter and Jenna Wortham

Next Generation Connectivity, a study commissioned by the FCC

The National Broadband Plan site has a test to run on your connection, and an easy way to report Broadband Dead Zones

The View From Here

A month or so ago I had the opportunity to meet Morgan, who is, among other duties, the volunteer coordinator for our local Planned Parenthood office. Morgan has an orchid in her office window.

As I sat talking with Morgan and filling out paperwork to become a volunteer, I thought to myself: "I want an office window, and when I get it, I will put my own orchid it in. I do so love orchids."

Not long after, a job prospect came my way. Which I graciously turned down in favor of growing Divine Writes.

Then I realized:


The view from here is lovely.

Whoa Nelly!

It seems like we just haven't been home almost at all this summer. It's been a whirlwind of catching up with family, learning important things about my past and that of some key family members, evading sharks, Ezra learning to swim, and a TON of driving. I got in Sunday night, and have barely left the house except to take Ezra's new puppy, Georgia, to the vet.

I imagine I'll be up to my old antics soon enough once school starts back up, but in the meantime, I want to bring two things to your attention.

1. For those suffering infertility, or just interested in more knowledge, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, is offering free teleseminars every week. You can get more information and sign up here.


RESOLVE does a lot of work on Capital hill working to reform healthcare and insurance regulations. Which brings me to my second point:

We need healthcare reform, and we need it now. I have long suffered with private insurance companies who make it damn near impossible to get the healthcare I need. Insurance companies often charge high co-pays for womens' healthcare. I also have to manage all of my healthcare records, and I have to constantly update each of my three doctors on what care the others have chosen for me. We NEED electronic medical records. We NEED universal healthcare. Without fast healthcare reform, America will continue to lose political ground to other developed countries. The American family should not have to worry about getting antibiotics for their sick children. Be wary that those who want to block this reform are the very same who make money off their investments in private insurers and pharmaceutical companies.

I ask you to join me in showing support for Obama's healthcare plan. All you have to do is sign the petition.

If you live in Georgia

You all have a problem on your hands- one of your state Senators has gone rogue. New state legislation that appears to do away with the chance that Georgia will also end up with an OctoMom, contains language that certainly puts Georgia on the slippery anti-abortion slope. To read more about Georgia Senate Bill 169, click on over to a little pregnant-- she even gives you information on how to stop this rogue legislation. Do it today, before you lose all of your reproductive rights.

Save Handmade

I am very much in favor of legislation that protects our children from shoddy products. That said, I am against legislation that will make it more difficult for the thousands? millions? of women in this country who are able to stay home with their children because they make and sell useful art. The best baby sling I ever had for Ezra (and we tried several) was handmade by a woman via the internet. I had to email her to order one. I had to measure myself and talk to her about what functionality I needed. I paid a lot of money for that sling, and it was probably the most useful piece of baby equipment we own. I never felt that it was unsafe-- on the contrary, it was easier and safer to use, with less risk of my baby falling out than any of the store bought slings we tried. T-shirt clips never held T-shirts well, why should I trust my baby's safety to one? My handmade sling was so safe and easy to use.

I now see her slings, with her company name, for sale in Target. If that woman hadn't been able to sell her hand sewn creations via the internet, without a bunch of government hassle and added expense, Ezra's collic days would have been a lot more difficult to live through. So, check out the button (Chris just spent time teaching me a little html), educate yourself on the cause.