“Senate Republicans moved Monday afternoon to prevent the FCC’s proposed rules on net neutrality with an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill that would tie up funding at the agency for new regulatory mandates. Observers said, however, that the move was unlikely to be approved in the Democrat-majority Congress,” Cecilia Kang reports for The Washington Post.
Kang reports, “Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), ranking member of Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, said in a release: ‘We must tread lightly when it comes to new regulations. Where there have been a handful of questionable actions in the past on the part of a few companies, the Commission and the marketplace have responded swiftly. The case has simply not been made for what amounts to a significant regulatory intervention into a vibrant marketplace. These new regulatory mandates and restrictions could stifle investment incentives,’ she said.”
“Senators John Ensign (R-Nev.), Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), David Vitter (R-La.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John Thune (R-S.D. co-sponsored the amendment,” Kang reports. “The two Republican commissioners at the five-member FCC issued a joint statement in response to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s announcement, expressed concern that conclusions have been prematurely drawn about how consumers and businesses are being affected by Web policies. ‘We are concerned that both factual and legal conclusions may have been drawn before the process has begun,’ said Commissioners Robert McDowell and Merideth Baker. ‘We do not believe that the Commission should adopt regulations based merely on anecdotes, or in an effort to alleviate the political pressures of the day, if the facts do not clearly demonstrate that a problem needs to be remedied.'”
Kang reports, “Some wireless providers have balked at the proposal, with AT&T saying it does not agree that the rules should apply to its giant national wireless network because of capacity constraints. Genachowski said in his speech that the rules would apply to all platforms – which would include wireless – but that such questions would be part of a process that will begin late October to come up with new rules. If approved, final rules could be drawn next spring.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: As we said back in August 2006: “We don’t presume to know the best way to get there, but we support the concept of “Net Neutrality” especially as it pertains to preventing the idea of ISP’s blocking or otherwise impeding sites that don’t pay the ISP to ensure equal access. That said, we usually prefer the government to be hands-off wherever possible, Laissez-faire, except in cases where the free market obviously cannot adequately self-regulate (antitrust, for example). Regulations are static and the marketplace is fluid, so such regulation can often have unintended, unforeseen results down the road. We sincerely hope that there are enough forces in place and/or that the balances adjust in such a manner as to keep the ‘Net as neutral as it is today.”
That we have the same Take over three years later should be telling. Government regulations are not a panacea, neither are the lack thereof. It’s all about striking a proper balance where innovation can thrive while abuses are prevented.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “iWill” for the heads up.]
Wow. Just wow. The wingnuts’ “logic” is stupendous. Boggles the mind actually.
That’s for the entertainment Hannah, Superior Being, Spark, and crew. You’re almost as much fun as reading the Onion. You all should seriously publish this stuff — it’s the best satirical comedy I’ve seen in quite a while! Have you thought of getting ‘Larry the Cable Guy’ on board, too?
@ Islandgirl and Sir Gill Bates,
Also a major problem with our current education is Bush’s “No Child Goes Untested” Act that attempts to measure learning by single sitting tests. The second major problem is that education majors are required to spend way more time learning educationese, rather than content. How can they teach science, math, writing, etc., if they only know the basics with no depth? Even in — gasp! — communist China they require more content knowledge in teacher training than we do by an order of magnitude.
Of course, it’s not that simple either. Wingnut parents cause a huge set of problems. Near Wilmington, NC, the wingnut parents elected some like-minded to the school board. They actually took razor blades and sliced out every page in the health class textbook that mentioned sex. And how often does Kansas (and Texas) waffle on substituting creationism, aka “Intelligent Design,” for evolution?
Hopefully, there are still young minds that haven’t snapped shut who can bring about change. I’ve seen a few in college classes. I can only hope there are enough.
@ Hm…,
While I agree it can be detrimental at times to have parents involved in the curricula, I think it’s their fundamental right to have a say in their own children’s education.
As for substituting creationism for evolution, from some of the things I’ve seen, both thoughts seem to be based on faith.
All you rabid wingnut Mac fans worship Steve Jobs and Apple, but he’s a liberal and Apple’s a politically liberal company (with former Democratic VP Al Gore on the board). How do you reconcile that cognitive dissonance?
you’re obviously talking about the left wing nuts.
The Little Red Hen called all of her Democrat neighbors together and said, ‘If we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who will help me plant it?’
‘Not I,’ said the cow.
‘Not I,’ said the duck.
‘Not I,’ said the pig.
‘Not I,’ said the goose.
‘Then I will do it by myself,’ said the little red hen, and so she did. The wheat grew very tall and ripened into golden grain.
‘Who will help me reap my wheat?’ asked the little red hen.
‘Not I,’ said the duck..
‘Out of my classification,’ said the pig.
‘I’d lose my seniority,’ said the cow.
‘I’d lose my unemployment compensation,’ said the goose.
‘Then I will do it by myself,’ s aid the little red hen, and so she did.
At last it came time to bake the bread.
‘Who will help me bake the bread?’ asked the little red hen.
‘That would be overtime for me,’ said the cow.
‘I’d lose my welfare benefits,’ said the duck.
‘I’m a dropout and never learned how,’ said the pig.
‘If I’m to be the only helper, that’s discrimination,’ said the goose.
‘Then I will do it by myself,’ said the little red hen.
She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share. But the little red hen said, ‘No, I shall eat all five loaves.’
‘Excess profits!’ cried the cow. (Nancy Pelosi)
‘Capitalist leech!’ screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)
‘I demand equal rights!’ yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)
The pig just grunted in disdain. (Ted Kennedy)
And they all painted ‘Unfair!’ picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.
Then the farmer (Obama) came. He said to the little red hen,
‘You mustnot be so greedy.’
‘But I earned the bread,’ said the little red hen.
‘Exactly,’ said Barack the farmer. ‘That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle.’
And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, ‘I am grateful, for now I truly understand.’
But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the ‘party’ and got her bread free. And all the Democrats smiled. ‘Fairness’ had been established.
Individual initiative had died, but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared…so long as there was free bread that ‘the rich’ were paying for.
EPILOGUE
Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.
Hillary got $8 million for hers.
That’s $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight years, repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn’t remember anything.
IS THIS A GREAT BARNYARD OR WHAT?
http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/15523565/1322781786/name/TeaPartyCommercial.wmv
@ Barnyard
You copy and paste the same laughable story in pretty much every MDN political thread. How about living in reality instead of barnyard fairy tales?
the barnyard story rings true more than every. every one in my office loved it and were very glad he posted it. go to hell.
@@rob the little commie
Too bad the barnyard tale is completely divorced from reality. Not unlike you and your office, I’m sure.
Actually the barnyard tale perfectly hits the nail on the head. What disgusting reality do you live in Rob? You want to sit back leach off of other people’s hard work you a hole.
No dissent or else!!!!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/23/mcconnell-blasts-government-gag-order-private-health-care-provider/
McConnell Blasts Government Over ‘Gag Order’ on Private Health Care Provider
What disgusting reality do you live in Rob?
Here’s the reality I live in. Where middle class Americans who do real work get screwed out of their hard earned cash by unregulated Wall Streeters (enabled by George W. Bush and the neocons) who do nothing but push money around all day. When their incompetence brings the world to the brink of disaster, I bail them out so the economy doesn’t come crashing down. Then they use my bailout money to give themselves multimillion dollar bonuses to reward their utter and complete failure.
Here’s a more realistic barnyard tale:
Cow: “I’m going to work extra hard now to get food and store it away so I can have some later in the future when I get old.”
Pig: “Here, give me that food and I’ll put it in a safe place for you.”
Cow: “Ok, thanks.”
— 1 year later —
Cow: “I need my extra food now, I’m getting old and can’t work as hard as before.”
Pig: “Oh sorry, it’s all gone. I ate it all. On the plus side, I didn’t have to work and I still got really fat and I feel really good.”
Cow: “Um.. that’s not fair. I needed that food. I’m not going to give you any more of what I earn.”
Pig: “LOL, sorry, you have to. If I lose any weight, I’ll get dizzy and fall over and kill you. So you better give me the rest of the food you have.”
Cow: “…”
Sir Gill Bates
As for substituting creationism for evolution, from some of the things I’ve seen, both thoughts seem to be based on faith.
Sorry, but you are wrong. Unless you are using a definition of “faith” so broad that it makes the term meaningless.
I’m a proud middle class American and I don’t want busy bodies liek you Rob sticking your noses in my private life. Keep government to a bare minimum. If it weren’t for wealthy people providing jobs I wouldn’t have one. You seem to have some serious mental problems Rob. I suggest you go seek help ASAP before you hurt someone.
@ His Shadow,
Please elaborate.
Rob,
Keep voting for liberals who constantly cause cost of living increases through massive government waste and ever rising taxes to cover more and more and more of that waste and you will watch your situation go from bad to worse. You are your own worst enemy, fool.
Everything Her Shadow has ever posted is off the wall lunacy.
School kids taught to praise Obama
Disgusting!
@Tanner
I’m a proud middle class American and I don’t want busy bodies liek you Rob sticking your noses in my private life.
Oh, but it’s ok for government to stick its nose into gay people’s private lives by telling them they can’t get married? It’s ok for government to stick its nose into women’s private lives by telling them they must have a child if they get pregnant?
Wingnut hypocrisy is sickening.
@ Milton
Keep voting for conservatives so they can increase the already record breaking gap between the wealthiest 1% and the rest of America. Keep voting for neocons so they can give massive tax breaks to enormous companies to make sure their executives get their 8 digit bonuses. Keep voting for neocons so they can be sure to block critical legislation like health care, thus ensuring that 18,000 people continue to die every year because they can’t get access.
Keep at it, Milton. You’ve got your priorities exactly right.
Rob = jealous gay man, bitter that he can’t compete in the world so he will instead try to steal from the hard working people. No one on the right cares what gay people do as long as they don’t break laws. Marriage is between a man and a women. If you gays want to come up with your own name for something similar go for it we’re not stopping you. You idiot, taxing corporations at a high rate will only raise all pricing and you, you moron, will end up paying for those high taxes in the end. The person running a large corporation should make a lot of money. Normal middle class Americans could care less about that. You are a sick, sick person.
Rob = jealous gay man, bitter that he can’t compete in the world so he will instead try to steal from the hard working people.
WTF? How exactly am I stealing from anyone? I don’t work on Wall Street.
No one on the right cares what gay people do as long as they don’t break laws. Marriage is between a man and a women.
LOL. A man and a “women”? You probably meant to say “woman” right?
Anyway, your argument is laughable. Where exactly did your definition of marriage come from? The Bible? Sorry, I don’t believe in the Bible. It’s a work of fiction. Don’t force your bigoted beliefs on me. I’m free to believe whatever I want. My marriage doesn’t affect you, so stop invading my privacy and telling me or anyone else who I can and can’t marry. You claim to want government out of people’s private lives, yet you think it’s ok for them to decide who gets married? Ludicrous.
The person running a large corporation should make a lot of money.
Yep, and they should also be taxed at a much higher rate than you or I because they can afford it. If someone makes $10 million and the government takes take away 40% of it, they still have $6 million. They’re still obscenely wealthy. They will never have to worry about putting food on the table. If someone makes $50k and the government takes away 40%, then they only have $30k left. They might not even be able to live on that. They might lose their home. There’s a huge difference. The rich should be taxed more.
You are a sick, sick person.
Because I think middle class people should get the tax breaks and not rich CEOs? That makes me sick? Wow.