Net Neutrality

In case you hadn't heard, the Commerce Committee voted yesterday on a big telecommunications package. There was an amendment that secured net neutrality but not enough votes (read Democrats) to get it passed. There were senators, including Maria Cantwell, who voted against passing the bill out of committee without a provision for net neutrality but again, there weren't enough votes to stop that either. The bill now goes to the full Senate.

Listen up, people. This is a big deal. If you haven't looked into it, you oughta. The big telecoms are looking to tier Internet services, which means you'll get content quickly from the companies that can afford to pay. But all the little guys, all the sorts of fun things we've become accustomed to will swiftly fall to the bottom. The big guys are just trying to figure out a way to get bigger. Groups as various as the Christian Coalition and MoveOn support net neutrality and you should, too.

Here's a link to a petition Maria is sponsoring but what I really and truly encourage you to do is call your senators NOW and tell them not to pass any telecommunications legislation that doesn't make a provision for net neutrality. If I haven't been clear enough about what is at stake (and I know I haven't) please go to savetheinternet.com and get wise before it's too late.

Thank you. We now return you to our rant-free programming.