Anti-Net Neutrality Spin Examples

CNN ran this fluff-peice by Mike McCurry as an independently written opinion item. Mike, the ex-Clinton Press Secretary, has suddenly become quite an internet expert who says the ‘creaky’ internet needs to be rebuilt. Creaky? I have never heard any of the original architects of the internet say there is a problem right now. In fact Vint Cerf, creator of TCP, (the gateway of all internet data transfer)testified as much in Washington recently. ‘Creaky’ is assuredly a strategically chosen buzzwords to plant an image there is a problem with the internet.

I wish I could end this entry but the spin-nausea doesn’t stop.

The Week I Wish that Wasn’t — Down and Out in Washington, DC

What is clear is that Americans won’t really be able to participate (be it via voice, video, text, IM, or any heretofore unknown mode of IP-enabled communications) in the revolution. At least, not on a level playing field with the lucky subjects of those countries that get it. I had been tracking the state of Internet communications policy around the world through efforts with the Global IP Alliance and the VON Coalition. Most specifically, we posted a Global Policy Matrix and a user-supported Global Policy Wiki at www.globalipalliance.net>. But, as the battle for the future of the Internet heated up in America this year, we amassed most of our troop on the US front. To the extent possible, I commit to reviving our efforts to compile and update our sense of global policy developments.

For the moment, suffice it to say that there is an emerging divide between those countries that get it and those that don’t, and, I hate to say it, but in just two short years, America has switched sides.

Net Neutrality: Shouldn’t We Be Wanting Less Regulation?

Most proponents of NN worry that evil telecoms will be evil capitalist pigs. My response? Of course they will, that’s why their CEO’s get the big bucks! Repeat after me… Increase Shareholder Value. That means your 401k, your pension, mutual fund all increase with telecom stock. But in America you can’t get more money without providing more value. That means they must constantly be looking and searching for new ways to make a buck. If they don’t, their competitors will.

That means finding new products and services they think you will buy. It’s called capitalism, and it’s a very good thing.

The real difference between me and your average NN Proponent … I trust the free market. They don’t.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE