Dark Fiber: A Case In Point

Anonymous Coward writes "CNN has posted a story regarding the overabundance of fiber lines that were laid during the 90s gold rush along Oregons Interstate 5 corridor. While over 140,000 miles of fiber has been laid 95 percent of the fiber goes unused and roughly half of the companies who laid the fiber are now gone. The article goes on to further say that even with all that fiber, there is little availability to the consumer because either the local connections aren't there or, because of monopolization by phone companies, too expensive. Even for businesses."

Comments

Re:Open the opportunity

[karmawarrior]

You do realize that Congressmen could care less what you have to say

That's good. I'd hate that they couldn't care less, but that they could must imply that they do indeed care.

On top of the fact that big business has alreay $voted$, the opinion of small factions like the technically inclined matters little. They care what Joe Blow thinks, and Joe Blow thinks his AOL internet is just super, as long as it works.

And, you see, that's what needs to change. As long as 25% of eligable voters actually bother turning up at the ballot box, and fail to keep themselves informed, instead believing any old trip Fox and Limbaugh spouts this week, nothing will change. The votes of big business will continue to matter more than the opinions of the constuents.

Defeating this quagmire of misrepresentation, where people do not vote because politicians do not take any notice of them, and politicians take no notice of people because they do not vote, will not happen by itself. Resources need to be devoted, and unless people are prepared to actually act, not just talk about it on Slashdot, nothing will ever get done. Apathy is not an option.

You can help by getting off your rear and writing to your congressman or senator. Tell them that their opinions and policies are important to you - that you have the right to vote them into, and out of, office. Tell them that you appreciate their efforts as a lawmaker, but that in the absense of full accountability, you will have to find less secure and intelligent alternatives. Let them know that SMP may make or break whether you can efficiently deploy OpenBSD on your workstations and servers. Explain the concerns you have about freedom, openness, and choice, and how accountability only to big business destroys all three. Let them know that this is an issue that effects YOU directly, that YOU vote, and that your vote will be influenced, indeed dependent, on his or her policy on freedom and democracy.

You CAN make a difference. Don't treat voting as a right, treat it as a duty. Keep informed, keep your political representatives informed on how you feel. And, most importantly of all, vote.