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FCC Commissioner Blasts Verizon On Net Neutrality

Posted by samzenpus on from the brutal-honesty dept.

destinyland writes "FCC chairman Julius Genachowski says that net neutrality rules 'will happen,' promising the FCC 'will make sure that we get the rules right... to make sure that what we do maximizes innovation and investment across the ecosystem.' But the same week, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps announced that the public should not stand for deals 'that exchange Internet freedom for bloated profits,' mocking the tiered-data plans of the 'Verizon-Google gaggle' and accusing them of wanting 'gated communities for the affluent.' Speaking at a New Mexico hearing, the commissioner warned the audience against proposals that would 'vastly diminish' the Internet's importance, blasting 'special interests and gatekeepers and toll-booth collectors who will short-circuit what this great new technology can do for our country.' (The text of his speech is available as a PDF file at FCC.gov.) He concludes by acknowledging that 'you can't blame companies for seeking to protect their own interests. But you can blame policy-makers if we let them get away with it!'"

6 of 157 comments (clear)

  1. Oh boy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Tsk America. How on earth did this guy slip through the net? Isn't the name a bloody clue this is a pinko who will undermine your countries economy... oh wait... to late.

    On a more serious note, novel way to resign. I wonder how many policy-makers choked on their breakfast or had to have it explained to them that some people think that it is not their job to protect the interests of companies at the expense of everything else.

    Brave guy, but somehow I feel any praise I write is like writing a eulogy.

    1. Re:Oh boy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Why is this modded troll? It's completely accurate. Net Neutrality will never happen in the US for two reasons:

      1. The Republicans are against any regulation of companies at all, so they'll never support it.

      2. The Democrats want to censor the Internet in the name of reducing piracy/protecting children from "cyber bullying." Anything called "Net Neutrality" that comes from a D will actually be a way to censor "unpopular" thought from the 'net (read: anything remotely conservative), along with massive fines for anyone caught "pirating" data.

      As long as either of those parties are involved, net neutrality will never happen.

    2. Re:Oh boy by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The Democrats want to censor the Internet in the name of reducing piracy

      I'm pretty sure the Republicans are right there with them on that one.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
  2. I'll believe it when I see it... by SeaFox · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Policymakers are great about talking up justice for everyone and saying no to special interests until thy actually have to put pen to paper. The FCC can make all the noise they want, but until this Net Neutrality is actually on the books and being enforced call me skeptical at best.

  3. Can't blame them? by julioody · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Surely you can blame then when, in the course of protecting their interests, they bribe and corrupt a system designed to protect the interests of the majority, in order to create blockades that add no value whatsoever to a product that got paid for with tax money.

  4. Please Read The Fucking Article by openfrog · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Should there not be words of support on Slashdot for such a clear and unambiguous stand from the FCC Commissioner and the FCC Chairman? This is exactly what we need to begin turning the tide.

    Look at the discussion below: sidetracked in a shouting match and out of topic all the way down (at least at the time I write this...).

    Please!