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Ajit Pai Calls California's Net Neutrality Rules 'Illegal' (arstechnica.com)

On Friday, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai called California's net neutrality bill "illegal," saying it "poses a risk to the rest of the country." The bill recently passed California's state Assembly and now awaits the signature of Governor Jerry Brown.

In response to Pai's speech, Scott Wiener, California's Senator who authored the bill, said they are "necessary and legal because Chairman Pai abdicated his responsibility to ensure an open internet." "Unlike Pai's FCC, California isn't run by the big telecom and cable companies," Wiener also said. "Pai can take whatever potshots at California he wants. The reality is that California is the world's innovation capital, and unlike the crony capitalism promoted by the Trump administration, California understands exactly what it takes to foster an open innovation economy with a level playing field." Ars Technica reports: Pai targeted the California rules in a speech at the Maine Heritage Policy Center. Pai derided what he called "nanny-state California legislators," and said: "The broader problem is that California's micromanagement poses a risk to the rest of the country. After all, broadband is an interstate service; Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines. It follows that only the federal government can set regulatory policy in this area. For if individual states like California regulate the Internet, this will directly impact citizens in other states. Among other reasons, this is why efforts like California's are illegal. In fact, just last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reaffirmed the well-established law that state regulation of information services is preempted by federal law. Last December, the FCC made clear that broadband is just such an information service."

285 comments

  1. We all know by DaMattster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Ajit Pai is a stooge for Big Telecom. Government should not advocate for large business and enterprises but for individual people.

    1. Re:We all know by supremebob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As a member of the Republican administration, shouldn't Ajit Pai be happy that California is executing it's State's Rights to enact their own state specific legislation?

      I mean... State's Rights is still part of the Republican platform, right? Or, has that been replaced by "whatever the highest Corporate bidder wants"?

    2. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's good for large business and enterprise is good for the people, you filthy commie!

    3. Re:We all know by fustakrakich · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Government should not advocate for large business and enterprises but for individual people.

      People have to vote for that, or it just ain't gonna happen. All your congress people are stooges for big industry also. They have to be, or all that campaign financing dries up. It's all so totally natural.

      The only way to advocate for a responsible government is to elect one. If you elect/reelect crooks, you shouldn't complain, or you look like a fool.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    4. Re:We all know by Narcocide · · Score: 5, Insightful

      He didn't really have a plan for any really big states calling his bluff on that.

    5. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, Pai is right. This does pose a risk to the rest of the country. That crappy freedom is contagious, and must be stopped before it spreads!

    6. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      As a member of the Republican administration, shouldn't Ajit Pai be happy that California is executing it's State's Rights to enact their own state specific legislation?

      I mean... State's Rights is still part of the Republican platform, right?

      It was there in 2016 when Pai's boss was elected.

      The Tenth Amendment: Federalism as the Foundation of Personal Liberty Federalism is a cornerstone of our constitutional system. Every violation of state sovereignty by federal officials is not merely a transgression of one unit of government against another; it is an assault on the liberties of individual Americans. Hence the promise of the Tenth Amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The Constitution gives the federal government very few powers, and they are specifically enumerated; the states and the people retain authority over all unenumerated powers. In obedience to that principle, we condemn the current Administration's unconstitutional expansion into areas beyond those specifically enumerated, including bullying of state and local governments in matters ranging from voter identification (ID) laws to immigration, from healthcare programs to land use decisions, and from forced education curricula to school restroom policies. We pledge to restore the proper balance and vertical separation of powers between the federal government and state governments -- the governments closest to, and most reflective of, the American people. We encourage states to reinvigorate their traditional role as the laboratories of democracy, propelling the nation forward through local and state innovation.

      Hypocrites.

    7. Re:We all know by geekmux · · Score: 5, Insightful

      He didn't really have a plan for any really big states calling his bluff on that.

      Rather pathetic that a representative for a democracy didn't plan on democracy happening.

    8. Re:We all know by squiggleslash · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      States Rights are the "rights" of states to treat black people like shit, and maybe women too. It has nothing to do with letting states do whatever they want, otherwise Republicans would be top of the list to try to ensure the various state level laws and constitutional amendments legalizing cannabis would be respected, and would support gun control on a state level.

      Republicans are no more in favor of states rights than Democrats. They're in favor of power, and like all parties they'll seek to increase the authority of those institutions they have control over, and decrease the authority of those they don't. "States Rights" isn't a thing, it's just something spouted by Republicans occasionally, and usually only by, or to appeal to, two groups: somewhat dumb libertarians who think it's better if you get to wear shackles stamped "Property of the Florida Corrections System" than "Property of the Federal Government", and racists who can hear dogwhistles.

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    9. Re:We all know by sycodon · · Score: 0

      Federal Laws supersede State laws.

      Period.

      There is no bluff to call. CA will be sued, CA will lose, people will lose their shit.

      It's the way of politics these days.

      --
      When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    10. Re:We all know by omnichad · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Federal Laws supersede State laws.

      That's not how this works. Because any company following the California law would also be meeting the minimum requirements of federal law. And if you've looked at the bill, the state simply won't contract with an ISP that violates the principles of net neutrality. So they are enforcing it by means of intrastate commerce, which is fully within their jurisdiction.

    11. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As an Obama appointee...

    12. Re:We all know by Crashmarik · · Score: 1

      How the FCC has the power to regulate the internet and California does not

      1. The commerce clause of the constitution

      The Commerce Clause describes an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." Courts and commentators have tended to discuss each of these three areas of commerce as a separate power granted to Congress.[1] It is common to see the individual components of the Commerce Clause referred to under specific terms: the Foreign Commerce Clause, the Interstate Commerce Clause,[2] and the Indian Commerce Clause.

      2. The Federal Communications act

      The first section of the Act reads: "For the purpose of regulating interstate and foreign commerce in communication by wire and radio so as to make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the United States a rapid, efficient, nationwide, and worldwide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges, for the purpose of the national defense, and for the purpose of securing a more effective execution of this policy by centralizing authority theretofore granted by law to several agencies and by granting additional authority with respect to interstate and foreign commerce in wire and radio communication, there is hereby created a commission to be known as the 'Federal Communications Commission', which shall be constituted as hereinafter provided, and which shall execute and enforce the provisions of this Act."[1]

      Somehow I doubt you actually care for the facts as much as you want to scream "Hypocrites"

    13. Re:We all know by Megol · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Those that don't even understand the basics in voting look like fools by default.

    14. Re:We all know by mysidia · · Score: 5, Informative

      Federal Laws supersede State laws.
      Period.

      That is a tremendous oversimplification of the situation.

      On some manners there is Federal jurisdiction; On some manners there is Local jurisdiction; On some manners there is joint Federal and Local jurisdiction.

      In regards to Utility Companies (such as Broadband providers) operating within a state --- there is Federal and Local Jurisdiction. The companies have to obey federal regulations to operate in the US --- and in addition to obeying the federal regulations, they have to obey state laws to be allowed to build and operate the business within the state.

      For example: If they disobey a state law that says they must respect network neutrality --- then the state could cancel their state telecom license - force them to sell their franchises off to a competitor and stop doing business within the state.

    15. Re:We all know by Baloroth · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Federal Laws supersede State laws.

      Period.

      No it doesn't. In fact, there is literally an article of the Bill of Rights that says otherwise. Federal law only trumps state on on issues that are delegated by the US Constitution to the federal government.

      Mind you, the political parties on both sides of the aisle have spent the past 2 hundreds years expanding what was "given" to the federal government by the US Constitution, because it's always convenient to have more power when your party holds the reigns (and once power is given to the government it never gets taken away again, short of a revolution), so we'll have to see how the courts end up ruling in this case, but a common sense interpretation of the Constitution would say that California is absolutely within their rights to do exactly what they've done.

      --
      "None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license." --John Milton
    16. Re:We all know by Green+Mountain+Bot · · Score: 1

      State's Rights is still part of the Republican platform, right? Or, has that been replaced by "whatever the highest Corporate bidder wants"?

      When was it ever anything other than the latter?

    17. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Federal Laws supersede State laws.

      Laws are additive by default, idiot.

    18. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only if the state's are using their power to stomp on someone's civil rights which is even funnier when they whine about "government overreach" in our daily lives...

      The GOP had a rep at my school today trying to get kids to register and I, a forgotten member of the party (Cali RINO), had to call bullshit on his spiel. The Only reason I haven't switched parties is because they mail me literature on their bassackward plans :p

    19. Re:We all know by Registered+Coward+v2 · · Score: 1

      As a member of the Republican administration, shouldn't Ajit Pai be happy that California is executing it's State's Rights to enact their own state specific legislation?

      I mean... State's Rights is still part of the Republican platform, right? Or, has that been replaced by "whatever the highest Corporate bidder wants"?

      You got it wrong. The are only for small government when it benefits them, but in favor of Federal intervention when a state does something they don't want.

      --
      I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
    20. Re:We all know by Green+Mountain+Bot · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Point 1 allows congress to pass laws allowing regulation of communications companies. Point 2 is such a law. So far, so good. Where you run into problems is that neither point bars states from enacting more stringent regulations.

      But even if that weren't, Ajit Pai stated that Point 2 does not grant the FCC the power to regulate internet service providers when he rescinded the Wheeler regulations. If it doesn't give the Feds that power, then it certainly doesn't take the power away from the states. Pai is trying to eat his cake and have it too.

    21. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I mean... State's Rights is still part of the Republican platform, right?

      You flunked history, I take it

    22. Re:We all know by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      State's Rights is still part of the Republican platform, right?

      You said "Republican platform" - you're funny.

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    23. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      stop lying. Pai stated that the congress has not given the FCC the authority to declare ISP's to be telephone companies. ISPs are not telephone companies. That's not saying that congress has given the FCC no power to regulate data communications.

    24. Re:We all know by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      Government should not advocate for large business and enterprises but for individual people.

      But, but, but... Corporations are people - I remember hearing and reading about that. We were told to "get over it".

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    25. Re:We all know by OrangeTide · · Score: 1

      Federal law only trumps state on on issues that are delegated by the US Constitution to the federal government.

      I believe this will be a test of the reach of the FCC's jurisdiction. I think conservative judges would not legislate from the bench and lean towards the Constitution as written, but could interpreter relevant legislation in favor of a stronger federal government. I think liberal judges would lean in favor of California. Either way seems likely to me that Ajit Pai will lose against California. The legislature might strike back and make it clearer where the FCC ends and states begin. Disclaimer: and maybe it's clear and I'm missing some legislation that defines it precisely. as I'm no legal scholar

      --
      “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
    26. Re:We all know by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 5, Insightful

      He didn't really have a plan for any really big states calling his bluff on that.

      Rather pathetic that a representative for a democracy didn't plan on democracy happening.

      He's a Republican, not a representative for democracy.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    27. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Ajit Pal doesn't make law. He makes policies for the FCC. Even then, Federal law only trumps State law when the Federal law is constitutional (i.e. when it is a power granted to the Federal government by the constitution).

    28. Re:We all know by lactose99 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This is unfortunately very poignant.

      --
      Fully licensed blockchain psychiatrist
    29. Re:We all know by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      There is no bluff to call. CA will be sued, CA will lose, people will lose their shit.

      There's nothing to sue. This doesn't apply to interstate commerce, so that doesn't apply. There is no Federal law or constitutional requirement requiring state governments to do business with certain corporations over other corporations.

      This law will stand and will end up being a model for the rest of the country. At this point, we can just wait out this degenerate administration. Other states are doing the same thing. Other nations are doing the same thing. They know this administration is a leaky boat and they're not going to make any long-term deals with these people.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    30. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's almost no such thing as "actual" Republicans anymore, just cowards blowing in the winds of nationalist strongmen's blathered self-praise. If they had any pride or self respect, they'd have resigned long before now.

    31. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Pai's whole argument was that the FCC doesn't have jurisdiction so he should abide by that and stop talking about it. He never had any authority over any state.

    32. Re: We all know by OrangeTide · · Score: 2

      It's certainly an amusing contradiction and demonstrates his ineptitude. But I don't think what appointed agency directors say carry all that much legal weight with courts. Especially if they tend to publicly waffle on nearly anything as a matter of political convenience.

      --
      “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
    33. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah that's why we have legalized Marijuana and the Feds haven't done anything about it!

    34. Re:We all know by Darinbob · · Score: 0

      Originally "states' rights" meant slavery. Later after the civil war it was changed to mean being allowed to have Jim Crow and segregation laws. After the civil rights act it was changed to mean "whatever we're pissed off about today."

    35. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Ajit Pai got boned by California's Wiener!!!! HAHAHAHAHA

    36. Re:We all know by pgmrdlm · · Score: 0

      This from someone that Is an Anonymous Coward. Hypocrite, bigot.

      --
      Anonymous comments are as pathetic as the anonymous "sources" that contaminate gutless journalism from the New York Time
    37. Re:We all know by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Which laws are these? The FCC is not a legislative body, instead it creates regulations. It's an iffy line between the two. However this is moot, because the FCC said that it is NOT regulating and abdicated responsibility to the FTC.

      For example here, the EPA never said "you must emit this percentage of hydrocarbons from autos, no more and no less", and so it was generally agreed with multiple administrations that states were allowed to to be stricter than the EPA requirements. That is, they meet the requirements and exceed them. This was an agreement with the EPA and never tested in courts I believe. But I suspect that since states have the responsibility to for offering auto licenses that they do have the authority to make their own rules in many areas. And do the original fuel efficiency laws forbid states from having stricter requirements or not?

      For this case of FCC net neutrality, I don't know if there's any judicial precedent. Can the states have a "stricter" set of regulations than "zero"? And who sues, the FCC who abdicated, or the toothles and ineffective FTC?

    38. Re:We all know by pgmrdlm · · Score: 2

      https://www.huffingtonpost.com...
      Liberal enough source for you?
      If a state law gives people more rights than a federal law, the state law is legally supposed to prevail. This means state law will always supersede federal law when the person in question stands to gain more from the state law, right? Wrong. The law that applies to situations where state and federal laws disagree is called the supremacy clause, which is part of article VI of the Constitution. The supremacy clause contains whatâ(TM)s known as the doctrine of pre-emption, which says that the federal government wins in the case of conflicting legislation. Basically, if a federal and state law contradict, then when youâ(TM)re in the state you can follow the state law, but the feds can decide to stop you. When there is a conflict between a state law and federal law, it is the federal law that prevails. For example, if a federal regulation prohibits the use of medical marijuana, but a state regulation allows it, the federal law prevails.

      --
      Anonymous comments are as pathetic as the anonymous "sources" that contaminate gutless journalism from the New York Time
    39. Re:We all know by bane2571 · · Score: 2

      I'm not fully read up on this but isn't the whole point of this debate that the FCC decided Broadband providers AREN'T utility companies and as such removed the federal regulations around net neutrality.

      IE: there isn't any law for California to break by enforcing net neutrality.

    40. Re:We all know by Darinbob · · Score: 2

      If it was so simple and the California law could be trivially overturned, why did the big telecom companies spend so much time and money trying to defeat this bill? Clearly there's a margin of doubt here.

    41. Re:We all know by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

      Yes both sides, one adamant on enforcing regularity on the states, the other angelic with the glories of 50 states experimenting, have swapped sides.

      This is "situational ethics", where you tout as high value a principle, then abandon it when it gets in your way.

      It is the political principle of neurosis -- the brain trying to hold two incompatible positions simultaneously.

      --
      (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
    42. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't know why you've descidrd to describe yourself, but I have to say the AC has a point.

    43. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's very clear you're no Constitutional lawyer pgmrdlm, you try to assert your way into history and fail on the details lol. Typical Republicanism.

      " which says that the federal government wins in the case of conflicting legislation" - It depends on exactly how and where they contradict, in fact. There's no blanket pre-emption for Federal except in specific areas.

    44. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      https://www.huffingtonpost.com...
      Liberal enough source for you?
      If a state law gives people more rights than a federal law, the state law is legally supposed to prevail. This means state law will always supersede federal law when the person in question stands to gain more from the state law, right?

      Wrong. The law that applies to situations where state and federal laws disagree is called the supremacy clause, which is part of article VI of the Constitution. The supremacy clause contains whatâ(TM)s known as the doctrine of pre-emption, which says that the federal government wins in the case of conflicting legislation. Basically, if a federal and state law contradict, then when youâ(TM)re in the state you can follow the state law, but the feds can decide to stop you. When there is a conflict between a state law and federal law, it is the federal law that prevails. For example, if a federal regulation prohibits the use of medical marijuana, but a state regulation allows it, the federal law prevails.

      So I guess all those extra rules that California has for auto emissions standards are illegal?

    45. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At this point, we can just wait out this degenerate administration.

      You haven't been keeping up with the party line. Trump is going to declare martial law and declare himself Führer for life.

    46. Re:We all know by DMJC · · Score: 1

      State's rights only applies if you're a fetus don't you know?

    47. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only thing that needs to be executed is Ajit Pai. String him up and burn the sandy alive.

    48. Re:We all know by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Spectrum is based in Connecticut. How does California assume it can force an out-of-State company to change its behavior? Or is California saying I can only choose from ISPs that the State deems acceptable - I cannot have a choice in providers from across the Nation like I do now?

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    49. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pai is just trying to fuck his pie and eat it too.

      He's trying to claim he doesn't have the authority to regulate net neutrality, but that California doesn't either because he does.

      It's horseshit all the way around with that pig fucker.

    50. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As a libertarian, I full support California's efforts on this one. They don't seem to get much right in the case of personal freedom except as it concerns the internet.

    51. Re:We all know by Sicily1918 · · Score: 1

      So I guess all those extra rules that California has for auto emissions standards are illegal?

      You are aware that the Federal Govt granted California an exemption specifically for emissions as part of the Clean Air Act?

    52. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Providers needs a license to operate in each state. Interesting that you mention Charter Spectrum, as they just lost their license to operate in New York.

      https://m.slashdot.org/story/343914

    53. Re:We all know by terrycarlino · · Score: 1

      But is this a case of conflicting legislation, or it it a case of more stringent state laws?

      For example in cases of safety the federal government can require that an item like electrical cable meet a set of minimum specs. A state can require a tighter set of specs be used in structures in their state. The state law does not contradict the federal. It just requires more stringent specs. This is entirely legal and happens all the time.

      What the state cannot do is mandate that less stringent specs be used for electrical cable. Is that what the state is doing here? Requiring businesses follow less stringent requirements than the federal government? I don't think so.

      I have no doubt the FCC will sue. The question then becomes is the state contradicting Federal law or are they merely setting more stringent requirements for businesses operating in their state? If it is the latter they are well within their rights.

    54. Re: We all know by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Not sure that you need a specific license to operate an ISP in California. You do need to register with the FTB so you can send in your sales tax, but I am not aware of - nor can I find via Google - any required license for operation of an ISP. You can be a foreign corporation (outside of California) and provide ISP services.

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    55. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *reins

      You don't hold the rules, you control the horse.

    56. Re:We all know by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Sure he does. Law. Either the FCC sues California, or a consortium of ISPs sue. Either way they wouldn't even have to win - they could get a preliminary injunction to prevent enforcement of the law pending the outcome of the case, then make it drag on for twenty years.

    57. Re:We all know by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Only under a Democratic administration. When Congress is passing laws protecting access to abortion, states rights are paramount. When Congress is passing laws prohibiting access to abortion, federal law prevails. The same way that back when Bush was in office, it was the role of the federal government to ban same-sex marriage - but once that was legalised at the federal level, it became a matter for state's rights to decide how to define marriage.

      Because 'states rights' has always been an excuse, right back to the day someone first realized you could use the phrase as a polite way to argue against ending the slave trade. It's a noble-sounding principle that politicians can hold up high when it suits them, then easily discard when it becomes inconvenient.

    58. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > the Hinduchimp

      Being a bigot does not strengthen whatever argument you present.

      Interestingly, a quick search shows that Indian-Americans attack him for not having any Indian-ness.

      https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2017/12/04/fcc-ajit-pai-racist-attacks/

      “Ajit Pai is the type of Indian guy who eats dosa with a fork.”

      His statement caused other users on Twitter to join in. Users wrote that Pai called “chaichai tea,” “thinks Lassi is a dog” and says “Naan bread.”

      “Dear @AjitPaiFCC, I apologize for my tweets questioning your “Brown-ness.” You are not a disappointment to Indian Americansbut to all Americans. You can eat a pakora while destroying #NetNeutrality. You can wear a kurta while catering to corporate interests. #AjitPaiSucks.”

      He is not popular with anyone except corporate interests.

      Indiaspora member and leader, Shekar Narasiman, a top Democratic strategist, rushed to Pai’s defense. Slamming anyone who criticized Pai over his race and religion, especially Kondabolu, a statement on Indiaspora’s website reads,

      “Irrespective of your political leanings, behavior and threats against individuals for their actions are unacceptable. We should have zero tolerance for hate and xenophobia whether it’s directed from the left or right. It’s un-American and against all the tenets of our great religions.

    59. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But even if that weren't, Ajit Pai stated that Point 2 does not grant the FCC the power to regulate internet service providers when he rescinded the Wheeler regulations. If it doesn't give the Feds that power, then it certainly doesn't take the power away from the states. Pai is trying to eat his cake and have it too.

      Pai attention. He is trying to sell our cake and eat it, too.

    60. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You clearly don't understand what you're talking about and you're kind of a pretentious windbag to boot

    61. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ajit needs to be deported.

    62. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He represents nothing but telecom provider companies.

    63. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It has always been "whatever the highest Corporate bidder wants." That just does not test market as well as "states rights"

    64. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Of course, they will sue. And since they have rigged the supreme court for the next 30 years, the GOP is going to get the rulings their corporate overlords want. Get ready for a nightmare "corpocracy" dystopian future. It will make the terminator cyborg future look like Eden.

    65. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sarcasm? No offence intended, I'm just suffering from Poe's Law right now and genuinely can't tell.

    66. Re:We all know by kilfarsnar · · Score: 1

      There's almost no such thing as "actual" Republicans anymore, just cowards blowing in the winds of nationalist strongmen's blathered self-praise. If they had any pride or self respect, they'd have resigned long before now.

      Yep, same with Scotsmen. It's not by chance that the Republican party has become what it is.

      --
      "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public." -Ray Zalinsky (Tommy Boy)
    67. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      they only like states rights if those rights lend themselves to holding down a segment of the populace.
      see also abortion, slavery, anti-sodomy laws, muslim bans, etc

    68. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think conservative judges would not legislate from the bench and lean towards the Constitution as written

      LOL, that's why the Republicans are currently working overtime to pack the courts; for strict constitutional fidelity, not to further their ideology.

    69. Re:We all know by kilfarsnar · · Score: 1

      At this point, we can just wait out this degenerate administration.

      You haven't been keeping up with the party line. Trump is going to declare martial law and declare himself Führer for life.

      Meh, so what is he does? We know that even his own staff doesn't follow his directions.

      --
      "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public." -Ray Zalinsky (Tommy Boy)
    70. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What federal law? FCC had federal power to regulate the Internet, but they gave that up. Litter ally told Congress that they legally do not have the power to regulate the Internet and refused to do so. Any power that is not regulated to the Federal government is up to the State governments to do. FCC forfeit their power to regulate, so CA decided that they would.

    71. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Federal law only trumps state on on issues that are delegated by the US Constitution to the federal government.

      I believe this will be a test of the reach of the FCC's jurisdiction. I think conservative judges would not legislate from the bench and lean towards the Constitution as written, but could interpreter relevant legislation in favor of a stronger federal government. I think liberal judges would lean in favor of California. Either way seems likely to me that Ajit Pai will lose against California. The legislature might strike back and make it clearer where the FCC ends and states begin. Disclaimer: and maybe it's clear and I'm missing some legislation that defines it precisely. as I'm no legal scholar

      The same conservatives that turn a blind eye to Trumps blatant violations of the Emolument clause, and who have been chomping at the bit to establish a religion? Pull the other one, it opens the secret door to the treasure room.

    72. Re:We all know by mysidia · · Score: 2

      Spectrum is based in Connecticut. How does California assume it can force an out-of-State company to change its behavior?

      Charter/Spectrum has "major nexus" in California, therefore: they are required to obey all state laws regarding business operation within California at least regarding their California customers, including paying any state-imposed taxes on their business affairs in California: An interesting idea is instead of mandating network neutrality, the state could set a 100% revenue tax on "The amount of any customer charges waived due to a discriminatory zero-rating policy and any additional revenue earned due to collecting peering or 'prioritization' fees from content providers, or other non-neutral practices". State governments have near limitless power to regulate the affairs of companies doing business within state boundaries. They can pass a law stating that no employee shall wear white socks while visiting a customer, if they wish, and they could enforce with jail time, fines, or revocation of business license if they chose. All the fine details of "contracting", "permitting", and how control and ownership of property works within a state's boundaries are established by state laws -- not federal laws.
      And yeah... It is not unusual for State or Local governments to require companies hold a business license to do regular business of any kind with ANYONE beyond a certain dollar or number of transactions threshold.
      Doing business in multiple states does not excuse any company from compliance, and judgements/penalties/fines for failure to comply can be attached to all assets owned, even bank accounts in other states, through a process where the courts allow a judgement made by a court in California to be enforced against the defendant in any state.

      Furthermore, California has sole jurisdiction over the use of SIGNIFICANT assets that are required for a Telecom to even operate ---- so if they don't like the business practices of a telecom, whether they are inside or outside federal regulatory areas, the state has the power to wield a significant stick.

      For Example: In order to successfully provide internet service, Charter/Spectrum somehow has to install and operate cables that run from facilities they control to people's houses. There is SOME property they will have to put their cables on that is solely managed by State and Municipal governments, and the federal government has no control of this (The federal government cannot force a state/city to allow a business the use of the state/city property).

      No private business can simply run cabling from property A to property B by traversing through a third property C without paying the property owner a significant amount of money to acquire an easement agreement --- Also, in general it is not possible to build a cable network without crossing through public property which is owned and solely by a state or municipal government, Or whose usage is restricted and requires following many government rules and obtaining permission to use

      Those restrictions can include EVEN what data will be sent over that cabling and how the service can work, and how it may be used, etc......

      For instance: even if you own the land on either side of a public road --- you may NOT dig up the road and bury communications or cabling beneath it,
      nor may you string cables over the public land the public road sits on unless you have the necessary permissions and follow some very detailed rules in doing so, and even if you could --- aerial cable over a road is susceptible to damage.

      The easy way out is to run a telecom/utility company WHOSE NEED IS RECOGNIZED by your local government -- and have the government
      allow the provider general access to right of way easements on all the land already reserved for the public.

      The state governments DON'T have to play "fair" regarding this - It is almost like At-Will employment. If they choose t

    73. Re:We all know by jenningsthecat · · Score: 1

      ... The question then becomes is the state contradicting Federal law or are they merely setting more stringent requirements for businesses operating in their state? If it is the latter they are well within their rights.

      Unfortunately, the question isn't really 'is California contradicting federal law' - it's 'will a federally appointed judge rule that California is contradicting federal law'. These days, what passes for justice is anything but blind, and 'the law' is distressingly partisan.

      --
      'The Economy' is a giant Ponzi scheme whose most pitiable suckers are the youngest among us and the yet-unborn.
    74. Re:We all know by mysidia · · Score: 1

      A state can require a tighter set of specs be used in structures in their state. The state law does not contradict the federal. It just requires more stringent specs. This is entirely legal and happens all the time.

      Yes.... and the State law is enforceable. What happens if the state law specifies tighter specs and they DO conflict with the federal law?

      It will probably wind up in court, and the state court may decide that the conflicting state spec is superseded by the
        conflicting federal one, because of state law allowing the federal law to win on that manner, but the conflict doesn't mean that the state restrictions can be automatically expunged or overridden as invalid ---- it may very well mean that new structures can't be built in the state until the state revises the specs to negate the conflict: it may be impossible to build something complying with both specs, but still possible to comply with both regulations by not building anything at all.

    75. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Onkyo If it aligns with the neo-monarchy agenda.

    76. Re:We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unfortunately "whatever the highest corporate bidder wants" has been becoming increasingly more associated with the Republican platform. I fear the struggle now isn't necessarily free market vs government regulations, but government regulations vs oligopolistic control. These seems to be the majority platforms in today's America. Unfortunately, the few with large amounts of money control the laws and regulations (or lack thereof) and not the common citizens. I'm not saying either is better over the other, but it seems to be the reality. Everyone is fighting about who is less miserable to serve, unfortunately they two "masters" have been in bed together for a long time.

    77. Re:We all know by mysidia · · Score: 1

      For example, if a federal regulation prohibits the use of medical marijuana, but a state regulation allows it, the federal law prevails.

      No... actually both sets of laws for medical mj exist in parallel. The state authorities can continue to obey their regulation by "allowing it", and then it is effectively allowed unless/until the federal authorities come in and enforce their law against those violating it.

      Although the federal authorities might be reluctant to do so for a number of reasons; including that it could trigger a constitutional challenge if the usage of the mj is specifically allowed by the state and in business that involves no commerce or only intrastate commerce.

    78. Re:We all know by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Sarcasm? No offence intended, I'm just suffering from Poe's Law right now and genuinely can't tell.

      More like an observation.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    79. Re:We all know by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      This from someone that Is an Anonymous Coward. Hypocrite, bigot.

      But he is not wrong. The moral and idealogical leader is implementing policies that at one time were considered the exact opposite of conservatism, like tarriffs, which are a tax, then using tax monies to reward a specific group, then suggesting he become president for life. Then suggesting that Americans should not be allowed to protest.

      Then my favorite, one that crypto conservatives have accused Demoncrats of doing . Print money https://finance.yahoo.com/news... . What the outrageous fuck?

      Standing by and doing nothing while their new leader does things they always claimed they were dead set against, is the exact same thing as approval. Te worst that can be said is that they approve of dismantling America. The best thing that can be said is they are the lowest form of spineless coward, and I would suggest that the new GOP symbol be a portrait of Benedict Arnold. Or if they want one more recent, and to the same group the US is now triyng to emulate, thus more likely to be a Republican Hero, a portrait of Robert Hanssen.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    80. Re:We all know by OrangeTide · · Score: 1

      LOL, that's why the Republicans are currently working overtime to pack the courts; for strict constitutional fidelity, not to further their ideology.

      Missing a sarcasm tag. Conservative voters tend to have trouble detecting irony and sarcasm. It's not surprising considering how many are literal and fundamentalist in their religious views as well.

      --
      “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
    81. Re:We all know by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      There's almost no such thing as "actual" Republicans anymore, just cowards blowing in the winds of nationalist strongmen's blathered self-praise. If they had any pride or self respect, they'd have resigned long before now.

      Yep, same with Scotsmen. It's not by chance that the Republican party has become what it is.

      I've never been a registered Republican, but as an independent, I used to be a pretty reliable Republican voter. If I was to be categorized, I was a Barry Goldwater conservative.

      Then around 2000, the party started a weird shift. Some people who were not conservative started running the show - the Neocons, who were actually Marxists. Then in the 2007 election, when the party went largely insane with the election of the Majick Negro from Kenya. Then when O'Blama was elected for a second term, it became even worse, where anything the leeburls believed, you could not. So science was suddenly bad. The scary part is that eventually Democrats became an actual enemy to dehumanize - always the start to warfare. The really scary part is that once the "Anything my enemy believes is wrong" opened up the party to believe with great enthusiasm things that they would have considered completely wrong at one time.

      So now, the Republican party believes in running the presses to print money, that taxes in the form of tarriffs are the best thing going, that our allies of over 70 years are now our enemies, and that our enemies are our friends. And don't get me started on those motherfucking Canadians - they're eating our lunch! When should we nuc Canada?

      Good old fashioned conservative principles, amirite?

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    82. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Republicans are, and have been, hypocrites since... Well since easily portable recording devices existed at least. The short version is:

      Dems, pay taxes and we will build a park we can all share.

      Repubs, free market (except abortions, no gays, etc) tax cuts(87% to top1%), family values (do as we say not as we do), etc.

      Crazy people exist on both sides. Dems don't generally nominate them for federal office though.

    83. Re: We all know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      State's rights. Blah blah blah.
      But let us forget the tenth amendment.

      California can implement a $1/bit tax rate on all ISPs, and offer a 100% rebate to those who voluntarily comply with NN. Or increase the license fee to a non refundable billion dollars a day, and offer a rebate to NN followers. Perfectly legal.

      Or maybe as a RWNJ you would prefer they say that bit life begins at IP assignment and criminalize any ISP that prematurely ends a customer's session.

    84. Re: We all know by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Crazy people exist on both sides. Dems don't generally nominate them for federal office though.

      Exactly. I wonder what Old Joe McCarthy would think of his party shifting into alignment with a country led by a leader of the KGB. And one thing is for certain, one does not leave that field, and while the Republicans might be smitten with him, and support Russia over our own country, denigrating the FBI and our intelligence services while supporting the FIS, Mister P is still doing his part to aid in our destruction. Don't doubt that for a second.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  2. When will Pai crawl back under his rock? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    What a creep.

    1. Re:When will Pai crawl back under his rock? by fyngyrz · · Score: 1

      "Unlike Pai's FCC, California isn't run by the big telecom and cable companies," Wiener also said.

      ...sick burn. :)

      --
      I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
    2. Re: When will Pai crawl back under his rock? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      California is run by the big web advertising companies, though.

      If California could introduce some like the GDPR with teeth, that would be something.

    3. Re: When will Pai crawl back under his rock? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      already in the works

  3. I don't think it matters by rsilvergun · · Score: 1, Insightful

    if big telecom has Pai in it's pocket or not. What matters is can the States preempt the authority of the FCC here. And I'm pretty sure they cannot.

    Regardless this will eventually go before a Republican packed Supreme Court. It will be struck down. And yes, I'm calling the Republicans out on this. The Dems were busy with the ACA last time they held the government and spent their political capital on stuff like per-existing conditions. The Republicans, for their part, are the party of small government and minimal regulations. This is the party that gave us the slogan, "Government's not the solution, it's the problem".

    This is what we voted for folks. If you want a government that takes an active role in, well, governing, then you have to vote people into office who believe it can do that. I think I've said this before, but you can't have a functioning government for only the one or two issues that matter to you personally. Well, not unless you're very, very rich.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
    1. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The Republicans, for their part, are the party of small government and minimal regulations.

      Are you trolling or do you actually believe that?

    2. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The new law that is needed is the one that puts assholes like Pai in jail for what he's done.

    3. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      If the Internet is indeed a utility, states and localities can regulate it. If it's not, then Net Neutrality is a big-government over-regulation of a competitive marketplace. Either way, the federal government has little role in internet regulation.

    4. Re:I don't think it matters by Hodr · · Score: 5, Insightful

      if big telecom has Pai in it's pocket or not. What matters is can the States preempt the authority of the FCC here. And I'm pretty sure they cannot.
       

      So you weren't able to make it through even the entire summary before chiming in?

      The argument isn't whether or not a state can preempt federal authority, it's whether a federal agency that has claimed they specifically DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY can somehow also enjoin a State from exercising that authority. Completely opposite issue.

    5. Re:I don't think it matters by mujadaddy · · Score: 4, Interesting

      can the States preempt the authority of the FCC?

      Have you read the bill? For the FCC to be granted standing as an injured party, they'd have to prove that THEY have authority over ISP contracts in Cali.

      Also, this will NEVER make it to the SC, no matter which way it goes.

      --
      Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
      "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
    6. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Boy, are you an optimist.

      The ideal solution would be for Congress to pass an actual net-neutrality bill, rather than the BS reclassification that the previous FCC tried. One that actually mandates even treatment for all sources and destinations.

      Instead, we'll see the next few decades swing back an forth as administrations change, and states rephrase their laws slightly with the partisan support of the current Supreme Court... it's really going to suck for a while.

    7. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      What authority? Pai said the FCC didn't have to power to regulate the cable industry. How can he relinquish authority and but then try to assert it? You can't have your Pai and eat it, too.

    8. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For the record I'm in disagreement with Pai, but I think the argument of authority here goes essentially like this:

      Yes, the Federal government has supremacy in making a ruling, Pai says the agency that can best regulate it is not the FCC but the FTC. It does seem like if Pai wants to strike down states own NN rules he'll now have to get the FTC to bring that case though.

    9. Re:I don't think it matters by Narcocide · · Score: 2

      I get that you're having trouble dancing around the fact that the Republicans are proving themselves to be liars here on the whole "small government" thing but don't you think it's at least a real problem with visuals that this seems to belie Pai's own prior statements about states having the right to overturn his un-neutral, unethical rules if they so want? Or are you really okay with the fact that the whole party line is only internally logically consistent if you don't have a memory span that lasts longer than 48 hours?

    10. Re:I don't think it matters by Narcocide · · Score: 1

      We already have a law for it. Unfortunately the head of the FCC was supposed to be the one in charge of enforcing that law...

    11. Re:I don't think it matters by mujadaddy · · Score: 1

      Right: to even be granted standing as the injured party, they'd have to prove they DO have said authority over California ISP contracts. Which, as you point out, they say they don't.

      AC below also brings up the FTC angle, but I can't think of any instances where the FTC has gone after states rather than businesses anywhere around this topic.

      --
      Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
      "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
    12. Re: I don't think it matters by KingAlanI · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Yeah I don't agree with Pai on this, but interstate commerce does make it a federal issue

      --
      I listen to both RIAA and non-RIAA stuff if I like the music, tangential business/politics nonwithstanding.
    13. Re:I don't think it matters by mujadaddy · · Score: 2

      They have really good propaganda ...

      --
      Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
      "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
    14. Re:I don't think it matters by omnichad · · Score: 1

      can the States preempt the authority of the FCC here

      Are the ISPs still going to be complying with FCC requirements if this passes? Yes. So the authority of the FCC has not been challenged.

    15. Re: I don't think it matters by omnichad · · Score: 2

      Which is why the California bill only applies to intrastate commerce (state contracts with ISPs). No ISP actually is required by law to do anything, but they won't get a state contract unless they do.

    16. Re:I don't think it matters by Puls4r · · Score: 1

      I don't know. I'd argue that they've abdicated this authority by removing net Neutrality. And in fact I believe Pai at one point said this is not under the FCC's area of responsibility and tried to punt to the FTC. The FTC promptly told him to go fuck himself.

      If the FCC and the FTC have both said "Not Responsible", then I'm perfectly fine with California stepping up and saying "Hey Feds - since you refuse to own this, we'll take it".

      Unfortunately I agree the newly stacked supreme court will strike this in a second, punt it back to the federal government, and nothing will be done because according to Pai it's no one's responsibility (or at least certainly not the communication commission).

      The people have lost. There's nothing we can do, other than vote out the republicans. But more and more I'm beginning to think that will never happen either, as long as Ignorance over rules reason. Here, hold my beer.

      MAGA right?

    17. Re:I don't think it matters by lgw · · Score: 1

      I don't think the GOP has been a "small government" party since the mid-90s, and it's been the "giant corporate donor" party for at least as long. We sure could use a "small government, small business" party.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    18. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where's the box I can tick on the voting machine for the party that will respect *all* of my rights, instead of just some of them? Until then people will make decisions

    19. Re:I don't think it matters by Green+Mountain+Bot · · Score: 1

      if big telecom has Pai in it's pocket or not. What matters is can the States preempt the authority of the FCC here.

      California isn't preempting FCC regulations - it is implementing additional ones, applicable only to companies operating within its borders, and only respecting their operations within its borders. Which is well within its rights as a state.

    20. Re:I don't think it matters by BlueStrat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The argument isn't whether or not a state can preempt federal authority, it's whether a federal agency that has claimed they specifically DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY can somehow also enjoin a State from exercising that authority. Completely opposite issue.

      Almost there.

      Congress has original authority which it has granted to *neither* the FCC *nor* the States. *Congress* is who have failed to act for many years even before Obama.

      Hell, this entire NN uproar started because Democrats wanted NN but knew they couldn't get it through Congress and so had the FCC deem itself additional regulatory scope because reasons in an end-run around Congress to get what they wanted.

      This whole ball of shit from the beginning is because Congress is too partisan and too chickenshit and cowardly on *both sides*, afraid to lose campaign money & votes to enact legislation to either deal with the issue directly (unlikely), create a new Federal agency and delegate it regulatory powers to deal with it (also unlikely) or to authorize an existing agency and delegate regulatory powers appropriately to deal with it like the FTC or FCC (one of those most likely).

      Both sides need to stop these end-runs around the Constitution, due process, and checks & balances. Any gains you make will be fleeting, the next person/people can roll ir all right back and then do even worse to you. It only ends in a crisis of government, civil disorder, and social & economic chaos. Not a pleasant Tuesday for anyone except those who desire death, chaos, and destruction. My Tuesdays are booked, thanks all the same.

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
    21. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which he can do, thereby keeping his name out of the papers. The fact that he defers to the FTC rather than the FCC is proof enough he is incapable of thinking about anything outside of the framework of his corporate owners. That's why they tolerate that ridiculous coffee barrel.

    22. Re:I don't think it matters by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Reading the text of the bill (yet to be signed), I didn't see anything that showed this only applied to ISPs contracting with the state.

    23. Re:I don't think it matters by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      It seems obvious that it should be the FCCs jurisdiction. The internet is "telecommunications". And the bill passed in 1934 creating the FCC, it passed over responsibility for telecommunications that was originally the responsibility of the disbanded Interstate Commerce Commission.

      And of course the internet is telecommunications. Most actual phone calls go over some of the same physical lines and media as commonly used in the internet, and using similar protocols and techniques. It should not need to go through congress, we should not have to go through congress for every new technical advance with communications. Just like we should not have to create a new bill for the EPA every time a new chemical is discovered either.

    24. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's a reason the term "RINO" exists.

    25. Re: I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Word salad. FO

    26. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Libertarian

    27. Re:I don't think it matters by BlueStrat · · Score: 1

      It seems obvious that it should be the FCCs jurisdiction.

      See, that's the thing. It has to be done according to the processes and procedures set out under the US Constitution and the Rule of Law. "It should be obvious" is not a legal or Constitutional standard and depends upon who you ask and what they believe. Going by "it should be obvious" instead of following the proper process is what got us into all this mess in the first place.

      "It should be obvious" instead of Rule of Law is what put Japanese & German Americans in internment camps in WW2, passed Jim Crow laws, and kept institutional racial segregation alive.

      Look, I have no problem with the basic principles NN is supposed to support, but do it the right way and bitch at Congress to pass a law or Act or something, don't go creating backdoor ways to enact shit through unelected bureaucrats such that citizens have no say. Not only can the next administration undo it, it can use those same tactics you created/used to hurt you worse. It can only end badly for all.

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
    28. Re:I don't think it matters by terrycarlino · · Score: 1

      I'm a Republican. I'm happy about many of the things this administration is doing.

      However I don't agree 100% with all of the opinions of my wife. What's the chance I'll ever agree 100% with all of the opinions of some random politician?

      This is not a partisan issue, or shouldn't be. What it comes down to is a battle between two corporate interests. One the one side are the telecoms, who want to make money on both sides of the data stream. Charging users on own side and content developers/aggregators on the other. On the other side are the dotcoms, who are primarily content aggregators/creators. They want to make money off their users and have the ISPs, who are the telecoms carry their data for free.

      There are no heroes in this fight. Not the ISPs. Not the dotcoms. and certainly not the FCC.

      No matter who in in power the FCC has been the poster child fro regulatory capture from it's inception. Every FCC head, with the possible exception of one has been an industry hack. it's just the industry that changes. First it was the television networks, then the phone companies, then the cable companies, the ISPs, and on and on it goes.

      What none of these people are is an advocate for the U.S. citizen. It isn't a Democratic thing or a Republican thing. Neither party has shone any interest in taking the FCC away from the entrenched industry interests and putting in people who are more interested in advancing user privacy, securing broadband in all areas of the country (including rural areas), opening up broadband, wireless and ISPs to free market competition, or doing anything else that would actually make the communication industry in the United States better. If anything the FCC is proof that crony capitalism is alive and well in the United States and that both parties are committed to keeping it so.

    29. Re: I don't think it matters by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      A dirty political trick. "We can't legally do X, but we found a way to indirectly achieve X anyway." In this case it's a dirty trick used in support of a position that most here support, so we all cheer it on, but it's still an example of the sort of weasel-law that has come to plague the US. It's not that much different from the Republican practice of trying to ban abortion by imposing abortion-specific safety requirements that are designed to be prohibitively expensive or outright impossible to comply with.

    30. Re:I don't think it matters by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      I mean it should be obvious because congress has already granted the authority to regulate telecommunications.

    31. Re:I don't think it matters by BlueStrat · · Score: 1

      congress has already granted the authority to regulate telecommunications.

      In legislative & regulatory jargon, "telecommunications" and "internet/data services" are not the same things even though you & I know that the technical and functional differences are fast disappearing and the two are merging. In the existing governmental/legislative/regulatory reality they must be addressed separately.

      Laws, and the bodies and processes that create them, often make little logical sense, but there we are. Yay for bloated, overly-bureaucratic government!

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
    32. Re: I don't think it matters by omnichad · · Score: 1

      Not saying I like the precedent, but it's legal all the same. It's so easy for ISPs to comply that there's no question they'll keep providing the state government with Internet service.

    33. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean like how Congress has refused to debate whethert he president can keep troops in Afghanistan, Syria and other places for fifteen years without a declaration of war and whether we should declare war on anybody?

    34. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It's bitztream the autism-hating, custom EpiPen-hating, Musk-hating, Qualcomm-hating, Firefox tabs-hating, Slashdot editors-hating Slashdot troll!

    35. Re:I don't think it matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      RINO doesn't mean anything when you're applying it to Republican presidents like W. Bush and Trump.

    36. Re:I don't think it matters by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

      The argument isn't whether or not a state can preempt federal authority, it's whether a federal agency that has claimed they specifically DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY can somehow also enjoin a State from exercising that authority. Completely opposite issue.

      That would be nice, but in reality the fact the FCC has declared it doesn't have authority does not mean it doesn't have authority.

      The bottom line is:

      1. The FCC does have authority.
      2. You can't force it to say it does, or act, or do its fucking job. No lawsuit or court ruling can make the FCC do anything.
      3. The fact that it has authority means California doesn't.
      and so 4. We're fucked.

      Hold your nose and vote for the Democrats this November.

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  4. No surprise, he channels his boss. by drjoe1e6 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Laws he doesn't like are "illegal." It starts at the top, Pai is simply taking a cue from the head of the executive branch.

    Next up, news outlets he doesn't like are declared "fake."

    --
    Lose = not win ...... Loose = not tight
    1. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Pai was appointed by Obama.

    2. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That political hack job by then NYT on Ambassador Hallie wasn’t “fake”? It was just labeled that because the Trump administration didn’t like the smear and lie they printed and retracted? Looked fake to me.

    3. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by barakn · · Score: 3, Informative

      Pai was designated chairman of the FCC by President Donald Trump.

      --
      "I'm so moist I'm sticking to the leather." -Kermit the Frog on The Late Late Show
    4. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Narcocide · · Score: 1

      Yea, but not as the leader though. He was later bribed then promoted past his level of expertise and trustworthiness by Trump.

    5. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Pai was appointed by Obama.

      You misspelled Verizon.

      Regardless of your political affiliation, let's stop with the bullshitting already. We all know damn well how and why he got to the head of the FCC.

    6. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Rhipf · · Score: 2

      Actually Pai was appointed to the chairman of the FCC by trump. It doesn't really matter if he was initially appointed to the FCC by Obama. When Obama appointed him he was one small cog in the machine. Now he runs the machine. I think that kind of makes a difference.

    7. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It doesn't really matter who pulled the trigger. The person who buried the body is the real murderer.

      --Rhipf

    8. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When Obama appointed him he was one small cog in the machine.

      I don't know - I see Pai as more of a spanner than a cog.

    9. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are only five FCC commissioners, which was the position Pai was appointed to by Obama, saying one is "one small cog in the machine" is disingenuous.

    10. Re:No surprise, he channels his boss. by Rhipf · · Score: 1

      Fair enough maybe "small cog" wasn't the best choice of wording but can you name any of the other 4 commissioners (without looking them up)? The chairman of the FCC is the main person that sets the policy (at the behest of the President). The other 4 commissioners do need to agree on the policies for them to be implemented (well at least 2 of them do) but they don't actually come up with any of the policies. So Pai may have been appointed by Obama but his role was rather limited at the time.

      I won't get into the whole fact that there needs to be at least 2 commissioners from each party and that those commissioners have to be confirmed by the senate before they are officially commissioners.

  5. Funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How a puppet like Pai think he has anything reasonable to say.

    1. Re:Funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dude, you need to cut the guy a break. He's simply earning his paycheck, no different than what you do every day.

    2. Re:Funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, it is completely different. I don't sell my ass for a $5 a shot.

      Besides, a guy doing that much damage? Really, give him a break?

    3. Re:Funny by Narcocide · · Score: 1

      You assume a lot in that sentence.

    4. Re:Funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      job?
      Ajit ChokesonDickPai, its in the name

  6. Just an observation by FilmedInNoir · · Score: 1

    but I think that guy might be in the back pocket of big business. Big chocolate and peanut buttercup mug business.

    --
    Sig. Sig. Sputnik
  7. Telecommunications Carrier by PPH · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Last December, the FCC

    Not their job. Congress makes laws.

    made clear that broadband is just such an information service.

    Telecommunications carrier. Google and Netflix are information services. AT&T, Verizon and Comcast just move it from point A to B.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
    1. Re:Telecommunications Carrier by reg · · Score: 2

      No. The exact point of the Pai's FCC decision is that ISPs are not telecommunications carriers (Title II), only "information services" (Title I). Currently there is no legal difference between Netflix and Comcast.

    2. Re:Telecommunications Carrier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ISPs are not telecommunications carriers

      But that's what the call themselves when they apply for permits to install equipment on public ROWs. If they are not, pull the wires down now.

    3. Re:Telecommunications Carrier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, ISPs are telecommunications carriers, not information services. Pai merely changed the title so that certain telecommunications carriers are treated legally as though they were information services, even though they aren't in practice. It's legal definition affects what laws apply to it, but doesn't change what it actually is. And being legally treated as something other that what you are is a huge loophole for all sorts of abuse.

      Think about this: a restaurant is a business that prepares and serves food to patrons to eat on premises. A carwash cleans people's cars. Let's say there's a certain restaurant that's tired of being subject to health code, so it gets a friendly legislator to reclassify them as a carwash. The restaurant continues to serve food to customers and market themselves as a restaurant would. but no longer legally has to let health inspectors check its kitchens, because it's not legally a restaurant even though that's how it operates. Presumably there are some regulations that apply to carwashes, but as long as the restaurant makes sure never to wash any laws, they don't need to care about them.

      Likewise a bank decides that it's tired of financial regulations and persuades some politician to classify them as a restaurant. They still operate as a bank but are legally titled as a restaurant so all they have to do is keep a small, perfectly clean kitchen and make sure never ever to serve or prepare food, and they pass all health regulations with no effort. Financial regulations? Pfff, those are for banks - we're a restaurant! And we've decided to add some retroactive transaction fees that put your savings account into overdraft at 60% interest p.a.

  8. Re:DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by ArylAkamov · · Score: 1, Funny

    Is this peak autism?

  9. Anonymous Coward calls Ajit Pai a corporate shill by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    On monday, Slashdot user "Anonymous Coward" called the FCC's Chairman Ajit Pai "a corporate shill", saying he "poses a risk to all the USA internet users." The chairman recently reviewed California's Net Neutrality rules and called them "a big pile of stinky poop."

  10. Re: DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I hope we can harness it for power

  11. Re: DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by mwvdlee · · Score: 1

    There does seem to be an inexhaustible supply of it.

    --
    Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
  12. Re:DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i thought it was kinda funny, probably a fellow ac comrade in arm spouting the doctrine

  13. Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

    It recognises them the same as it recognises the countries borders.

    If it's outside a states jurisdiction, it's outside the federal jurisdiction too.

    1. Re: Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines by KingAlanI · · Score: 1

      Commerce with foreign countries or Native American tribes is federal jurisdiction mentioned in the same sentence as interstate

      --
      I listen to both RIAA and non-RIAA stuff if I like the music, tangential business/politics nonwithstanding.
    2. Re:Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines by Green+Mountain+Bot · · Score: 1

      Sure, but this isn't about regulating internet traffic. It's about regulating ISPs, who do indeed have a physical presence within a given state in which they operate.

    3. Re: Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are correct: the moment it involves external countries it becomes a matter for the Federal government.
      Unfortunately the Federal government outright ignored the wishes of the overwhelming population and aligned with a handful of large donors.

    4. Re:Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      It can get ugly at times - sometimes if A and B in the same state want to communicate, the shortest route might be via long-distance fiber across the border to another state or even another country and back. Usually this is not a problem, but sometimes it can be a headache for legal compliance if you have a law or contract saying data must not leave the country, even in transit.

    5. Re:Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines by DirkDaring · · Score: 1

      Sort of. It's more about forcing views they don't agree with off of the internet. Net neutrality has little to nothing to do what what people think its for.

    6. Re:Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines by Local+ID10T · · Score: 1

      Sort of. It's more about forcing views they don't agree with off of the internet. Net neutrality has little to nothing to do what what people think its for.

      Have you read the California bill? I have, and it certainly does not say what you are suggesting that it does.

      --
      "You want to know how to help your kids? Leave them the fuck alone." -George Carlin
  14. Shouting Match by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    FCC: Fuck you, California. California: Fuck you, FCC. These will be the only acceptable expressions in the future of civil service, along with gang tattoos, crack pipes and automatic weapons. The future is Division.

  15. Pigs fly by roc97007 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't believe this. I actually agree with the California legislature. I feel like I should turn in my man card or something.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
    1. Re:Pigs fly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      $ man card
      No manual entry for card

  16. Re:DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by barakn · · Score: 0

    Ajit Pai, is that you?

    --
    "I'm so moist I'm sticking to the leather." -Kermit the Frog on The Late Late Show
  17. Ajit is a troll by TimMD909 · · Score: 1

    Ajit strikes me as the sort of person who would shit in a public pool, then spend the rest of his week filing a lawsuit against the pool for unsanitary conditions.

    1. Re:Ajit is a troll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For anyone with a face that punchable, it has to be true.

    2. Re: Ajit is a troll by TimMD909 · · Score: 1

      Violence against people isn't a good thing and should be avoided. However, I do think his oversized mug is fair game...

  18. States Rights! by darth_borehd · · Score: 1

    Hey, down with the federal government! It is states rights.

    Unless it is something I disagree or will anger my donors, then it's illegal!

  19. Re:Quick! Someone kick this tyrant in the cunt! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "...until he takes the time to become a US citizen and respect our great country's laws"
    how does being US citizen help him respect Russian laws?

  20. The Correction can't come soon enough by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Trump being out of office and pieces of shit like Ajit Pai being FIRED and replaced with a relatively non-corrupt appointee all just can't come fast enough.

    1. Re:The Correction can't come soon enough by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No one will ever love you.
      You're going to die, alone, a kissless virgin, and no one will come to your funeral.
      They'll just stick your ashes in a cardboard box on a shelf in some County warehouse, and when no one claims you, you'll get put in a landfill somewhere, forgotten.
      This is the fate of fat, ugly, personality-less incels.
      You should just kill yourself, now, and save yourself a pointless lifetime of failure, pain, regret, and loneliness.
      Do it now, AC. It's for the best.

    2. Re:The Correction can't come soon enough by DCFusor · · Score: 1

      I suspect Trump will fire him as he's so unpopular he'll threaten Trump winning....I know I would, even if I agreed with Pai, which I don't - and Trump hasn't said.

      --
      Why guess when you can know? Measure!
    3. Re:The Correction can't come soon enough by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      derp derp derp HILLARY IN A LANDSLIDE!!
      derp derp derp TEH ECONOMY WILL CRASH!!
      derp derp derp RUSSIAN COLLUSION! IMPEACHMENT ANY SECOND NOW!
      derp derp derp LOOK AT ME! ME GENIUS LIBERAL! PAY ATTENTION TO ME!

    4. Re:The Correction can't come soon enough by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Go back to your containment unit (http://boards.4chan.org/pol/) and stay there or we'll medicate you again.
      Also stop stalking the barista at Starbucks, remember the management said they'd ban you if you didn't stop calling her 'sweet tits'.

    5. Re:The Correction can't come soon enough by terrycarlino · · Score: 1

      Dream on. You mean the Democrats will not appoint a corporate shill like they did all the other times they picked an FCC Chairman?

      Look every FCC chairman since Roosevelt has been a corporate lobbyist. It's just the industry that's changed. First it was the radio broadcast industry. Then The Television industry. One of them was the guy who made the blackball list for McCarthy. Telecom shills, AOL shills. This guy is a Verizon shll. Bill Clinton appointed a guy who worked for the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law, a telcom industry shill. Bush a guy who worked for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and Obama appointed a guy whop had worked for Fox Broadcasting and USA network and then another NTCA guy. Then Trump appointed this bozo from Verizon.

      So yeah. Tell me that Trump screwed up when he appointed this industry hack. I'll agree with you. But don't pretend that then next person will be any better. Every one of them has been a corrupt industry hack and as long as the Ds & Rs think they can get away with it they will both continue to appoint industry shills to this position.

    6. Re:The Correction can't come soon enough by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      He said "relatively non-corrupt." A more realistic goal.

    7. Re:The Correction can't come soon enough by antdude · · Score: 1

      Even if that happens, will we really get better replacements? It seems every new people we get, things are worse!

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  21. What Ajit Pai will be remembered for by slack_justyb · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think we can all safely say that Ajit Pai will be mostly remembered as someone who ran the FCC in a pretty horrible manner. I don't think fifty years from now anyone will have any kind of fond memory of his tenure at the FCC, even less his leadership.

    One, really big defining feature has been his lack of care for any kind of input outside his own and his acknowledged circle. Pai has mostly taken critics and professionals who have criticized him and mostly mocked them. It's one thing to indicate that you do not agree and pass ruling, it is entirely a different thing to show the level of contempt Pai has had for the public at large. Considering past FCC Chairs, Pai has been the most antagonistic to the public since the FCC's inception.

    I think this is the biggest thing about Pai's tenure, his complete lack of care for the public. Every argument made thus far from Pai's FCC has been, "this will be good for business" and while I have yet to see that in effect, all of that aside, the public is mostly whom the chair should be acting in the interest for. Arguments should begin and end there and for goodness sake, shouldn't be the target of agitation in a public stage. We get it Pai, you believe everyone is an idiot who isn't you, but that happens in your home/your head. Openly acting out frustration is a clear sign that perhaps you weren't cut out for civil service.

    And that is what I feel Pai will be most remembered for. Long after everyone here has turned to dust, Pai's name in FCC history will be mostly associated with what FCC Chairs ought not to do with respects to the citizens of this country. And that might not have registered with him or perhaps he is content/not caring with the tragedy of what it is, that the majority of his professional life can be summed up with whatever you do, don't do it like Ajit Pai. Even if it does win over whatever in business, which I highly doubt, simply his hostile treatment of those who criticizes him puts him into a ranking unlike any who have come before him, and perhaps any who comes after him.

    1. Re:What Ajit Pai will be remembered for by omnichad · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It's one thing to indicate that you do not agree and pass ruling, it is entirely a different thing to show the level of contempt Pai has had for the public at large. Considering past FCC Chairs, Pai has been the most antagonistic to the public since the FCC's inception.

      Turns out that a "healthy economy" does not equate with better conditions for voters.

    2. Re:What Ajit Pai will be remembered for by ArchieBunker · · Score: 1

      I don't believe the FCC even has the authority to regulate how the internet operates. Their biggest influence is allowing broadcast licenses and issuing fines for dirty words spoken in broadcasts. Can they fine Comcast for taking money from Netflix to so their packets get priority over Hulu's packets? Unlikely. Can they write new laws or regulations? No, all they can do is lobby congress to make new laws.

      --
      Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
  22. Re:Anonymous Coward calls Ajit Pai a corporate shi by arbiter1 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    They call him the shill but ignore that every democrat he is defending is on corporate payroll as well.

  23. Domino Theory Redux by JackSpratts · · Score: 1

    Pai: "The broader problem is that California's micromanagement poses a risk to the rest of the country. For if individual states like California regulate the Internet, this will directly impact citizens in other states."

    Kissinger would approve.

    - js.

  24. Re:Quick! Someone kick this tyrant in the cunt! by Narcocide · · Score: 1

    Now even our sitting president won't respect the laws. How do you expect anyone else to behave like an adult with that type of example to follow?

  25. I agree with Pai... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "it should be resolved by the people's elected representatives" -Ajit Pai [1]

    "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." -The U.S. Bill of Rights, Amendment X [2]

    [1] https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-327104A5.docx
    [2] https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript#toc-amendment-x

  26. Pai's strongest supporter? by Snufu · · Score: 1

    The president who appointed him. You can't like one guy and dislike the other. "Drain the swamp" by making the water deeper?

    1. Re:Pai's strongest supporter? by h4x0t · · Score: 1

      Dilute the swamp with raw sewage.

    2. Re:Pai's strongest supporter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      By FCC laws, a republican had to be appointed. Obama did his job and appointed one. I wish others would do their job as well.

    3. Re:Pai's strongest supporter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The president who appointed him. You can't like one guy and dislike the other. "Drain the swamp" by making the water deeper?

      It's homeopathy, to drain the swamp keep adding additional swamp. Eventually, the "non-swampness" will be super concentrated and can be applied to sugar pills and sold.

    4. Re:Pai's strongest supporter? by thewolfkin · · Score: 1

      The president had to appoint someone from the opposing party.

      --
      Just another second banana
    5. Re:Pai's strongest supporter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Doesn't have to be the other party, but has historically followed a 3:2 mix of commissioners, with 3 being the party of the president and 2 being the opposition party.

  27. He's Not Wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He's not wrong. But, he is a cock-gobbling piece of shit.

  28. Not at all true. by gerald.edward.butler · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Go read the constitution. Go read the constitutions of the states. Check which states have economic leverage. Then tell me Federal Law supersedes State Law. Period. I say you're full of it. Prove me wrong. States' Rights. States' Rights. States' Rights!

    You know what gives States Rights? Economic Leverage. Who has it? Who doesn't? If you're answer to the former is Red States in central and southern states, you'd be wrong. California has enormous economic influence. If you think they can't flex those muscles, you are naive to say the least.

    1. Re:Not at all true. by omfglearntoplay · · Score: 3, Interesting

      As a person from the south, I sure am happy we have California to get something like this done. Thank you Cali!!!

  29. Cannot govern by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The Republicans have proven that they cannot govern. They have been taken over by kooks - like the Evangelical Christians (a bunch of morons) and the billionaires who use the support of those useful idiots to push through their agenda.

    I think most members of the Republican base are just so misinformed and refuse to believe any facts, that they are just voting cannon fodder. Look at what's happening to the fly-over states. Trump is their boy but he is fucking them - and they are STILL supporting him!

    We're supposed to respect the other side, but it's real hard when the other side is just delusional and living in a fantasy bubble.

    I can't complain too much, though. The Republican shenanigans during the Obama years have lined my pockets; which I throw into the faces of every "conservative" I know.

    1. Re:Cannot govern by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Republicans have proven that they cannot govern. They have been taken over by kooks - like the Evangelical Christians (a bunch of morons> ) and the billionaires who use the support of those useful idiots to push through their agenda.

      I think most members of the Republican base are just so misinformed and refuse to believe any facts, that they are just voting cannon fodder. Look at what's happening to the fly-over states. Trump is their boy but he is fucking them - and they are STILL supporting him!

      We're supposed to respect the other side, but it's real hard when the other side is just delusional and living in a fantasy bubble.

      I can't complain too much, though. The Republican shenanigans during the Obama years have lined my pockets; which I throw into the faces of every "conservative" I know.

      Remember, always resort to name calling to get your point across.

    2. Re:Cannot govern by aaarrrgggh · · Score: 2

      You might do well to get out of your bubble to understand why people support Republicans, because you clearly have blinders on.

      Don’t get me wrong— I am a “rich” agnostic liberal all day long, but understanding people with different ideas is what makes you capable of a debate. There are good things to be taken from many ideologies.

  30. Re:Indeed! by Xenx · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Keeping the FCC from regulating Internet is what ensures an open internet.

    There are two definitions of open being used. There is open, as in every site and person has relatively equal access to the internet. They're not restricted by what their ISP tells them they can/can't have, or at what price point and speeds they get it. This is what net neutrality is about. Then, there is open as in the ISPs and other major companies are open to exploit it and its users for as much money as they can. This is what Pai and the FCC are currently all about.

    When dealing with monopolies and duopolies, it's impossible for the free market to regulate itself. Government has to step in to maintain a level of fairness.

  31. Bribeocracy by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a member of the Republican administration, shouldn't Ajit Pai be happy that California is executing it's State's Rights...

    GOP only favors States' Rights when the Democrats are in power, just like "fiscal discipline".

    In practice, GOP is in the back pockets of corporations. Well, both parties are, to be fair (though not to the same degree.) We are more plutocracy than democracy. Campaign donations are legalized bribery and should be capped, but the GOP courts ended most capping, arguing more or less that such bribery is "free speech" and that corporations should have most of the same rights as humans.

    It does look like we are on a slippery slope whereby the richer the rich get, the more money they have to bribe to keep getting richer in a feedback cycle. The increasing inequality is objective evidence of such a cycle. Beware, though, history shows it may end badly.

    1. Re:Bribeocracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yep.
      Google, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, are all falling over themselves attempting to help the GOP in ANY WAY POSSIBLE.

      Oh wait, thats not right. They are doing "in kind donations" to the DNC and not reporting it to FEC. Which business is in the pocket of the GOP? Oh yea, the ones that the middle class work at. How about that? GOP working for the majority of Americans.

    2. Re:Bribeocracy by Tablizer · · Score: 2

      Google, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, are all falling over themselves attempting to help the GOP in ANY WAY POSSIBLE [sarcasm]

      I didn't say GOP was exclusively the problem. Read it again. But in general I'd say that top management of large companies leans toward the right. The companies you listed lean left socially but centrally on tax and economic issues. Tim Cook has given personal money to the GOP (and praised the tax cuts with little if any mention of the long-term debt problem they cause.)

      On taxes and economics, I'd guestimate all the larger corporations divide up something like:

      Far left: 10%
      Centrist: 50%
      Far right: 40%

      They are doing "in kind donations" to the DNC and not reporting it to FEC.

      That's a problem regardless of party. But in general DNC has been more in favor of legislation on donor transparency than GOP.

      Which business is in the pocket of the GOP? Oh yea, the ones that the middle class work at.

      That doesn't necessarily mean their employees benefit from their employer being GOP. Please clarify.

    3. Re:Bribeocracy by Darinbob · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The biggest advocates of states' rights in the past were with slave holding states and later segregationist states, which were Democrat at the time. Political parties, of course, change over time. And for a long time the Democrats were the opposition of the hated Republicans that eliminated slavery. This lasted a long time until the Democrats were the driving force behind the civili rights act, at which point most leading Democrats left the party en masse, often to join the Republicans and also to try and form the short-lived Dixiecrats. This was exploited by Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater in their "southern strategies" to woo white voters away from the Democrats.

      Which is why I think it's absolutely absurd that some ex-segregationists proudly proclaimed to be in the party of Lincoln, when the parties today have so little resemblance to those in the past.

    4. Re:Bribeocracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Campaign donations are legalized bribery and should be capped, but the GOP courts ended most capping, arguing more or less that such bribery is "free speech" and that corporations should have most of the same rights as humans.

      It does look like we are on a slippery slope whereby the richer the rich get, the more money they have to bribe to keep getting richer in a feedback cycle. The increasing inequality is objective evidence of such a cycle.

      We need public financing period. That way there is no bias towards or against the level of wealth a person has in seeking public office.

      We also need reasonable limitations on what corporations and well anyone can advocate for. They are not people. They should be able to advocate for rules that benefit them, but not political parties or individual people. If a person is on the ballot advertisements should be based on public financing.

      If individual people want to, on their own dime, go door to door and speak, post online/etc that is fine, but the only paid people to advocate for or against candidates should be those paid through public financing.

      Of course it is not just about direct donations. Fox news is arguably an indirect contributor to the republican party, and so are huge corporate behemoths like Sinclair broadcasting. We probably need minimum standards for accuracy and completeness for sources that call themselves legitimate news. It is slightly risky, but doing nothing is likely worse. I suppose Fox could run a disclaimer before Hannity, "The following program is meant only for entertainment and is not checked for accuracy. Viewer discretion is advised."

    5. Re:Bribeocracy by mbkennel · · Score: 2

      What 10% of corporations are "far left"? And what do you mean by "far left"? Somebody who favors substantial nationalization of private industry? Or somebody who is against eating arsenic involuntarily?

    6. Re:Bribeocracy by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      I'd like to revise that list:

      Left: 10%
      Centrist: 50%
      Right: 40%

    7. Re:Bribeocracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bravo, this should be a ten. Absolutely spot on, not sure how this escaped the slashdot trolls and was up modded. One other great fact about the feedback cycle of wealth concentration is that the country become less and less economically efficient. Just look at any third world country that has very high wealth concentration and you will see a very inefficient and stagnant economy.

    8. Re:Bribeocracy by painandgreed · · Score: 1

      I'd like to revise that list:

      Left: 10% Centrist: 50% Right: 40%

      Which to the rest of the world pretty much translates to:

      Centrist: 10%
      Right: 50%
      Far Right: 40%

      I'll consider a large corporation part of the left when they have their on section advocating workers issues with a separate chain of command from management and their own CxO.

    9. Re:Bribeocracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A corporation by definition can't be "far left". That would be a worker owned business, which are quite numerous but don't tend to make millionaires out of a few at the top, instead making sure all employees get good pay and benefits. That is "far left".

  32. Re:Fuck this dothead piece of shit. by Rhipf · · Score: 3, Informative

    Didn't realize Hawaii seceded from the US. When did that happen?

  33. This is the best part of the Trump administration by SuperKendall · · Score: 0

    In the end my favorite feature of the Trump administration, is that it shows people who want everything to be controlled by a faceless remote central government, that federalism is a really super good idea and you should probably support it.

    In short, isn't it better to let states decide what they want to do rather than let the federal government dictate everything?

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  34. How broad is the problem? by MobileC · · Score: 2

    "The broader problem is that California's micromanagement poses a risk to the rest of the country. After all, broadband is an interstate service; Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines. It follows that only the federal government can set regulatory policy in this area."

    The broader problem is Ajit Pai.
    Internet traffic doesn't recognise Country boundaries either. It follows that only a World Government can set regulatory policy in this area.

    --

    Fran
    :):):)
    1st 1st Poster of the new Millennium!

  35. You can have both arguments by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    they're mutually exclusive. The Feds don't have authority, but neither do the states. The Feds lack authority because there is no explicit law saying they have authority. The states lack authority because of the commerce clause. This is all logically consistent. Want Net Neutrality? Pass a law. Though a Republican run Congress. Good luck with that.

    When you're starting from your conclusion and working your way backwards it's easy-peasy to make it all work. When you've got control of all branches of government plus the media you can make it stick.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
    1. Re:You can have both arguments by mujadaddy · · Score: 1

      The states lack authority because of the commerce clause.

      No, they don't. Not when it comes to how businesses in their state are allowed to operate. Citation: Tenth Amendment.

      --
      Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
      "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
    2. Re:You can have both arguments by mujadaddy · · Score: 1
      Sorry, I missed this comment:

      The Feds don't have authority, but neither do the states.

      ...which clearly identifies you as a non-serious commentor. Which also explains why you haven't replied to my posts.

      --
      Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
      "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
    3. Re:You can have both arguments by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      It is also not Pai's job to be suing here. He has no standing to sue, as he's said his agency doesn't have authority to regulate. He's only saying this as a private citizen.

  36. Pie in ass? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When Ajit Pai fucks you in the ass, you should have the decency to STAY fucked in the ass.

  37. Here is the ultimate solution for Net Neutrality by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    IMHO:
    Imagine that if US Federal government passed a law mandating (Min) 1 G-bit fiber internet, for whole US, by a certain date!
    (So that nobody's internet connection speed would be significantly slowdown, even if everyone else was constantly watching hi-def video!)

  38. still a piece Ajit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    seriously fuck Ajit Pai, he's bought by the telecoms and deserves ball cancer.

  39. I'm a little jealous of the telecoms by flacco · · Score: 1

    I mean, this guy really sucks and sucks until he gets every last drop.

    --
    pr0n - keeping monitor glass spotless since 1981.
  40. Nearly everything about CA by bblb · · Score: 0

    Nearly everything about CA "poses a risk to the rest of the country"... Cali is where freedom goes to die. Unless your idea of freedom is illegal immigration and folks shitting in the streets, in which case, it'd be your unique kind of utopia.

  41. So much for states rights..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    funny how the republican can be SELECTIVELY all in on states rights..... Restrict abotion, yes. Net Neutrality, nope..

  42. Re:Indeed! by ooloorie · · Score: 0

    When dealing with monopolies and duopolies, it's impossible for the free market to regulate itself. Government has to step in to maintain a level of fairness.

    You're on the side of monopolies by spreading this b.s. Stable monopolies are only ever created by government, foremost the ISPs, Google, and Netflix. And Scott Wiener and his wealthy tech donors would like to keep their corporations protected from competition.

  43. Not really the slam dunk you think it is by OrangeTide · · Score: 1

    There is no doubt in my mind that Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 gives the FCC the authority to regulate broadband. You could even argue that means the FCC has jurisdiction, and I would also agree that is very likely (almost certain!).

    But what you overlook is that non-exclusive jurisdiction is possible, and California legislature and courts could adjudicate on these matters. I think California will be able to attempt to enforce net neutrality like rules for a time, and we'll see later if higher courts settle the arguably unsettled status of this issue. If it was settled in favor of the FCC, it could very well be a Commerce Clause issue, but not necessarily so.

    I think it would be damning if 9th Circuit saw a case for this and ruled against California. That would be the end of it. But I think that is incredibly unlikely given the 9th Circuit's track record on populist and high profile cases. Would SCOTUS even hear such a case after the 9th Circuit ruled on it? possible, but maybe not. Would this first go somewhere other than the 9th? seems very unlikely.

    (all speculation. I have no crystal ball!)

    --
    “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
    1. Re:Not really the slam dunk you think it is by mbkennel · · Score: 1

      A ISP deciding to conduct its business in a manner compatible with 'net neutrality' is a legal business decision, and does no harm to others in other states. There are local access points entirely inside California,

      States have power to tax those that don't.

    2. Re:Not really the slam dunk you think it is by swb · · Score: 1

      How would this affect municipal regulation of cable companies? What if their monopoly agreements with Comcast, et al, were suddenly seen as unenforceable due to this becoming the exclusive domain of the Federal government?

      So many states have public utilities commissions that regulate utilities, it's hard to see the Feds being able to nullify this in court. I would have thought that other utilities would have tried long ago to wipe out local regulations if this was a viable legal theory.

    3. Re: Not really the slam dunk you think it is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      California ought to publicly declare in advance if they lose they will eminent domain up all the fiber optic lines in the state.

    4. Re: Not really the slam dunk you think it is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How would this affect municipal regulation of cable companies? What if their monopoly agreements with Comcast, et al, were suddenly seen as unenforceable due to this becoming the exclusive domain of the Federal government?

      Read the 1990s Cable Act.

      That already happened.

  44. Re:DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    For fuck's sake

    SHUT

    THE

    FUCK

    UP

    you freakish little mutant

  45. Re:DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you wouldn't know truth if it peed in your butt

  46. Bullsh*t excuse by RogueWarrior65 · · Score: 0

    People REALLY need to start reading and understanding the 10th Amendment. Either the FCC has jurisdiction over the internet or it doesn't. You can't have it both ways. If the FCC was really legally allowed to turn ISPs into public utilities, then the states, cities, etc. could do nothing about it. By the same token, if the FCC has jurisdiction over ISPs and chooses to NOT create net neutrality regulations, then the states can't do anything about it either. Tough noogies. If, on the other hand, the DPRC is legally allowed to implement net neutrality, then by the 10th Amendment, the FCC was never allowed to do what it did under the last administration. Tough noogies.
    By the same token, if the federal government chooses not to enforce federal immigration law then cities and states can, then cities and states can choose to enforce or not as they see fit. Tough noogies for the federal court. You can't have it both ways. This isn't a pick-and-choose which laws we like and which ones we don't country.
    Bottom line is that like so many other things that were rammed down the throats of the people, Congress should be the one making the rule and suffer whatever electoral consequences come of it.

    1. Re:Bullsh*t excuse by SuricouRaven · · Score: 2

      You're right: This is an issue which Congress should have addressed. Maybe they'd come down in favor of neutrality, maybe not, but either way the legal situation would be clear. But congress has not acted - first because this new interwebs thing was a novelty they did not understand, and when it grew too big to ignore they still did not act because they were paralysed by partisan bickering. So we have this rather ugly arrangement in which the FCC is doing the job with somewhat dubious legal authority, and a tendency to completely reverse positions overnight when someone new is appointed to run it. It's an ugly and impractical situation, but it's what we're stuck with right now.

  47. Re:Quick! Someone kick this tyrant in the cunt! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Oh. I didn't realize America does not have checks and balances, and that it is a third world country, and doesn't have separation of federal and state power, and is a quasi-dictatorship.
    Yes, the idiot was born in America.
    Next time, check your facts. Just because he has dark skin does not mean he came from another country, and if they are does not mean you should think less of them. I hate what he has been doing - but given the choice, I would throw your ass out of the country first.

  48. his name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    is a shit pie

    1. Re:his name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No no no, hish name is pro-nounced - I shit Poo.

  49. Next firing. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    President Trump,

    Please give the next Pink Slip to Ajit Pai.
    Ajit Pai is against your voting base.

  50. hahahahaha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    HAHAHA Ajit Pai got boned by Wiener!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  51. Re:Fuck this dothead piece of shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think it was some time before the Hawaiian nation's legal monarchy was crushed by the white men from western europe via the big land mass to the east.

  52. What a Stooge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think this guy is pure evil.

  53. Re:This is the best part of the Trump administrati by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    >In short, isn't it better to let states decide what they want to do rather than let the federal government dictate everything?
    Until Wal-Mart phamacies in Arkansas are allowed to sell bulk generic opiates to anyone who presents a valid and up to date out of state drivers license. I hope something happens where you are exposed to some states rights.
    There are towns in the US, usually fairly peaceful places. But they're as corrupt as anywhere, the people running these small governments are mafias that steal and murder as much as they want but generally do a good job of keeping the peace and maintaining a tight monopoly on violence and disorder. They would of course love to do anything they can to reduce the influence of larger powers.

    I hope you run into some town, nice and tired, late at night, get pulled over, and then they finally let you drive out of town early noon the next day after dicking around with you for laughs all night. Just for me please scream "I LOVE STATES RIGHTS I RESPECT UR RIGHTS!" when you're locked naked in a cold running shower until "they're ready to process you"

  54. c6gunner IMPERSONATING me again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    c6gunner your FAKEname's on a post impersonating me & worse is you altering /. user's words https://linux.slashdot.org/com... as I challenged you to show you do better work and you can't after you tried to mock me you hypocrite LYING loser https://linux.slashdot.org/com... .

    * You're online FAKENAME trash c6gunner & a childish dishonest punk.

    PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH TOO saying what I don't on spectre/meltdown https://tech.slashdot.org/comm... & I haven't had a MacOS X version recompiled for me yet (I don't own a Mac but I have a friend who does & can code (to a good extent, good enough to load FreePascal 3.0.4 + patches & Lazarus 1.8.2 IDE for it in 64-bit to do so but he is a BUSY guy, just waiting on him for it to do this as a FAVOR to me...))

    APK

    P.S.=> Impossible to deny FACT of your FAKEname (for your FAKE wasted lie of a so-called life) on that 1st post link above you unbelievable loser... apk

  55. Ah, the graduate! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ah, the graduate from THE UNIVERSITY OF DUMB in you again as I made that abundantly clear about you per https://yro.slashdot.org/comme... where I point out how STUPID you are hypocrite!

    * Yes - thanks for showing your face (as usual HIDING behind UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous on your part weezil) so I can point that one out to everyone so they can laugh @ you too!

    APK

    P.S.=> Unbelievable - your IQ must be 10 below plantlife level... apk

  56. Ah, the graduate! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ah, the graduate from THE UNIVERSITY OF DUMB in you again as I made that abundantly clear about you per https://yro.slashdot.org/comme... where I point out how STUPID you are hypocrite!

    * Yes - thanks for showing your face (as usual HIDING behind UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous on your part weezil) so I can point that one out to everyone so they can laugh @ you too!

    APK

    P.S.=> Unbelievable - your IQ must be 10 below plantlife level... apk

  57. Re:Indeed! by Xenx · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The reality is that you're either terribly confused, or have a vested interest in allowing ISPs to run roughshod all over their customers. Net neutrality has nothing to do with creating or enforcing the monopolies. It has no impact on whether there is market competition for ISPs. It has nothing to do with propping up major content providers. It only exists as a preventative measure, to keep the ISPs from having too much power over their customers given their status as a monopoly/duopoly.

    ISPs should be a common carrier. I'm not talking about classification, that would be another argument, but method of operation. They exist solely to connect you to what you want online. They have every right to charge you for the service they provide, based on how much data you use and/or how fast the data can flow. They should have no control over what sites/services you use online, or the speeds of those sites/services in relation to any other.

  58. up next by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Tapes where Ajit is getting pissed on and brutally anally raped by various ladyboys, and feminine thngs with strap-ons.

    Then Ms-mash licks up the "leavings"

    Ajit Pai is a fucking tool.
    Why the fuck are his comments still relevant?

    I wanna see his TAX income returns..

    1. Re:up next by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They aren't paying Ajit directly, that would be illegal. It is hish alter-ego that gets the checks, you know, the one that wears feathers while being bred by a Clydesdale...

  59. Pai is correct. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Everyone who supports nonsense like Net Neutrality is wrong.

     

  60. Let's not forget... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let's not forget who originally appointed Ajit Pai to the FCC commission---and it wasn't Trump.
    It was the asshole that preceded the current shit stain on the constitution.

  61. Hey, Ajit, does your ass hurt? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Having 4 hands shoved up your ass to control your mouth so that you spew nothing but what your AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, ad nauseum, overlords want you to say has got to fucking hurt...

    But you deserve every iota of pain you feel. You also deserve to spend the rest of your life in an underground cave with no heat or electricity, drinking your own urine, recycled through a filter paid for by your overlords.

  62. Re:Indeed! by ooloorie · · Score: 1

    Net neutrality has nothing to do with creating or enforcing the monopolies.

    You brought up monopolies, not me.

    They have every right to charge you for the service they provide, based on how much data you use and/or how fast the data can flow

    Yet you want to deny them that right when the customer is called "Google" or "Netflix".

    ISPs should be a common carrier

    I remember when they were; it sucked. Badly. Obviously, you're too young to remember.

  63. Just remember. . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It was Obama that hired Ajit Pai.

  64. Re:Quick! Someone kick this tyrant in the cunt! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now even our sitting president won't respect the laws. How do you expect anyone else to behave like an adult with that type of example to follow?

    Kinda like our last President?

    "We're not just going to be waiting for legislation," Obama announced. "I've got a pen and I've got a phone...and I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions."

    Or does that only matter if the sitting president is from the party you don't like?

  65. Seriously guys? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Commerce Clause refers to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.”
    The internet is definitely commerce among the states. California doesn't have an in-state internet...they don't have monopoly on the internet.

  66. I have but one piece of advice: by Kyudosha · · Score: 1

    Go fuck your shoe, Ajit Pai.

    --
    ç
  67. Sorry to interrupt Yankee wank-fest... by mutantSushi · · Score: 1

    "The broader problem is that California's micromanagement poses a risk to the rest of the country. After all, broadband is an interstate service; Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines. It follows that only the federal government can set regulatory policy in this area." Last I checked, the internet is a GLOBAL service, and much of California traffic may be dealing with networks in entirely different countries, under a wide variety of legal norms. Yet the internet doesn't break because of that. If the internet works just fine between New York and Tokyo and Beijing and Moscow and Frankfurt, San Francisco ISPs operating under slightly different rules than New York just doesn't matter.

  68. Ajit Pai, go fuck yourself! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As an Indian American, I am ashamed that this asshole is from my community. What a joke he has made of regulatory authorities. Those who are meant to look out for common good have become whores for the Industry. Kudos to people of California for rising up against this. I have never used such language in a forum, but seriously Ajit Pai, go fuck yourself you asshole!

  69. go back to India by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm not even an ethic racist and i cant this curry eating pajeet. Go back to India where you belong fag

  70. FCC writes the licenses. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The license is an agreement outside law statutes to enact a particular way, just like any employment contract, and cannot request illegal actions, but other than that has no limit on what extra restritions can be placed on you to agree to it. See the ToS. Therefore the FCC can write a license that includes net neutrality 100% legally. Yet here you are pretending that this is not possible?

    Where did you lose your brain?

  71. He's absolutely right! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines. It follows that only the federal government can set regulatory policy in this area.

    Let's dwell on that for a second. Internet also doesn't end at country lines. It follows that only the UN can set regulatory policy in this area.

  72. state border vs land borders by sad_ · · Score: 1

    "After all, broadband is an interstate service; Internet traffic doesn't recognize state lines."

    and it doesn't recognize countires either. well, i guess we're all 'illegal'.

    --
    On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
  73. Re:DaMattster = fake name massive human fail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you wouldn't know truth if it peed in your butt

    On the contrary, truth peed in my butt just last week and I could tell immediately.

  74. state rights by luis_a_espinal · · Score: 1

    Well, well, well. So state rights and small, local gubmints are good till they ain't. And big gubmint is bad until it tries to control someone's uterus or stifle net neutrality. Who didn't see this one coming?

  75. Why are news outlets giving him a platform? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Didn't he rescind Wheelers title 2 classification based on the argument that authority does not rest under the FCC but under the FTC? After that it is clear that anything to do with net neutrality does not fall under his authority and as such he has no right to an opinion regarding anything to do with net neutrality.

    He is just a corrupt shill and to answer my own question they do it to make people angry and share their stories to more people who be angry and share some more.

  76. Re:Indeed! by pbhenson · · Score: 1

    > Yet you want to deny them that right when the customer is called "Google" or "Netflix"

    Netflix/Google aren't the "customer" of the ISP in question. The actual customer of Netflix/Google is the *customer* of the ISP. The ISP is just standing in the middle demanding more money from companies that aren't their customers in order to actually deliver the packets their paying customers requested.

    It's like the owner of an apartment building making a deal with Pizza Hut, their delivery guys get in free to drop off pizzas to the residents, but the doorman demands $10 from the Papa John's delivery guy or he won't let him in... Nothing but corporate greed to see here.

  77. Re:Indeed! by ooloorie · · Score: 1

    Netflix/Google aren't the "customer" of the ISP in question

    No, they are a customer of a different ISP, and that other ISP then peers with the ISP that you are a customer of. So, they have a contract with their ISP, you have a contract with your ISP, and the two ISPs have a contract with each other. All of these are voluntary, and all of these balance out the costs and values of the different market participants correctly.

    It's like the owner of an apartment building making a deal with Pizza Hut, their delivery guys get in free to drop off pizzas to the residents, but the doorman demands $10 from the Papa John's delivery guy or he won't let him in...

    And the owner of the apartment building can simply fire the doorman. So, based on your own example, there is no need for government regulation.

  78. Re:Indeed! by pbhenson · · Score: 1

    > And the owner of the apartment building can simply fire the doorman Admitedly, it’s not a perfect example. As if a resident of that building didn’t like the owner’s policies, they could easily move to one of no doubt dozens of other competing buildings in that area. As opposed to the customer of an ISP, who at best might have two choices, and quite possibly only one, and both are monopolies with captive audiences. And why would the owner fire the doorman who is implementing the policies he wants? That would be like the ISPs no longer giving bribes to the FCC when they’re so perfectly serving their agenda...

  79. How's life in the hypocrite lane?

  80. Expel Ajit Pai from USA by NewYork · · Score: 1

    petition2congress.com/20010/expel-brahmin-from-usa/