Posted on 12/21/2010 10:40:28 AM PST by Red in Blue PA
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday approved a plan to regulate the Internet despite warnings that it could strangle industry investment and damage an economy that is still struggling to recover.
The 3-2 vote fell along partisan lines with Democrats capitalizing on their numerical advantage.
The rules would prohibit phone and cable companies from abusing their control over broadband connections to discriminate against rival content or services, such as Internet phone calls or online video, or play favorites with Web traffic.
Lawmakers in both parties have been arguing for months that Congress, not the Obama administration, should take the lead role in deciding whether and how much to police the web. But despite a brief backing-off earlier in the year, the FCC has pushed ahead with its new regulatory plan.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski secured the three votes needed for approval, despite firm opposition from the two Republicans on the five-member commission.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
In this case if the Court overturns the FCC action the Internet carriers will be free to INGORE THEM. You see, it works both ways.
I'm sure there is. It's a couple thousands pages long. No one's probably even read it yet.
When will we as a nation say enough is enough and do something about it?
When will we as a nation say enough is enough and do something about it?
Technically, this is unenforceable. If the FCC would try to force AT&T to change their business model, AT&T would easily win in court (via recent USSC ruling).
Practically, if the Obama administration cannot get its way in court, it will resort to Chicago-style politics.
This is a blatant disregard for the separation of powers. The Executive branch is ignoring the Judicial branch. I hope the GOP House is ready to play hardball.
The pro side of this argument cites the ‘evil’ of Corporatism that must be leashed at every turn. My concern is that these folks do not similarly recognize the ‘evil’ of unrestrained government. I think that they believe that government can’t be evil.
The pro side argues that Comcast et al will charge different rates for users based on their habits and predilections (streaming movies etc) and possibly filtering some sites entirely. We know that it can be done - look at the content filtering that China does.
I maintain that whatever heavy-handedness that any corporation may wield, it pales in comparison to the routine heavy-handedness of government.
As for jurisdiction, I haven’t seen a single thing that authorizes the FCC to say what happens on the interwebby, but when has a little thing like that ever stopped dhimicrats?!
Proceeding 09-191 comment submissions are still open, at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/hotdocket/list
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment_search/execute?proceeding=09-191
I don’t have the time to check whether this is the relevant proceeding, what the response status is, etc., but it might help someone with more knowledge on this agency and issue.
>>The FCC has no jurisdiction or authority to regulate the internet.<<
I am sorta treating this as if I were hearing a story that the FCC voted to regulate the newsprint industry.
Meh.
1) The USSC ruled that this is outside of the FCC's jurisdiction.
2) The FCC is not in the business of telling companies how to price and provide services. Generally the free market does that.
The most likely outcome is for the executive branch to say "Don't make me use this stick, here, why don't you just do business this way and there will be no trouble. Play along, and I won't bother you."
Odd that they keep the comments open after the comment period and response and even this decision.
It might not help, but it’s good to be on record.
Your post nails it....that is exactly how it will play out.
The new House. The one coming in a month. The one that was elected by a pissed off public, not the one that was snowed into thinking that Obama was the Messiah.
>>I maintain that whatever heavy-handedness that any corporation may wield, it pales in comparison to the routine heavy-handedness of government.<<
I look at it this way: If I refuse to buy a GM car, or use Comcast, or use Charmin toilet paper, what are those bad ol’ companies gonna do to me?
OTOH, if I refuse to cooperate with my government, people come to my home with guns and I get put in a place where I am afraid to drop the soap.
So...which should I fear?
Exactly! Power...nothing more than power, period.
More regulations, more social engineering...
... screw you, Julius Genachowski and your commie pinko pals!
More information then a FoxNews report:
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