IMPORTANT: Save Internet Neutrality!

[ElijahFalling]

Want to keep being able to visit sites like Christian Forums?

This is an extremely important issue that will affect EVERYONE who uses the internet. For those unfamiliar with net neutrality, here is a quick crash course written in layman's terms courtesy of http://www.savetheinternet.com:

What is this about?
This is about Internet freedom. "Network Neutrality" -- the First Amendment of the Internet -- ensures that the public can view the smallest blog just as easily as the largest corporate Web site by preventing Internet companies like AT&T from rigging the playing field for only the highest-paying sites.

But Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast are spending millions of dollars lobbying Congress to gut Net Neutrality. If Congress doesn't take action now to implement meaningful Net Neutrality provisions, the future of the Internet is at risk.

To learn more, read Network Neutrality: Fact vs. Fiction

What is Network Neutrality?
Network Neutrality — or "Net Neutrality" for short — is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet.

Net Neutrality ensures that all users can access the content or run the applications and devices of their choice. With Net Neutrality, the network's only job is to move data — not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service. Net Neutrality prevents the companies that control the wires from discriminating against content based on its source or ownership.
Net Neutrality is the reason why the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online. It's why the Internet has become an unrivaled environment for open communications, civic involvement and free speech.

Learn more in Net Neutrality 101.

Who wants to get rid of Net Neutrality?
The nation's largest telephone and cable companies — including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner — want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won't load at all.
They want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. They want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services, and streaming video — while slowing down or blocking their competitors.

These companies have a new vision for the Internet. Instead of an even playing field, they want to reserve express lanes for their own content and services — or those from big corporations that can afford the steep tolls — and leave the rest of us on a winding dirt road.

What's at stake?
Decisions being made now will shape the future of the Internet for a generation. Before long, all media — TV, phone and the Web — will come to your home via the same broadband connection. The dispute over Net Neutrality is about who'll control access to new and emerging technologies.

On the Internet, consumers are in ultimate control — deciding between content, applications and services available anywhere, no matter who owns the network. There's no middleman. But without Net Neutrality, the Internet will look more like cable TV. Network owners will decide which channels, content and applications are available; consumers will have to choose from their menu.
The Internet has always been driven by innovation. Web sites and services succeeded or failed on their own merit. Without Net Neutrality, decisions now made collectively by millions of users will be made in corporate boardrooms. The choice we face now is whether we can choose the content and services we want, or whether the broadband barons will choose for us.

For those who don't know, this issue has been completely blacked out/censored by the corporate media. You will not hear about this issue anywhere on CNN, Fox News, ABC, NBC, etc. (I wonder why?)

Another thing not mentioned in the quote above - without a neutral internet, the ISP's may completely block any sites they want to from being viewed, if the site contains political or religious content they disagree with! This can include all Christian sites if they so desire.

I encourage everyone here to visit http://www.savetheinternet.com and fill out the form that allows you to automatically emails your senators & representatives. You can also sign a petition, or donate to lobying campaigns.

More importantly, I encourage everyone to pray about this, and ask that God not allow such an unjust violation of our right to communicate freely.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Wow, that sounds terrible! This is the first I've heard of it.
I will visit that sight and send emails to the politicians. It would be terrible if the big companies got control of the internet and we weren't able to connect with the small guys and the web pages of individual people.

 

[heron]

I'll bet Al Gore had it planned all along...




Sorry. Yes, I'd heard a little discussion but as you say, it's not broadcast and I just let this topic drift away. Thanks for bringing it up.

(This is a bump.)

 

[Gear853]

this is the same thing as trust computing.

i will post the website when i get home...im at work at the moment.

 

[ElijahFalling]

Even the Christian Coalition supports Net Neutrality now, which they had to cross party lines to do. That's saying a lot.