KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
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join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
 ·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
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| Civil Right? Not yet...
Civil right?
Well, I think access to decent Internet connection is certainly very useful, empowering, and convenient.... I'm still not there as in saying "It's a right."
Although I can clearly see how the lack of access to a decent Internet connection at home is a disadvantage, I'm not seeing it as yet so indispensable as to be included in the "Must have, it's a right" category....
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"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
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supergirl
join:2007-03-20
Pensacola, FL
 ·Cox VOIP
·Skype
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southeast
·magicjack.com
| No, But is is the Growth of the Economy at Stake
Big Business has finally been investing billions in their websites and services online. With high gas prices, work at home eventually won't be once in a while but probably 50% of the market saving companies fortunes. It's not a right but the future. If ISPs want to be a part, they might start investing rather than bitching about caps and capacity. 
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Saving the world keeps me busy. However, I find Earth very primitive from my home planet of Krypton.
-Supergirl |
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Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO
| Interesting
It will certainly be interesting to see which way the ISPs jump on this. If everyone must have internet then there will be government money involved so the ISPs will want their share of that. However if government money is involved there will be more oversight. If it were a civil right I would imagine that most forms of limiting a connection (DPI, caps, etc) would be banned. |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
|  Add "broadband stamps" to food stamps & free healthcare?
quote:
"No matter who you are, or where you live, or how much money you make ... you will need, and you are entitled to have these tools (broadband) available to you, I think, as a civil right," said FCC commissioner Michael Copps
Copps is just proposing 1 more addition to the welfare state - free food; free health care; free schooling(even for illegal aliens); electricity you can't turn off when it is too hot or too cold; guaranteed heat without paying; etc.; etc.
Hey, if you can't pay for broadband then the taxpayers will foot the bill. Only problem is that the freeloaders will eventually outnumber the workers. And that is the problem when the government becomes beholden to voters who don't pull their own weight and pay for their own necessities. You get a government of handouts until the piggybank runs dry. And we aren't all that far from that actually happening.
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My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? |
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n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
·Optimum Online
| Yet Another Social Program?
So I guess we will have to have a special broadband tax for those who can afford to have Internet at home so that those who spend their money on cell phones and cable TV can have reduced cost or free Internet because it is a Civil Right. Give me a break. If you want to use the Internet and cannot afford it at home, go to the public library (if you know where that is).
I hate that word; "Entitled"
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I support the right to keep and arm bears. |
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Harddrive
Premium
join:2000-09-20
Norwich, CT
| reply to KrK
Re: Civil Right? Not yet...
I agree with you. Internet access on any level isnt a right or a necessity. If you have the money, buy a computer and sign up for access somewhere. For instance, driving isnt a right(it can be revoked by the issuing State) or necessity. If you want to drive, you have to buy the car and the gas. Same for the internet.
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I have come to realize that God doesn't want to hear from me anymore. |
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voipdabbler
join:2006-04-27
Kalispell, MT
1 edit | Exercise to justify their existence.
Let's face it, the FCC of a lame duck administration nearing the end of it's final term doesn't have much clout. They've got to look like they're keeping busy, but don't expect anything to come of these exercises in futility. It's just a way to justify the salaries of staff and the commissioners. They can point to it when OMB and their congressional oversight committees ask questions during the next fiscal year's budget process. ("See we were busy, we do need this many staffers.") |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to TKJunkMail
Re: Add "broadband stamps" to food stamps & free healthcare?
Well here's the flip side TK,
Republicans have a Corporate WELFARE STATE. Bear STEARN. Last I checked, if I OWN a business and it FAILS the government shouldn't be investing billions to bail me out. Now we're going to see the same thing with Fannie Mae and others. What the hell?
How about the tens of billions given to friends of politicians who then screw us? Haliburton anyone?
Best yet, why do we TOLERATE companies hiding their assets in overseas accounts. You know if you or I did that, we'd be in jail. When Companies do that, it's another day in the neighborhood.
So give me a break bud. If it's not one side doing it, it's the other. At least social programs help (when done right). I don't think billions of tax payer money GOING to subsidizing businesses is what tax revenue was meant for. So yes, I disagree about subsidizing these businesses (ISPS included). Still, at least an ISP can provide people with a useful too. I don't think Bear Stern, Fannie Mae, etc making bad investments should be our problem though. Yet, somehow it always falls on the tax payer. Republican or Democrat. |
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telcolackey
The Truth? You can't handle the truth
join:2007-04-06
Death Valley, CA
| reply to Harddrive
Re: Civil Right? Not yet...
Are the computers needed to access the Internet a civil right? Is Microsoft Windows a civil right?
I can't wait until I don't have to pay for anything anymore and have the government take care of me. This model has worked out so well for other countries in the past.
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"Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear." - Dinah Craik |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
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join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
| reply to jc100
Re: Add "broadband stamps" to food stamps & free healthcare?
said by jc100  :Well here's the flip side TK, Republicans have a Corporate WELFARE STATE. Bear STEARN. Last I checked, if I OWN a business and it FAILS the government shouldn't be investing billions to bail me out. Now we're going to see the same thing with Fannie Mae and others. What the hell? How about the tens of billions given to friends of politicians who then screw us? Haliburton anyone? Best yet, why do we TOLERATE companies hiding their assets in overseas accounts. You know if you or I did that, we'd be in jail. When Companies do that, it's another day in the neighborhood. So give me a break bud. If it's not one side doing it, it's the other. At least social programs help (when done right). I don't think billions of tax payer money GOING to subsidizing businesses is what tax revenue was meant for. So yes, I disagree about subsidizing these businesses (ISPS included). Still, at least an ISP can provide people with a useful too. I don't think Bear Stern, Fannie Mae, etc making bad investments should be our problem though. Yet, somehow it always falls on the tax payer. Republican or Democrat. I'm against corporate welfare; funneling money to agribusiness; and bailing out failed companies(I'll take my chances on my investments). But just for clarity, the Fannie & Freddie bailouts weren't for the stockholders but for all the bozos who bought more house than they could afford. I guess that was middle class welfare.
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My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
| reply to supergirl
Re: No, But is is the Growth of the Economy at Stake
said by supergirl : If ISPs want to be a part, they might start investing rather than bitching about caps and capacity. FCC Commissioner Tate quoted how much is being invested. And it is plenty:
»hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a···99A1.pdf
Notably, Internet providers continue to invest billions of dollars to upgrade and expand their networks. Spending on broadband networks was $15 billion in 2007 and is expected to dramatically rise to $23 billion by 2010.
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My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? |
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N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL
| Civil right? No freakin' way
People just love to toss the word "right" around. I have a right to this, a right to that. You're violating my civil rights by tasering my nuts, ow ow ow STOP (sorry, had a flashback to my last shift).
But, I digress, and in all seriousness. Something like high speed internet is not a civil right. To even introduce the notion spits on the legacy of people like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr who made legitimate stands for genuine civil rights.
Civil rights:
Due process under law
Equal protection under law
freedom from cruel and unusual punishment
The right to posses a gun
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom from tyrannical government
the right not to incriminate ones self
Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
Rights can not be taken from you, except via due process of a court of law, and even then some civil rights can not be taken from you period...
Privileges:
The privilege to drive
The privilege to hold professional license
The privilege to carry a concealed deadly weapon
Privileges can be taken from you, if you violate the rules that facilitate them (EG, you get a DUI and they revoke your driver's license)
Utilities:
Electricity
Indoor plumbing
Heat
Phone (maybe. I know this one is technically considered a utility, but I think you can do without)
Things you need to "live". EG, to take a dump and not make a sanitary issue of yourself, wash, keep warm, cook, etc.
Nifty things I like to have, but don't need:
Cable TV
Broadband
Cell phone
Easy bake oven
Motorcycle
GI Joe with the Kung Foo grip
Laser pointer to tease the cat
Sorry, I know I'm going to get the flames going on this one, but no way in hell broadband is a CIVIL RIGHT.
This guy is smoking crack.....
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Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power… |
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N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs | reply to telcolackey
Re: Civil Right? Not yet...
Ahh, hoping for change we can believe in I see  |
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FastiBook
join:2003-01-08
Newtown, PA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Harddrive
I disagree. I think not having true broadband is limiting how much one can accomplish. I can see some folks not wanting it, but it should be available to everyone if they choose to use it. Imagine how much fuel could be saved if people could work from home a few weeks a year, or during severe weather when folks are stuck.... It shouldn't just be the rich who benefit from technology, but everyone.
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LETS GO METS! |
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fatmanskinny
Premium
join:2004-01-04
Wandering
·Comcast Digital Vo..
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to TKJunkMail
Re: Add "broadband stamps" to food stamps & free healthcare?
said by TKJunkMail :But just for clarity, the Fannie & Freddie bailouts weren't for the stockholders but for all the bozos who bought more house than they could afford. I guess that was middle class welfare. Not everyone who is currently experiencing trouble with their mortgage may be lumped into the same group that bought too much house.
Some people actually had emergency funds, great jobs and were very disciplined with their finances. Then a thing called LIFE happened and it may have drained their bank account, caused them to lose their jobs, brought in medical emergencies and other LIFE issues.
Let's not be quick to blanket everyone as buying too much house. Some just experienced LIFE. We all do!
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The only place where Success comes before Work is in the dictionary. |
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ender7074
join:2006-11-21
Saint Louis, MO
·AT&T Southeast
1 edit | reply to FastiBook
Re: Civil Right? Not yet...
said by FastiBook :I disagree. I think not having true broadband is limiting how much one can accomplish. I can see some folks not wanting it, but it should be available to everyone if they choose to use it. Imagine how much fuel could be saved if people could work from home a few weeks a year, or during severe weather when folks are stuck.... It shouldn't just be the rich who benefit from technology, but everyone. Mankind has made 99.99999999% of its most important discoveries without broadband. Its not a right or a necessity but a luxury. If you can afford it great. If not and it's important, then time to evaluate your financial situation. |
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bent
not broken
Premium
join:2004-10-04
Loveland, CO
clubs:
·Comcast Formerly ..
| Further Cheapen...
...our already eroded civil rights by calling a utility (albeit a necessary one for an increasing number of people) a Civil Right. A communication medium worthy of protection and regulation under the law, yes. A Civil Right? No.
If you require a broadband connection to work, you need to live somewhere you can get that connection. I'd rather live in a cabin in the mountains, but I'm not willing to deal with the connection (satellite) I could get there, so I live in town.
Should their be low budget tiers mandated by law? Maybe. Maybe carriers should be required to offer low cost, low bandwidth connections to qualifying households? 512/256 for $15mo if your household income is less than $30k?
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»www.lp.org/issues/family-budget
"That government is best which governs least" - Thoreau |
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ender7074
join:2006-11-21
Saint Louis, MO
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to fatmanskinny
Re: Add "broadband stamps" to food stamps & free healthcare?
said by fatmanskinny :said by TKJunkMail :But just for clarity, the Fannie & Freddie bailouts weren't for the stockholders but for all the bozos who bought more house than they could afford. I guess that was middle class welfare. Not everyone who is currently experiencing trouble with their mortgage may be lumped into the same group that bought too much house. Some people actually had emergency funds, great jobs and were very disciplined with their finances. Then a thing called LIFE happened and it may have drained their bank account, caused them to lose their jobs, brought in medical emergencies and other LIFE issues. Let's not be quick to blanket everyone as buying too much house. Some just experienced LIFE. We all do! True, some people experience LIFE as you put it, but those people were not causing the problems we have now ten years ago BEFORE the mass push to have people buy a house and to buy more than they could afford. I hate to see anyone lose their home but if you bought a house you can't afford, what did you think was going to happen? |
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asdfdfdfdfdfdf
@Level3.net
| reply to Harddrive
Re: Civil Right? Not yet...
I don't believe that rights language is the proper way to approach this.
I still believe that a wise just society makes sure that fundamental infrastructure is available to all citizens. It's also better for social stability and the economic success of the society.
"If you want to drive, you have to buy the car and the gas."
What if there were no roads where you live and people were telling you to quit bitching and build your own highway system if you want to travel by car?
And contrary to what many would have people believe, accessible roads, electricity available to everyone, education for all citizens has been a major foundation of the success and power of the american economy. |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
| reply to FastiBook
said by FastiBook : it should be available to everyone if they choose to use it. It shouldn't just be the rich who benefit from technology, but everyone. Number of household in the US : 77 million
Number of household with broadband : 44 million(57%)
I doubt 57% of households in the US are rich.
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Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? |
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