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| | Wallsten and Chessen I have know both of these guys for more than 10 years. I do not agree with nearly everything that they say. However, I have incredible respect for each of them -- I have seen where they both do the opposite of what you naively insinuate. While Rick has been in government the entire time I have known him (and done a very good job), Scott has been on the outside. He does his work and says what he thinks. Scott has taken many positions resulting from his analysis of the data that are contrary to the positions of funders of his think tanks. These counter-examples show his integrity.
To question his integrity just because YOU disagree with his assessment of the data is more disturbing to me. Instead of name-calling, you should support your case with analysis like Scott did in his papers. Once you examine the data, you will find that Scott is not a simple shill for AT&T or cable. | |
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2 edits | Re: Wallsten and Chessen Once you examine the data, you will find that Scott is not a simple shill for AT&T or cable. Is that why he works at the AT&T, Comcast and Verizon funded Progress and Freedom Foundation testifying before Congress that the U.S. has no broadband problems -- when evidence clearly shows huge chasms in rural coverage, a corrupt regulatory body, and competitive and pricing dysfunction?
You know, because that doesn't scream "integrity" to me.
I'm reading his testimony before Congress in 1997 and it reads precisely like a telecom lobbying talking points memo (and I've been studying telecom lobbying for a decade now). I'm happy to be shown other broadband related studies of his where he actually admits the market has very serious problems. | |
| | | | Re: Wallsten and Chessen Please get your facts straight. Scott does not work at PFF (he left there a couple of years ago I think) and now is at a Technology Policy Institue that counts Google and Kauffman among its funders. Scott's research and peer-reviewed analytical papers have not changed as a result of his move and the change in the nature of the funders of his employer -- he is a researcher and leaves fundraising to others.
Second, while there may not be 100% braodband coverage in rural areas, that does not mean that we should spend an unlimited amount of money to connect everyone with fiber. There are tradeoffs in this world and budgets to consider. In addition, we have been increasing broadband penetration rapidly, but there is clearly room for reasoned differences of opinion rather than rants.
Third, you asked for some examples of where Scott has taken on his (non) funders. (I say "non" as your assertion is based on the mistaken assumption that he works at PFF instead of TPI). He says that it would be best to use Census data to find out about broadband availability rather than Conected Nation like organizations (»www.xchangemag.com/articles/econ···ong.html) He also said in 2007 (while he was at PFF) that the FCC should release data that AT&T, Verizon and other telecom companies wanted kept secret.
So, before you rant, please do research and try not to trash people who are working hard but may have different opinions than you. | |
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4 edits | Re: Wallsten and Chessen Please get your facts straight. Scott does not work at PFF (he left there a couple of years ago I think) and now is at a Technology Policy Institue that counts Google and Kauffman among its funders. The Technology Policy Institute is also a corporate deregulatory think tank funded by AT&T, Verizon and Comcast just like The Progress and Freedom Foundation:
»www.techpolicyinstitute.org/abou···porters/
These groups are interested in one thing. And it's not transparent and honest discussion or science. They're interested in deregulation, and protecting revenues for their clients. Anything else is pretense.
Again, I was under the impression that scientists didn't work with a political position and then move backward selectively choosing data that supported that position. Again, you know, "there is no broadband problem" seems a little extreme, regardless of the think tank employing him at the time. I know it was 2007 and the conflicted NTIA was busy saying the same thing to make Bush happy, but that doesn't excuse him.Second, while there may not be 100% braodband coverage in rural areas, that does not mean that we should spend an unlimited amount of money to connect everyone with fiber. There are tradeoffs in this world and budgets to consider. In addition, we have been increasing broadband penetration rapidly, but there is clearly room for reasoned differences of opinion rather than rants. Oh, I'd say there's room for both rants and reasoned differences of opinion. What I don't think there's room for is artificial bogus astroturf and pseudo-science, of which, however respected Scott may be in academia, he's willfully participating in by allowing these groups to use his research as deregulatory anti-consumer fodder for the tech policy grist mill.... | |
| | | | | | Re: Wallsten and Chessen Again, please look carefully at the list of supporters that includes Google, Kaufman, and Tracfone in addition to AT&T and Verizon that seems to be your only focus. As in research, it is important to look at the entire picture, not just the factoids that support your position.
And also do not ignore the facts that he has taken positions contrary to those advocated by AT&T, Verizon (and Google) in his research. And by the way, allowing fact-based research to be used to inform policy debates is good, not bad. | |
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1 edit | Re: Wallsten and Chessen Again, please look carefully at the list of supporters that includes Google, Kaufman, and Tracfone in addition to AT&T and Verizon that seems to be your only focus. When AT&T, Comcast and AT&T are on a policy group or think tank's donor list, I've noticed it's very wise to pay close attention. And again, you miss my point. Even if Google is a member, neither of these groups are dedicated toward honest discourse or science, they're dedicated through the use of cherry picked statistics to argue for deregulation of industry.And also do not ignore the facts that he has taken positions contrary to those advocated by AT&T, Verizon (and Google) in his research. I honestly am glad to hear this, but again...you're missing my point: he's consciously allowing his work to be used by not one by two lobbying think tanks that have traditionally artificially inflated the quality of the country's broadband market for the deregulatory benefit of their corporate constituents. If you're trying to tell me that unhinged from these groups he'll honestly do an objective and coherent job as an independent scientist -- I certainly hope that's the case!
Update: He sent me a very classy e-mail after this was published, and I've asked if he wouldn't mind being interviewed about specifically what he'll be doing at the FCC. | |
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| | | Oh, I see now. Opinions are only legitimate when they're your's.
I wouldn't have bothered posting again but I noticed I can only see my comment and the ones after when I switch to private browsing. I assume that's a weird cookie error, but if its an attempt to keep me out I'm more than a little put-off. | |
| | | | | Re: Wallsten and Chessen Not sure what you're referring to, but nobody is stopping you from posting. | |
| | | | beaups
join:2003-08-11
Hilliard, OH | Re: Wallsten and Chessen Been a long standing bug on this site that you have to clear your cache every time you view story comments or they won't update. | |
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| | Econoguy @stanford.edu: Are you Gregory L. Rosston? An economist who has his own ties to incumbents?
We all have to get paid, but it would be nice if industry support was disclosed, as well as disclosure of the worshiping at the alter of the pseudo-science-bogus assumption-filled chicago-school discipline of economics. You guys are hired by AT&T, because they know in advance that your ilk will naturally support pro-corporate policy. The fact that you and economists like Walsten are Democrats makes it even better for the incumbents who buy your time.
As for Chessen, I'm sure he's a great person (if Copps' public statements are in any way reflective of Chessen's views, then he must be one of the "good guys"). But now he has sold out to go work to defend NCTA -- an organization that actively works to screw over consumers. That makes Chessen one of the worst kinds of persons -- a sell out. | |
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