NYC Broadband Committee

said by B:

Since we all seem to think the "library of the future" is based on the Internet model with ubiquitous and home access, it's not unreasonable to carry that idea further to the point of making utility computing free or subsidized in most homes. (Community wireless is a great idea, for example.)

said by G_Poobah:

And that, of course, is why people like him can never be given power.

said by ThrowDemsOut:

You don't get it, do you? WE already have the power. It is you that don't have it.

said by G_Poobah:

And that, of course, is why people like him can never be given power. Having an educated populace is a threat to those with weak minds.

It's not surprising he left out some of the other rights that we consider so important. As far as he and his ilk (G. Dubyah and friends), these rights are on a worthless piece of paper that gets in the way. That nasty 4th amendment doesn't help stop terrorist, so it must be ignored!

The right to speak.
The right to gather peacefully.
The right to be secure from unreasonable searches.
The right to an impartial trial.
The right to vote.
The right to an education.

Anyone who gets ANYTHING from the government (heating assistance, etc) has to give up all those rights according to retire_rich and his astrotufing pals.

said by ThrowDemsOut:

The US doesn't need another product that is to be considered a right for the welfare crowd. People on welfare should have a right to nothing but food and housing. After that they should be on their own.

said by B:

The reason libraries even offer free Internet access is that the community pays for it. Since we all seem to think the "library of the future" is based on the Internet model with ubiquitous and home access, it's not unreasonable to carry that idea further to the point of making utility computing free or subsidized in most homes.

said by truocchio:

I cannot believe that many are touting internet as the save all from economic depression. This is all just left wing political posturing so that "uninformed" people think that these politicians have their best interests in mind...please they just want their votes in the next election.

said by B:

We're nowhere near that point yet, but if we reach it then visiting a physical library will not be a reasonable substitute.

said by pnh102:

Another good idea is for anyone who wants to donate Internet access to a poor household should be given tax breaks or other incentives to do it. It would be an ideal charity with the government not spending a single dime. I.e., people who want others to have internet can just pay for a subscription for someone else who is poor, and then deduct that from their gross income for tax purposes.

said by pnh102:

But as for "free" Internet for people who don't want to pay for it, I figure society already provides enough freebies as it is. People who want Internet so bad, just like people who want Jags, Porsches and Bentleys, should have to go work and earn the privilege if they want to.

said by rideboarder:

"Free" internet would be one thing, but it's talking about broadband access. Now, I could understand giving them dial-up access for free or at low cost, however I for one don't believe that they need broadband access for free.

To continue with what you said...Why is having broadband access more important than having a car? As far as I'm concerned, without either of them you can still get around, i.e. public transportation or going to the library for internet access. Does this mean that we will just hand out BMW's to the poor so that they can get around and have the same freedoms and luxuries as hard working people? Hell, even giving them a beat up. car would be too much. Giving them assistance to live is one thing, but having broadband access surely isn't a necessity at all since we can survive just fine without it.

said by pnh102:

quote:

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From the article: "more than half the U.S. households with annual incomes above $100,000 have broadband while more than two thirds of those who earn less than $100,000 do not."

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said by rit56:
the other poster besides me who lives here in New York is for this. I am in full agreement with the city providing FREE wi fi to every city resident. you people commenting have no idea of city life, how expensive it is living here and what a treasure it is.

said by rit56:

There is another post here today that states a town in Pennsylvania has to get Verizons permission to wire itself? You don't think that is wrong?

said by tapeloop:

Maybe it's just me, but wouldn't it behoove the NYC politicos to apply their efforts toward solving the problem of economic disparity first before worrying about the "digital divide"?

said by tapeloop:

Maybe it's just me, but wouldn't it behoove the NYC politicos to apply their efforts toward solving the problem of economic disparity first before worrying about the "digital divide"? It appears that the more disposable income a household has, the more likely that household is able to afford broadband access.

While I'm very much in favor for affordable broadband for all of America, it seems like this task force in NYC is a bit misguided.

said by compton:

Maybe high speed access to the internet will help close the economic gap between poor and the middle class.

said by kamm:

Exactly. See my points above.

said by tapeloop:

I must've missed your "points above" kamm; I didn't see anything you said that would warrant precluding other methods of equalizing economic disparity in favor of all-out broadband.

So why broadband before everything else? Is it the magic bullet to end poverty?

said by kamm:

No, it's one of the magic bullets which makes sure poor kids will push you out every work you get...

said by stateofaffairs :

IF NYC WANTS TO SPEND MORE MONEY, IT COULD SUBSIDIZE THE HEALTHCARE OR WAGES OF MTA MUNICIPAL WORKERS.

said by BiggA:

Of course, once they have it, they will use it more.