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Congress: FCC Boss Martin Abused Power
Manipulated and withheld data to influece Congressional decisions...

For the past year Congress has been conducting a bi-partisan investigation of FCC boss Kevin Martin, sending him a letter (pdf) last August demanding a wide variety of documentation from the agency. Martin's tendency to rush meetings, leak information, favor certain companies and "pick on cable" have put the FCC boss under fire from all fronts. Congress has finally released their 110 page report (pdf), showing what they call "egregious abuses of power." Says Congressman John D. Dingell:

quote:
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"Any of these findings, individually, are cause for concern. Together, the findings suggest that, in recent years, the FCC has operated in a dysfunctional manner and Commission business has suffered as a result. It is my hope that the new FCC Chairman will find this report instructive and that it will prove useful in helping the Commission avoid making the same mistakes."
The report highlights several examples of favoritism, including an instance where Martin leaked information on a T-Mobile Do Not Call violation fine to the company early, then helped to get the fine reduced to just $100,000. Martin is slammed for being a partisan who manipulates or ignores data at his leisure in order to support his positions (BPL is cited), or the positions of select companies.

But the report also seems to suggest that Martin covered his posterior well. In several instances of supposed favoritism (including one involving Verizon), the investigators strongly hint at impropriety, but lacked sufficient evidence. The report suggests that the normal next course of action would be to hold a broader hearing, but "due to the climate of fear that currently pervades the FCC," the Committee investigators say witnesses are afraid to come forward.

Robert Kenny, a spokesman for Martin, says the report "did not find or conclude that there were any violations of rules, laws or procedures." "Chairman Martin has followed the same procedures that have been followed for the past 20 years by FCC Chairmen, both Democratic and Republican alike," he says.

Martin's tenure has been controversial to say the least, with even some very technically suave people believing that his tendency to annoy everyone means he's doing his job right. But as we've repeatedly noted, Martin's consumer advocacy is more showmanship than substance, and he's stripped away consumer protections at nearly every turn. His most controversial decisions (usually involving cable) are done in large part to please incumbent phone operators or family values groups -- both of which he'll lean on heavily in a future political career.

Martin is expected to resign from his position at the FCC once the Obama team takes over the White House. However, the vetting process for new FCC bosses could mean Martin remains in his position for another four to six months. While no action will likely result from this investigation, it may just prove a useful guide for future FCC Commissioners on what not to do.
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firewire9999
join:2004-07-11
Livonia, MI

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firewire9999

Member

LOL - This is funny

Congress telling how had Mister Martin is.

Congress should take a long look at itself with all the corruption and crap running amok in the halls on the hill. Not forget they have the lowest approval ratings ever.
jdjbuffalo
join:2004-01-17
Denver, CO

jdjbuffalo

Member

Re: LOL - This is funny

Congress certainly has plenty of corruption and bribery problems of their own. But this still serves a useful purpose. It reaffirms the corruption issues we've all seen as close watchers of the FCC's policies. It may also lead to criminal charges depending on what can be found out.

Because of the fear of coming forward mentioned in the article, my recommendation would be to either start a federal investigation outside of the FCCs reach or wait until a new FCC boss is in power.
nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD

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said by firewire9999:

Congress telling how had Mister Martin is.

Congress should take a long look at itself with all the corruption and crap running amok in the halls on the hill. Not forget they have the lowest approval ratings ever.
so......you're saying because congress sux it's OK for Martin to suck?

or are you saying that the report is not true?

it's bad enough the U.S. is 15th in the world in broadband and we pay more for less, but it appears that we were helped to get there by Mr. Martin. Now you want to shoot the messenger bringing word that the man directly responsible for ensuring broadband deployment is basically just another Bush hack. It is, of course, no surprise that Martin is a hack, but it's harder to deny with this report out.

FFH5
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said by firewire9999:

Congress telling how bad Mister Martin is.

Congress should take a long look at itself with all the corruption and crap running amok in the halls on the hill. Not forget they have the lowest approval ratings ever.
Especially since this report was done exclusively by the Democrats on the Committee & their staff. Even though they make some valid points, part of this report is nothing more than a political attack on a Republican appointee by a very partisan Congressional Committee. So some of the rancor has to be attributed purely to politics. And since they could find no laws broken, the political angle is even more obvious.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
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join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

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Re: LOL - This is funny

said by FFH5:

Especially since this report was done exclusively by the Democrats on the Committee & their staff.
Heh. It sure is a good thing Mr. Martin didn't park an unregistered vehicle in Congress' parking garage. Then he might be in real trouble!

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

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Especially since this report was done exclusively by the Democrats on the Committee & their staff.
Both John Shimkus and Joe Barton were part of the investigation, signed the recent letter to Martin, and are Republicans....

A recent quote from Shimkus on CSPAN, during the time when the committee he helps chair was investigating Martin:
"Part of our problem is that, incredibly, we didn't do a good enough job of really scrutinizing federal agencies," he said. "As conservative Republicans, we ought to;it shouldn't matter who's in the White House."
Refreshing, really, particularly when contrasted to the pseudo-Republican corporatist position of eliminating all oversight completely. A pseudo-intellectual argument driven entirely by personal greed....and which, as the Dow shows, doesn't work so well...

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: LOL - This is funny

said by Karl Bode:
Especially since this report was done exclusively by the Democrats on the Committee & their staff.
Both John Shimkus and Joe Barton were part of the investigation, signed the recent letter to Martin, and are Republicans....
That letter wasn't RECENT. It was from March and merely requested info.
A recent quote from Shimkus on CSPAN:
"Part of our problem is that, incredibly, we didn't do a good enough job of really scrutinizing federal agencies," he said. "As conservative Republicans, we ought to;it shouldn't matter who's in the White House." Refreshing, really, particularly when contrasted to the pseudo-Republican corporatist position of eliminating all oversight completely....which, as the Dow shows, works really, really well.
You left this part of Shimkus's quote out:
"he said that the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations investigation of the Federal Communications Commission is unlikely to uncover wrongdoing by Chairman Kevin Martin. “I don't think it will amount to a lot. I think it will allow us to become better educated. It will help us understand what the FCC does and doesn't do." Rep Shimkus said the FCC has been cooperative with the subcommittee. “I think they have."

And neither of those quotes changes the fact that the REPORT was purely a Dem product and had no Republican involvement.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

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Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: LOL - This is funny

You are absolutely ADORABLE!
the REPORT was purely a Dem product and had no Republican involvement.
Republicans were involved in the investigation, directly requested and parsed data from the FCC (as the letter sent to Martin attests), and are members of the committee that issued the report, but other than that -- it was solely a Democratic endeavor. You are just so cute the way you feign concern for bi-partisanship while filling our forums with extremist, myopic, partisan troll posts seven day a week.

The reason it probably even made it to investigation stage was because there were schlubs from both parties getting lobbied by the NCTA and other cable industry trade groups as soon as Martin started demanding cable growth caps...real, honest to goodness bi-partisanship in the truest sense of the word ($).

One would think you'd be a big fan of lobbyist-fueled investigations aimed at kneecapping pesky regulators. Uncapped Comcast growth is, I assume, a boon to your portfolio...

KrK
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That't not true. There's Republicans he's pissed off too. They wanted him investigated as well. Martin sucked. Course the Big Telco's loved him, since he did everything they wanted. The biggest sham of all was the great Auction of the spectrum, which came out pretty much as expected, with the big players locking down their monopoly power with spectrum gains.

The door can't hit this guy fast enough on the way out... and trying to make it look like just a partisan political attack isn't correct.

FFH5
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join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

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FFH5

Premium Member

Re: LOL - This is funny

said by KrK:

That't not true. There's Republicans on the committee and there's also Republicans he's pissed off too.
There were Republican's on the committee, but they didn't craft the report. It was a report done by the Dem Committee chairman's staff. If the report was bipartisan, the ranking member's staff would also have taken part.

I'm no great fan of Martin, as can be seen in many of my posts. But this report was a 1 sided hatchet job done for political reasons.

KrK
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KrK

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Re: LOL - This is funny

said by FFH5:

I'm no great fan of Martin, as can be seen in many of my posts. But this report was a 1 sided hatchet job done for political reasons.
So you disagree with the Report then. I don't. In fact I think it was anything but a hatchet job... if anything it didn't cut deeply enough. Martin's earned far worse criticism then this.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: LOL - This is funny

Yeah I don't know. In a functional Democracy you'd think even just manipulating and/or omitting data to fool Congress (clearly evident by the BPL situation long before this report surfaced) would warrant a nice whack with a blackjack...

S_engineer
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join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL

S_engineer

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Re: LOL - This is funny

said by Karl Bode:

.just manipulating and/or omitting data to fool Congress ...
Problem with that statement is that your assuming congress would have the brains to correctly interpret the information. Watching Congress these days (both dems and repubs)is like trying watch our former President Clinton explain what the meaning of "is" is! With this atmosphere, that blackjack should be used 24/7!

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: LOL - This is funny

Solid point. They could be given correct information and still make borderline insane interpretations....

PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
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If the opposite of pro is con, then the opposite of progress is...

KrK
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Martin sucked. Period. It was obvious to all, unless you're a big Telephone Company guy. Then you loved him.
DSLdewd
join:2004-06-05
Denver, CO

DSLdewd

Member

He looks like such a nice guy in his picture

It's hard to look at him and imagine a "climate of fear".
nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD

nasadude

Member

Re: He looks like such a nice guy in his picture

coral snakes are real pretty - hardly seems something so pretty can kill your ass deader than hell.

Lark3po
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join:2003-08-05
Madison, AL

Lark3po

Premium Member

Re: He looks like such a nice guy in his picture

said by nasadude:

coral snakes are real pretty - hardly seems something so pretty can kill your ass deader than hell.
"Red touching black you can pet it on the back. Red touching yellow will kill a fellow."

IT Guy
Ow, My Balls
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It's easier to imagine him in a "Where's Waldo" book, with his goofy glasses. All he needs now is a red and white striped beanie and he would get the starring role in the live-action movie.

cypherstream
MVM
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cypherstream

MVM

Re: He looks like such a nice guy in his picture

said by IT Guy:

It's easier to imagine him in a "Where's Waldo" book, with his goofy glasses. All he needs now is a red and white striped beanie and he would get the starring role in the live-action movie.

Like this?


IT Guy
Ow, My Balls
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join:2004-07-29
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IT Guy

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Re: He looks like such a nice guy in his picture

Exactly as I envisioned him! LMAO!!!

FarmerBob
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They'll just love him in prison. One can only hope it goes that far.

He has always looked way too young to have the necessary experience (and the constipated look on his face - stock photo) and the intelligence to run an agency like the FCC and here we now find out that that's true.

I have always wondered what his credentials were to get the job or was it couch casting?

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
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join:2003-11-11
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I really just want to beat him up for his lunch money.

The most annoying looking political figure in America today. Next to that Governor in Illinois who just got pinched for putting a Senate seat on Craig's List....

SHABAZZ
join:2008-07-13
Seattle, WA

SHABAZZ

Member

Prosecute him133;

If the report found out there was an abuse of power he should be indicted. Look at what’s happening to the governor of Illinois
SHABAZZ

SHABAZZ

Member

Re: Prosecute him

And while we’re at it Gorge Bush as well for war crimes.
SHABAZZ

SHABAZZ

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Re: Prosecute him

Forgot the E!

FFH5
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Re: Prosecute him133;

said by SHABAZZ:

If the report found out there was an abuse of power he should be indicted. Look at what’s happening to the governor of Illinois
Not indicted because he didn't break the law. In fact the report notes he didn't break the law. Being a poor mgr isn't an indictable offense - just one that is fireable in private industry. But the gov't never fires poor performers - they usually promote them.
nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD

nasadude

Member

Re: Prosecute him133;

said by FFH5:

....But the gov't never fires poor performers - they usually promote them.
well, there is certainly no accountability in the Bush administration.

now that this report has come out, Martin is probably now on W's list for the Presidential Medal. He certainly seems to embody the values of the administration:

secrecy, obfuscation, intimidation and general high hackness.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Irony - Martin named Wireless Person of the Year today

»www.rcrwireless.com/arti ··· n-martin
Person of the Year: Kevin Martin
FCC Chairman is this year's most influential wireless player

Editor’s Note: Each year since 1993, the RCR Wireless News editorial staff has chosen one person who has most impacted the wireless industry for the year. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is this year’s choice.
Here is why they picked him, a short video:
»www.rcrwireless.com/arti ··· in#video

I am sure Congress turns a fisheye on naming Martin Person of the year.

AreSee
join:2000-09-20
Atlanta, GA

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AreSee

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Wonderful

Heck of a job Brownie!!!

QuakeFrag
Premium Member
join:2003-06-13
NH

QuakeFrag

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darts

Every time I see that picture I just want to print it out and throw darts at it. Problem is, I do not have a printer at home nor do I have darts. Just SOL.
Emiya
join:2006-03-30
Southington, OH

Emiya

Member

Re: darts

Stop at the dollar store and buy one of those kiddie dart guns with the suction cup darts. I keep one at home and one at work for just these occasions. They have kept me sane at my PC through Bush, OJ, Britney and more.

tomkb
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Tampa, FL

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tomkb

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teenagers

Is this guy Martin a teenager or what?

Dogfather
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Laguna Hills, CA

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Dogfather

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Looks like Comcast's checks cleared

Best Congress Comcast can buy.

••••••

jmn1207
Premium Member
join:2000-07-19
Sterling, VA

jmn1207

Premium Member

I Heard...

...that he was going to take on Brock Lesnar in a fight to the death on some undisclosed island somewhere in the South Pacific. It is supposed to be a PPV event, but the cable companies are going to show it for free. Maybe I heard wrong?

FarmerBob
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FarmerBob

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Too Young, Too Stupid . . . .

. . . you know what they do with pretty boys in prison. But unfortunately it won't go that far. It's about time - that fool needed a kick out the door a long time ago. From the start Martin was the wrong choice for the job and thank God he's going and with Obama the "wired" (strange word to use) president acclimated to technology, we may have at least an ounce of hope. Otherwise, remote villages in China will remain better off than we are.

lt_wentoncha
Red6
join:2002-05-12
000000

lt_wentoncha

Member

Don Kevin Martin?

quote:
The report suggests that the normal next course of action would be to hold a broader hearing, but "due to the climate of fear that currently pervades the FCC," the Committee investigators say witnesses are afraid to come forward.
WTF are they going to get whacked or what?

woody7
Premium Member
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA

woody7

Premium Member

Re: Don Kevin Martin?

"But the report also seems to suggest that Martin covered his posterior well"

in todays age, this is actually rare in a political way if it holds

TCub
Premium Member
join:2008-09-03
Olmsted Falls, OH

TCub

Premium Member

Asshole!

That guy looks like an asshole!

Hpower
join:2000-06-08
Canyon Country, CA

Hpower

Member

lol

rofl this is definitely funny.

meh37
@verizon.net

meh37

Anon

Classic example...

of the pot calling the kettle black.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

In other breaking news

water is wet.

megarock
join:2001-06-28
Fenton, MO

megarock

Member

Gee...

Here's a novel idea - anyone holding a position like this will not be allowed by law to hold a position with any company related to their division of the government for a minimum of 10 years after their departure from office. Ban political donations and other financial rewards for the same period and while they are in office.

This would mean anyone involved with the FCC cannot go to work for Verizon, ATT, etc. This means Charter can't contribute to your political campaigns while you're in office nor for ten years following. They also will not be allowed to work as a lobbyist concerning anything of a related nature. Nor should anyone who worked as a lobbyist for the related industry be allowed to be a person of any power in that government division.

It's simple - take away any possible rewards that any politico or government official can get from anyone in their field and you've cut off any incentive to do anything that will favor those favoring you.
megarock

megarock

Member

Re: Gee...

Heh, I almost forgot. When he's finally gone maybe he can be the replacement for Smilin' Bob in the Enzyte commercials.
gilcarvr
join:2001-12-21
Washington, DC

gilcarvr

Member

when Congress releases a report about you...

it tends to mean you are stepping on Congress' baronial toes... pointing out their failings... always leads to investigations...