If you've tracked current FCC boss Kevin Martin's tenure at the FCC, it should be pretty clear he's no consumer advocate. Still, between his rather toothless crackdown on Comcast and his new wireless broadband plan, he's doing a bang up job convincing the mainstream press otherwise as he prepares for a post-FCC political career. USAToday chats with Martin about his plan to offer smut-filtered, free, 384kbps wireless broadband to all Americans (which, for a number of reasons discussed last week, will probably never happen). Some excerpts from USAToday's love letter to Martin's Utopian vision:
quote:"There's a social obligation in making sure everybody can participate in the next generation of broadband services because, increasingly, that's what people want," he says. . . "More and more people expect and demand to have access to the Internet and new wireless technologies," Martin says. "It is important that the (FCC) try to find new ways to address" those needs.
Social obligation? This is the same guy who helped kill off independent ISP competition, keeps broadband penetration data out of the hands of the public, and never met a telco-lobbyist supported position he didn't like. The same Kevin Martin who strips consumer protection laws away wherever possible. If you're buying this, I've got a fantastic, limited edition Hayes compatible 300 baud modem that can be yours for the rock-bottom price of $7,000.
First, the project already is facing legal threats from those who believe that a government-sponsored project that employs content filters is unconstitutional. Second, Martin knows the project will never make it past incumbent industry lobbyists, who are already busy convincing lawmakers the project poses non-existent interference threats. Third, a company you've never heard of building a broadband network to 95% of Americans in a few years? Right.
Martin's interest in the project is two-fold: the "smut filtering" aspect of the project appeals to family values groups, who'll be the backbone of his post-FCC political career. Also, like the FCC's (sometimes too enthusiastic) embrace of the failure that is power line broadband, support of a national wireless network that will never be built gives the illusion that Martin has done something during his tenure other than propping up a largely uncompetitive duopoly.
he will be able to get a job anywhere, his reputation as a asshole will precede him, and I hope the facts about how shifty he is will be shown to anyone that even contemplates electing him to any position.
Assholes tend to land the top paying gigs. Why? Companies know they have what it takes to add to the bottom line and screw the customer at all cost. What six figure job would you like Asshat Martin?
Don't forget his 2 accomplices - the 2 Dem commissioners
Whenever Martin turns up his populist PR machine and makes noises like he is all for empowering the people, the 2 Dem commissioners are right there by his side. Adlestein & Copps can be counted on supporting any plan that involves the FCC pushing forward government funded initiatives and a socialist economic agenda.
As bad as Martin is and as much as he is a typical self-serving politician, when he leaves and when Copps or Adelstein becomes the next FCC Chairman, things will get much, much worse. Bet on it.
Re: Don't forget his 2 accomplices - the 2 Dem commissioners
"Next time, check your FACTS before you make your accusations!"
LOL...a real republicon is impervious to facts lol....talk to a republican and they would sound like all ideals like accountability but talk about busniness or the esteemed shrub and boy they sound worst than a retard.....tK junk/crap is a true republican....always blame the democrat even though you are in power for the last 8 years....
Unfortunately, George W. Bush became President during a critical juncture in American communications. In 2000, PCS Phones were just beginning to take off. Broadband Internet was in many companies-but most homes still used dial up. The discussion about HDTV and digital radio was just beginning.
The Bush FCC has done more to RUIN our communications infrastructure then any other FCC-EVER. Under the Bush FCC, we have PCS phones with three different standards-all incompatible. We pay the highest prices in the world for mediocre speed broadband. Our HDTV system is incompatible with the rest of the world's, we have a digital radio system that's a serious JOKE, cable TV prices are going up at a rate about 8X that of inflation, and on and on.
I'm sorry, but does any of this $ound like it benefits the consumer?
Eventhough most republicans are more corrupt than the nigerian 419 scammer. One must admit that their propaganda machine is even better than Goebbels. Look at Bushie.....not a single thing he did not screw up yet was not only reelected(obviously by those loser evaglical radicals) but the republicans still shamelessly claim the party of family despite doing everything to destroy American families....and looking at ever increasing McCain popularity it appears they are pretty successful in deluding the American evenglibans.
Re: typical Republiconazi propaganda machine at work
For all you Bush-haters out there, you really need to get a clue. I'm not overly pleased with the FCC and Kevin Martin. I think the playing field could have been a lot more even had someone else been in that position.
But what's the alternative? Obama? Come on...just what we need...an anti-business, socialist who thinks big government is the answer to everything. Tell me, outside of the military, what does the government do right?
We need politicians in office who are pro-business and limited government for this country to survive. Without successful business, we won't have broadband penetration or advancements in technology, because there won't be any corporate entities to make this possible.
Re: typical Republiconazi propaganda machine at work
By extension, a limited government wouldn't be an entity to be lobbied to by deep-pocketed companies. Hard to corrupt something that isn't there.
Seriously, if the U.S. had a national broadband policy it'd cost everyone probably an extar $1000 per year in taxes or such other lousiness for what might or might not be increased service. Though maybe regulating cable and telco internet like the phone and electric systems way back when might be a good idea...
What type of socialism are we talking here....bail out for bears and stearns or nobid contracts to Haliburton or a lying scumbucket of a shrub? Please elaborate your flavor of socialism or are you opposed to 20$/mth health care for veterans lol....party of family
They missed one possible motivation of Martin's... money.
1.) Propose a possibly popular idea that society at large would like but big business wouldn't. 2.) Have enough power to back said idea and make a PR stink about it, get some cronies on board. 3.) Keep it going until the lobbyists add a few zeroes to the "shut up about that" money they are offering. 4.) Finally give in and you and your cronies collect big bucks. 5.) Quietly bury the project, all the while pretending you tried your best. 6.) Buy your own island, drink margaritas, copulate with the natives. [Optional]