Support for Net Neutrality Weakens as Amazon Backs Compromise
by Capitol ConfidentialAmazon.com, the online retailing powerhouse, last week announced a shift in stance on net neutrality that has tech policy observers in the nation’s capital buzzing.
The company, a long-time backer of the controversial policy and member of the pro-net neutrality Open Internet Coalition, signaled in an op-ed by its Vice President for Global Public Policy, Paul Misener, openness to a compromise measure, which would allow what are known as “managed services” to be offered by Internet Service (ISPs) subject to certain conditions.
Specifically, Misener argues that “Internet content providers (and consumers) should be able to purchase ‘quality of service’ or ‘managed services’ from network operators on the same basis–equal availability and no harm to other content.”
Previously, net neutrality proponents had been unwilling to sanction the marketing of such services, irrespective of equal availability or non-prejudicial impact—a position still held by many on the “pro” side of the debate.
The shift was therefore dubbed a “major departure” by one expert tracking the net neutrality debate with whom Capitol Confidential spoke, and one that could have significant ramifications for the way the net neutrality battle plays out moving forward.
“If the pro-net neutrality side is willing to compromise, then that either indicates a recognition that their prior policy stance was untenable, or unjustified, or both,” he said in an interview.
However, another expert notes, “Amazon does not appear to be arguing in favor of no further regulation, just a little less regulation. Given the amount of opposition that exists to net neutrality and regulation, generally,and the difficulty that has been involved in its pursuit, cautious optimism, as opposed to enthusiastic embrace, is likely to be the main response on the free-market side. Compromise is preferable to the hardliner approach, to be sure, but this is primarily a big deal in terms of what it signifies—which should have groups like Free Press worried.”
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52 Comments
'Weakening' is not enough, we need to KILL IT!
Even a weakened bill will install a framework for greater control and that must not be allowed to happen.
Ever.
KILL IT then cremate, scatter its ashes to the wind.
EVERY bill that is passed steals a little bit more of our Liberty……
KILL THE BILL.Harry Reid and his union boss pals are coming after your freedom of speech, and the vote is imminent. Please,contact your Senators TODAY and demand they oppose the speech-killing "Disclose Act."
A right delayed is a right denied.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/P...
I have a pretty strong feeling that their version of 'weakened legislation' would still be a thousand pages or more of regulatory authority and therefore the 'necessary framework' for further power grabs in the future.
If it's one page, ONE page of plain language fine, anything more than that is an abuse of power.
It has been said that the pen is mightier that the sword. This is true, however there have been moments in history when men have taken up the sword for the right of dipping their quills in the ink well of truth. We must therefore protect this right so many spilled their blood over lest we also have to change our ink from black to red.
I pray the progressives are not successful in this endeavor to weaken the first amendment of our beloved bill of rights
After this can we still ridicule the Chinese on how they control the Internet?
Thanks. We were just wondering whether the NCAALCPACORNSEIUFCC would be able to shut down our average citizens’ image searches in the Dungeon Game Room around the country if they convinced Obongo that it constituted a “Racist!" hate search.
What's stupid about these types of bills is that they favor certain insiders within the targeted industries where companies such as Amazon.com think they'll benefit from the legislation; however, once the framework is passed it can and will be used against them. Amazon needs to ask Wal-Mart how they like the heat being turned back on them over unions after being stanch supporters of Obamacare. Even if this administration didn't use some facet of net neutrality against Amazon who's to say that the next wouldn't?
Don't support net neutrality. It's is the first step to Internet control. And with control comes censorship by the elitists.
The cancer that is progressivism MUST BE DESTROYED. Amazon needs to back out of this entirely if they wish to survive.
Not to mention "fees" and "taxes."
Net Neutrality is to the Internet as the Fair Doctrine is to Talk Radio..
An attempt by the government to squelch free speech and the exchange of ideas under the guise "fairness"…..
Please let your Congress people KNOW, loudly,and in no uncertain terms, this intrusion will not be tolerated.
"Kill to bill.." but don't say it around any Black Caucus members, they, sometimes, don't hear so good….
No regulation of the internet is necessary. Period.
Reminds me of a Burn's poem, "Ode to a Mouse".
"The best-laid plans o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley."
Must we revert to paganism to make our Congressmen understand we're not having any of this shit they
continually try to serve up. Drive a stake in the Heart of this ______ _____ and get to the budget cutting.
After oCare and the subsequent revelations therein I don't want one more damn bill passed into law by
this Congress. I'll pray for a new beginning and take my chances on Jan 2011.
FIGHT on PATRIOTS ! ! !
Remember on Nov 2nd, the day we force them all to swallow our tea!
And that's what they're REALLY after.
They will never stop trying to CONTROL US!
Our protests make a difference. Like mold, when a plot is exposed to sunlight, it dies!
Blog on! Fox, Glenn, Hannity, Megyn Kelly, Martha MacCallum, Fox n Friends, Rush, Lou Dobbs, Mark Levin, Michele Bachmann, Ryan, & the other REAL Americans & talk Radio will carry the message & fight with U.S!
No Internet control, No silencing our Speech. No AMNESTY! We do not need to pack America with 20 Mil. Welfare burdens, ridden with disease & only know Crime to survive. We have "The Constitution" Mr. Obama, enforce it!
(Good to know who runs Amazon. Think I'll get my stuff from their competitor)
Even one page of regulations in the progressives hand is dangerous. They have no plain language. Everything they do or regulate goes to hell in the hand basket we paid for. Liberalism generates the exact opposite of the stated intent. One page in the hand of someone with common sense I could go for. Maybe in a couple of years we can hope again.
Amen Brother
I wonder how much of this crap we can repeal in 2012? Plus, we must stop this amnesty because it's Obama's agenda to criminilize this country so his drug cartels can continue THEIR agenda. Which is to make our dirty politicians even richer. 44% of our congressmen have become millionares since taking office. Connect the dots. Follow the money.
God, this country has become so corrupt, the people in hell are doing a happy dance.
I was unaware that Amazon was taking this stance on this issue. I hereby pledge to do NO business with them until such time as they recant and convert to the side of the American people and the principles of freedom and liberty for all!
I will not contribute one red cent to the enemies of freedom.
I suggest that if Amazon is willing to support the usurpation of our liberty and freedoms on the internet just to further their business, that we let them know we no longer need their services or business. I have been a steady customer of Amazon for years now. I generally did all my shopping there. Not anymore!
Jeff Bezos is the President, Chairman and CEO.
Amazon.com, Inc.
1200 12th Ave. South, Ste. 1200
Seattle, WA 98144-2734
WA Tel. 206-266-1000
Like one of the old farts said about the health care debacle. We know it's not perfect, but it's a starting point and we'll continue to add to it from here. That's what they want, a foot in the door and they'll take it from there. Probably on a holiday weekend when nobody's looking!
What exactly do you understand net neutrality to be about? Who does it benefit? Who does it hurt? Why would it pit cable operators against content providers? What does it have to do with liberty?
When we grant cable operators a monopoly over our internet service, should we also hand them a monopoly over the internet we are able to receive? Or should we pay more for being able to access sites like YouTube?
Definitely the truth, my rule is if Chuck Schumer, Lindsey Graham and Olympia Snowe are for it I'm dead set against it.
Graham is by far the worst traitor the republicans have.
Graham was once a conservative. Now he's just another tool of the ruling class.
"Dear Britain: Lift the Ban on Michael Savage!"
I agree with two thirds of your statement.
"KILL IT" — absolutely!
"cremate" — yes, yes!
"scatter its ashes to the wind." — Disagree. We should take turns pissing on its remains!
"Dear Britain: Lift the Ban on Michael Savage!"
Touche' !!!
Wee wee wee wee all the way down the river….
Te he!
Lindsey Graham is to Republicans as Neville Chamberlain was to "peace in our time".
"………..What exactly do you understand net neutrality to be about? Who does it benefit? Who does it hurt? Why would it pit cable operators against content providers? What does it have to do with liberty?,………"
We are the United States of America,……..
what is it about NN that we should,………
have to answer any of these questions,…..??????
This is a another version of sit down and shut up. Democrats soon you will be out office and our new lords will be republicans using the law you created to tell you to sit down and shut up.
politicians don't have a habit of repealing laws the just find a way to use it to maintain their power.
You are right but they still have 2 months to screw us more. Too bad we can't stop Obama from signing all the crap they will pass.
Might I add, a traitor to the core beliefs of the Conservative republicans, which makes them traitors to our constitutional republic.
Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of the day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers (administrators) too plainly proves a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing us to slavery.
Thomas Jefferson
I think I'll save my urine for the outgoing members of congress after November.
Cable News Ratings for Monday, July 26, 2010
Live Same Day Cable News Daily Ratings for July 26, 2010
P2 Total Day
FNC – 1,150,000 viewers
CNN – 371,000 viewers
MSNBC – 373,000 viewers
CNBC – 220,000 viewers
HLN – 278,000 viewers
P2 Prime Time
FNC – 2,221,000 viewers
CNN – 458,000 viewers
MSNBC –778,000 viewers
CNBC – 299,000 viewers
HLN – 525,000 viewers
Countdown with Keith Olbermann saw its lowest viewing average in over two years, since April 2008. And while Keith was out for a few days during the month, that’s pretty customary in the summer, just like it was last summer. Only the numbers were higher then.
All ratings above Live SD (live viewing plus same day DVR viewing): http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/cable-...
5PM – P2 (25-54) (35-64)
Glenn Beck – 2,222,000 viewers (582,000) (967,000)
10 PM P2 (25-54) (35-64)
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann – 601,000 viewers (237,000) (360,000)
Do I need say more?
MyKu:
Amazon? Why should
we listen to a website
that sells milk online?
(Seriously: http://www.amazon.com/Tuscan-Whole-Milk-Gallon-12... )
boycott amazon
LIBERTY AND FREEDOM OF CHOICE BY WE THE PEOPLE
WHY ARE THE FED AFRAID OF THE TRUTH.
Isn't "Net Neutrality" a code word, like "safe schools?"
Who gets put in charge of "Safe Schools?" A overt bent.
Guess who will be put in charge of "Net Neutrality?" Hmm hmm hmm???
Thank you.
Excellent! and they're all going to Vote!
Maj. Gen.Jerry R Curry (Ret.) Speaks Out On The Obama Eligibility Issue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO8n4Pij158
You're right Missy8s, a common strategy by government is to incrementally go after change. They pass a bill that does just partial of what they really want (health care leads to single payer-!) then they make changes to what they passed to get what they really want. Zero tolerance is what we give them!
I have bought a lot of merchandise from Amazon, from $5 batteries to $2,000. TVs. If they back this bill I will never buy another item from them and I'll start a website to boycott them.
I had rather pay a little more somewhere else than support a company that will go along with anything this administration wants to pass!
I'm not so worried. Do you really think the Network Neutering Act is really going to stop Internet freedom? As a veteran software engineer, I can tell you that the very vast majority of people like me in the world, will not allow this, whether they pass it or not, no matter the content. The problem for these Marxist totalitarians is that WE have the upper hand. They have NO clue how to create technology, they only know how to USE it when/if we instruct them how. This will be a HUGE failure! I say, "bring it on" .. At the end of the day, THEY will find out just who REALLY has control of the "information age". I don't know of a single techno-geek on the planet that will fall in line with this.
Additionally, you will find that in the long-run, the "Internet", as we now know it, will not exist anyway. In the long-run, and not so distant future, EVERYTHING will be Peer-To-Peer. There will be NO network for them to control. Everything will become networked through peer processing (no Internet backbone, all individual). This is already coming about as we speak, and moving at a far faster rate than these idiots can react. This bill means nothing…. Just farting in the wind.
I don't agree with boycott's so much, as they are not usually very effective. However, with that said, you bring to light the very point that will defeat these attempts. These power/rent seekers do not realize that it is WE who ultimately control information, no matter what THEY do. They can enact law, they can make things more difficult, but we will simply innovate around them. This is a game that THEY cannot win.
It is time to begin taking them down, one Progressive at a time. I am working on bringing up a new website for tracking Progressives and their every move. Who they are, where they live, what they do. "The Progressive Diaries". I will be asking all Patriot's to get involved, register, and participate in continuous tracking and updates, distribution of information and the like. Think of it as the Wikipedia of Progressives. We can expose them, make it difficult for them to live among us, marginalize them, don't allow them to hide.
You attempt to raise the specter of extra fees for accessing particular websites as a boogeyman for why net neutrality needs to be adopted, but you ignore the whole essence of what any Internet legislation is about: the government regulation of the Internet. There have been plenty of examples of leftists saying that free speech and political discourse on the Internet needs to be curtailed in order to stifle opposing view points from being expressed. I don't have to paste the quotes here for you to peruse, you can make a cursory Google search and find out more, that is if you don't believe Google is an evil corporation bent on charging you more to access their search page, despite their own reverence of Federal control over the Internet.
Google can charge whatever they want, and I don't care what "leftists" have to say.
Read the bills proposed. The specter you are raising of the "fairness doctrine" is not in any bill proposed.
But that's the entire point, they don't have to pass a Fairness Doctrine bill if the FCC gets sole control over what content is appropriate for the Internet. It is then within the FCC's power to silence opposing viewpoints in the interest of "fair debate" when the obvious result is anything but fair.
Jeez, you people are so wound up over political dogma that you have no clue as to what the real issues are. The net neutrality debate (the real one) has nothing to do with censorship (by the government anyway). It has everything to do with information technology (I have my doubts as to the mental capacity of readers of this board to understand the technical discussions) and also the economics of the internet, related to both those that provide infrastructure for delivery, as well as those that develop on produce content for delivery.
For the record, my own feeelings: Too much government intervention will produce a quagmire that puts a drag on innovation of one of the greatest technical achievements of human kind, at least from the the standpoint of access to information and communication. On the other hand, no regulation could result in a degradation of services for the average user, in preference for premium services.
If you would like to start actually learning something about the real debate on this issue, you could start here:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20013212-38.htm...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/202970/googleveriz...
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