November 30th Could Be the Day the Government Seizes Control of the Internet
by Seton MotleyNovember 30th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could potentially engage in one of the largest federal power grabs we have ever seen.
After two years of this Presidential Administration and this Congress, that is saying an awful lot about an awful lot.
And what’s worse, the FCC would be doing it without Congress weighing in. At the FCC’s November meeting – note the coincidental date of choice, AFTER the impending election – three unelected bureaucrats (of five) could simply vote themselves rulers of 1/6th of our entire economy – the information and technology sector.
Meaning the Internet that you currently enjoy – that has been a marvel of economic and information innovation and success – will be subject to vast new governmental regulations. You didn’t elect these people – but they are on the verge of electing themselves Internet overlords.
The Internet is the future – and increasingly the present – of news and information delivery. With each passing day, we move a little further away from the old media models – print, broadcast and cable television, radio – and towards an all-Web world. Eventually, most or all of the news and information we get – written, and spoken into microphones and cameras – will be on and for the Internet.
And we are on the verge of having this new world – the all-encompassing future of First Amendment free speech in America – swallowed up by three unelected D.C. bureaucrats and their Commission.
This is one of the most important battles ever waged in Washington – and precious little is known about it outside the Beltway.
What we are talking about is Internet reclassification. What that means is the FCC – which by its own admission doesn’t have authority over the Web – would just vote itself said authority. By reclassifying the Internet – so that it would be subject to the same rules as landline telephones.
The FCC has long had tremendous power over landline telephones, which is why there has been so much incredible innovation with them these last 70+ years. (Note: tremendous sarcasm here.)
The FCC has no power over the Internet because the FCC doesn’t have power over anything until Congress writes a law saying they do. And Congress has never done this for the FCC with the Internet.
It’s not just me saying this. 299 members of Congress have said so – a large bipartisan majority. More than 150 organizations, state legislators and bloggers have said so. So have seventeen minority groups – that are usually almost always in Democrat lockstep.
So have many additional normally Democrat paragons, including several large unions: AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America (CWA),International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); several racial grievance groups: League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Minority Media and Telecom Council (MMTC), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Urban League; and an anti-free market environmentalist group: the Sierra Club.
So too has the unanimous D.C. Circuit Court – led by a Democrat Bill Clinton-appointee – ruling in April in the Comcast-BitTorrent case that the FCC doesn’t have the authority to regulate the Internet.
Most importantly, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has himself said so. In an interview last week with the Washington Post, the Chairman readily acknowledged “(W)e have a Communications Act that wasn’t written for broadband.”
Chairman Genachowski is referring to the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the last time Congress addressed communications policy and the authorities the FCC has there over. Broadband Internet for all intents and purposes didn’t yet even exist.
The remedy to all of this is crystal clear. Congress should do what it’s supposed to do – write a law that defines and details the FCC’s role (or lack thereof) in regulating the Internet.
And the FCC should do what it’s supposed to do – unless and until Congress acts, NOTHING.
What the FCC must NOT do is unilaterally vote itself vast new powers under the cover of bureaucratic, post-election darkness.
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176 Comments
Can anyone say "state run media", this action is the most vile constitutional violation of the first amendment in the history of the republic.
There is noting wrong with the internet, hence the government must involve themselves.
Busybody scumbags.
November 30th could also be the day that Patriotic Americans could potentially finally take out the trash for good.
The FCC seems to be wanting to become Big Brother. Didn't Orwell already show us a very clear warning about that?
Impeachments need to start in January of 2011.
Help save America, Vote a Democrat down
Keep your stinking paws off my internet, you damn dirty ape……………………
Remember when liberals used to pretend they cared about violating citizens rights under the Homeland Security Act. Where is the outcry from the left? Where is the ACLU?
I really hope Fox News runs this story, because we all know the MSM won't.
It could be pitchfork time.
Where we see Orwell's 1984 as a warning, the statist libtards see it as a wet dream, and they are hell-bent on making it come true.
If they try pull that one off, IMO, the government will be in need of some extraordinary health care, including Obama show us he's a legitimate president. Enough is enough!
I don't think that the GOP will have enough balls to impeach Obama and his regeme. And I don't think that the FCC can regulate the internet. There will be way too many outcry over this.
Why don't we set up protests now in front of the FCC?
http://www.fcc.gov/portalsdir.html
Our opponents are already organizing protests, protesting the lack of government action. We should protest that the internet needs less government.
"America: Shut down the FCC if they touch the internet" would be how I'd put it.
We the people need to get loud and get loud now about this. We need to register disapproval on the internet, call and demand lawful action, we need to show up in person and protest to the FCC!
This is no longer "soft tyranny", this is "true tyranny". We might become like China and build our own firewall, one to keep out dissent against the leadership!
The Z..nists can't stand that people are learning of the treacherous nature of Israel.
The communist can't control the people with a internet that is out of control,all dictatorships have the power over what the people can read,free thinkers in this day and age are considered terrorist,Republicans,conservatives,anti abortionist,Oath Keepers,Christians,ex military,people who think the Constitution is still the law of the land,my lord,the communist can't have these sorts communicating with each other over the internet,why,they may all come together one day and put a stop to the one world government goal,you know,the goal of making the world one big slave camp.
November 2010, 2012! We can UNDO the GARBAGE this administration is cranking out! Isn't it great to have a bunch of CLOWNS no one voted for makink decisions that affect us all? You know, conmmunist/marxist/sociliast czars, and AIRHEAD bureaucRATS! I guess some IGNORANT SHEEP would think this is hope and change! PATHETIC FOOLS that voted for the annointed one!
The internet is where the "alternative" media report. Of course Barry and his Marxist minions want to control it. And of course they are going to vote to do so. Then they can threaten and block and bleed like they do in the brick and mortar world.
And for two years we are going to be able to do nothing about it, no matter who gets elected in November.
Damn Rags. Well, at least posting here you can't set IEDs in OIF/OEF.
Keep Posting.
You are such an idiot.
Hugo Chavez is the Obammunists' ideal ruler.
Smellyboy, I do give you credit here, you are consistant.
But your point, providing if you have one, has no relation to this issue.
To make it simple, and you can understand it. Do you want the government looking over your should while your on the web for whatever reason. And if so, why?
Just let them try to enforce anything concerning the internet… The FCC barely has enough people to "police" the airwaves, much less the vast tapestry of the web (case in point – Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" had to be reported by those foolish enough to even watch the embarrassment called the "Superbowl Halftime Show" for the FCC to find out about it)… This is just bluster by a small group of impotent powermongers in the upper echelons of the FCC trying to make themselves feel important in their petty lives…
November 31st could be the day the people seize control of our government … take it by the throat and shake it until it regurgitates our stolen liberty.
This oncoming Train wreck has been looming for some time now. The FCC lost their "Net Neutrality" case, yet they insist on trying to control us all. All one has to do is listen to speeches & statements given by Obama's FCC CZAR Mark Lloyd to know where they're trying to take us …USSA anyone?
So many fools and a deficit of critical thinkers on this topic, this should scare the shit out of every freedom loving American, what exactly stops the FCC from arbitrarily deciding who can and cannot speak.
If the FCC can silence one party engaging in speech what's to say they cannot do it to another or impose or proscribe 'approved speech', this must not be allowed by ANY political party.
EVER!
If the useful idiot left gets what they wish for may they regret it to their dying days and may they suffer a lifetime of anguish for ever supporting it.
I wish a pox on all of their houses for ever conceiving or proposing it!
SmedleyB, did your ma have any OTHER genius children?
You are plumb eat up with smarts.
RALLY FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT! This Thursday, October 14, Dover, NH
Brought to you by Oath Keepers.
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
November 31st = December 1st.
"Thirty days hath November…"
Your username is cool, and I certainly share your sentiments. This is truly an outrage.
My internet connection works just fine as it is.
I can find (or avoid) the information that I want.
What gives these people the right to stick their slimy fingers into this?
How is this any different than listing in on my phone calls?
If this (Obama) administration had its way one of the first things they would do is throttle sites like BG & Fox.
I don't doubt that Obama and socialist Dems will try it. They are Dictatorial enough. However I don't think it will succeed for two reasons.
First, is the outcry described by the great Poster's above, reflecting the very fiber of American individual freedom, that is in our genetics. We are difficult to oppress!
Secondly, on a pragmatic note, it can be circumvented too easily. We have too many great computer geniuses in this country. I think that they would choose one of a hundred ways to re-connect America, to communicate with each other within hours! – - Obama- Can you hear U.S. now?
yea good and later that day a "revolution" will be declared by the hackers who will more than likely unleash hell onto the them for messing on their "turf" Can anyone say 'Fire Sale'?
All you DHS, DOJ etc etc employees that troll this site watching us for expressing our first amendment rights you do realize the power of hackers right? If not let me put it to you in a way you might understand: if you go to a restaurant and complain about the food are you one who sends it back? If so do you really think your meal comes back to you safe? Those of us with common sense may complain about the meal but know better than to send the meal back b/c those with power in that restaurant (cooks/ chefs) will screw with it; from a little sprinkle of dirt to maybe some extra seasoning a'la spit! Same rules apply to the internet. It is a "restaurant" and we are the patrons, hackers are the cooks/chefs we dont mess with them! Let alone try to restrict their business!
We all know why this threat exists its b/c we the people are getting informed outside the state controlled propaganda machine, the right arm of the WH, high members of the Alphabet Organized Crime Family! I have said it many times here I will say it once more, the internet is the hackers playground, they allow us to dwell here you mess with them they will wipe you with a keystroke! No you say well then why are their so many businesses for web security like Lifelock or the countless software packages for PC's, or the need for firewalls? Its not b/c of someone going through your trash out front to your house!
Leave it alone before you screw all of us!
Take back America though http://www.savingtherepublic.com
If they take away our voice, we'll have no choice but to take action……..
The FCC has been trying to become Big Brother…well…forever. They took over the radio – which was just as innovative as the internet and one of the sole tools for mass communication at one time; they took over television; land lines, and the list goes on.
The idea of them having control over the internet is pretty terrifying (especially starting on my birthday!).
I just wish people had paid attention and been as upset when they censored George Carlin.
The internet competes with cable, print, and broadcast. Why would they intervene if their livelihoods are at stake? (and make no mistake about it, they are)
I wonder if he types with the same hand he wipes his ass with?
You know what jackass,
This is what I love about the internet.
Fools like you are free to spout your nonsense.
I respect the right of fools like you to spout nonsense.
Want to know why?
When fools like you spout nonsense it reinforces my conclusion that people like you are fools.
Do you understand fool?
We need to stay vigilant in these dangerous times we live in. Not since the Cuban Embargo has our Nation and way of life been in such peril. The Marxist FCC is poised to take this New Frontier of the 4th Estate away from us. Net Neutrality will take the internet away from the "people" unless an army of Davids keep after their respective Washington Represantives.
We have an Acorn, Bilderberg elected President that is poised to sell us out to the UN.
Not much help from the MSM. Or as I like to call them, the Obamaite New World Order whores that pose as journalists these days.
Beware of provocations…….O K is now in their crosshairs……….
No, but that is the same hand he uses for thumb sucking.
And if they make the attempt they will be pushing for a chance to be hell-bound.
In Obama's world where he is Dictator, in his own mind, it's ok to control people's freedoms. But in America it's called infringing on the "Rights" of others. Mr. Obama, your list of infractions is getting too long! You will soon be challenged, along with your marxist minions, socialist Democrats, & RINO's across the Country!
Connect the dots: this is a government grab to monitor your computer to see what you blog, email etc. and if the following article is correct, then google and the CIA are a big part of it.
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent US government agency, directly responsible to Congress"……..KEYWORD: DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO CONGRESS. So WTF? These people we elect this Nov 2 better shine up their cajones and do something about this. They need to know now.
http://blacklistednews.com/Big-Brother-is-only-a-...
Do we really need an FCC? So then we could fire them all in Jan?
Smelly moron, your Anti-Semite slip is showing!
Is that why Iran wants to limit its citizens' access to the internet?
Or doesn't want people to know, amongst other truths, about its own internal dissent that once resulted in its London embassy being taken over by members of its oppressed arab minority?
I thought so……..
Obama is in desperate attack mode. He is thinking of controlling the Internet in order to control U.S?
He looted our U.S. Treasury, with no accountability. He passed incomplete socialist Legislation (ObamaCare) against the will of The People.
Now he's trying to demand that the The Chamber of Commerce divulge the names of their contributors? all of which are legal. Never happen. They have no obligation to divulge their contributors Mr. Obama.
You divulge what you've done with our U.S. Tax Money, and how much George Soros, and the Unions have contributed to you. You will never succeed in controlling our Internet, TV, or Radio. Wait a minute, that sounds familiar. Isn't that how the most hated and failed Dictators of the world started?
Socialism is incompatable with America, and so is your race-baiting. This is exactly why we need our Internet; to debunk all the lies that you tell on the Campaign trail, and on TV. Just because you say it, Mr. Obama doesn't make it true. (Taqqiya)
Correct!!! Check out this link: http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2010/10/07/oath-keepe...
While there are other "serious allegations", the fact that he was a member of the Oath Keepers was used to take the child into protective custody. YES, OK's are being watched very closely.
I will do whatever it takes to work around the most corrupt, inept and moronic administration in history. We are at a turning point that is beyond reason and there is no going back unless the fear of the American people is shoved down the the throats of those in office.
This comes back to the most basic question in America. IF the dimmocrats make this power grab and put the control of the internet into the governments hand, ARE they going to like it when the Republicans control the government?? In other words, WHEN they do not have power are they going to like what they have implemented??
http://www.cafepress.com/politicalstckrs
For what it's worth, November 30th is also the day the offshore drilling moratorium is "supposed" to end. Conceivably useless if permits are still not being issued.
But, would it be coincidence or deflective timing? One news story camouflages another? Don't know and wouldn't put ANYTHING past this den of thieves.
If you need another reason to vote Republican, this is it.
The leftwing fascists have taken control of our healthcare and now the leftwing fascists want control over information. It's time for an uprising.
Remember November.
You say you wanna revolution?
Well, you know……
I guess vinyl really is making a comeback.
da jooos…*skip*….da jooos…*skip*…da jooos….*skip*…..da jooos
looky here, another step closer to communism. way to go FCC. I would recommend that the day the FCC takes over-everybody cancel their internet provider service (you just know there'll be a FCC sur-charge, a FCC user-fee and a FCC monitoring fee added to your bill), and boycott the internet.I know it'll be a hard thing to do, but just to see what happens….
I know for a fact, that THEY already have people inside OK trying to start trouble….
I agree
Q: What gives these people the right to stick their slimy fingers into this?
A: THEY give themselves the right to do so. How did they get these rights to do that? By taking away more of yours. Welcome to the "change" part of "Hope and Change".
Novemebr 30th., eh?
November 2nd. could be the day they seize CONtrol of the Nation.
Look for Obama to proclaim himself the new Kim Jong Un of the US.
Damn, SmelleyB…you know your momma is gonna be mad at you for skipping school and playing around on her computer again….
LOLOLOL….too damn funny……
it's BEEN pitchfork time…..
Hey, did you see this? Oath Keepers statement about video titled, Government Agents Seize Oath Keepers New Born From Hospital http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2010/10/07/oath-keepe...
I hate google. I have already had one picture of my house taken down from Google Maps so what did they do……they came and took another picture and put it back up. I think Google should be investigated by the FBI and tried for treason against the American people once ** God willing, sane Conservatives are running the government again.
I also hate Facebook. I had an account which I used maybe 10 times in 2 years and I canceled that because of security concerns.
They heard that! LOL
That already happens.
I agree on first count. Balls are seriously lacking. We need to draft Governor Christie for the next presidential.
lol
I 2nd that LOL
and you like it??????
Fear the government that fears your Internet!
They will have to pry my cold dead hand from the mouse!
Unelected bureaucrats will be the ruin of this country. And remember, Obama might try a similar route with cap-and-trade and amnesty.
If the votes aren't there, they'll just "create new rules" — never mind the fact that such an action is fundamentally unconstitutional, immoral, and reeks of executive tyranny. I'm not surprised by any of this at all. I would expect nothing less from the scum who make up our government.
If they don't like us now and if they take over the internet, they CERTAINLY won't like us when we all go "ghost".
I've identified some who portray themselves as 911 truthers……..
Why are we still talkin about this here? Better we discuss it with the people who are involved.
Contact the FCC via E-mail
Chairman Julius Genachowski: Julius.Genachowski@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov
Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker: Meredith.Baker@fcc.gov
To Obtain Information via Telephone
1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC) Voice: toll-free
1-888-835-5322 (1-888-TELL FCC) TTY: toll-free
1-866-418-0232 FAX: toll-free
These are federal contact numbers. Keep it civil……unless day-glo orange is your color, lol.
Each Alphabet agency that attempts tyranny will find itself defunded.
Would the USA be a better place without the EPA, FCC, IRS, SEC etc?
Too many rules just makes more chaos.
Here is one vote for Federal Government Neutrality – as in Neuter or Neutralize.
Their desperation is pathetic, but if written off as "lunatic fringe", could indeed cause serious problems for anyone or any organization…….
Just like firing buckshot………sometimes one or two pellets hit their mark……
You do know that the FCC runs the airwaves as well right? Which includes all the innovations regarding cellular service, HD television, Satellite TV and so on?
Just sayin'
This is why I never vote for Tzeentch followers to office.
With as many people as I employ at the Federal Level of Government I should be looking at 1 or 2 Impeachments a Month.
One would get the impression that every Federal Officer is an Angel in the United States of America.
Just wait till they start rationing food and electricity like the rest of the third world countries.
The Banks…….The car companies……Insurance companies…..Health Care…….Internet……….
The only thing left is food and electricity
/spit
Yeah, they probably will at some point in time.
They are desperate to get control. They'll have to wait until after the elections and then there will be a financial collapse, the internet kill switch will be pulled and it will be the beginning of the end.
You speak the truth!
So the NRA is there to protect the 2nd Amendment. What about the 1st?
The control freaks will initiate a shooting war if they do not stop their usurpation of Individual Liberties.
They are just pissed that we can communicate and they aren't getting Taxes from the activity.
All other forms of electronic communications are taxed heavily and the Internet is beating them all.
Remember the Alamo.
http://crockettlives.wordpress.com/
you've never gotten over that little Jewish girl kicking the sh!t out of you in first grade, have you? you tried to pinch her little butt and she opened a big ol' can o' whoop-ass on yours, didn't she? you are truly pathetic…
I bet the first thing the FCC will do is add tons of fees to our internet access bills. The next thing will be for them to hire the Chinese that they have sold our country to, for training on how to control the content of the internet. Uncle scam owns the state run media, and will soon own the internet. In 50 years North Korea will look like a good place to defect to.
i am linking this post from my blog tomorrow. time to call. time to DO IT!
welcome to 1984 people. Truth is Slavery. War is peace.\
Get used to it, or die fighting it. Welcome to the new world order.
Whoops.
My sentiments exactly, time to sharpen the pitchforks and turn up the torches and run these control freaks out of town.
What are these five peoples names and what are their home addresses? Does any one know? We need to post this information ASAP. This is COMPLETE BULL CRAP. They have NO authority to do this.
This article says that Henry Waxman (D-CA) is the antagonist here.
"If Congress can't act, the FCC must," Waxman said in a statement. He added that "this development is a loss for consumers."
http://skunkpost.com/news.sp?newsId=3291
Simply put, I do not recognize the authority of the FCC to make a decision such as this. My congressional representatives, at the pleasure those bureaucrats at the FCC serve, know that I don't recognize that authority. Connect the dots and tell your reps, that your vote is a resounding NO to their little scheme to control the message.
Ok. I totally agree with you but people are just now starting to wake up to the problems that the progressives have been instituting for years now. They are in both parties or the Senate, with the power of filibuster, could just stop business as usual until Obama made a statement about this and told them to back off. Won't happen. Both sides of the aisle are all about power and the FCC taking over the internet is REQUIRED for them to maintain their control. What has Cornyn DONE about this?
This must be stopped. Do we need another march on DC to preserve our freedom of speech? This is what they do in China.. get ready folks, I'm not sitting this out..
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