I got a reply from Senator Rick Santorum today re one of my emails to him about Network Neutrality. I doubt he really read it very well, since he (or most likely one of his staff) went on and on about how the Stevens bill and COPE are going to make my TV viewing a better experience and offer me more choices. Excuse me, I don’t even OWN a TV, I threw the stinking thing out YEARS ago. Meanwhile not one word was said about the internet or Network Neutrality. So, of course, I had to respond–

> Dear Ms. Novack:
>

> Thank you for contacting me regarding cable franchising reform. I
>appreciate hearing from you and having the benefit of your views.

This is not just about cable franchising, Senator. This is about the
possible censorship of the internet. Network Neutrality is a very
important concept. The internet needs to have common carrier status
declared on it, or all the internet businesses that have fueled our
economy over the last few years will be paying the Telecomms and Cable
Companies through the nose. It will turn the internet into just another
“cable tv” something NONE of the consumers, voters, or internet content
providers wish for. The only beneficiaries of this are the telecomms and
cable companies. By the way, I know Comcast has been funding your
campaign, I hope that will not influence you to vote against what’s best
for your constituents.

The telecomms have a long history of making bold promises so they
receive government largesse in the form of tax incentives, and then
reneging on those promises the minute they receive the funds. Oversight
on these companies has been abominable. Internet Broadband choice is
slim or nonexistent for most people in PA, yet the telecomms cry foul if
municipalities try to make up the difference by offering community wifi,
something that is now illegal in PA. Why is that? Do you all hate the
folks you represent? or do we simply not fund your campaign as
generously as the telecomms do?

>
> On May 1, 2006, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska introduced S. 2686, the
>Communications, Consumer’s Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of
>2006. This bill would streamline the video franchising process by
>requiring a local franchising authority to grant a franchise to a
>provider within 90 calendar days after receiving a complete franchise
>application. The bill would also establish a standardized national
>application form, and would provide procedures for an applicant in the
>case of the failure of a local authority to grant the application.

I’m well aware of what this bill represents and the HUGE GAPING HOLE in
it — the protection of Network Neutrality.

>
> S. 2686 has been referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. As I am
>not a member of this committee, I will not have the opportunity to vote
>on this bill in its current form. Should this bill come before the
>full Senate for consideration, I will be sure to keep your views in >mind.

Please do keep my views in mind. Also keep in mind that any Senator who
votes against Network Neutrality will be most likely slaughtered at the
polls come November. If you don’t believe me, feel free to check out the
petition signatures at http://savetheinternet.com

>
> You may be interested to know that the House of Representatives passed
>H.R. 5252, the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement
>(COPE) Act, on June 8, 2006 by a vote of 321-101. This bill would
>establish a national cable franchising process through the Federal
>Communications Commission, in which new entrants wishing to provide
>cable services could offer pay television services. The process would
>be open to incumbent cable providers once they face local competition.
>

Yes, and Representative Charles Dent voted for the bill and against the
Markey Network Neutrality amendment to it. He is not going to be
receiving any consideration from me. Ever.

> Thank you again for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance
>on this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to call on me again

Thank you, Senator, for allowing me to express my viewpoint to you.
–

Regards,
bj novack

Save the Internet
http://savetheinternet.com

Technorati Tags: Network Neutrality, Senator Rick Santorum, COPE, Senator Stevens, Telecommunications

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