Archive for June, 2006

I have more photos up on Flickr.

From Digg: CBS was recently hit with a record fine of US$3.3 million, courtesy of the FCC. CBS affiliates are now protesting the fine:

“There were no true complainants from actual viewers,” the stations said. To be valid, complaints must come from an actual viewer in the service area of the station at issue, the filing said.”The e-mails were submitted … because advocacy groups hoping to influence television content generally exhorted them to contact the commission,” the CBS stations said.

Whatever happened to the v-chip? It’s been installed in new televesions since 2000, but the FCC has apparently decided that Americans are too incompetent to use it.

Going Places is a 1948 “Cold War cartoon defending the profit motive against anti-capitalist critics.”

Update: Thanks to Michael for Destination Unlimited, “a 1956 corporate-sponsored cartoon, in which Martian dissidents learn that oil and competition are the two things that make America great.”

The following message is brought to you by The Future.. Faster industry campaign.

This week, the Senate is poised to vote on the issue of “Net Neutrality,” which is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and threatens the Internet freedom we now enjoy.

It is up to YOU to stop it. Please click here to contact your legislators, and demand they oppose “Net Neutrality.”

The Internet has been successful to date because the government has maintained a vigilant, but hands-off approach that has allowed companies to innovate in direct response to the evolving wants and needs of their customers.

A consumer’s Internet experience is today unimpeded – in the absence of virtually any regulation of the Internet – because there exists a powerful consumer mandate for Internet freedom. “Net Neutrality” supporters want to change all of that, putting the federal government in charge of how consumers use the Internet.

With Congress set to vote on “Net Neutrality” as early as Thursday, it is imperative that you contact your legislators right now and tell them, Say NO to “Net Neutrality.”

Existing net neutrality bills are solutions in search of a problem.

In a new communications era defined by multiple choices – multiple communications pathways – consumers simply will not continue to purchase service from a provider that blocks or restricts their Internet access.

When consumers have choices in the marketplace, consumers have control. Consider the following:

• There is vigorous competition between DSL, cable modem, wireless, satellite, and other Internet access providers.
• In some areas free Wi-Fi access is available.
• In others, access over power line is becoming available. This competition directly benefits consumers – and the latest evidence is the announcement of $12.99/month DSL service from AT&T.

Unnecessary regulatory or legislative intervention in marketplace activities would stifle, not enhance the Internet. Laws are inflexible and difficult to fine-tune – particularly when applied to technologies that are rapidly evolving.

The last thing that consumers need is government regulation of the Internet, disguised as “Net Neutrality.” Please click here to tell your legislator, Vote NO! on Net Neutrality.