Thursday, May 11, 2006

Protect Net Neutrality


Save the Internet: Click here
This is off-topic, but incredibly important here in the US... As many of you know, the subject of Net Neutrality is all over the blogosphere and web, as Congress is considering legislation that would allow ISPs to give favored status to sites that pay for it. The net is such a vibrant space because, currently, anyone who chooses to publish their ideas online has equal access to readers. This law would eliminate that. MoveOn.org has been at the forefront of this debate, and they explain the situation well:
Do you buy books online, use Google, or download to an Ipod? These activities, plus MoveOn's online organizing ability, will be hurt if Congress passes a radical law that gives giant corporations more control over the Internet.

Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more. Amazon doesn't have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to work more properly on your computer.

If Net Neutrality is gutted, MoveOn either pays protection money to dominant Internet providers or risks that online activism tools don't work for members. Amazon and Google either pay protection money or risk that their websites process slowly on your computer. That why these high-tech pioneers are joining the fight to protect Network Neutrality--and you can do your part today.

The free and open Internet is under seige--can you sign this petition letting your member of Congress know you support preserving Network Neutrality? Click here:

http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/

I'm not nearly as concerned about Amazon and Google as I am about the many independent voices here on the web speaking their minds, and having equal opportunity to reach readers. The web's likely the closest thing we've ever had to a true marketplace of ideas... don't let Congress and the big telecoms change that. Visit savetheinternet.com, learn more and find out how you can contribute your voice to this important effort. Let us know what you do...

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