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Net Neutrality Rider

2010-12-18T17:54:00.008+01:00

The following post is an open letter which I submitted to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison after she submitted a bill barring the FCC from protecting net neutrality.

Ma'am,

I'm concerned about a bill you submitted on December 16th, a "rider" that would 'prohibit the FCC from using any appropriated funds to adopt, implement or otherwise litigate any network neutrality based rules, protocols or standards'.

I'm concerned about this bill firstly because I am in the military, and I find it unbelievable that military spending is so often used as a vehicle for other political aims. If military spending bills are to be nothing more than a way of passing less popular legislation, that says a lot about both our legislative system's flaws and about our nation's feelings towards the military - namely, that we are just a budget item.

I'm concerned about this bill secondly because I am a computer enthusiast - I received my B.S. in Computer Science from the Military Academy. I firmly believe net neutrality is essential to free and open use of the internet, which is to say that the internet would not be the amazing communications platform that it is today without the principle of neutrality. At the beginning of the internet, America Online (AOL) tried to create a content network that would retain their customers within that network, so that customers would only use AOL's services. The colossal failure of that company stemmed directly from that effort. Consumers should be able to access whatever they want on the internet; that is, in a nutshell, the beauty of the technology. Allowing providers to restrict users to only that company's content defeats the entire purpose of the internet.

Please rethink your position on net neutrality.

Thank you for your consideration.

Any thoughts?

Oh, and here's why I think net neutrality is a good thing.

Update: Below is Senator Hutchison's response.

Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Federal Communications Commission's actions relating to the openness of the Internet. I welcome your thoughts and comments.

The Internet is a valuable tool that facilitates business, education, and recreation for millions of Americans. In 2009, an estimated 198 million Americans had access to the Internet at home or work. I am committed to ensuring that consumers continue to benefit from the Internet as an open platform for innovation and commerce, supporting growth in content, devices, and applications.

Instrumental to the success of the Internet is the longstanding policy of keeping the Internet as free as possible from burdensome government regulations. Increased investment in upgrading and expanding America’s communications infrastructure, and, in particular, new broadband networks, will ensure that all Americans have access to affordable high-speed Internet. However, in my judgment, intensified regulation of the Internet, such as government-mandated treatment of data, would stifle competition and would decrease the incentive for network operators to invest in critical infrastructure.

The case for additional broadband regulatory authority, or “net neutrality,” has not effectively been made. Broadband investment began to truly flourish when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a decision in 2002 to remove advanced communications technologies from the antiquated common carrier regulatory framework. However, advocates of a larger regulatory footprint have continued to call for a net neutrality regime since 2006, resulting in the 2007 FCC decision to cite Comcast Corporation for a violation of the agency’s open Internet principles. Comcast appealed this decision. On April 6, 2010, the D.C. Court of Appeals ruled against the FCC, holding that the authority cited by the Commission was not sufficient to justify the Commission’s actions.

Unfortunately, the FCC chose to respond to this court decision by beginning a new proceeding that would reverse the 2002 decision to treat advanced communications services with a "light touch" regulatory approach. This proceeding could result in the application of monopoly-era phone rules to a vibrant marketplace, which will stifle innovation and investment. Congress is considering approaches to clarify FCC authority over broadband technologies that do not result in the return of out-dated rules.

Should legislation be brought for consideration before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which I am the Ranking Member, you may be certain I will keep your views in mind.

I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope that you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue that is important to you.

Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator

Happy Fourth Of July

2010-07-04T16:00:00.003+02:00

This came out back in February, but it was so good, I felt it needed another showing.

I Could Do Better

2010-01-26T23:36:00.006+01:00

With $5,725,813,591.00.

That's the total amount (thus far) spent on 100 interesting projects funded by the recent government stimulus bill. It includes such gems as $2.2 million spent to build water pipelines to a golf course in San Francisco and $350 million to build a map of America showing where broadband internet is and isn't available. Or $219,000 for a "Study on 'Hookup' Behavior of Female College Coeds."

No really, that last one didn't come from some college humor website or even Facebook - it's real (number 33). The Stimulus Checkup is Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) look at what's costing America so much money. I vote we fire some people.

For a real-time view of how bad it is, visit www.usdebtclock.org.

The American's Creed

2009-11-12T23:34:00.002+01:00

"I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."
-- William Tyler Page

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T14:00:00.001+01:00

No. No no no. NO.

2009-10-10T00:16:00.009+02:00

I have just become aware, via Slashdot, that President Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The BBC has this to say:

In awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian committee is honouring his intentions more than his achievements.

For comparison, here's a list of my intentions:

I intend to cure cancer (all forms), HIV/AIDS, and every other disease. Looks like they better give me the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine.
I intend to end world hunger and poverty. I smell a Nobel Peace Prize!
It is among my long-term goals to discover, in a flash of brilliance, the Theory of Everything. Definitely an intention worthy of a Nobel Prize for Physics, no?
Also, I'm going to write a book which every person in the world will read and it will instantly become their favorite. Sounds like a Nobel Prize for Literature is coming my way!

I guess they can keep the prize for Chemistry, but I definitely deserve the other four for my achievements intentions, don't you think?

The Washington Post has a pretty good gathering of various reactions to the news... my favorite, marked 10:25 AM, is this:

A surprising unanimity of opinion is emerging online that the award has been given to Obama prematurely -- and that this both poses a potential danger to his presidency and will serve as a challenge to the credibility of the Nobel-awarding committee in Oslo.

Yeah. They are now giving people one point four million dollars and adding them to a list that includes such great figures as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Erwin Schrödinger, simply because they claim they want to make something happen.

I John 3:18 tells us to walk in deed and not only in word. I really hope Obama lives up to this ridiculous hype. In any case, I expect four Nobel Prizes (and the associated five point six million dollars) to arrive on my door when the 2010 prizes are awarded. With as watered down as the requirements have apparently gotten, it's a wonder they don't just offer us all Nobel Peace Prizes.

I'll leave you with this to remember (thanks Mom, and whoever said it first):

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Drop the Phone!

2009-08-30T03:42:00.008+02:00

Look, I don't care who you are, there is no reason you should be texting while driving. Your life will not end if you put the message on hold long enough to pull over, but you might end someone else's life (or your own) if you take your eyes off the road! Texting is worse for you than alcohol, where driving is concerned, and I'm all for the legislative efforts to kill the combination. I'm tired of idiots on the road who are alternately speeding and dropping well below the speed limit, weaving erratically, and generally making life a (dangerous) pain because they think that the world revolves around their cellphone. DROP THE PHONE AND DRIVE!!!

Here's a list of resources to convince you if you disagree.

Too Good To Waste

2009-08-13T22:00:00.006+02:00

I support citizenship tests for members of Congress.

You Must Be Kidding

2009-08-06T02:04:00.001+02:00

My wife sent me this article last night, after the two of us and a couple of our friends had a pretty long discussion of personal responsibility.

The article is about a woman who's suing her college because she can't find a job. A woman who graduated with a 2.7. A woman whose job search has lasted only three months. A woman whose excuse is, "It doesn't make any sense: They went to school for four years, and then they come out working at McDonald's and Payless. That's not what they planned."

It's not what you planned?! Was there anything in your plan about "Making Good Grades" or "Working To Get Ahead," or was it something along the lines of "I have a degree so surely I am owed a job?" What on earth makes you think you're entitled to a job? What makes you think that a school, which already put up with mediocre work from you for four years, owes you a job?

What did you expect to get out of college?

Way Out Of Line

2009-05-29T04:36:00.005+02:00

And a little bit scary: this article, emailed to me by a friend, details a San Diego couple who are being told that they will be subject to fines if they continue to hold a regular Bible study in their homes without a "major use permit." The article is watery on legal details, but I assume the law in San Diego County differentiates between primarily residential and primarily commercial properties, and that churches provide income to the county because they must be zoned as commercial properties. But this is the couple's home! There is no basis for the prosecution of anyone holding a gathering in their home save that the gathered persons participate in some illegal activity; last I checked, Bible study was still (thankfully) legal in this nation. Anyone want to read the first amendment?

Amendment I (Emphasis mine) Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Why Not Fire Bad Teachers?

2009-05-08T19:27:00.001+02:00

I found this on Slashdot this week... it's an article about how hard it is to fire teachers in California. I think that it says a lot about personal responsibility. The article notes that even when commissions found that a school district had reason to terminate teachers, they weren't allowed to do so. One example reads, "The district wanted to fire a high school teacher who kept a stash of pornography, marijuana and vials with cocaine residue at school, but a commission balked, suggesting that firing was too harsh." Isn't marijuana ILLEGAL? And we wonder why some Californians are so screwed up! President Obama had this to say: "I reject a system that rewards failure and protects a person from its consequences." Bravo. Now let's see you fire some people who have no business working with children!

Service Culture

2009-04-03T18:46:00.005+02:00

I read an article in the Birmingham Weekly a few weeks ago that really struck me, and I just found the page I'd clipped as I was wading through the deep piles of stuff on my desk. While the article is about other things, one paragraph near the end is worth noting for the on-the-money comments about real service in our culture.

"That's where we've relegated service in our culture. We've made it something for the young to do instead of getting drunk ... on a beach in Mexico," writes the author. "But if you've reached that threshold tax bracket, don't life a finger unless it's tax deductible."

What are we thinking? While I'm certainly for good works during spring break, I also certainly agree that service isn't about what you get (tax breaks), but what you give! Philippians 2:3-4 indicates that the gain of others is to be above our own! Matthew 6:3 shows that we shouldn't even think about what possible benefits will come to us because of our service. It is our duty as bond servants to Christ (II Corinthians 4:5) to serve others in this world (Galatians 6:10).

Trophy Redistribution

2009-03-26T15:48:00.003+01:00

If anyone has an original source on this story, please let me know - it's hilarious!

UK Schools Foster Narcissism

2009-03-16T01:07:00.006+01:00

Just like our schools do!

Hooray, Johnny, you've come to school for 13 years and not killed anyone! Here's your diploma! Hooray, Billy, you didn't actually even come to school very much the last three years and you've been busted six times for marijuana possession, but you're going to some Division I school on a basketball scholarship, so here's your diploma!

No wonder our nation is failing... our workforce believes that they are entitled to all the benefits and none of the work - they're told over and over in school that they're special and good and perfect and, wonder of wonders, they actually believe it. While every person is created with some inalienable rights, a high-paying job isn't one of them; that's something you have to work for. And no, I don't have one. Talent, motivation, and guidance are all necessary for results in any enterprise, but time is a critical element, and the discipline to work through that time. I think schools should teach kids discipline; I know that the business sector doesn't generally care about a bachelor's degree, and if all you have is a high school diploma, you may as well not apply, unless you intend to work as a janitor. Why? Because it doesn't take anything to get a high school diploma today. All it takes to get a bachelor's degree is a set of student loans and a few all-night study sessions to catch up after the debauchery of spring break.

In the end, this just hurts those of us who actually put work into our college degrees; those of us who spent our high school years pursuing advanced programs; those of us who paid our own money to spend spring break getting sunburned, not playing drunken games of volleyball on the beach, but building houses and churches or spreading the Gospel. It hurts us because there's a stigma against us based on our age. I Timothy 4:12 is Paul telling Timothy that there's a stigma against him based on his age, so I suppose it must have been going on forever; thank goodness Paul gave an answer - be an example, to your peers, to your elders, to those who follow behind.

Sugar-Free

2008-12-17T02:05:00.001+01:00

A friend of mine brought this article to my attention yesterday: 10 years later, school still sugar free and proud. It notes the surprising story of Browns-Mill Elementary School, and the principal who, according to the article, single-handedly removed soda and junk food from her school and got kids asking for broccoli. I think it's terrific. Someone saw a problem, and, instead of complaining to the federal government for more money or new laws, went out and fixed it. Now, we can debate soy milk as a health food or the benefits of exercise for the brain all day long, but there's no doubt that something positive happened at Browns-Mill, and there's even less doubt that the federal, state, or even local government was necessary to pull it off. While I do support some level of funding from those levels of goverment to the nation's schools, along with a baseline standard to which students should be held to receive a diploma, I think that it should be as hands-off as possible, so that parents can influence their childrens' educations to the greatest extent. I have no idea how best to do it, but I applaud people like principal Dr. Yvonne Sanders-Butler who just do it anyway.