Bye, Bye, Stephens Bill
Pack up all your cares and woe,
See the uninformed talk go,
Bye, Bye, Bad Bill . . .
I guess we all had our moments when
- we didn’t know there was a problem
- we didn’t understand net neutrality
- we didn’t think it was about us
- we didn’t think we could do a thing
- we realized that we had to do something, anything
- we made what noise that we could.
- we didn’t know whether anyone would listen
- we figured this Congress would let it sit.
Here’s what happened . . .
That petition you signed. I signed one just like you. There were 1.2 million people who took the time to do it too.
We made a noise of our own.
It was LOUD together.
It was LOUDER THAN THE LOBBYISTS.
IT WAS LOUD ENOUGH FOR CONGRESS TO HEAR.
They took action before they closed the 109th Congress.
It was you and me and people like us that did that.
You and I made a difference.
Take a Listen to the Reaction
The Save the Internet coalition has collected more than 1.2 million signatures, including mine, for a petition supporting net neutrality. Itââ¬â¢s a complex issue that many senators are still undeclared about so the battle for net neutrality is far from being over. I feel the telecoms should play no role in how the internet matures, rather they should simply focus on sending uninhibited data packets to and fro servers as fast as they reliably can. —Paul Staminou
“Millions of people have used the Internet to save the Internet,” added Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, which coordinates the SavetheInternet.com Coalition. “The end of this Congress gives us the chance to have a long overdue public conversation about what the future of the Internet should look like. It’s time to craft policies that ensure all Americans can access the Internet and enjoy the unlimited choices it has to offer.” —Timothy Karr
Network Neutrality has been part of the Internet since its inception, ensuring that the service providers who control the “pipes” don’t interfere with content based on its ownership or source. “Net neutrality is just about fairness and a level playing field,” said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist. “It’s that simple.” —Craig Newmark
Of Course, It’s Etched in Ice
The fact that the bad bill is gone, doesn’t mean that we can go hide again. Now the conversation can start about what will happen to the Internet. We’re awake and aware and we know things.
I know. I know. We’re all fiercely independent. I also know that we’re incredibly curious and intelligent. It sure seems that our curiosity wouldn’t let the discovery that we could make something happen go unexplored. It seems a natural outcome that we would keep our attention how might have voice in the conversation moving forward.
“The people’s attention to the issue of Net Neutrality is more powerful than any legislation – and this year proves that,” said Tim Wu, a professor at Columbia University Law School and author of Who Controls the Internet.
I’m jazzed to think that sometimes the little guys in the good fight can prevail.
Won’t you keep an eye on this important situation with me?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE
