Big Telco Propaganda Masked as Grassroots campaign!
May 25, 2006
Don't be fooled!
DontRegulate.org and hands off the internet are advocating anti-net neutrality. They claim to be "nationwide coalition of Internet users." However, it appears to be just a ploy from the big telecommunication companies.
Dontregulate.org claims that YOU will have to pay for the internet instead of big companies like Google and Yahoo with net-neutrality laws. I find this to be highly deceiving. Google and Yahoo, etc already pay for the internet. They pay for servers and BANDWITH! Consumers then pay to access the internet. Net Neutrality won't make consumers pay more, it just makes big business pay more for services they already use. If they don't pay the extra charges, then SBC and the big telcos just slow down their services (or don't deliver them at all). This is totally unfair.
Bloggers and individuals will then be forced to pay for the amount of bandwidth they use for their person sites in addition to the fees and hosting charges they already pay (for bandwidth).
These "grassroot" campaigns against net neutrality make it seem like the government will be controling the internet, incorrect. It is just keeping big telephone companies from controling the internet. The government will not control anything, other than the amount of power the telephone companies have (which is plenty as it is). Don't be fooled. Advocate FOR net neutrality!
It comes down to this:
Big telco wants to get paid twice for their services. Net neutrality laws will stop them from forcing websites and other companies to pay more. This will prevent telecommunication companies from slowing down or limiting access for those who don't pay more. Net neutrality means freedom on the internet, without having to pay double (or more) for your content to get through.
Net neutrality laws are probably not enough. Big Telcos need breaking up, but this can be a start to controlling their power.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=239
This house produces as much energy as it consumes in a year and combines "renewable energy technologies with advanced energy-efficient construction."
Everything from solar power, to ground source heat pumps, to a tankless water heater. It's designed to be efficient and use natural resources to draw power.
If modern houses could use just some of the techniques used to make this house efficient, we'd be saving a ton of energy.
I can't say that I use too many energy saving techniques, but I do use flouresent light bulbs and don't really use all that much energy. My laptop only draws as much power as a regular light bulb. But, it's not like I can buy solar panels and a ground heat pump because I rent. However, it is something I'd consider for when I do have a house. Sometimes small things like good insulation and turning lights out when you aren't using them save lots of energy and money! With rising gas and energy prices, it pays to be a little more conservative (environmentally, not politically).
Support Global Warming Pollution Controls
May 15, 2006
That's one title that needs a catchier name.
http://www.nrdc.org/media/pressreleases/060510c.asp
"Today the House Appropriations Committee approved a resolution already passed in the Senate that recognizes the problem of global warming and declares the U.S. needs mandatory limits to cut the pollution that causes it."
This is a good time to call your representative and tell them you support the environment.
Here's some points you can advise them on:
- Reduce pollution, especially greenhouse gases
- Encourage studies about global warming
- Research alternative energy sources
- Reduce America's dependence on oil
- Discourage oil drilling in Alaska
- Protect endangered species and their habitats
Here are some resources for information
Thanks!
Good-bye checks and balances- People OK with that!
May 12, 2006
Well, according to this article on Wired, it looks like the NSA won't let the Department of Justice have access to the clearance it needs to do some investigating.
Apparently this doesn't concern most citizens, because a recent poll shows that Americans support NSA's efforts.
It looks like the constitution has become optional now a days… and all America can do is shrug its shoulders! Meh.
It's time to stand up and tell them that this is unacceptable!
Do what you can- vote, petition, inform others!
A disturbing report on domestic spying :-o
May 12, 2006
(and we're not kidding, they ARE watching you)
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060511-6813.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-12-hayden-support_x.htm
Every phone call you make is logged… and that's just the beginning.
I wish this were only conspiracy theory…
And you know what?
AT&T is just giving them the information they want
"AT&T Corp., Verizon Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp. telephone companies began turning over records of their customers' phone calls shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, said USA Today, citing anonymous sources it said had direct knowledge of the arrangement." -USA Today
(Your world. Delivered straight to the NSA.)
You probably already know that Fox news is a lapdog for the Bush administration, but is CNN just as unwilling to report a story when it may be critical of the US?
This report thinks so:
[Post 9-11 press coverage was quite factual.] But, alas, that was not to last. Researchers found that as the months went by, analysis and opinion gradually crept back in, and the proportion of fact fell from 75 percent of the news to 69 percent. "The level of factualness declined to levels lower than those seen in the middle of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal," says the report. The other trend that showed up was a distinct unwillingness to challenge or criticize U.S. policy or the Bush Administration. In September, 71 percent of news stories were classified as entirely or predominantly pro-U.S. That figure fell to 50 percent in December. It is here that the gulf between CNN and Fox News Channel turns out to be nonexistent. Much has been made in recent weeks of the unabashedly pro-American stance taken by Fox News with regard to the terrorist attacks and the war in Afghanistan. Sure enough, 78 percent of the relevant stories on "Special Report with Brit Hume" were all or mostly supportive of the White House’s actions. But wait: On CNN's "NewsNight with Aaron Brown," 77 percent of the relevant stories were entirely supportive of the Bush Administration. "Looking at the two signature evening newscasts of the two cable networks over nine days, there was no appreciable difference," says the study.
I don't think the media is getting to the hard hitting questions and doing its job as a governmental watch dog. The first amendment is supposed to protect the media and allow it to keep the government in check by reporting on it.
That is not happening now. Without this function, the government can go unchecked. This is dangerous. I think that we are already feeling its effects, but it's going to get worse.
Blogging and the internet can't keep the balance alone. YOU CAN HELP! How can we stop this? Show the media you want fair coverage. Read stories that are factual and critical of the government when it has done wrong (or could do better). The news agencies can tell what stories you read on the internet! Pass along stories that are intersting, not just fluff. Keep a blog or just tell others about what you've read. Also, comment on news pages that allow for comments. There's so much you can do, just let the media know what you want. They want ratings, reward them when they do good.
The constitution gives us this right. Let's use it, before the media completely abuse it.
Show me the money!
May 10, 2006
It looks like Exxon will surpass Microsoft as cash king.
This will make them the biggest company by stock-market value.
I guess that's not hard when you can charge anything you want for your product because people have to have it.
Go Go Net Neutrality!
May 10, 2006
A key Democratic senator is endorsing laws regulating broadband service providers. Republicans have already quashed a bill in committee that provided for regulation of broadband service providers.
"Net neutrality, also called network neutrality, is the idea that network operators should not be allowed to prioritize content and services–particularly video–that come across their pipes."
If you haven't done so yet, write your representatives and tell them to endorse net neutrality. Also, sign this petition and ensure that the internet stays free and neutral!
Goals
May 9, 2006
Here are some of my goals in making this blog,
And, in general, this is what every citizen should strive to do:
- Advance a government works for the people;
- ensure our freedoms;
- protect our environment;
- make corporations accountable, competitive and innovative;
- reduce corruption;
- establish security;
- encourage diversity and acceptance;
- eradicate ignorance;
- promote open discussion of important issues; and
- enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Stop the RIAA cartel!
May 8, 2006
Please help keep the internet free!
May 8, 2006
Save the Internet:
Fill out this this petition to stop big telecommunication companies from taking over the internet.
If you don't know what is going on regarding net neutrality, look here.
" Congress is now pushing a law that would end the free and open Internet as we know it. Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment and the key to Internet freedom. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more. So Amazon doesn't have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to work more properly on your computer.
Many members of Congress take campaign contributions from these companies, and they don't think the public are paying attention to this issue. Let's show them we care – please sign this petition today." – MoveOn.org
Be informed. Then be active.
Save the Internet:
Fill out this this petition to stop big telecommunication companies from taking over the internet.
Gas and oil. ‘Nuff Said.
May 8, 2006
A big issue now adays is gas prices.
Why are they so high? What can we do to lower them? How can I save gas?
Well, I could rant for days about these issues. (But, I'll just give you a taste.) Just look at how dependent we are on oil. These big SUVs make me sick, the way they just guzzle down gas. I know I don't drive the most fuel efficient car, but it gets at least double the gas mileage any SUV gets. I will be getting a more efficient car when I get a real job (after school). That's besides the point.
Our president supports big oil. I mean he and the vice president have a lot of big oil friends. Hell, they ARE big oil. This is just obvious.
Here are some fuel saving tips, and some other information about the Government and Big Oil.
- Government Gas Secrets
- How exactly do they measure the gas usage of cars… it shouldn't suprise you…
- Don't Top Off!
- Save money and problems. Don't top off your tank.
- Fuel Saving Tips
- Self explanatory- save up to 37%
- Bush suspends environmental rules to save big oil money
- and this is supposed to save you money at the pump… yeah right!
- See my links in the previous post for more information.
- Cut down gas consumption, we can affect prices! Less demand=lower prices.gas
My First Post- Here’s to Several Thousand More!
May 8, 2006
Good evening everyone,
While my audience at the moment is small to none, I still will start off somewhere.
I realized I needed to start a blog to start informing people of the things that are going on around them. I subscribe myself to many news and technology feeds. I get excited when I read stories about how people get screwed over and go to the internet and publish their story and the internet community stands behind them and shows how powerful the internet can be.
The internet is a way for people to have power in a world where big government and big corporations stand firm and unwavering. They wield so much power, that I am scared what they will do. There has to be a force to counteract these powers, and I believe working together and putting the truth out there will be a way to tame the giants and make them work for us, instead of the other way around.
So, welcome, and I will post links, stories and goodies here that should get everyone excited and everyone involved in the world around them through the internet.
-Brian
