Short and sweet, just the facts, ma'am.
Quick Background:
Net Neutrality is policy designed to preserve the free expression of ideas and free flow of content on the internet. Due to a recent announcement by the FCC, telecom companies will be allowed to control the flow of information over the internet pipelines if this legislation does not pass. Google, Ebay, and Amazon, along with bloggers on both extremes of the political spectrum, have joined together to defeat the telcoms' attempts to control the internet for profit. This issue is so crucial that MoveOn.org and the Christian coalition have allied to try to save the internet. According to Wikipedia, the UK, South Korea, and Japan, among others, all have net neutrality laws in place.
Late last night, the House passed
HR 5252, the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006, also known as COPE. A large number of Democrats
voted for it. The only Democratic sponsor of the bill, Bobby Rush (D-IL), received a
$1 million gift from the telecoms. It does not include a net neutrality provision, accomplishing only the
bare minimum. Several amendments including net neutrality were voted down. This bill awaits reconciliation with the Senate legislation in conference committee.
The Senate equivalent, S 2686 is sponsored by Ted Stevens (R-AK) and cosponsored by Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI). The current language of the bill calls for 5 studies of the issue over a period of 5 years, and no other action.
Now, it looks like Stevens wants to put lipstick on the pig. Instead of codifying net neutrality, Stevens wants to give the FCC authority over net neutrality, which is ridiculous because the FCC started this battle after it "ripped up its rules that guaranteed net neutrality" in the first place. Then he will pretend he's fixed the problem and the whole Senate will pat themselves on the back for avoiding the displeasure of AT&T and Verizon. Don't let Stevens get away with this.
Verizon has published a press release including veiled threats over net neutrality, not to mention the millions poured into false advertising and astroturf campaigns.
Please, please act now to Save the Internet.