[Eug-lug] Fwd: Net Neutrality Continued

[Edward Craig]

Cantwell's summary on Net Neutrality

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Senator Maria Cantwell <info at cantwell.com>
Date: Aug 3, 2006 12:53 PM
Subject: Net Neutrality Continued
To: epcraig at gmail.com


 [image: Maria Cantwell]

Dear Edward,
 [image: HELP PROTECT NET
NEUTRALITY]<http://www.cantwell.com/action/netneutrality/?sc=3D1051>

It might not be in the news everyday - but the fight to protect freedom on
the Internet is far from over. In fact, new battles are brewing right now.
Because I know this issue matters to you, I wanted to take a moment and
update you on the progress of the anti-net neutrality bill pending in the
Senate.

For the last month, the net neutrality-busting bill has been stalled, in
large part because of the huge outpouring of grassroots and netroots
support. Senator Bill Frist has suggested that he won't let the issue come
up if the Republicans in the anti-net neutrality camp cannot guarantee 60
votes.

So far they haven't been able to get those votes - because of you and others
who believe in protecting Internet freedom. Almost 25,000 people have
already signed our petition calling on the Senate to defeat any
telecommunications bill without adequate provisions protecting net
neutrality. United our voices put real pressure on undecided senators, and
make it much harder for the Republican leadership to get the votes they need
to move the legislation forward without those protections.

But we can't forget that the telecommunications lobby and other special
interests in Washington, DC are incredibly strong and highly motivated on
this issue. We know they are trying to wheedle and finagle vote commitments
before the summer recess starts, hoping that if they make enough deals they
will have their 60 votes to overturn net neutrality when we return in
September. We've seen this kind of backroom dealing before - notably in the
ongoing battle against drilling in the Arctic Refuge.

Big telecommunication companies and the special interests who stand to
profit if net neutrality is defeated have poured more than $1 million a week
into a media and lobbyist campaign to sway the last few votes they need. And
it seems to be paying off: we are hearing that they may be only a few votes
away from that critical 60. While it doesn't look like there will be time
for a vote before the recess, we can count on them to be hitting this issue
hard as soon as the Senate re-convenes.

I know you believe we must protect the free and open Internet we take for
granted. But we need all the support we can get. Please forward the petition
to everyone you know who reads blogs, participates in online organizing, or
simply values the information and conversation only an open Internet can
provide.

*Sign today and then ask your friends and family to sign
too.*<http://www.cantwell.com/action/netneutrality/?sc=3D1051>

Allowing net neutrality to be defeated this week will end a 20 year history
of online egalitarianism, and innovation. A two-tiered Internet (which is
what the telecommunications companies are after) denies the democratic
principle that all information ought to be delivered equally and creates a
system where only those who pay a premium will be guaranteed timely delivery
of their messages and content.

*Sign today and then ask your friends and family to sign
too.*<http://www.cantwell.com/action/netneutrality/?sc=3D1051>

We need to keep up the pressure and make sure the anti-net neutrality forces
know we are still vigilant, and we need to be ready to act quickly soon.

Once again, thank you for your help in this fight.

Sincerely,

[image: Maria Cantwell]

Maria Cantwell
[image: Click to Contribute]<https://contribute.cantwell.com/form.html?sc=
=3D1051>




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-- =

Edward P. Craig
"Think this through with me. Let me know your mind"      Hunter/Garcia
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