Save the Internet

By Sarah

To me the Internet is magic; I don't really understand how it works. Oh, sure, I've read technical descriptions. I know there are mega computers that act as servers, which are kind of like trays waiters hold, and that we, the users, put something on the tray that the server then delivers. Blahdiddy, blah, blah, blah.

All I know is that the Internet as we know it is in danger.

Not in danger like there's a powerful Dr. Evil bent on nuking its basic structure, though that's not far from wrong. In this case the Dr. Evil is AT&T (no surprise there) which wants to start charging mega fees for access to their customers. There are other Big Corporations, too, bent on making a big buck on what we, the common users, have come to view as essentially free  - monthly internet access and computer costs aside.

Under the Big Corporations' scheme, web sites - such as The Lipstick Chronicles - which could not pay Big Fees would not be seen, or would be seen at a slower pace. If AT&T and their ilk succeed, the World Wide Web would quicky divide into the have and the have nots - the way Big Corprations are used to operating. For example, I can't pay for a $10,000-a-plate dinner at a political fundraiser and therefore I don't have access to the President that let's say AT&T has. But I can blog about something the President can come across while Googling "Lipstick" - you know, in case he has a hankering for a tube of Clinique's Blazing Red #9 or something.

That's what makes the Internet so cool.

I've been shocked and amazed by who's read my posts. I've received private emails from people whom I never imagined I'd ever meet. Heroes, heroines and some not so much. This is an age thing. My teenage daughter is perfectly well aware of how the Internet reaches across the world and back in a flash. Not me. I guess I'm still stuck in the age of newspapers and circulation figures. What's the circulation of the Lipstick Chronicles? It's impossible to measure.

My former governor Howard Dean (don't worry, I won't go there) tapped into the Internet phenomenon - which in the end worked against him. (Need I remind you of the scream heard 'round the world.) And I hold out great hope that the Internet will be what saves us politically and morally, that it will bring us closer together and bring out the truth.

That's why I think we need to band together and save the Internet. Not "hands off the Internet" - that's a crafty slogan manufactured by the crafty Big Corporations which want the government to lay off on passing legislation that would keep the Internet free. No, where you want to go is to the website: savetheinternet.com. It is gathering petitions and signatures to present to Congress to stop Big Corporations from dividing and conquering.

And the thing I love about this movement is that all sides of political spectrum are agreed. This may be the one issue where Moveon.org is aligned with the Christian Coalition, where pro-choice and pro-life see eye to eye.

Magic? I think so.

Happy Memorial Day,

Sarah

Comments

[Josh]

How's this?

Unlike your vote for so-called "Bankruptcy Reform" that was a sop to Big Business, which then turned around and slapped Delaware in the face by laying off so many MBNA employees, this time please act in the interest of the other 99.99% of your constituents. If you do, maybe someone might buy you a meal at the Charcoal Pit, which would not make you different than many others in Congress, only cheaper to buy.

Accordingly, please act immediately to save the Internet.

[SusanCo]

There has been items about the government going to start charging for emails and things on the internet, for YEARS! I always check Urbanlegends.com before making any judgements.

[sarah S]

Actually, Susan, this blog is based on an article from the New York Times...Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/opinion/28sun3.html?ex=1149048000&en=c4d0756d32ce607b&ei=5087%0A
Though, I'm always willing to buy that the NYT could be a victim, too.

[marieb]

I checked it out on Snopes.com and it turns out to be true. Thanks for the head's up Sarah. I shot off an email to my representatives and several family members to let them know about this. BTW - I've been enjoying reading the Book Tarts blog.

[Mary Emanuelson]

I just went to the site and fired off an email to my senators, asking them to vote for what's right and just politically expedient. And to not succumb to the blandishments of the corporate CEOs - they've already done enough damage to this country. If they are offended, well, so be it.

[Cinema Dave]

I would not use the term BIG business,
but BAD business.
Trust me, I had stock in A T & T and the company was not in touch with the consumer marketplace. Good business is smart enough to allow easier access to their products and services.

In ten years, look how common place the internet has come into the household. It grew because it was not hapered by excise taxation.

The benefit is that bad practices close bad business. Once a government asks for a tax, a burruacracy never dies.....

[Cinema Dave]

Sorry for the typo...my comment was supposed to read;

THE INTERNET grew because it was not HAMPERED by excise taxation.

[Kerry, the Martial Tart]

Count me in, Sarah. Thanks for the post, the link to the NYT article, and the petition site. Let's hope it works . . .

[Harley]

Where do I sign?

[Kathy Sweeney aka Smart Tart]

Sarah - thanks for the link - and I'm told that phone calls are the best way to make your voice heard. The website should lead you to the local or toll-free number for your Senator and Rep.

[Mary Alice Gorman]

As an old pol I want to ditto Smart Tart's advice. The most effective advocacy these days is personal--------phone call or written letter. Next to that is the petition with a list of real names and addys. The e-mail which can be generated in abundance is not trusted as much. Like my husband says, nobody knows you're a dog on the internet. How's that for irony?

Mary Alice who called last week on this one.

[ArkansasCyndi]

Thanks for the heads up. I have also read that mass email to representatives is seen as "questionable" due to spamming issues. I would second the personal letter or phone call and will do so tomorrow.
Scary where Big Business wants to go and what they are being allowed to do. Where are our watch dogs? Where are the "representatives of the people" not just the representatives of business. (shaking head in disgust as I type)