On Saturday we visited the Senate gallery in an attempt to see the historic, and successful, DADT Repeal vote. Unfortunately we missed it, and thought we would be bored silly by a series of "farewell speeches" in honor of those Senators about to depart from their Senatorial duties. But then, we saw Senator Al Franken enter the room, and we knew something significant would occur, and, considering that he was one of two Senators occupying the floor, it just confirmed that he really does care - especially as they started debating at 9AM that morning, and it was then about 4PM. I was shocked at the subject of his speech, as it was not even being discussed on the floor that day, but soon it became clear why he thought it timely
More after the fold....
M. President, I rise today to talk about the growing threat of corporate control on the flow of information in this country. Right now, we're debating incredibly important issues--and I don't mean to detract from any of them. We need to be doing everything we can to create new jobs in this country and fuel new economic growth.
But while we debate these issues in front of the public, behind the scenes-away from public scrutiny-the Federal Communications Commission is about to decide two distinct, but closely related issues, that have the potential to change dramatically the way we get our entertainment; the way we communicate with one another; and most importantly, the way we use the Internet.
The first part of his speech was about the proposed merger of Comcast Cable and NBC Universal. The second was about Internet Neutrality.
The first matter before the FCC is the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC/Universal. There is no question in my mind that regardless of what you hear from industry, this merger will be bad for consumers on many levels.
It will allow Comcast to exploit NBC/Univerals' content, charging other cable networks more for access to NBC shows and movies. Do you know what that will do? It will raise your cable bills.
The beauty of his whole approach was that he addressed those in the gallery audience as well as the TV audience, not just fellow Senators.
I ask the people sitting in the gallery, the Senate staff watching this speech, and everyone at home in Minnesota: How many of you like your cable and Internet provider?
When you call Comcast or Verizon or AT&T about a problem-how many of you get good service? How many of you like the prices you pay?
He went on to describe how Comcast could, for example, make you pay for what is now free access to the Tennis Channel if they wanted to.
Take the Tennis Channel, which filed a complaint against Comcast earlier this year. It alleged that Comcast has been favoring the Golf Channel and its own sports channel, Versus, by making those channels available as part of its basic cable package, while putting the Tennis Channel on a so-called "premium tier." In other words, if you get cable from Comcast, you get the Golf Channel and Versus for free, but if you want to watch the Australian Open on the Tennis Channel, you need to pay another $5 to $8 per month.
He made a very strong case against this merger. He then went on to Net Neutrality, in a hard hitting and focused attack on, especially, FCC Chair Julius Genachowski:
You may not know this, but the FCC is an independent agency. Independent agencies are non-partisan. They are not beholden to Congress or to the President, and they certainly should not be beholden to the industries they regulate. That's why I'm so concerned when I hear that the chairman of the FCC is calling the CEOs of companies they are supposed to be regulating, seeking their public endorsement of his net neutrality proposal.
But of course, the most important exampled he used was to imagine the day that Daily Kos access would be compromised:
Strong net neutrality principles would ensure that everyone-from the most liberal blogger on Daily Kos-to the most conservative fan of Fox News-would continue to have an equal right of access and an equal ability to communicate with like-minded people.
If corporations are allowed to control the Internet, all of that would change. The Internet has become the public square of the 21st century. And this is why Tea Party activists and anyone who cares about personal liberties and freedom should care about net neutrality.
Then, the zinger, and why this was a must-do speech on that day of all days:
The FCC has made public its plans to act on its flawed net neutrality proposal this coming Tuesday. I sincerely hope that the FCC will make significant improvements before then, and that each of the Commissioners will think long and hard before they vote to approve a proposal that could actually make things worse for all Americans.
What might we expect?
It would allow Internet providers to create a fast lane for companies that can afford to pay a premium. It would allow mobile networks, like AT&T and Verizon Wireless, to completely block content and applications whenever it suits them-for either political or business reasons.
Let me underscore this-this is the first time the FCC has EVER allowed discrimination on the Internet.
Yes, tomorrow, just before Christmas, when no one is paying attention. Well, I suppose it's too late to change any minds, but fcc.gov has all the points of contact. Commissioner Copps certainly seems to be on our side:
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS
ON PRESERVING INTERNET FREEDOM AND OPENNESS
“It's no secret that I am looking for the strongest protections we can get to preserve an
Open Internet, built on the most secure legal foundation so we don't find ourselves in court every other month. Over the next three weeks, I will work tirelessly with stake-holders—including, of course, consumers and Internet innovators—seeking to ensure real network neutrality that
protects the online freedom of all Americans. Today is the beginning of an important discussion, and not the end. We have an historic opportunity to make sure this dynamic Internet technology reaches its full potential to create opportunity for every citizen. I hope we will make the most of
it. At issue is who will control access to the online experiences of consumers—consumers themselves or Big Phone and Big Cable gatekeepers.”
And Congress is now making noises about how they, not the FCC, should be controlling this....and they can, by a joint resolution of Congress, overturn any FCC decision. And with the wonderful bi-partisan mood these days, who can doubt this would happen?