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Obama says FCC should reclassify internet as a utility
The Verge ^ | Nov 10, 2014 | Jacob Kastrenakes

Posted on 11/10/2014 8:05:10 AM PST by driftdiver

President Obama has come out in support of reclassifying internet service as a utility, a move that would allow the Federal Communications Commission to enforce more robust regulations and protect net neutrality. "To put these protections in place, I'm asking the FCC to reclassifying internet service under Title II of a law known as the Telecommunications Act," Obama says in a statement this morning. "In plain English, I'm asking [the FCC] to recognize that for most Americans, the internet has become an essential part of everyday communication and everyday life."

"The decision is still up to the FCC"

There's been a growing battle around protecting net neutrality — the principle that all internet traffic, no matter what it is or where it came from, should be treated equally — ever since the FCC's original protections were struck down in court earlier this year. Those protections were able to be struck down because the commission didn't make those rules in a way that it actually had authority over, so it's been trying to create new rules that it can actually enforce. It hasn't chosen to use Title II so far, but net neutrality advocates, now including President Obama, have been pushing for its use.

(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: achillwind; censorship; cultureofcorruption; fcc; internet; obamascandals; obamunism; shallmakenolaw
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More regulation
1 posted on 11/10/2014 8:05:10 AM PST by driftdiver
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To: driftdiver

I guess the message Obama got from the election was “gotta grab stuff faster before they stop me.”


2 posted on 11/10/2014 8:06:49 AM PST by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem)
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To: driftdiver

For these fascists total control is the goal.
They have no right to attempt to control individuals’ interactions that use the network known as the internet.


3 posted on 11/10/2014 8:08:59 AM PST by I want the USA back (Media: completely irresponsible. Complicit in the destruction of this country.)
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To: Jewbacca

So if the FCC regulates the internet they will get too decide what is allowable speech on the internet.

punish non-compliant websites and people


4 posted on 11/10/2014 8:09:21 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: driftdiver

I think we should reclassify Obama as useless and shiftless.

He once again plans to go around Congress.


5 posted on 11/10/2014 8:09:47 AM PST by dforest
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To: driftdiver

As a utility, it becomes free to welfare recipients I bet. He is making the case that it is a necessity. It isn’t. You can go to a library if you really need one.


6 posted on 11/10/2014 8:11:03 AM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: driftdiver
In the words of Queen Maxine Waters, re the oil companies,

“And guess what this liberal would be all about. This liberal will be about socializing … uh, um. …”

“Would be about, basically, taking over, and the government running all of your companies. …”

7 posted on 11/10/2014 8:11:18 AM PST by Paine in the Neck (Socialism consumes EVERYTHING)
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To: driftdiver
Exactly.

A way to regulate, to impose ever more controls. . .eventually resulting in government ownership in some way. . .

8 posted on 11/10/2014 8:11:30 AM PST by Hulka
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To: dforest

Excellent idea.


9 posted on 11/10/2014 8:11:46 AM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: I want the USA back

The main difference between the Internet and water or electric companies is the Internet is almost all privately owned. From top to bottom people or companies own and operate the internet.

So if its a public utility does that mean the govt gets to control Verizon?


10 posted on 11/10/2014 8:13:51 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Hulka

I wonder if it will make it easier for the government to spy on people.


11 posted on 11/10/2014 8:18:32 AM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: driftdiver

I don’t understand this issue very well, but Obama’s desire to exert greater control over ANYTHING should be suspect. Given his track record, any pretense of Internet regulation as a benefit to consumers must be given the greatest scrutiny. It will inevitably be a Trojan Horse for some shenanigans further down the road.


12 posted on 11/10/2014 8:18:46 AM PST by Steve_Seattle
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To: driftdiver

Obama, all of your dieas are sh!t, keep them to yourself.

Go away, don’t come back, you are not wanted.


13 posted on 11/10/2014 8:20:42 AM PST by chris37 (heartless)
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To: driftdiver
He's so smart.

Engineers and execs from Apple, eBay, Google, Hewlett-Packard and Yahoo are supporting this little nine-classroom utopia where tuition starts at $17,750 and where you won’t find a single computer or screen of any sort. Also, kids are discouraged from watching television or logging on at home.
Tech execs send kids to anti-computer school

Why are these highly-paid, cutting edge technology innovators cheating their children out of a basic human right?

14 posted on 11/10/2014 8:20:46 AM PST by Sgt_Schultze (A half-truth is a complete lie)
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To: Hulka
"A way to regulate, to impose ever more controls. . .eventually resulting in government ownership in some way. . ."

I would expect it to eventually lead to some sort of regulations over content, some sort of "fairness doctrine" or "public service" or "community service" requirement, that would force conservative websites to provide opposing views, or even to suppress certain views, in order to retain the right to exist or to avoid prosecution.
15 posted on 11/10/2014 8:22:24 AM PST by Steve_Seattle
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past

Absolutely. If it is a public utility that means it is part of the (a) government, with reporting requirements to assess fees, and that means tracking usage. . .the more you use the more you pay, kind of like a huge step backward (AOL back in the early days but with the government tracking you).

They will track your usage (like eleteric and gas meters do, too include websites and your posting data), and because it will be a utility, they will control web access. . .North Korea, anyone?


16 posted on 11/10/2014 8:24:09 AM PST by Hulka
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To: Steve_Seattle

You are, sadly, correct.


17 posted on 11/10/2014 8:25:24 AM PST by Hulka
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past

....aaaand make the post office in charge

Gulags to be filled with disobedient enemies of the ObamaReich.


18 posted on 11/10/2014 8:26:19 AM PST by Leo Carpathian (FReeeeepeesssssed)
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Click The Pic To Donate

Support FR, Donate Monthly If You Can

19 posted on 11/10/2014 8:30:40 AM PST by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: driftdiver

Sounds like low-hanging fruit picked to boost his popularity.
Assuming, of course, it amounts to applying “common carrier” status, and not some ulterior scheme.


20 posted on 11/10/2014 8:39:11 AM PST by ctdonath2 (You know what, just do it.)
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