FCC Hearing: Internet Freedom Under Attack (Pt. II)

At issue: should we trust the phone and cable companies at their word that they will not block or slow down content or services that does not happen to be offered by their favorite content partners? Or, for that matter, by those broadband Internet access providers themselves?

In tests conducted late last year, The Associated Press proved that Comcast was throttling the broadband connection of subscribers who were sharing files over the Internet.

The Raging Grannies absolutely do NOT believe it will do to just “take big Telecom's word”. We testified on behalf of all internet users from all political spectrums.

One of the most interesting panel members who spoke in favor of network neutrality was Christian Coalition's Michele Combs. She argued that the cable companies would be happy to let the porn industry pay for access to consumers, whereas "grassroots" organizations like her own would be silenced. Raging Grannies Ruth and Gail congratulated Michele when we met up with her during the break and had photo (below) taken with her.

During the public comment period, "Tiny" Lisa Gray Garcia from Poor Magazine brought up the issue of the digital divide and how a tilted Web playing field would restrict access to Internet adoption among disenfranchised communities, including immigrant communities, who are starting to get online to speak out for their causes.

An eloquent Latina spoke with a translator for the needs of the Spanish-speaking community. When cut off after 90 seconds (the maximum time set per speaker) the crowd shouted, "Let her speak! Give her more time!" Clyde, the FCC moderator, hesitated at first until one of the Grannies shouted out, "This is California, and it's how we do it here!" Upon hearing this he relented and allowed an additional 90 seconds. The representative of the Latino community finished her statement and many in the audience cheered with "Si, se puede!"

As one blogger said: "No wonder Comcast didn't show up — public opinion was stacked against them!". All the big telecoms were invited to appear; not ONE came. The FCC announced that big telecom DID, however, suggest speakers for the panel. One George Ou, who is most certainly on the payroll of big telecom (we hear it's AT&T) was on the panel and was heckled with: "Who paid your way, George?" The FCC asked the entire panel shortly after that interjection if any of them were paid, even if just for travel expenses. Mr. Ou answered, "I drove myself here", avoiding the question as best he was able. Later in the day, one of the Grannies and George Ou got into heated discussion outside the hearing and things looked dicey until Granny defender Byrd Hale of KZSU told Ou, "Don't mess with the Raging Grannies if you know what's good for you," to which the Grannies added, "That's right, when you are at Stanford you are in Raging Granny territory."

More coverage here:
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006820.html

http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/raging-grannies-urge-fcc-to-control-net-neutrality

More songs and chants from Granny performance in front of Dinkenspiel Hall:

Marchin' for Neutrality
tune: Saints Come Marchin' In

When we have net, neutrality
When we have net, neutrality
how I want to be in that number
When we have net, neutrality

**When corporate greed, no longer rules

**When no one can, block my email

CHANT: Listen Comcast, can you hear?
Internet Freedom
Is that clear?

We need Internet Freedom
Tune: God Bless America

We need the internet, It must be free
No more screening Or blocking
We are here to instruct the FCC
Say to Comcast, to Verizon
and to A T an-and T
Hands off the internet It must be FREE
Hands off the internet It must be Free