Google & Verizon want to end net neutrality for profit

[Edward theurj Berge]

I'm forwarding this from PCCC about Google and Verizon's attemtp to end net neutrality:

 

Hi -- this is Jason Rosenbaum, a new campaigner at the PCCC. I've got some urgent news.

Google, who's corporate motto is "Don't be evil," is about to do something really, awfully evil: kill Net Neutrality, the First Amendment of the Internet.

 

As reported on the front page of the New York Times, they're in secret talks with Verizon "to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content's creators are willing to pay for the privilege."

 

Click here to stand up for a free and open Internet and sign an open letter that we'll deliver to Google's DC headquarters next week.

 

The more people who sign by next week's delivery, the more pressure Google will feel -- so please pass this email to friends.

 

Many groups that organize over the Internet are joining together to save the Internet. This includes the PCCC, Free Press, MoveOn, CREDO, and Color of Change. Josh Silver at Free Press writes at Huffington Post:

 

The deal marks the beginning of the end of the Internet as you know it. Since its beginnings, the Net was a level playing field that allowed all content to move at the same speed, whether it's ABC News or your uncle's video blog. That's all about to change...

A problem just for Internet geeks? You wish. All video, radio, phone and other services will soon be delivered through an Internet connection. Ending Net Neutrality would end the revolutionary potential that any website can act as a television or radio network.

This Google-Verizon deal, this industry-captured FCC, and the way this is playing out is akin to the largest banks and the largest hedge funds writing the regulatory policy on derivative trading without any oversight or input from the public, and having it rubber stamped by the SEC. It's like BP and Halliburton ironing out the rules for offshore oil drilling with no public input, and having MMS sign off.

 

Google can still stop this deal -- click here to sign the open lett...

 

Along with this letter, we're launching an ad campaign targeting Google, so they know people all over the country are watching this deal.

 

We need you to stand with us and tell Google to stop being evil.

 

Click here to sign the letter to Google.

 

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

Jason Rosenbaum and the PCCC team

[Edward theurj Berge]

Also see Olbermann's comments at this link.

[Edward theurj Berge]

BIG UPDATE:

Google and Verizon just announced that they will use their massive lobbying budgets to pressure the FCC to kill Net Neutrality. Their proposal? To allow giant corporations to have a bigger voice than the rest of us by building a new, corporate-controlled fast lane online and leaving the rest of us behind.

Obama appointee and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski can stop this evil deal.

We've gotten a hold of Genachowski's office telephone number. Can you give him a call and tell him to reject Google's deal? Click here (see link below).

This deal is the definition of evil.

It would open the door to outright blocking of political content big corporations don't like, just as Verizon did recently with text messages from NARAL Pro-choice America. And it would make it much harder for new innovations like the next YouTube to get off the ground.

The Internet would no longer be a level playing field. Instead, Google would create a corporate-controlled Internet for the big guys and crumbs for us.

Genachowski can't sit by while big corporations write the rules for the Internet. He needs to reject this deal and protect the American people's right to a free and open Internet.

Click here to call Chairman Genachowski and tell him to reject Google's evil deal!

Monday, the PCCC joined Free Press, MoveOn, CREDO Action, and ColorOfChange to deliver a first batch of signatures to Google's DC headquarters -- we delivered 300,000 strong.

We'll make sure Google continues to hear about the increasing number of Internet users who refuse to let big corporations end the Internet as we know it.

Your call today will make a big difference - click here to join us.

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

Jason Rosenbaum, Julia Rosen, Stephanie Taylor, Adam Green and the rest of the PCCC team