AT&T has a sneaky plan.
It wants to exploit a loophole in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s rules to kill what remains of the public telecommunications network — and all of the consumer protections that go with it. It’s the final step in AT&T’s decade-long effort to end all telecommunications regulation, and the simplicity of the plan highlights a dysfunction unique to the American regulatory system.
AT&T and other big telecom carriers want to replace the portions of their networks that still use circuit-switching technology with equipment that uses Internet Protocol (IP) to route voice and data traffic. But because the FCC previously decided that it has no direct authority over communications networks that use IP, this otherwise routine technological upgrade could lead to a state of total deregulation.
We are already living with the consequences of the FCC IP decision: an uncompetitive broadband market. Our broadband providers enjoy the kinds of high profit margins that would make a 19th-century robber baron blush. And our ability to use these networks to communicate openly and freely is under constant assault. Meanwhile, consumers in other countries not only have better access, but they pay far less for far better services.
But there are large portions of the public telecom network that don’t use IP, and that are still subject to varying degrees of regulatory oversight — including traditional landlines, alarm circuits, and many of the “special access” connections that carry voice and data traffic from cellular towers.
Now AT&T wants approval to convert all of this to an all-IP system. And because of the FCC’s flawed view of IP, this move would jettison all of the public interest protections that govern common carriers like AT&T. (The centuries-old “common carriage” concept applied to entities like railroads, shippers, and telecoms that transport goods often using public rights-of-way; since these functions are critical to commerce, common carriers are usually regulated even if they don’t operate in monopoly markets).
The immediate consumer impact of AT&T’s proposal would be swift and severe:
Higher prices. Remember what happened after California partially deregulated AT&T in 2006? The price of some basic voice services tripled. AT&T wants to make this happen everywhere. Also, the ability of many smaller wireless carriers to offer competitively priced services is based on specific regulations that prevent special access providers like AT&T and Verizon from charging exorbitant rates. These protections against monopoly prices will disappear if AT&T gets its way.
Service disruptions. Brinksmanship between AT&T and smaller wireless carriers that use the public network to transport their own traffic would lead to telecom blackouts. Just look at how cable customers are held hostage in carriage spats between cable providers and content owners. The rules that require carriers to get networks back online after outages would also be history if the FCC approves AT&T’s petition.
Inequality and discrimination. Seniors, low-income families, and rural residents — all of whom are more likely to rely on fixed-line voice services or dial-up internet access — would especially feel the pinch. Carriers that are now required to offer universal service will be free to redline poor neighborhoods and disconnect consumers at will. Elderly grandmothers living on fixed incomes rely on rate-regulated landlines to stay connected, but they need not worry: AT&T has an expensive wireless plan they can purchase instead.
It’s bad enough that we’re on the verge of losing all of the consumer protections that keep the price of basic voice service reasonable and ensure the most vulnerable stay connected. But by putting the last nail in the coffin of the public telecommunications network, AT&T’s plan poses an even greater threat to the future of American innovation and internet freedom.
This is because the internet itself would not exist if it were not for a delicate balance of public policies that made sure the public telecommunications network was an open platform: Anyone could use it as a building block for innovation.
Before the FCC adopted rules to keep the public network open, companies like AT&T were able to prohibit customers from using the network for anything other than what it approved. (We wouldn’t have been allowed to have answering machines, for example, if AT&T didn’t approve them.) Thanks to the FCC’s intervention then and continuing oversight, Bob Kahn and Vint Cerf didn’t need AT&T’s permission to connect computers. They simply used the public network as a platform to launch the IP technology that led to the internet we all use today.
When Congress updated the Communications Act in 1996, lawmakers reinforced this clear separation between devices on the edges of networks and the wires that connect them. And this approach worked: Consumers had choices for cheap long distance. There were dozens of dial-up ISPs, and even multiple options for DSL and cable modem service. Prices dropped, quality improved, and investment soared.
While the rest of the world followed this American blueprint to great success, our captive regulators dismantled the competitive framework, replacing it with nothing more than the vain hope the market would sort it all out. So it should come as no surprise that the rest of the world is busy undertaking its own transition to all-IP networks without threatening the basic consumer protections that ensure universal access to essential communications services.
We stand at the edge of a cliff, and AT&T is eager to jump. It’s the FCC’s own bad decisions that led us to this cliff. But it’s not too late to step back. In updating its rules for an all-IP world, the FCC shouldn’t let the carriers kill off the public telecom network. We can protect consumer rights and free-market commerce without sacrificing the infrastructure’s open nature and its potential as a platform for innovation.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
How AT&T Is Planning to Rob Americans of an Open Public Telco Network | Wired Opinion | Wired.com
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Why - Live
"Why" by Annie Lennox
How many times do I have to try to tell you
That I'm sorry for the things I've done
But when I start to try to tell you
That's when you have to tell me
Hey... this kind of trouble's only just begun
I tell myself too many times
Why don't you ever learn to keep your big mouth shut
That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words
That keep on falling from your mouth
Falling from your mouth
Falling from your mouth
Tell me...
Why
Why
I may be mad
I may be blind
I may be viciously unkind
But I can still read what you're thinking
And I've heard is said too many times
That you'd be better off
Besides...
Why can't you see this boat is sinking
(this boat is sinking this boat is sinking)
Let's go down to the water's edge
And we can cast away those doubts
Some things are better left unsaid
But they still turn me inside out
Turning inside out turning inside out
Tell me...
Why
Tell me...
Why
This is the book I never read
These are the words I never said
This is the path I'll never tread
These are the dreams I'll dream instead
This is the joy that's seldom spread
These are the tears...
The tears we shed
This is the fear
This is the dread
These are the contents of my head
And these are the years that we have spent
And this is what they represent
And this is how I feel
Do you know how I feel ?
'cause i don't think you know how I feel
I don't think you know what I feel
I don't think you know what I feel
You don't know what I feel
Monday, October 1, 2012
Not Afraid
"Not Afraid" by Eminem
[Chorus:]
I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
Everybody (everybody)
Come take my hand (come take my hand)
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just letting you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road (same road)
[Intro (during Chorus):]
Yeah, it's been a ride
I guess I had to, go to that place, to get to this one
Now some of you, might still be in that place
If you're trying to get out, just follow me
I'll get you there
You can try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay 'em
But you won't take the sting out these words before I say 'em
Cause ain't no way I'ma let you stop me from causing mayhem
When I say I'ma do something I do it,
I don't give a damn what you think,
I'm doing this for me, so fuck the world
Feed it beans, it's gassed up, if it thinks it's stopping me
I'ma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me I'm tearing down your balcony
No if ands or buts, don't try to ask him why or how can he
From "Infinite" down to the last "Relapse" album
He's still shitting, whether he's on salary paid hourly
Until he bows out or he shits his bowels out of him
Whichever comes first, for better or worse
He's married to the game, like a fuck you for Christmas
His gift is a curse, forget the Earth, he's got the urge
To pull his dick from the dirt, and fuck the whole universe
[Chorus]
Okay quit playing with the scissors and shit, and cut the crap
I shouldn't have to rhyme these words in the rhythm for you to know it's a rap
You said you was king, you lied through your teeth, for that
Fuck your feelings, instead of getting crowned you're getting capped
And to the fans, I'll never let you down again, I'm back
I promise to never go back on that promise, in fact
Let's be honest, that last "Relapse" CD was ehhh
Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground
Relax, I ain't going back to that now
All I'm trying to say is get back, click-clack, blow
Cause I ain't playing around
It's a game called circle and I don't know how, I'm way too up to back down
But I think I'm still trying to figure this crap out
Thought I had it mapped out but I guess I didn't, this fucking black cloud
Still follows, me around but it's time to exorcise these demons
These motherfuckers are doing jumping jacks now!
[Chorus]
And I just can't keep living this way
So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, I'ma face my demons
I'm manning up, I'ma hold my ground
I've had enough, now I'm so fed up
Time to put my life back together right now! (now)
It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me
Admittedly, I probably did it subliminally
For you, so I could come back a brand new me you helped see me through
And don't even realize what you did, believe me you
I been through the ringer, but they could do little to the middle finger
I think I got a tear in my eye, I feel like the king of
My world, haters can make like bees with no stingers
And drop dead, no more beef flingers
No more drama from now on, I promise
To focus solely on handling my responsibilities as a father
So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof, like my daughters
And raise it, you couldn't lift a single shingle on it!
Cause the way I feel, I'm strong enough to go to the club
Or the corner pub, and lift the whole liquor counter up
Cause I'm raising the bar
I'd shoot for the moon but I'm too busy gazing at stars
I feel amazing and I'm
[Chorus]
Thanks to camila, Christopher Chiocca, Romi Ezzo, Kim, Katie Mueller for correcting these lyrics.
Cleaning out my Closet || Dedicated to Karen #CON
"Cleanin Out My Closet" by Eminem
Where's my snare?
I have no snare in my headphones - there you go
Yeah... yo, yo
Have you ever been hated or discriminated against?
I have; I've been protested and demonstrated against
Picket signs for my wicked rhymes, look at the times
Sick as the mind of the motherfucking kid that's behind
All this commotion emotions run deep as ocean's exploding
Tempers flaring from parents just blow 'em off and keep going
Not taking nothing from no one give 'em hell long as I'm breathing
Keep kicking ass in the morning and taking names in the evening
Leave 'em with a taste as sour as vinegar in they mouth
See they can trigger me, but they'll never figure me out
Look at me now; I bet ya probably sick of me now ain't you momma?
I'm a make you look so ridiculous now
I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet (one more time)
I said I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet
Ha! I got some skeletons in my closet
And I don't know if no one knows it
So before they thrown me inside my coffin and close it
I'm a expose it; I'll take you back to '73
Before I ever had a multi-platinum selling CD
I was a baby, maybe I was just a couple of months
My faggot father must have had his panties up in a bunch
Cause he split, I wonder if he even kissed me goodbye
No I don't on second thought I just fucking wished he would die
I look at Hailie, and I couldn't picture leaving her side
Even if I hated Kim, I grit my teeth and I'd try
To make it work with her at least for Hailie's sake
I maybe made some mistakes
But I'm only human, but I'm man enough to face them today
What I did was stupid, no doubt it was dumb
But the smartest shit I did was take the bullets outta that gun
Cause I'da killed him; shit I would've shot Kim and him both
It's my life, I'd like to welcome y'all to "The Eminem Show"
I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet (one more time)
I said I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet
Now I would never diss my own momma just to get recognition
Take a second to listen for who you think this record is dissing
But put yourself in my position; just try to envision
Witnessing your momma popping prescription pills in the kitchen
Bitching that someone's always going through her purse and shit's missing
Going through public housing systems, victim of Munchhausen's Syndrome
My whole life I was made to believe I was sick when I wasn't
'Til I grew up, now I blew up, it makes you sick to ya stomach
Doesn't it? Wasn't it the reason you made that CD for me Ma?
So you could try to justify the way you treated me Ma?
But guess what? You're getting older now and it's cold when your lonely
And Nathan's growing up so quick he's gonna know that your phony
And Hailie's getting so big now; you should see her, she's beautiful
But you'll never see her - she won't even be at your funeral!
See what hurts me the most is you won't admit you was wrong
Bitch do your song - keep telling yourself that you was a mom!
But how dare you try to take what you didn't help me to get
You selfish bitch; I hope you fucking burn in hell for this shit
Remember when Ronnie died and you said you wished it was me?
Well guess what, I am dead - dead to you as can be!
I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet (one more time)
I said I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet
I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet (one more time)
I said I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleaning out my closet
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The Science of Orgasms and Your Brain on Porn
The Science of Orgasms and Your Brain on Porn
by Maria PopovaInside the complex tangle of biology and behavior that shapes our relationship with and experience of sex.
We’ve already explored the origins of sex, the neurochemistry of heartbreak, and how drugs affect desire. But what, exactly, happens in the brain when the body belts out its ultimate anthem of sexual triumph? Count on creative duo Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown, better known as AsapSCIENCE — who have previously explained how music enchants the brain and what science teaches us about curing hangovers — to break down the body’s response during orgasm:
But what about sexual experiences that don’t involve direct contact with a partner? What happens inside the brain then is arguably even more intriguing. In this talk from TEDxGlasgow, physiology teacher Gary Wilson peels the curtain on the complex scientific processes that accompany, and perpetuate, the world’s addiction to pornography. Specifically, he looks at how the Coolidge effect fuels internet porn:
For more on this ceaselessly fascinating tangle of biology and behavior, see the recently released The Chemistry Between Us: Love, Sex, and the Science of Attraction by neuroscientist Larry Young and journalist Brian Alexander, who take us inside the living brain to explore how its neurotransmitters, hormones, and circuits shape the very behaviors we find ourselves most invested in.
Ten Tips on Writing from David Ogilvy
10 Tips on Writing from David Ogilvy
by Maria Popova“Never write more than two pages on any subject.”
How is your new year’s resolution to read more and write better holding up? After tracing the fascinating story of the most influential writing style guide of all time and absorbing advice on writing from some of modern history’s most legendary writers, here comes some priceless and pricelessly uncompromising wisdom from a very different kind of cultural legend: iconic businessman and original “Mad Man” David Ogilvy. On September 7th, 1982, Ogilvy sent the following internal memo to all agency employees, titled “How to Write”:
The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well.
Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.
Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:
1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.
2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.
3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.
5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.
6. Check your quotations.
7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning — and then edit it.
8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.
9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.
10. If you want ACTION, don’t write. Go and tell the guy what you want.
David
This, and much more of Ogilvy’s timeless advice, can be found in The Unpublished David Ogilvy: A Selection of His Writings from the Files of His Partners, a fine addition to my favorite famous correspondence. The book is long out of print, but you can snag a copy with some rummaging through Amazon’s second-hand copies or your favorite used bookstore.
WORK ON A COMPUTER THAT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET!!!
BEST. ADVICE. EVER.
^ed
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
AutismAid Kick off campaign... coming to a city near you!
AutismAid Kick off campaign... coming to a city near you!
RUN, BABY RUN!
IN A NEW YORK MINUTE...
3,100 miles San Francisco to New York Launching this September 15th 2012 Steve Knowlton will smash 32 year old ultra marathon record for Autismaid http://www.autismaid.org http://www.steveknowlton.comNational Consortium of Service Organizations Serving those dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder
THE INCREASE IS REAL... BE AWARE TO CARE
#ONE in 88
Just me,
e
@ELyssaD™
ELyssa Durant © 2012 || All Rights Reserved || DailyDDoSe™ @ELyssaD™
Monday, August 20, 2012
Have you ever seen the rain?
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Songwriters: J. C. FOGERTY
Someone told me long ago
There's a calm before the storm,
I know
It's been comin for some time.
When it's over, so they say,
It'll rain a sunny day,
I know
Shinin down like water.
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/creedence+clearwater+revival/have+you+ever+seen+... ]
[Chorus]
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin down on a sunny day
Yesterday, and days before,
Sun is cold and rain is hard,
I know
Been that way for all my time.
'Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow,
I know
It can't stop, I wonder.
Chorus
Yeah!
Chorus
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Reality Bytes: CyberBusted 12/21/2010 Posted on Firetown.com
CyberBusted 12/21/2010 Posted on Firetown.com
FIRETOWN-- THIS IS YOU! I HOPE YOU ALL APPRECIATE THAT I WENT OUT ON A FUCKING LIMB TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THIS FORUM, BUT I WOULD LIKE AN APOLOGY FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR(S) OF THIS "CLOSED GROUP" AS TO WHY NOBODY RESPONDED [EXCEPT FROMMES- AND HE CAUSED EVEN MORE OF A MESS BY SUPPORTING YOU!]
MIKE-- I'M CALLING IT AS I SEE IT. IF YOU RUN THIS FORUM THAN YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT IT AND EACH OF US FOR SUPPORTING YOU BY GIVING US A SAFE PLACE TO SHARE IDEAS.
NOTICE THIS IS YOUR ACCOUNT THAT WAS HACKED ALONG WITH MINE.ARE YOU A BLACK SHEEP OR A ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL? YOU HAD THE ABILITY TO CLEAR MY NAME AND PUT AN END TO THIS SITUATION BEFORE IT ESCALATED TO THIS POINT.SO, WHEN I AM BEING ACCUSED OF SOMETHING UNETHICAL AND ILLEGAL AND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY NOT ONLY CLEAR MY NAME BUT TO CONFIRM THAT YOU ALSO HAVE EVIDENCE TO PUT AN END TO DISINFO AGENTS AND PROVOCATEURS THEN YOU OWE IT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO COME FORWARD.
I EXPECT YOU TO DO SOMETHING AND DO IT QUICKLY. REMOVE ANYONE WHO THREATENS THE SAFETY AND INTEGRITY OF THIS FORUM.
WHO IS GUARDING YOUR HOUSE TONIGHT? I HAVE BEEN ON WATCH NOW FOR WAY TOO FUCKING LONG WITH NO END IN SIGHT.
"FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE JEWS?"
WRONG!FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE COMMUNISTS! [REF: NIEMOLLER]
WAKE THE FUCK UP.HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WERE ACCUSED OF NOT ONLY A CRIME, BUT BEING UNETHICAL AND DISLOYAL TO YOUR FOLLOWERS - WHICH BTW, YOU WERE!
WELL GUESS WHAT? I STEPPED UP FOR YOU AND YOU BETTER STEP UP TO THE FUCKING PLATE FOR THE REST OF US. WHEN DID YOU TURN INTO A GREY SHEEP? WAKE THE FUCK UP AND GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER.
GET YOUR SHIT AND MY SHIT OUT OF THIS MESS BEFORE WE ALL GO DOWN WITH THIS SINKING SHIP.
I HAVE PAID DEARLY FOR BEING SO OUTSPOKEN AND DEDICATED IN MY SEARCH TO FIND A PLACE WHERE WE CAN CELEBRATE INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS FREE FROM REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT AND TOXIC PEOPLE.
I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE A FUCKING ANSWER AS TO WHY WE ALLOW THIS KIND OF BULLSHIT TO CONTINUE? DON'T YOU GET IT... DIVIDE AND CONQUER. [REF: COINTELPRO]
DIVIDED WE FAIL.
FACE IT WE ARE NOT ON ANIMAL FARM-- WE ARE ON PLANET FUCKING PLUTO WHERE WE ARE TOO BUSY WATCHING THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB INSTEAD OF OUR CHILDREN. [REF: THE CORPORATION]
WE ARE NOT ALL CREATED EQUAL. SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS. [REF: ORWELL, ANIMAL FARM]
SO WHEN I AM SENDING AN SOS FROM WHATEVER PLATFORM... THAN I DESERVE THE COURTESY OF SOMEONE TRYING TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE IN A LANGUAGE OR FORMAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND. AND, TRYING TO SHOW SOME SUPPORT IN A LANGUAGE OR FORMAT THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND. [REF: #ONE]
#911 IS THE SAME IN EVERY LANGUAGE. #thatisall
NOTICE THIS IS YOUR ACCOUNT THAT WAS HACKED ALONG WITH MINE. SO, WHEN I AM BEING ACCUSED OF SOMETHING UNETHICAL AND ILLEGAL AND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO BOTH CLEAR MY NAME AND PUT AN END TO THE SITUATION I EXPECT YOU DO IT AND QUICKLY REMOVE ANYONE WHO THE MEMBERS OF THIS FORUM.
WHO IS GUARDING YOUR HOUSE TONIGHT? PUT AN END TO DISINFO AGENTS AND PROVOCATEURS.
IF YOU WON'T DO IT FOR ME, DO IT FOR YOURSELF. IF NOT FOR YOURSELF THEN DO IT FOR THE WORLD. [REF: STEVIE NICKS TIMESPACE]#911 IS THE SAME IN EVERY LANGUAGE. #thatisall
no response. none.