To my dismay, I have learned that a number of progressive Websites are running a deceptive ad aimed at destroying the free Internet. Why on earth would they do such a thing? Answer: MONEY.
The ad is sponsored (paid for) by a coalition misleadingly called "Hands Off the Internet". This "coalition" is comprised of AT&T, BellSouth and Cingular, along with some "front" organizations that use the Republican tactic of sounding like they are on your side when they are really trying to sink a dagger deeply into your back. Sadly, this nefarious group is masterminded by Mike McCurry, former Press Secretary to Bill Clinton. Apparently there is no end to the traitors in this country.
More over the fold:
Pro-Internet Democracy Blogs Run Ads for Corporate Takeover of Net: Another Example of Why BuzzFlash Won't Accept Advertising
A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL
Right now there is a fierce Capitol Hill war being waged over whether the Internet will continue to belong to the citizens of America or will start to move down the path that cable television went: only the big players will survive as fully accessible content providers, as the Telecom broadband providers start to set up toll gates on the Net.
This is a very cynical and deceptive push to let the telecos seize control of the Internet rendering it useless for democracy, and converting it into the best little spy in a box the government ever imagined. Big Brother on every desktop is their goal. We have to stop them. This effort will snuff out the last of our freedoms and make us powerless slaves to the Corporatocracy (just made that up).
Big Lie of the Week
Don't be fooled. Web sites like "Hands Off The Internet" are industry front groups -- the products of high-priced consultants bought and paid for by the cable and phone industry. Companies like AT&T, Verizon, BellSouth and their trade associations are spending millions every week to mislead and misinform the American public.
Their latest attempt to hoodwink Internet users is a cutesy cartoon at www.dontregulate.org -- a clever piece of industry propaganda that is riddled with half-truths and outright lies.
The telco giants cloak their real interests behind a populist message that sounds plausible, while undermining the work of genuine public and consumer advocates.
Here's a quick guide to help you cut through the industry spin:
The Don't Regulate the Internet paid (scam) ads are running on the following progressive sites:
http://atrios.blogspot.com/
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/ (also refused to run a free ad for the real save the Internet folks)
http://www.crooksandliars.com/
http://rawstory.com/
On the up side, http://www.Alternet.org , one of the sites who uses the broker for this ad, BlogAds, quickly pulled the "trojan horse" Telecom ad off its site. And Daily Kos (who also uses BlogAds) is not carrying it either! Let's raise a glass to a couple of REAL progressive Websites! Good on ya dKos! Ya make me proud!
Conclusion
These cash-rich assholes (the telecoms) are spending huge money to seize control of the Internet. This is the most immediate threat to our last remaining freedoms. Once they take control of the Internet they can turn it to their own purposes. And who can doubt, given the latest headlines, that they will turn over any and all information requested by the government. The government will then know every Website you visit, the full text of every email or instant message you send or receive, every link you follow, every download you make, and on and on it will go. There has never been a more insidious and effective spy machine than a PC connected to the Internet, regulated by the Telecos, and controlled by the government.
We have to stop them! Please help!
For sites really interested in saving the free Internet, and what you can do to help, see the following:
http://www.freepress.net/
http://www.savetheinternet.com
http://civic.moveon.org/...