Take a look at the advertising on the frontpage. Now, I'd normally not look at the advertising unless it piqued me (I won a contest through one of the advertisers once, so I do look). There's a fascinating ad here:
Below this, there's this description:
TV Freedom will bring competition and choice to America.
The House of Representatives acted, now it's time for the Senate to finish the job.
Tell your Senator it's time for competition and choice.
Read More...
Now, what does this link to?
The Future Faster... The future is going to be faster, you say? Hmmm... I wonder what you mean. So, you're for better neutrality and a protection of our future at a faster rate?
Oh, wait, they're pro-COPE Act and Anti-Net Neutrality in bill form. Here's what they have to say about Net Neutrality:
Existing net neutrality bills are solutions in search of a problem. The Internet has been successful to date because the government has maintained a vigilant, but hands-off approach that has allowed companies to innovate in direct response to the evolving wants and needs of their customers. A consumer's Internet experience is today unimpeded - in the absence of virtually any regulation of the Internet - because there exists a powerful consumer mandate for Internet freedom.
In a new communications era defined by multiple choices - multiple communications pathways - consumers simply will not continue to purchase service from a provider that blocks or restricts their Internet access. When consumers have choices in the marketplace, consumers have control. There is vigorous competition between DSL, cable modem, wireless, satellite, and other Internet access providers. In some areas free Wi-Fi access is available. In others, access over power line is becoming available. This competition directly benefits consumers - and the latest evidence is the announcement of $12.99/month DSL service from AT&T.
Unnecessary regulatory or legislative intervention in marketplace activities would stifle, not enhance the Internet. Laws are inflexible and difficult to fine-tune - particularly when applied to technologies that are rapidly evolving.
Now, look at the net neutrality argument from Hands Off Our Internet, a definite Astroturf group created by the telecoms. Their arguments work into these same sort of ideas.
As of now, I cannot figure out who actually run "The Future Faster". On their About Us page, they note that:
The Future...Faster effort is building a broad coalition of communications and high-tech industry leaders, civic groups and other associations, as well as individual Americans who share our belief that in today's choice-filled communications world, consumers, the economy and American innovation are best served by market-driven competition. We oppose the continued regulatory central planning of the communications marketplace that denies consumers their right to select the winners from the growing array of choices available to them.
However, I cannot find who runs this thing. So, anyone who's a better tech beagle than I am, if you could figure that out for sure, that would be great. I know that we are all welcome to our ideas, but it seems that this ad goes against the sorts of things we fight for, designed to pretend to help people but in fact try to argue the telecom line. But, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong.
UPDATE: Thanks to DH from MD's catch:
From the About Us page:
The Future...Faster® effort is organized by the United States Telecom Association, which represents more than 1,200 of the nation’s leading telecommunications companies, from the smallest rural cooperatives to some of the largest employers and telecom service providers in America.
Thanks for the catch, and yes, this is certainly ASTROTURF on the Kos advertising.
UPDATE #2 This isn't the only place you'll find it. It's on MyDD as well, as well as Talking Points Memo. Not sure about where else.