Internet deregulation

Right now, wheels are set into motion that would grant ISP providers, such as AOL-Time-Warner, Verizon, Comcast and others, the ability to control which websites are viewable through their service, and the speeds at which these sites may be accessed.

Currently, a principle known as "Net Neutrality" is in place to assert that the internet, like any forum for expression, is guaranteed fair and equal access by all in accordance with the rights granted by the First Amendment. This includes the right to view websites from foreign countries.
The problem is that this is not a guaranteed rule; until now, it's been tantamout to a "gentleman's agreement".

However, multi-million dollar lobbying campaigns are being waged in Washington that would institute a clear and defined system of control over what can be seen, much as a Cable television network can select its programs and commercials.

If the ISPs get their way, what could happen is that independent sites would have to pay fees in order to have their websites available. Many sites like Gamingforce are too small for these companies to bother with taxation, but let's say that Google is asked to pay AOL five million dollars a month and Google refuses. AOL would be allowed to block all Google ips from their service, or the site would be allowed to load but only at inconveniently slower speeds. Even worse, if Google's competitors ante up enough money, AOL could conceivably auto-route all would-be users to Yahoo or AskJeeves instead.

Furthermore, ISPs would be allowed to block any sites whose content is deemed dangerous to their corporate well-being. This places an instant kibosh on any grassroots campaigns that may exist to stop (hypothetical) shady dealings in which AOL-Time-Warner is somehow involved. If AOL doesn't want you to see it, they'd be granted full censorship rights.

All this is just a very cursory explanation of the issue. I encourage each of you to check out the following website and learn about the problem for yourselves. You may decide if it's serious or not. I don't mean to make this decision for anyone else. But from all the talk I've heard on the radio and seen online, this issue could have grave ramifications.

http://www.savetheinternet.com/

How ya doing, buddy?