Protect Your Internet Access From Being Hijacked

If you think it was an an overreach by the government when they subpoened Google's database demanding not only search history, but also a random sample of one million Web addresses, known as URLs. That is nothing compared to what may be in store for web users in the future from Internet Providers. Media Channel.org tells us The nation's largest telephone and cable companies have a vision for the Internet's future. Verizon, AT&T (formerly SBC), Comcast, and Bell South want to create a privately run and branded "pay-as-you-go" Internet, making everything we do online a "billable," revenue-generating service. Our every cyberspace move will be tracked and stored so we can be better marketed to (a data collection system that might even rival the NSA's!). Those with the deepest pockets--think corporate special interest groups and major advertisers--will get preferred treatment. Their content will show up (and be processed) the fastest on our computer and television screens. Content seen as undesirable, such as peer-to-peer communications, may be relegated to a slow lane or simply shut out, say "white papers" and other documents given to the cable and phone industry. If past practices from the corporate ass-kissers in Congress, Republican and Democratic tells us anything, the phone and cable lobbies will literally write their own legislation then in the dark of night, these corporatists in Congress will attach it to some other bill up for passage and before you can reboot your PC the internet will be hijacked and you of course will pay for it. Here is more detail on the plan as reported by mediachannel.org Both the Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are considering proposals that will have a far-reaching impact on the Internet's future. They want the federal government to permit them to operate Internet and other digital communications services as "private" networks--without policy safeguards or governmental oversight. ***** Under the plans they are considering, all of us--from large to small content providers to individual users--will have to pay more when surfing online, streaming videos, or perhaps even sending and receiving email. Companies are mulling the imposition of new subscription plans that will limit our online experience. There will be "gold," bronze," and "silver" forms of Internet access that tightly define what they call our "level of service" (limiting how much downloading we can do, etc.) Wonderful isn't it? The Government that is supposed to be by, of, and for the people will screw the little guy once more while these companies laugh themselves silly all the way to the bank knowing they have yet again put one over on the unsuspecting public. I would urge you to read "Hijacking the Internet" If after reading just how you're going to be forced to "bend over" once again by corporate interests and supported by an all too willing Congress, take the time to go to Free Press.net, and join tens of thousands of Media for Democracy and Free Press activists who are standing up to protect our Net freedoms. Tell the CEO's to stop treating our Internet as their fiefdom, by filling out the form provided, and contacting the CEO's of these companies and also your member of Congress.