From West by Northwest.org Letters to the Editor Internet Neutrality, Banjo Lane, Of Religion and Society, and Greetings from Romania By Carol McBrian, C.R. Rushing, Caleb Brennan, and Eduard Diaconu Jul 3, 2006 Internet Neutrality Update The Internet as we know it is in grave danger. Up to now, the Internet has been governed by the principle of Internet Neutrality (aka Net Neutrality), which insures the equality of every person or group that uses the Internet. But telecom companies like IT and T and Verizon have been lobbying Congress to bypass Internet Neutrality so that they can charge consumers and businesses more money for faster service, slowing or even blocking websites or messages they don't like. In spite of lobbying by grassroots groups and Internet companies, things have not gone well for Net Neutrality.  On June 8, the House approved a telecom bill that did not protect Net Neutrality (HR5252) by a margin of 321-101. On June 28, the Senate Commerce Committee failed to pass an amendment to the Senate Telecom bill which would have favored Net Neutrality by a tie vote of 11-11.  It looked like the end for Net Neutrality. But then, immediately following the committee's vote, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) went to the full Senate and placed a "hold" on the Senate Telecom bill ( S. 2686), which prevents it from going forward until the entire Senate has had a chance to discuss the issue of Net Neutrality, and signals the Senator's willingness to filibuster in order to stop any telecom bill that doesn't protect Net Neutrality. On June 30, Senator John Kerry added his voice to Senator Wyden's, stating that he would fight the Telecom bill if it couldn't be changed to protect Net Neutrality. Senator Stevens, the author of the telecom bill, says that at the present he does not have the 41 votes necessary to override a filibuster. So it looks as if Net Neutrality still has a chance to continue--if all those who benefit from it let their Senator know that they want it. If you live in Oregon, please thank Senator Wyden for his strong stand in support of Net Neutrality. If you don't live in Oregon, please urge your Senators to stand with Senator Wyden for Net Neutrality. No matter where you live, please tell all your friends about this issue. It has not received much coverage in the mainstream press, although the folks who get most of their news from online sources are aware of it.  And don't just tell your liberal friends. Conservative groups such as the Gun Owners of America and the Christian Coalition are supporting Net Neutrality, because they want to protect their freedom of expression. Small businesses are supporting it because they don't want to pay hefty fees to telecom companies in order to compete with huge corporations.  To see the list of 768 organizations in the coaliton supporting Net neutrality, visit http://www.savetheinternet.com/=members. To see Senator Wyden's June 28 statement on Net Neutrality, go to http://www.salem-news.com/articles/june282006/wyden_telecommunications_62806.php To see other Net Neutrality news, visit www.savetheinternet.com To get a general background on Net Neutrality, read my May 10 article and May 24 letter in this journal. Carol McBrian PS More info thanks to C. T. P.: How would the end of net neutrality influence our internet dependent work for peace, justice and the environment? How would it hurt those around the world who now use it for educational purposes? U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has placed a "hold" on the Stevens' bill approved by the Senate Commerce Committee until clear language is included in the legislation that protects Internet freedom. Learn more about Wyden's action and call your Senator. Saving the Internet 1) Fight for Internet Freedom Moves to Senate Floor Free Press, Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America respond to the Senate Commerce Committee tie vote on Net Neutrality. Free Press http://www.freepress.net/news/16327 2) Senate Commerce Passes Franchise Bill The bill passed by a vote of 15-7, but there was an 11-11 tie on the Net Neutrality portion of the bill. (A tie is a defeat.) One Republican, Sen. Olympia Snow (R-Maine), crossed over to vote with the Democrats. John Eggerton, Broadcasting and Cable http://www.freepress.net/news/16328 3) Wyden Blocks Telecom Legislation over Ineffective Net Neutrality Provision Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wants the telecom bill to include stronger safeguards for consumers to prevent discrimination in Internet access and usage. Salem-News http://www.freepress.net/news/16312 4) Senate Telecom Bill's Future Murky Stevens prevailed in keeping Internet nondiscrimination language from the bill after a Net Neutrality amendment failed. But the price of that victory might be that the full Senate never considers the bill. Ted Hearn, Multichannel News http://www.freepress.net/news/16318 How to get More Banjo Lane? I was wondering how I may get the remaining chapters of Norm Maxwell's "banjo lane"? My local library doesn't have a copy. Or are there only four chapters in the book? Sincerely, C.R. Rushing Editor replies: "Banjo Lane" is only available online at WxNW.org. Glad "Banjo Lane" has a fan who is curious this remarkable project, a fictional account about the comedic tragedy of the lives of meth users in the ex-urban fringes of Lane County, Oregon. Author Norm Maxwell is reviving the serially written novel, a challenge for any writer. In fact your humble editor is processing the next installments to be posted soon. We have had some set-backs with the limited technology of country phone lines. No broadband here yet. Roots of Public Conscience and Justice in Religious Tradition While searching the Internet on a different subject, I ran across an article about the issue of proposed abortion/adoption funding and "Choose Life" license plates in Oregon and the extra money raised would be given to a civic group that supported life rights. The article talked about the origins of Oregon's government and the distrust between three ethnic groups with varying religious beliefs. A truce stating that the governement will not give money it raises to religious groups was written into the state's constitution. The article was informative to a degree. However, I do not see the connection between a church supported social policy and supporting a religion. Most churches are opposed to theft, rape, incest, murder, robbery, and racial violence. Should the government stand mute on these issues? Is it a violation of Oregon's constitution to fund moneys for prosecuters and prisons? Isn't the concept that justice should be afforded to everyone an outcrop off religious teachings? Good luck in Oregon. Caleb Brennan Hello, My name is Eduard Diaconu and I am from a town called Cluj Napoca, in Romania. Sailing on the Internet these days, we have found a link to your website. Now, I must say that we were truly amazed by your vision over the human spirit, and by your efforts to make a difference. I write you in the name of a small group of students living here. We are some kind of a research and study group, trying to evolve our spirit, mind, and body, and to maintain a high state of awareness regarding the reality which sourrounds us. Sadly, here in Romania it is almost impossible to do such a thing, especially when you use methods which are generally considered as "unorthodox" (that is becouse our main path has an Oriental source). Most of the people in our country have a pretty narrow vision regarding spirituality, and anything which they can not understand, they classified it as some kind of "heresy" and never look at it again; they are refractory and rigid. Fortunately, there are also open-minded people. Their number is small and their struggle is big, but the fight for freedom will never cease. Anyway, after a long endeavour, we have succeeded to open a public library. We had the chance to have on our side a town councilor, and with some help from him, we have officialized our group as a Non-Governmental Association. Then, to open this library was relatively easy. Though, we still have some minor problems in finding a proper location for it. Right now, the library is located in a pretty old building, but we hope that we will find a more proper location in a short time. Well, we have just started this "adventure" with the library (a year ago, nobody knew about us), and those small problems are almost inevitable. But what was really important was done. At the moment, our patrimony consist in approximately six hundred books and almost two hundred magazines, plus some video tapes and music on CDs and audio tapes. The subjects of all those are centered on Oriental spiritual traditions and philosophy, but we also have books focused on western spiritual paths. And, even if the vast majority of our books are in English, there are days when we have more than 10 visitors. People are really interested, especially in Eastern traditions. We also have a website. It's small and pretty unsophisticated, but, for now, it's all we can do regarding this issue. Here is the address: www.sundari.way2web.ro Once again, we must say that we are very glad to come across your website. You are doing a great job. And so, if you don't mind to exchange a thought or two with us from time to time, please give us a sign. Our very best wishes, Eduard Diaconu and friends © Copyright 2000-2004 by West by Northwest.org