The Fight for Net Neutrality, Redux

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I've written before about the need to fight for net neutrality. Fairly recently, about the Net Neutrality Day of Action, and before that about SOPA & PIPA. Now, the FCC is trying once again to enact a total repeal of the rules that govern Net Neutrality.

You need to call to complain. Yes, even if you've called before.

SENATE

Here is how you can find your senators and their phone numbers:
https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/ 

And here is a list of the senators who are on The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation which, among other things, oversees communications:
https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/committeemembers

HOUSE

Here is how you can find your representative and their phone number:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

And here is a list of the representatives who are on The House Subcommittee for Communications and Technology:
https://energycommerce.house.gov/subcommittee/communications-and-technology/

SCRIPTS

Here is what you can say to them if they are not on one of the committees listed above:

"Hi, my name is [name]. I live in [zip code]. I am calling today to ask [elected official's name] to take a stand against Chairman Pai's attempts to roll back Net Neutrality rules. I understand that the [senator/representative] may be limited in their ability to make demands on the FCC, but as a constituent I want [senator/representative] to both publicly push for open hearings across the nation, in advance of any sort of vote, and to introduce a telecoms bill that will address what the FCC is trying to roll back. Please keep the internet open for us all. [Personalize it by talking about the impact the internet has on your work or schooling or children]. Please thank the [senator/representative] for me. And thank you for answering the phones."

And here's what you can say to them if the ARE on one of the committees listed above:

"Hi, my name is [name]. I live in [zip code]. I am calling today to ask [elected official's name] to take a stand against Chairman Pai's attempts to roll back Net Neutrality rules. I understand that the [senator/representative] is a member of [name the committee/subcommittee] which in part oversees the internet. It is crucial for the [senator/representative] to do everything in their power as a member of that [committee/subcommittee] to stop Chairman Pai. In addition, I want [senator/representative] to both publicly push for open hearings across the nation, in advance of any sort of vote, and to introduce a telecoms bill that will address what the FCC is trying to roll back. Please keep the internet open for us all. [Personalize it by talking about the impact the internet has on your work or schooling or children]. Please thank the [senator/representative] for me. And thank you for answering the phones."


Scripts based pretty closely on those suggested by #ICalledMyReps.

Net Neutrality: Day of Action

Once again the neutrality of the internet is at risk, so a lot of people are trying to come together to try to do something about it. Here are two images that I've seen around that capture the whole of it:

And here's some language from Battle for the Net, because they've said it better than I ever could:

"On July 12, 2017, websites, Internet users, and online communities will come together to sound the alarm about the FCC’s attack on net neutrality. Learn how you can join the protest and spread the word at https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12/.

"Right now, new FCC Chairman and former Verizon lawyer Ajit Pai has a plan to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies immense control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, the FCC will give companies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T control over what we can see and do on the Internet, with the power to slow down or block websites and charge apps and sites extra fees to reach an audience.

"If we lose net neutrality, we could soon face an Internet where some of your favorite websites are forced into a slow lane online, while deep-pocketed companies who can afford expensive new 'prioritization' fees have special fast lane access to Internet users – tilting the playing field in their favor.

"But on July 12th, the Internet will come together to stop them. Websites, Internet users, and online communities will stand tall, and sound the alarm about the FCC’s attack on net neutrality.

The Battle for the Net campaign will provide tools for everyone to make it super easy for your friends, family, followers to take action. From the SOPA blackout to the Internet Slowdown, we've shown time and time again that when the Internet comes together, we can stop censorship and corruption. Now, we have to do it again!"

Learn more and join the action here: https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12

This is too important. I know there have been so very many calls for action lately - 45 and the rest of the kleptocrats have made it so we have to fight for our lives almost every day - but this idea of net neutrality underpins all our other fights. Please join.