Mommy, I Can't Compete.

Last week, our bought-and-paid-for Congress rejected attempts to insure that "net neutrality" remains the law of the internet. This principle would provide for all webpages to be delivered to users and the pages to be delivered at equal speed. Companies like Verizon and AT&T have said that they would like to create a multi-tiered internet, charging different premium prices for delivery of certain sites. They claim that they need this ability in order to "compete."

Let me put this as kindly and simply as possible: Bullshit!

Verizon doesn't want to compete, instead they want the market handed to them. Verizon's competition problems stem mostly from the fact that they have done little to improve their infrastructure and technical ability to deliver broadband service. I personally know at least ten people who would have DSL at their residence if Verizon made it available. One friend of mine lives in a high-density area of Columbia, MD and still can't get DSL because the lines aren't there. Now, Verizon is begging for a new revenue stream that requires that they do NOTHING except collect bribes from websites, simply to allow the content to be delivered. That is NOT competition!

I've had enough of Verizon and I'm getting them out of my life. I'm switching to another cellphone provider and ditching my landline phone service. Of course, then I'm stuck with Comcast, a monopoly. You know, I don't get the whole "competition" idea. Where is the competition in monopolies? Deregulation of companies like Verizon and Comcast was supposed to provide innovation, new services and lower prices to customers, but it never has. Instead these companies provide minimal services, far behind those available in Europe and Asia, lousy support for their services, and higher prices. Then, when bad management and disrespect for the customer costs them business, they go tug Congress's skirt and whine, "Help me Mommy, I can't compete."

CSI - Criminally Slick Investigation

Decider in Chief (DIC) Bush has ordered an investigation into possible gas price gouging. Considering the links between his administration and the energy industry, especially with regard to the sharp-shooting VP, one has to wonder just how deep the probe will go. I'm betting it won't be nearly as deep as the oil companies are (up his - nope, not gonna say it) into our wallets.

The dig and burn boys are going to investigate their own? Yeah, I'm sure they'll drill right down to the core of the problem. I heard one of their reps defending gas prices the other day. The only problem was, every time he was asked about record profits and $400 million retirement plans, he slid out of answering the question like a wrestler bathed in 10W-30.

Treat Criminals With Respect?

'I know this is an emotional debate, but one thing we can't lose sight of is that we're talking about human beings,'' Bush told the group. ``Massive deportation of people here is not going to work."'

So now, in a nation of laws, a nation that is supposed to reward law-abiding citizens and punish lawbreakers, I am supposed to treat law-breaking illegal aliens with respect? What next, I have to thank my mugger, serve tea to a rapist, offer a murderer lodging so he can kill me after a good nights sleep?

The man is clueless.

Screw The Consumer

What's the difference between good capitalism, the kind where companies compete and the market drives good products to the consumer at reasonable prices, and screw-the-customer capitalism? Read this article by John Dvorak, at PC Magazine, for the answer.

If that ticks you off, and it should, you can go here to do something about it.

Six Months for Heckling?

So, the Bush regime is now having people arrested for protesting persecution? Were her actions rude? Maybe, but did she deserve to be arrested and charged with a crime that carries six months in jail? No. Looks more like Bush was trying to show the Chinese leader that he could be tough on civil disobedience, just like the Chinese are.

Hmmmmmm....