Gross Neutrality

Written by Yappy | 21 August 2010

I know the subject of Thursday's FCC hearing in South Minneapolis, which I was unable to attend, was actually "Net Neutrality" but, like most terms thrown about by politicians and bureaucrats these days, it seems intended more to smoke over a smoldering scheme than to firelight the truth.  If it is like my paycheck, where gross pay is what I have earned and net pay is what the government lets me keep of it, no thanks.  As for "neutrality" when it comes to the Internet, government is the aggressor here, attacking a chaotic but completely peaceable (and essentially  defenseless) Internet, so "neutrality" is not something government can, should or ought force, except on THEMSELVES.  

Had it been a fair hearing, which I understand it definitely was not, it would have come down to a debate between those who distrust Big Business and those who distrust Big Government.  I would therefore have liked an answer to one and only one question:  Who is more likely to insure the best and widest access to the Internet: unelected, politically-swayed bureaucrats who get paid the same regardless of what happens to the businesses and industry they regulate, or the businesses that survive and thrive only by providing an Internet service that more and more customers will freely choose to buy?

A Tale of Two Cs

Written by Nancy LaRoche | 29 August 2010

Diametrically opposed views are a good thing. With healthy debate and moral clarity, we can learn and grow as individuals. Sadly we don't see it in this case: a liberal's rebuttal from an eariler Duluth News Tribune letter pointing out government and perceived Marxist growth:

A letter of Aug. 2 (“Hey, Duluth, how does it feel to be Marxist?) displayed a litany of misinformation, a knee-jerk, right-wing response to reality, and an utter disregard or even knowledge of what Marxism might be all about.

The letter’s wearisome inventory included rising gas prices; the financial irresponsibility of government officials; how our city is getting trashier; City Hall in the red; more money for hospital buildings, yet nurses cut; East High School’s football field torn apart as part of a $4 million project; a perfectly good school practically given to the University of Minnesota Duluth; no improvements to City Hall; and Christians paying for abortions via “Obamacare.”

The writer asked: “How does it feel to be Marxist?” What he should have asked was: “How does it feel to live under capitalism?”

William L.
Embarrass

If there were ever an appropriate city name placed after a writer, this is it.  Let's go to the original letter that caused Comrade William's upset:

Let’s see if you’re awake yet Duluth.

Has anyone noticed how gas prices in our city seem to go up two weeks before every holiday, but the cost of a barrel stays the same?

Has anyone noticed that when government officials want to build a new playground or trails for hiking, or when they want to buy land of more than 1 million acres, they just do it?

Has anyone noticed our city is getting trashier and trashier? Do inspectors, who you can’t find, ever give out fines for anything?

Have you wondered how we seem able to get grants from all over but our city still is in the red?

Has anyone noticed how St. Mary’s hospital cuts nurses yet has the money to build new hospital buildings? And when you contact them you speak to a person from another country who you can’t understand?

Did you notice the Red Plan went into effect practically the day the decision was made? East High School’s football field was torn apart within days, it seemed, and that was a field built as part of a $4 million project, as I recall. Good thinking!

We practically give away a perfectly good school next to the University of Minnesota Duluth, and UMD pays little to nothing for it?

All this and we can’t give our police department a decent place to work? Officers have been in City Hall since 1927; nothing has improved.

All you Christians out there: We are paying for abortions via Obamacare, yet we have heard little from the news media or the pulpits of our churches? Maybe we should give President Obama, his communist czars and the DFL another four years. How does it feel to be a Marxist? You ain’t seen nothing yet, but you will!

Rodney L.
Duluth

The former replies by name-calling instead of refuting the latter's examples. Rodney uses strong lanquage and some name-calling, but his examples are compelling. William can only come back with "right wing lying and disregard for Marxism." To William and other Marxist supporters, perhaps this Townhall article from Dennis Prager might enlighten you on communism. If you can't acknowledge that C's evil, "you ain't seen nothing yet, but you will!" and "without moral clarity, humanity has little chance of avoiding a dark future."