This is Web 2.0000001

This past week I joined the Facebook group "1,000,000 Strong for Obama" and created an account on Change.org. On Change, I joined three groups to support causes that I feel strongly in: preserving network neutrality, improving the U.S. public school system, and researching alternative energy technologies.

Please find below the text from a network neutrality campaign that I took action on. Additionally, I'd like to recommend a concise report that AeA published last year on net neutrality.

But, here is my letter to Del. Holmes and E-commerce Committee Senate & House Leadership:

As a graduate student from Georgetown University's Communication, Culture & Technology program I must strongly recommend that Congress protect freedom and openness on the Internet by passing legislation to protect network neutrality.

The Internet is our most democratic medium. It has grown exponentially, fueled innovation and altered how we communicate. Network neutrality is the guiding principle that has allowed for these advancements. If network neutrality is not mandated, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may block aka disenfranchise Americans from being heard by their elected officials. It may create a tiered Internet where large corporations -- who can afford to pay the surcharges -- will have an unfair competitive advantage over small innovative Internet businesses. These companies have been a driver for the economy and must be able to continue to do so; especially during these turbulant economic times.

I strongly urge you and your colleagues in Congress to support robust netneutrality legislation that prohibits network operators from blocking,impeding or interfering with any lawful Internet traffic orprioritizing any content or services. I believe recent proposals by Snowe, Dorgan, and Markey are excellent examples of this and hope you give them your consideration.

Jason Langsner
Washington, DC

Labels: network neutrality