Please Help Preserve Net Neutrality!

Given how crucial the internet has become to all our efforts, it's imperative that we take organized, effective action NOW in defense of 'net neutrality.

I just got the message below from Al Franken, who's one of the few in Congress who seems to care about this issue.

If you've ever complained about corporate media outlets, or otherwise been grateful for the equal-access "public square" provided by the internet, please help!

"Big news: Our petition to save net neutrality and stop the corporate takeover of our media just picked up its 100,000th signature!

"The big corporations who want to control the flow of information in America plan to bully Congress and the FCC into allowing mergers like Comcast/NBC and implementing the Google-Verizon "framework" that would undermine net neutrality. And they were counting on us to stay silent.

"Well, we haven't. To borrow a phrase from one of those big telecom companies: Can you hear us now? Good!

"But while 100,000 people is a lot, we're up against extremely well-funded opposition. That's why I need you to make a small contribution today to help us grow our grassroots movement.

"Last week, I spoke at a public hearing in Minneapolis. I warned that allowing corporations to control the Internet would not just threaten competition -- it would also stifle free speech. And at the end of the meeting, the two FCC commissioners in attendance announced that they were on board with our effort to save net neutrality.

"But I can't win this fight alone. I need every single one of the 100,000 people who have signed our petition. And I need their friends, too.

"You can Tweet (http://www.alfranken.com/page/m/6cf77f0/71517399/325b2bec/781647df/4277981773/VEsF/) or post to Facebook (http://www.alfranken.com/page/m/6cf77f0/71517399/325b2bec/781647df/4277981773/VEsF/ ) to get your friends on board. But you can also help us run online advertising to spread our message far and wide.

"Please make a contribution today -- whether it's $10, $25, or $50, every dime we are able to spend on this will help to strengthen our voice. (Contribute at http://www.alfranken.com/page/m/6cf77f0/71517399/325b2bec/781647df/4277981773/VEsF/ or http://www.alfranken.com/page/m/6cf77f0/71517399/325b2bec/781647dc/4277981773/VEsA/ )

"We have a long and uphill battle ahead of us. But it's critical that we win it. And that's why it's critical that these 100,000 signatures be just the start of our movement.

"Thanks for your support, -- Al"

http://www.savetheinternet.com/frequently-asked-questions

(snip)
Net Neutrality means that Internet service providers may not discriminate between different kinds of content and applications online. It guarantees a level playing field for all Web sites and Internet technologies.

Net Neutrality is the reason the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation and free speech online. It protects the consumer's right to use any equipment, content, application or service without interference from the network provider. With Net Neutrality, the network's only job is to move data -- not to choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.
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What's at stake if we lose Net Neutrality?

(snip)
On the Internet, consumers are in ultimate control -- deciding between content, applications and services available anywhere, no matter who owns the network. There's no middleman. But without Net Neutrality, the Internet will look more like cable TV. Network owners will decide which channels, content and applications are available; consumers will have to choose from their menu.
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