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Constituents of Ron Kind in Wisconsin begin to ask questions about their Democratic Reps's alliances. See how your Democratic Rep voted here.

from: Dane101.com

The Cost: Rep. Ron Kind and the Telecoms

Submitted by Jesse Russell on Mon, 2006-06-12 09:53.

from: USA Today

Control over cable TV shifting
Phone companies want power to go to state, fed level

By Deborah Yao
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Phone companies are leading efforts to rewrite rules giving local governments control over cable TV in their areas.

Under bills passed or pending in at least 14 states and Congress, pay-TV control would shift to state or federal regulators. That would mean phone and cable companies no longer would have to make individual local franchise deals.

Don't let your elected representatives get away with this! Send a letter to your Representatives and ask them WHY did you vote FOR COPE? This letter will only be sent to representatives that voted for COPE.

from: American Prospect

It’s Alright, Ma Bell
What the NSA eavesdropping program might tell us about the Bush administration’s love for telecom monopolies.

By Alexander Dryer

Last week, as details emerged of the Justice Department’s plan to have Internet providers log customers’ Web clicks and e-mails, the method behind the Bush administration’s domestic surveillance finally became discernible. The new initiative follows the pattern set by the NSA call-tracking program: The government deputizes telecommunications companies to carry out its spying.

from: Consumer Affairs

Congress Moves Quickly To Satisfy Telecom Demands

House Scraps Net Neutrality, Gives Telecoms Free Ride to Enter Cable Business

By Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.Com

The House of Representatives has passed its version of the most sweeping updates to telecommunications law in a decade, making it easier for telecom companies to compete with cable franchises, addressing issues of municipalities developing Wi-Fi networks tinkering with the Universal Service Fund that all telecoms pay into.

from: Detroit Free Press

Cable fight winner unclear
Competition could help consumers, maybe

BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

June 11, 2006

Dumping Michigan's community-based cable television system for franchising and regulation could touch off a price war that benefits people who watch television, use the Internet and make phone calls.

A worthwhile reminder that we need to hold our Congressional representatives acountable for the COPE tragedy no mattter which party they represent. The majority of Democrats voted for COPE, they need to be taken to task. See the House Roll Call to see how your rep voted.

from: the Nation

from: TMP Cafe - Art Brodsky

The House Votes on Net Neutrality
By Art Brodsky

There is an old cliche that the score of a game can be deceiving. In the case of the House vote on Net Neutrality Thursday night, that cliche doesn't work. The 269-152 vote is as bad as it looks.

But another cliche says it ain't over until it's over. And it ain't over.

from: Daily Herald

Suburbs to fight federal cable TV plan

By Lisa Smith
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Saturday, June 10, 2006

Suburban officials said Friday a proposed federal telecommunications law would undermine their authority to establish agreements for cable TV service.

Municipalities also could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars annually — $1.5 million in Naperville’s case — on franchise agreements with Comcast and other cable companies that serve residents and businesses if the measure is signed into law.

from: New York Times

June 9, 2006
House Backs Telecom Bill Favoring Phone Companies

By STEPHEN LABATON
WASHINGTON, June 8

The House of Representatives approved the most extensive telecommunications legislation in a decade on Thursday, largely ratifying the policy agenda of the nation's largest telephone companies.