Save the Internet, Mourn the Man

the highway scribe, in a move to protect his own interests, has joined something called the “Save the Internet Coalition.”

The group is fighting a move in Congress to end Net democracy as we know it. What we currently operate under is a concept called “network neutrality,” which prevents large telecommunications companies, as the coalition puts it, “from deciding which Web site work best for you – based on what site pays them the most.”

It means you might have a slower time getting to highwayscribery than you would something more complex and better financed. The offenders include AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast, the companies whose commercials boast that they have built and “own” network systems.

By way of example, provided by the coalition, last year AT&T Canada blocked requests to visit a Web site sympathetic to unions the company was negotiating with at the time. That kind of thing.

We’ve posted a “Save the Net” button above “Vedette” and below the “Powered by Blogger” button. Click there to learn more about this issue and, more importantly, to sign the petition.

***

And we have more bad news in the war casualty department:

Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Camp Pendleton Navy Corpsman

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcques J. Nettles of Beaverton, Oregon:

"Petty Officer Nettles' service and dedication to his country and fellow citizens will never be forgotten. Maria and I are humbled by his sacrifice and send our sincere condolences to Marcques' loved ones for their tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during their time of mourning."

Nettles, 22, died April 2 when the vehicle he was riding in rolled over in a flash flood near Al Asad, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Combat Logistics Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.

In honor of Petty Officer 3rd Class Nettles, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.