So now it looks like Ebay is taking a stand on the Net Neutrality issue. If you've ever bought something on Ebay, I'm sure you got one of these notes from Meg Whitman today:
Net Neutrality and the eBay Community: A Call to Action
As you know, I almost never reach out to you personally with a request to get involved in a debate in the U.S. Congress. However, today I feel I must.
Right now, the telephone and cable companies in control of Internet access are trying to use their enormous political muscle to dramatically change the Internet. It might be hard to believe, but lawmakers in Washington are seriously debating whether consumers should be free to use the Internet as they want in the future.
The phone and cable companies now control more than 95% of all Internet access. These large corporations are spending millions of dollars to promote legislation that would divide the Internet into a two-tiered system.
The top tier would be a "Pay-to-Play" high-speed toll-road restricted to only the largest companies that can afford to pay high fees for preferential access to the Net.
The bottom tier -- the slow lane -- would be what is left for everyone else. If the fast lane is the information "super-highway," the slow lane will operate more like a dirt road.
Today's Internet is an incredible open marketplace for goods, services, information and ideas. We can't give that up. A two lane system will restrict innovation because start-ups and small companies -- the companies that can't afford the high fees -- will be unable to succeed, and we'll lose out on the jobs, creativity and inspiration that come with them.
The power belongs with Internet users, not the big phone and cable companies. Let's use that power to send as many messages as possible to our elected officials in Washington. Please join me by clicking here right now to send a message to your representatives in Congress before it is too late. You can make the difference.
Thank you for reading this note. I hope you'll make your voice heard today.
Sincerely,
Meg Whitman
President and CEO
eBay Inc.
P.S. If you have any questions about this issue, please contact us at government_relations@ebay.com.
Though the Localist Blog already linked to this, I thought it well worth repeating:
"The Internet has become a remarkable fount of economic and social innovation largely because it’s been an archetypal level playing field, on which even sites with little or no money behind them—blogs, say, or Wikipedia—can become influential. If the Internet turns into a zone of tiered access, it will be harder for noncommercial sites or startup companies to compete with bigger firms.
-- James Surowiecki, Net Losses, from the New Yorker
For more information go to Save The Internet.
Also it's good to know that Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District Congressman, Michael Ross voted in favor of net neutrality. On April 26th, 2006, Ross supported the Markey amendment to the COPE Act made by House Energy & Commerce Committee members. Way to go Mike!
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has formed a partnership with UNICOR Recycling Business Group to offer FREE disposal of residential electronic waste. It's called "Project Green-Fed". This is a one-year pilot project that began August 11, 2005.
How to get rid of Electronic waste using this FREE program:
1. Call Toll Free 1-866-896-8528.
2. UNICOR will send you two (2) boxes, packing material, and a return label at no charge.
3. Pack equipment in the boxes provided, using the packing materials.
4. Call Federal Express for pick up from your home at no charge to you.
Examples of items accepted on this program:
Computers, monitors, laptops, printers, cell phones, fax machines, power supplies, microwaves, small TVs, peripherals, any electronic items that will fit within the box from UNICOR.
This program covers the entire state and meets federal Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. The parts will then be salvaged and used again.
Electronic products often contain hazardous and toxic materials such as lead, chromium, nickel, and zinc, which pose environmental risks when disposed of improperly. Beginning on January 1, 2008, electronics will be banned from Arkansas Landfills according to the Arkansas legislature.
For more information, call the ADEQ help line at 501-682-0923 or the recycling division at 501-682-0814.