The problem we have here, Faisal, is not
about "constructive" criticism. I am not arguing the value
of policy X vs policy Y, but frustrated that the vast majority
of US, who have the most to lose, speak of these things in
terms of such inevitability, as if losing the battle against
overreaching feds has already been lost, and all that's left
is to try to weasel some kind of benefits for ourselves.
And thus, my undying anger toward a
former WISPA leader who went to the FCC and suggested that
they START poking their nose in our business. His intention
was to get us political status, so that we could get our nose
into the government trough. That's the kiss of death, and
somehow, we've managed to avoid the bullet so far, all hope is
NOT lost.
And that's where it all has gone awry.
And I’m not taking this as personal,
relax.
The point is, we should not be debating
the value of regulation X vs the value of regulation Y, but
instead seeking to make alliances in Congress to FOREVER butt
the government (fcc, etc) out of our business.
I wrote about 9 months ago, that the new
Congress coming would have some very strong allies in that
regard, and that there's a change coming, one so big that
it'll change our possible future. Why should we roll over
and play dead, failing to ally ourselves with friends in
Congress who WANT to exempt us entirely from any meddling in
our business? Why should we play the FCC's game, when
there's a much bigger and much better idea - to gain our
freedom to do business without having an endless worry about
what the changing faces at the FCC are going to do - and have
that endless threat and constant looking over our shoulder,
wondering when the sword will fall, the train will come down
the tracks, or whatever other metaphor is most meaningful to
you?
This means that the money trough from
Congress will go AWAY and that we have to earn our freaking
keep from now on, with no subsidy, no grants, no loans, at the
taxpayer expense. But I consider that the best business deal
we could ever negotiate. The ANGER of many Congressmen have
right now, as directed toward the FCC is one that makes my
consternation seem like mild whining. The FCC is stepping on
the toes of Congress, giving them the bird, so to speak.
If you want strategy, then STRATEGY says
we go to Congress. We have strong allies in both houses, but
they need US to give them cover politically, so they can bully
the rules through they want, and it really DOES mean freedom
for us. When was the last time a Congress had a near
majority in both houses that decided they should BUTT OUT of
an industry? Well, we have it. And it will be messy. And
controversial. And some people are going to get all bent out
of shape, because they WANT money, more than they want
freedom.
I asked this list almost a year ago,
directed my comments at the leadership of WISPA, and it said
basically the following: "How long are you going to try to
straddle this?" How long is the leadership going to mouth
"we need freedom to operate our business" with the
contradicting premise of "we want to get federal money and
subsidies"? The latter never comes with the former. WISPA
is going to have to take a stand, either it's going to say "we
invite and recognize the value of regulation of ISP business,
network, and policies" or, it's going to have to say "We
believe that our industry is best UNREGULATED". And they
punted. Instead, I was told to shut the hell up and not
bring it up again.
Instead of sitting down and asking our
contacts in DC who our friends are, in terms of getting us
permanent free market status, the leadership chose to continue
straddling the fence, so as to not rock the boat. And, I
will NOT support WISPA, until or unless it actually grows a
pair and fights, not to encourage and promote us being
regulated, but the RIGHT thing, which is our
independence. Those people who were denigrated and put down,
those "tea party" types, have suddenly gotten big pull in DC.
And they want every ally they can get.
And WE should be one of them. EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK for the
last month, major opinion writers, congressmen, senators, and
so on, have ARGUED for our NON regulated status all over the
news, tv shows, cable, internet sites, newspapers, magazines,
you name it. Where the hell are we? Afraid to say the word,
all hunkered down and have already given up and declared dead
- that being heavily regulated status being a foregone
conclusion and our free market status lost. There's
basically TWO organizations, the White House, and Genachowski
himself that are pushing it, THAT IS IT. And they're a tiny,
but loud minority, and they have the sympathy of Democrats.
Both of the organizations pushing it, are well funded and are
basically socialists, who push an agenda of extreme government
power, over all things.
In this is case, it is not us against
Congress, it is us vs the FCC and a couple of special interest
groups. After the new Congress is sworn in, we have a real
possibility of getting the law written to say we're to be left
alone, and NOT subject to the whims of agency people. But,
like I said almost a year ago... Ya'll gonna have to decide
which side of this fence ya wanna be on.
You know where I am.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Neofast, Inc, Making internet easy
541-969-8200 509-386-4589
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 6:26 AM
Subject: Re: [WISPA] Flexible rules promised for
wireless
Nothing personal here...
I have yet to see some 'constructive' discussion from Mark about
how to influence the outcome of such regulations... I am not in
favor of the regulation... but ours would not be the first
Independent Business to be 'Regulated' in some form or another..
(Food business is regulated, Medial Business is regulated, Fuel
Business is regulated etc. etc. etc..)
On one side when larger companies in an industry start to flex
their muscles, and start playing arrogant, that simply invites
Regulation... but then again we all behave similar in our own play
pens as well... but it is just that we are small and thus don't
hit the regulators radar screen..
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