Miscellaneous news items that don't warrant their own thread

[GannonFan]

difficult to assess... and also irrelevant
Due to the fact that Verizon / AT&T and Comcast have all been busted "throttling" accounts that they said they would never throttle

Truth be told they should throttle like crazy for the next few years while they still can fuck people over legally
because it's coming to an end pretty soon - Net Neutrality Utility will be a necessity and a reality soon

The FCC plans to restore Obama-era net neutrality rules

When net neutrality rules are enforced, internet service providers are not allowed to block or give preference to any content. They can't throttle access to specific websites or charge the likes of streaming services for faster service. They must provide users with access to every site, content and app at the same speeds and conditions. Advocates tout net neutrality protections as the foundation of an open and equitable internet.

Hasn't the internet been working just fine without this? I didn't really understand the big tussle about this back in the Obama years, and we certainly haven't seen internet issues since we scrapped this. Why the big push to make this an issue again?

[kalm]

The FCC plans to restore Obama-era net neutrality rules

Hasn't the internet been working just fine without this? I didn't really understand the big tussle about this back in the Obama years, and we certainly haven't seen internet issues since we scrapped this. Why the big push to make this an issue again?

Define “working fine”.

[GannonFan]

No one complaining about anything in particular.

[kalm]

No one complaining about anything in particular.

Huh? No one is complaining about the Internet? Or concerned about future unfair business practices and monopoly?

Still seems reasonable to me. It’s a part of the commons and should be protected. There are things the market is ill-equipped to provide to the public without some regulation.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/26/tech/fcc ... index.html

[UNI88]

No one complaining about anything in particular.

I've complained about my Comcast internet. I've had issues with YouTubeTV (competes with Comcast cable service) and with content (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) streamed through my firestick, switched over to a Comcast streaming device and the content streamed fine. Comcast is my only real choice for high-speed internet so they have a monopoly.

If you don't think Comcast and other providers will throttle competing services and/or juice services that pay them to do so then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

[GannonFan]

No one complaining about anything in particular.

Huh? No one is complaining about the Internet? Or concerned about future unfair business practices and monopoly?

Still seems reasonable to me. It’s a part of the commons and should be protected. There are things the market is ill-equipped to provide to the public without some regulation.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/26/tech/fcc ... index.html

I read the article you linked and again, it doesn't point to anything that ISP's are doing now or intend to do in the future. It literally is a solution desperately trying to find a problem. Regulations are great, we need them in many places for many things and they help to keep the economy and our society moving along. But that's not a blanket statement for any and all regulations. If we see a problem, then yes, let's put things in place to fix those problems. From the article:

Rosenworcel said reclassifying internet service providers as essential telecommunications entities — by regulating them under Title II of the FCC’s congressional charter — would provide the FCC with clearer authority to adopt future rules governing everything from public safety to national security.

Rosenworcel argued, “without reclassification, the FCC has limited authority to incorporate updated cybersecurity standards into our network policies.”

She added that traditional telephone companies currently cannot sell customer data, but those restrictions do not apply to ISPs, which are regulated differently. “Does that really make sense? Do we want our broadband providers selling off where we go and what we do online?”

Regulating internet providers using the most powerful tools at the FCC’s disposal would let the agency crack down harder on spam robotexts, Rosenworcel said, as spammers are “constantly evolving their techniques.”

If we had a genuine public safety or national security emergency, do we really think we couldn't get the authority to the FCC fast enough? When COVID hit we shut down the economy. When 9/11 happen we shutdown air travel. We did all those things without "clearer authority". That argument for this just seems bogus.

And on top of this, it appears we're going in the opposite direction from where the rest of the world, and Europe (regulations are basically Europe's biggest export anymore since they've faded in terms of other impacts on the world economy). Again from the article:

For years, consumer advocacy groups have called for strong rules that could prevent ISPs from distorting the free flow of information on the internet using arbitrary or commercially motivated traffic rules.

In contrast, ISPs have long argued that websites using up big portions of a network’s capacity, such as search engines or video streaming sites, should pay for the network demand their users generate. European Union officials are said to be considering just such a proposal.

So yes, sometimes you do need to ask the question - exactly what is this regulation for and do we really need it? I'm not seeing anything you've shown that answers that question. I await further articles.

[GannonFan]

No one complaining about anything in particular.

I've complained about my Comcast internet. I've had issues with YouTubeTV (competes with Comcast cable service) and with content (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) streamed through my firestick, switched over to a Comcast streaming device and the content streamed fine. Comcast is my only real choice for high-speed internet so they have a monopoly.

If you don't think Comcast and other providers will throttle competing services and/or juice services that pay them to do so then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Comcast internet sucks because of their network and how it's set up. Too much broadband is shared among a local area. Once everyone logs on, the speeds drop off. I had Comcast 20 years ago and switched the moment I realized it would lag in the evenings when everyone was using it. FIOS has a better concept, everything goes right to your house rather than be shared over the whole neighborhood.

The issue of competition, which impacts you since you don't have another provider, isn't solved or even discussed in a net-neutrality debate. Heck, if anything this just entrenches Comcast as your only option (unless you get Elon to let you use that Starlink thing). We certainly should have more competition for ISP's - I'm fully up for supporting that. That's a far more beneficial undertaking than trying to resurrect net neutrality.

[UNI88]

I've complained about my Comcast internet. I've had issues with YouTubeTV (competes with Comcast cable service) and with content (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) streamed through my firestick, switched over to a Comcast streaming device and the content streamed fine. Comcast is my only real choice for high-speed internet so they have a monopoly.

If you don't think Comcast and other providers will throttle competing services and/or juice services that pay them to do so then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Comcast internet sucks because of their network and how it's set up. Too much broadband is shared among a local area. Once everyone logs on, the speeds drop off. I had Comcast 20 years ago and switched the moment I realized it would lag in the evenings when everyone was using it. FIOS has a better concept, everything goes right to your house rather than be shared over the whole neighborhood.

The issue of competition, which impacts you since you don't have another provider, isn't solved or even discussed in a net-neutrality debate. Heck, if anything this just entrenches Comcast as your only option (unless you get Elon to let you use that Starlink thing). We certainly should have more competition for ISP's - I'm fully up for supporting that. That's a far more beneficial undertaking than trying to resurrect net neutrality.

Why have I had instances where a Comcast cable direct competitor (YouTubeTV) was buffering while Disney+ was fine?

I don't trust Comcast to not throttle their competition and to juice the speeds of streaming providers who pay them a fee.

Internet service is pretty close to a utility and shouldn't be fvcked with for profit unless there is a lot more competition.

[kalm]

Comcast internet sucks because of their network and how it's set up. Too much broadband is shared among a local area. Once everyone logs on, the speeds drop off. I had Comcast 20 years ago and switched the moment I realized it would lag in the evenings when everyone was using it. FIOS has a better concept, everything goes right to your house rather than be shared over the whole neighborhood.

The issue of competition, which impacts you since you don't have another provider, isn't solved or even discussed in a net-neutrality debate. Heck, if anything this just entrenches Comcast as your only option (unless you get Elon to let you use that Starlink thing). We certainly should have more competition for ISP's - I'm fully up for supporting that. That's a far more beneficial undertaking than trying to resurrect net neutrality.

Why have I had instances where a Comcast cable direct competitor (YouTubeTV) was buffering while Disney+ was fine?

I don't trust Comcast to not throttle their competition and to juice the speeds of streaming providers who pay them a fee.

Internet service is pretty close to a utility and shouldn't be fvcked with for profit unless there is a lot more competition.

Yep.

On a similar note Amazon is being sued by the FTC and 17 states over antitrust violations related to online sales.

Whether it’s ISP’s or online retail, these companies are obligated to exploit every angle at their disposal on behalf of their shareholders.

It’s the governments job to protect a fair marketplace.

[GannonFan]

Why have I had instances where a Comcast cable direct competitor (YouTubeTV) was buffering while Disney+ was fine?

I don't trust Comcast to not throttle their competition and to juice the speeds of streaming providers who pay them a fee.

Internet service is pretty close to a utility and shouldn't be fvcked with for profit unless there is a lot more competition.

Yep.

On a similar note Amazon is being sued by the FTC and 17 states over antitrust violations related to online sales.

Whether it’s ISP’s or online retail, these companies are obligated to exploit every angle at their disposal on behalf of their shareholders.

It’s the governments job to protect a fair marketplace.

That's not a similar note. Amazon is suspected of actually doing something wrong (the harm or injury), and as such, they are being sued (the correction or penalty). The FTC's reasoning, in at least what you provided, is that "we're sure something's going to go wrong, even though it isn't right now, and we want to fix it. Even though we don't know what "it" is". Regulations are great when we know what it is we're regulating.

[BDKJMU]

Good for them. Crime out of control in Philly. Heck last week 2 nights of rioting and looting in PHL that made national news.

[Skjellyfetti]

Assembly candidate spread fecal matter on daycare center doors
Joseph Viso admits it was wrong, says he was involved in dispute with daycare center owner — and that he was angry over Obama’s election
https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/ ... ter-doors/

[Caribbean Hen]

Good for them. Crime out of control in Philly. Heck last week 2 nights of rioting and looting in PHL that made national news.

Morgan State cancels football game due to another mass shooting in lovely Baltimore

Why? they vote for the crime so why cancel the game

They’re really voting for the “lifestyle” the enabling Dems rain down on urbania because if you give them just enough freebies to make them stay put, they will vote for you. A vicious and ugly cycle orchestrated by the evil Democrats on American urban areas

[Caribbean Hen]

Well, I’ve talked about my short time in Bedford Stuyvesant on here so when I read the story I was like holy shit I know exactly where that is….just brutal… this is why they tell you you don’t look at anybody when you’re in the inner city because somebody might take offense to it…

At least the killer is not out on bail yet

https://nypost.com/2023/10/05/suspect-1 ... -activist/

[BDKJMU]

Well, I’ve talked about my short time in Bedford Stuyvesant on here so when I read the story I was like holy shit I know exactly where that is….just brutal… this is why they tell you you don’t look at anybody when you’re in the inner city because somebody might take offense to it…

At least the killer is not out on bail yet

https://nypost.com/2023/10/05/suspect-1 ... -activist/

The victim was apparently some uber left social justice activist. Talk about Karma. And should have known better than to be at Lafayette Avenue and ‘Malcolm X Boulevard’ at 3:50 AM, esp a white couple.

[Caribbean Hen]

Well, I’ve talked about my short time in Bedford Stuyvesant on here so when I read the story I was like holy shit I know exactly where that is….just brutal… this is why they tell you you don’t look at anybody when you’re in the inner city because somebody might take offense to it…

At least the killer is not out on bail yet

https://nypost.com/2023/10/05/suspect-1 ... -activist/

The victim was apparently some uber left social justice activist. Talk about Karma. And should have known better than to be at Lafayette Avenue and ‘Malcolm X Boulevard’ at 3:50 AM, esp a white couple.

As Billy Joel once said when singing about his crazy days…. I was stranded in the Combat Zone
I walked through Bedford Sty alone

all of NYC reeks of marijuana now, the slasher was probably stoned on something…

Also, is anyone keeping track of the uptick in stabbings? You don’t need a gun to kill somebody …

[UNI88]

The victim was apparently some uber left social justice activist. Talk about Karma. And should have known better than to be at Lafayette Avenue and ‘Malcolm X Boulevard’ at 3:50 AM, esp a white couple.

As Billy Joel once said when singing about his crazy days…. I was stranded in the Combat Zone
I walked through Bedford Sty alone

all of NYC reeks of marijuana now, the slasher was probably stoned on something…

Also, is anyone keeping track of the uptick in stabbings? You don’t need a gun to kill somebody …

There are a lot of drugs more likely to cause violent behavior than marijuana.

[GannonFan]

As Billy Joel once said when singing about his crazy days…. I was stranded in the Combat Zone
I walked through Bedford Sty alone

all of NYC reeks of marijuana now, the slasher was probably stoned on something…

Also, is anyone keeping track of the uptick in stabbings? You don’t need a gun to kill somebody …

There are a lot of drugs more likely to cause violent behavior than marijuana.

I agree with that. But I also agree with the fact that NYC is just overwhelmed with the smell of pot. Was up seeing Hamilton again back in the early spring and took the kid to go see Times Square - almost knocked backwards from the smell. It was never like that before. Times they are a changing.

[BDKJMU]

There are a lot of drugs more likely to cause violent behavior than marijuana.

I agree with that. But I also agree with the fact that NYC is just overwhelmed with the smell of pot. Was up seeing Hamilton again back in the early spring and took the kid to go see Times Square - almost knocked backwards from the smell. It was never like that before. Times they are a changing.

I saw where NY is the only, or was, of all the states that legalized pot, where are no prohibitions against smoking in public.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/legal ... r-AA1hLYdc

[Caribbean Hen]

As Billy Joel once said when singing about his crazy days…. I was stranded in the Combat Zone
I walked through Bedford Sty alone

all of NYC reeks of marijuana now, the slasher was probably stoned on something…

Also, is anyone keeping track of the uptick in stabbings? You don’t need a gun to kill somebody …

There are a lot of drugs more likely to cause violent behavior than marijuana.

Absolutely,

You want to get knocked back by the smell go to St Marks street …. Yuck smells like rotten fruit

[BDKJMU]

Why stop at $50 an hour? Why not make it $500 an hour. Then everyone working full time would make over 1 million $. Everyone would be rich!

[kalm]

How to grow your billions through the legislative process. No such thing as bad government. Except for the suckers who refuse to play the game.

[UNI88]

The GOP Freedom "is giving in to our demands and doing what we want" Caucus reaction to a traitorous groomer not being elected Speaker ...

[BDKJMU]

The GOP Freedom "is giving in to our demands and doing what we want" Caucus reaction to a traitorous groomer not being elected Speaker ...

Fake News..

[UNI88]

• The 2020 election was stolen.
• russia wouldn't have invaded Ukraine if trump were POTUS.
• Hamas wouldn't have attacked Israel if trump were POTUS.
• trump is the victim of a witch hunt.
• jim jordan knew nothing about what what Dr. Richard Strauss was doing at The Ohio State University.
• jim jordan knew nothing about the seditious intent of trump and the January 6 rioters.
• trump and jordan are fine upstanding citizens, pillars of the community and only have the best interests of this country in mind.

Fake News..

You might be on to something.