Freedom of the Internet

                The topic of discussion for this Freedom Friday concerns freedom of the Internet.  Since the Internet was many years ago, Americans and citizens of most of the countries in the world have enjoyed freedom of the Internet.  Only countries such as Russia, China, Iran, etc. control Internet access for their citizens.  Now the United States may join them. 

                In late February the FCC formally approved a proposal for Net Neutrality;  the votes were divided straight down the party line.  This week we learned of a 2014 e-mail that could suggest someone from the White House was involved in the vote on Net Neutrality.

                Whatever your beliefs about Net Neutrality, I would think that all Americans are concerned when the Federal Government is pressuring individuals to vote a certain way.  Of course, no one should be surprised with anything this Administration does. 

                On Tuesday, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler claimed that the White House was not involved in passing new rules for the Internet; however, Representative Jody Hice (R-GA) referred to an e-mail that contains two words that might indicate that Wheeler is lying.  Representative Hice “pointed to an email Wheeler wrote in May 2014 in which a staffer for then Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wrote the chairman and admitted to telling the White House to `back off’ Title II.  That’s the part of the 1934 telecommunications law that, as of last month, gives the agency the authority to regulate the internet as a public utility.”

                Although Wheeler denied the White House was involved, he has admitted to sending the email.  He claims the Obama administration was only offering opinions; however, as Representative Hice stated, no one is told to back off from offering opinions – only when pressure is being applied. 

                I hope members of Congress continue to pressure Wheeler until the truth comes out!