Is Bobby Rush (D-IL) Opposition to Net Neutrality a Threat to Future of the Open Internet?

I’ve shared information with you about Net Neutrality in the past.


Methinks that it's time for each of us as individuals to take a stand on this issue. Earlier this week it became clear -- the FCC is wavering on net neutrality. And no matter what kind of rule the FCC makes, Republicans in Congress are waiting for an opportunity to gut Internet freedom.

But the person seeking to lead Democrats on the House subcommittee with oversight over Internet policy has been a staunch opponent of net neutrality, even calling it "a solution in search of a problem."

And due to his seniority, he may get the position. The decision on the position is being made right now.

That's why this blog is joining with friends at ColorOfChange.org in calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other key leaders to oppose Congressman Bobby Rush's bid for Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) has a strong record of service in our communities -- let there be no mistake. And we want to see Black members of Congress in leadership positions wherever possible. But when it comes to the Internet, Congressman Rush has repeatedly supported the interests of the telecom industry over the interests of regular people, and he's been a leading Black voice in opposition to network neutrality.

In 2006, Rush worked with Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) and other Republicans to enact legislation that would undermine network neutrality.   Recently, he supported an effort by Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) to prevent the FCC from instituting network neutrality rules. It would be dangerous to the future of the Internet for Bobby Rush to become the ranking member on the House subcommittee in charge of net neutrality.

Rush's financial relationship to the telecom industry also raises the question of whether he can stand with everyday people vs. the big broadband providers. AT&T, Verizon, and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association have been among his strongest campaign contributors, with AT&T's PAC being his second biggest life-time contributor. From 2001 to 2004 the company donated $1 million to a community technology center Rush founded in Chicago that bears his name.

Speaker Pelosi has been a steadfast supporter of the open Internet and has promised that any legislation to gut net neutrality is "not going to be a Democratic initiative."

In my opinion, allowing Rush to become Ranking Member would simply be a mistake for any of us that support continuation of 'net neutrality' and threaten the future of the open Internet.

What say u?

45 People Are Shot and Killed Daily in America

Congressman Bobby Rush (D-Il) focused on urban violence recently. He shared some stats that blew me away when I saw them:

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More Americans are killed in America than American soldiers killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. The Department of Justice reports that, on average, 45 people are shot and killed daily in America. Annually, there are 16,000-17,000 gun deaths in America.

In contrast, the total number of American casualties in Iraq, over the entire span of the war (5 years), is about 4,155 and for Afghanistan, it's at least 500. The combined total of casualties for Iraq and Afghanistan is less than 5,000 since both wars began.

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Rep. Rush is sponsoring The Communities in Action Neighborhood Defense and Opportunity (CAN DO) bill in congress. This is an attempt to provide a comprehensive, community-oriented approach to address the issue of gun violence, especially as it affects our youth. The object is to accurately frame the issue of gun violence as a matter of public safety, rather than as a Second Amendment issue or strictly a gun control issue, while also addressing the root causes of the violence.

45 deaths every dayum day of the year!

That is an impact not just on the 45 people each day that stopped breathing ... it impacts on the 45 killers. It is impossible to take another life and not have it affect your soul ... not to mention your freedom if you are caught and convicted.

What is the lost opportunity in our community as a result of this urban violence? Did we lose a future doctor? a future scientist? a future Nobel Prize winner? a future father or mother?

Villagers, as the election comes to a conclusion it may be time to look at other ways that we can make a difference.
What is your thought about urban violence? Does it impact your community?

Congress Joins the Afrosphere in Battle Against Degrading Images

Villagers, have you heard about the strong case that Black bloggers made against BET programming and Gangsta Crap music? The main targets are Black Entertainment Television (BET), who they call ‘Black Exploitation Television’, and gangsta rappers such as 50cent, Snoop Dog, The Game, and Cam’ron. These artists produce music bloggers brand ‘gangsta crap’.

Gangsta rap regularly glorifies sexism, the n-word, profanities, violence, drug use and dealing, sexism, and the dehumanization of Black men and women. Gangsta rap videos and stereotype-filled shows are the programming staples of BET. "BET and hip hop have gone down hill. They were once inspirations. Now they purvey some of the most harmful anti-Black sentiments you will ever see or hear, and this has become a representation of mainstream Black culture," says Bronze Trinity of the Afrosphere Bloggers Association (ABA).

Congress plans to follow the lead of Black bloggers with a subcommittee hearing on the media "stereotypes and degradation" of Black woman. The hearing is entitled: From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, said "I want to engage not just the music industry but the entertainment industry at large to be part of a solution ... I want to talk to executives at these conglomerates who've never taken a public position on what they produce."

The hearing will be broadcast via the Committee website.

Witnesses include Philippe Dauman of Viacom, Doug Morris of Universal Music Group and Edgar Bronfman Jr. of Warner Music Group. Witnesses will discuss the impact of racist and sexist language and images transmitted via interstate commerce and telecommunications modes, the perpetuation of damaging stereotypes, and how best to protect consumers from the increasingly coarse and vulgar language and images that have the effect of undermining important moral values in our society. This hearing will explore these issues in the context of commercial hip hop music and video games, and their impact on popular culture and young people.


Click here for full list of witnesses.
Rush stressed that this is "not an anti-artist hearing, or antimusic or anti-youth hearing." He said he's hoping for voluntary -- not regulatory -- solutions. "I respect the First Amendment, but rights without responsibility is anarchy, and that's much of what we have now. It's time for responsible people to stand up and accept responsibility."

Well, villagers, what are your thoughts on these issues?