Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Rolex on July 11, 2006, 04:40:16 PM
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The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provided the telcos with $200 billion of taxpayer money to wire up your house by 2006. Each of you were promised 45Mbps symmetrical fiber or coax/fiber combination for about $40 per month.
That is $2,000 per household and it's 2006.
So, how is that connection working for you?
And the same people who perpetrated this fraud aren't done yet. The telcos are spending over $1 million per week for advertising, untold millions in lobbying and fraudulent 'consumer groups' in Washington DC to extend the con even further to get net neutrality protection defeated. Companies have no money, so they're spending your money to screw you again.
$2,000 per household wasn't enough for these guys. If you aren't outraged by it, then you probably don't understand the magnitude of the fraud. It has to be the greatest financial con in history.
If you want to judge the corruption of your congressional representative, see where they stand on net neutrality. This is the easiest way to clearly see where their interests lie - with the consumer and taxpayer, or with the telcos and their lobbyists.
There is no way any representative can support an end to net neutrality without being on the take from a telco lobbyist, being an idiot, or having a financial interest in the fleecing of consumers.
Congress and the Justice Department should be bringing felony charges against the executives of the telcos, not going to their cocktail parties. If you took $2,000 from every household in your neighborhood and failed to deliver the internet connection you promised, you'd be in jail faster than you could say, "Con man."
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You know, I was reading somewhere...maybe it was Tom's Hardware or TGDaily...but they just *finally* stopped taxing us for, ahem, sponsoring the war effort in the Spanish American War...or was it WW1? But you know how government is...they'll repeal one tax and institute another.
Kinda like the smokers tax. That money goes to children's health programs. So, if you quit smoking, you are hurting the children!
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Didnt we get the income tax from WW1? If so we are still being taxed for that huge Euro ****up!
Damn warlike Euros!:D
Rolex
I dont know much about the subject but would like to learn, you hae any links that are good?
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That first round went towards killing the independent ISP (I know, I was one of them). They gave away service for free to sway customers away from the independent. The methods are very much against the law and in huge violation of the FTC, but they do not care.
Rightfully so, as the FTC has not done a thing about any of the thousands complaints filed against the telcos.
Now, they are looking for the final nail in the coffin.
I said it in 1995, and will say it again. Telcos will own the Internet one day and when they do, you can expect some very quick rate increases, as you will have nowhere else to go.
But it all falls on deaf ears. No one gives a rats tush about this.
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Originally posted by LePaul
You know, I was reading somewhere...maybe it was Tom's Hardware or TGDaily...but they just *finally* stopped taxing us for, ahem, sponsoring the war effort in the Spanish American War...or was it WW1? But you know how government is...they'll repeal one tax and institute another.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060526-6928.html
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Originally posted by GtoRA2
Didnt we get the income tax from WW1? If so we are still being taxed for that huge Euro ****up!
Damn warlike Euros!:D
Rolex
I dont know much about the subject but would like to learn, you hae any links that are good?
Don't know about double you double you one but the British are still paying back the lend lease loans from WW2. The final payment is scheduled for December this year. The Soviet Union had to pay back loans as of a few years ago. So they shouldn't really be taxing you.
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Wow CP
I had no idea the UK was still paying!
WW1 I think they put an income tax in place to pay for the war. They just never revoked it.
I think.
Good thing we made the Ruskies and Brits pay for it durring WW2, who knows what the income tax would be then:D
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Well it's not just a telco problem.
One lesson I've learned about being an "American" is .... don't steal a little.... steal ALOT and you'll be fine. :confused:
Until such behavior shows large prison terms and fines for elected officals as well as dirty corperations/executives, we will see pleanty more of "Enrons" and "Adelphia's" etc etc etc....
They are turning business and corprations into a monoplistic/aristocratic joke. And the telco's are just another symptom.
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Originally posted by Sandman
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060526-6928.html
Thanks, Sandy!
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Originally posted by BluKitty
Well it's not just a telco problem.
One lesson I've learned about being an "American" is .... don't steal a little.... steal ALOT and you'll be fine. :confused:
Until such behavior shows large prison terms and fines for elected officals as well as dirty corperations/executives, we will see pleanty more of "Enrons" and "Adelphia's" etc etc etc....
That will never happen. Ya see, when we get pissed about something today, we go to our favorite bulletin board and express our outrage. Oh yeah, that is going to change the world. Woot!
Satisified with that, we move on to the next news bit. Wash, dry, repeat ad nauseum.
We are the sheep, hear us roar (on our favorite local bulletin board or blog). Cod forbid we actually do something about it. No one knows how to vote with thier wallet. No one is willing to give up anything they see as a personal benefit, regardless of the lonbg term ramifications. After all, "we can deal with it when it happens".
While most of us would gladly berate politicians for doing what is best in thier interests, many of the same outraged citizens do exactly the same thing.
Hypocrisy, apathy,...no cure in sight.
When I was fighting the good fight to keep my company going. I contacted the telco and warned them what they were doing was illegal. Here is the response, verbatim. "So sue us."
You see, another ISP did just that. After 9 years, and 3 personal bankruptcies, he had not seen a dime of the money awarded. That was six years ago. He comitted suicide last year, after losing his home and family. The telco had filed a counter-suit and won. He fought the good fight. Did him no good.
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The government sucks and there's very little if anything that can be done about it. The big things they're doing that really chap me at the moment are trying to privatize ATC and the "Orphan Works" bill, HR 5439.
Outsourcing is another big one, but that's corporate America idiots more than politicians.
I wonder if it's too late for me to go into politics so I can have job security.:p
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The greatest con was in 2002.
But seriously.. I pledge alligiance to the flag, and the corperate conglomerate for which it stands..
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
That will never happen. Ya see, when we get pissed about something today, we go to our favorite bulletin board and express our outrage. Oh yeah, that is going to change the world. Woot!
Satisified with that, we move on to the next news bit. Wash, dry, repeat ad nauseum.
We are the sheep, hear us roar (on our favorite local bulletin board or blog). Cod forbid we actually do something about it. No one knows how to vote with thier wallet. No one is willing to give up anything they see as a personal benefit, regardless of the lonbg term ramifications. After all, "we can deal with it when it happens".
While most of us would gladly berate politicians for doing what is best in thier interests, many of the same outraged citizens do exactly the same thing.
Hypocrisy, apathy,...no cure in sight.
When I was fighting the good fight to keep my company going. I contacted the telco and warned them what they were doing was illegal. Here is the response, verbatim. "So sue us."
You see, another ISP did just that. After 9 years, and 3 personal bankruptcies, he had not seen a dime of the money awarded. That was six years ago. He comitted suicide last year, after losing his home and family. The telco had filed a counter-suit and won. He fought the good fight. Did him no good.
So......what do you suggest the solution, if any, is Skuzz?
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There is no solution... there are things you can do.
Don't ever vote for a democrat no matter how good she looks to you..
NEVER vote for a new tax no matter how much they say it wil give you personaly at someone elses expense.
NEVER vote for any new law that will take away someones (anyones) freedom no matter how much they tell you money it will save you by banning it.
Other than that... there is nothing you can do in any real way at this time.
Cut their purse strings and don't let em build power by forming new laws.
Write to all of em and get the form letters back but at least...write.
And yep... say what you think on BB's
lazs
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Jackal, the simple lack of unity, and being able to commit to something which cause us personal angst prevents anything from being done.
I write letters. I write them all the time. You have to get the ress interested. Unfortunately, things like doing what is right for the people of this nation rate right up there with the bubba who stumped his toe while opening a beer. No ratings, mean no press. No press means nothing will get done.
Politicians will only deviate from thier normal self-supporting agenda when the press gets involved. And even then, depending on how talented the politician is, it may do no good. Or the prolitician will simply find a way to destract the press to another topic. Redirection is the best friend of the politician. Used properly, it allows all manner of laws to be broken.
Why I continue to write is beyond me. I know it will do no good. Yet I keep wasting stamp, ink, envelopes, and paper on the endeavor.
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I think rpm serves as a pretty good role model for this kind of thing also; if you don't like the guy who represents you, do what you can to support the guy who is running against him.
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If I remember correctly, It was the republicans that sponsored and passed that law Lazs.
It was a dumb move that alowed the Telecoms to become big, and the politicians to become rich.
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Originally posted by Nash
I think rpm serves as a pretty good role model for this kind of thing also; if you don't like the guy who represents you, do what you can to support the guy who is running against him.
That does not solve the problem. The person running against someone could be worse. None of them are better. They are all corrupt and driven by the dollar.
And even if they have good intentions. Those intentions will be lost among those who want to protect the status quo.
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Wow.... Get cynical much? :D
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Not at all. I have been involved with politics for a very long time. What you call 'cynical' is actually pretty realistic. How much direct involvment with U.S. politics do you have under your belt Nash? Or are you like most, and just a slave to what the press feeds you?
The problem with ignoring a cancer is the cancer just keeps getting worse. Ignore it long enough and there is not enough good cell tissue left. Once you get there, starting over is the only choice.
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There just might be another revolution war yet if things keep going the way there are now.
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Originally posted by MwDogg
There just might be another revolution war yet if things keep going the way there are now.
That is not going to happen. I will go far as to say it will *never* happen. That would be too much work for no direct benefit.
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Originally posted by MwDogg
There just might be another revolution war yet if things keep going the way there are now.
biggest problem with revolutions is revolutionarys get into power.
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Originally posted by vorticon
biggest problem with revolutions is revolutionarys get into power.
Yeah, those revolutionaries 230 years ago really screwed things up. It's taken us all this time to fix it and get to our current utopia.
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One day they will institute a tea tax and then watch out.
SKSs will be coming out of every red blooded AHers closet.
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Ok Pongo, that did make me grin.
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Taxes? Hmmmm I think I forgot about paying my Federal and State taxes...
I buy food, clothes and anything else and they add taxes to the reciept.
I buy a car and they impose taxes on it and the gas/oil and all that makes it run. They tax my dog and cats food... they don't work...lazy bastages.
I spent 20 years of my life in the Military to which every Month of those 20 years they taxed my pay. I'm retired Army...yep they tax the retirement pay also.
I just got laid off from work and yep... they taxed the hell outta my serverance package. I guess they'll tax my unemployment also.
Now they say that I maybe lucky if I can collect Social Security when I turn 67... and if I make it that far they'll tax that also?
When I die and laid to rest, I'm sure they will tax the coffin I'm in and what ever else they can get off of a dead man.
So I believe I've paid enough taxes so far....
No Taxation without Representation!!!
They taxed my guns and ammo... Still have em.
Time for a Free America!
Bet that gets you Liberals in a panty wad.
Mac
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I expect to hear Black Choppers tonight over the house....
Mac
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I wouldn't bet against your prediction of the telcos gaining complete control of the internet, Skuzzy. Their tentacles wrap around federal, state and local politicians. Their lobbying efforts to get state legislatures to ban localities from building out high speed/low cost internet access for areas not served, or poorly served or serviced by telcos has been something you can only shake your head at. The methods are transparent and blatently cynical, but they are winning the fight in area after area.
I think media conglomerates are complicit in it. They have the same mindest as the telcos and hope to partner with them to drive small media out of the internet content business to lock up the ad revenue. Eventually, the telcos will deliver most of big medias content, slowly and expensively. They are 'Microsofting' the internet industry.
I think they have reach critical mass. The momentum of their influence and power can no longer be stopped - government, the telcos and media conglomerates are all on the same page and willing to help each other achieve their goals.
- The telcos want to control the distribution revenue.
- The media wants to control the content revenue.
- The government wants to influence the content and have cooperative access to user data. They may not always know why they want it, or how they are going to use it - they just want it.
I admire the good fight and am appalled at the unfairness of it all, but I don't see any way to stop it. It simply isn't right or good because it is anti-innovative and anti-competitive.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
Yet I keep wasting stamp, ink, envelopes, and paper on the endeavor.
E-mail them. It has the same effect and you get the same response.
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Originally posted by Rolex
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provided the telcos with $200 billion of taxpayer money to wire up your house by 2006. Each of you were promised 45Mbps symmetrical fiber or coax/fiber combination for about $40 per month.
That is $2,000 per household and it's 2006.
So, how is that connection working for you?
What has this got to do with Net Neutrality?
And why should private companies not have control over what is routered across their connections? If the infrastructure is public domain net neutrality is fair enough, but if it is private infrastructure what business does a govt have controling it... unless the US is making yet another step towards socialism?
If you think Net Neutrality is a good thing lets see how you feel when P2P apps make playing AH near on impossible.
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telco's want it all
they are into television now and will not stop until they have your eyes as well as your ears ..
they are in the process of pushing for state wide franchises unlike the present local franchise cable co's have to bid on and then live by which help the local towns, communities, cities. Verizon here doesn't want a city, they want to service the state .. and they have the deep pockets to make it happen.
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Originally posted by Vulcan
What has this got to do with Net Neutrality?
Nothing. Did you not understand what I wrote?
And why should private companies not have control over what is routered across their connections? If the infrastructure is public domain net neutrality is fair enough, but if it is private infrastructure what business does a govt have controling it... unless the US is making yet another step towards socialism?
Telcos have always been public utilities, created and regulated since they are handed a guaranteed customer base free of cost and have significant influence on the infrastructure of a community. They are regulated to prevent them from holding the public hostage.
Your customers are paying to be connected to a global network that is neutral. The internet is public domain that you and your ilk are trying control.
If you think Net Neutrality is a good thing lets see how you feel when P2P apps make playing AH near on impossible.
What??
Your post looks suspiciously like the type of post made by someone in the internet surveillance industry.
Info: internet surveillance companies are like the old telephone boiler rooms. Some companies are manned by hundreds of people sitting all day in front of a computer who search and post canned responses to BBS, blogs and news comment sites. There are contracted by companies to search and neutralize any negative comments made about the client company or its products by bombarding them with positive canned responses, and by industry groups with an agenda.
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A year and a half a go they closed out all out Customer Care for McLeodUSA and said they moved it back to Cedar Rapids, IA.
LIARS!
Come to find out they outsourced it to the Phillipines.
The Company destroyed lives and homes and sent the jobs overseas.
So goes the Fleecing of America....
It's Americans screwing Americans..... frikken Liberals.
Yeah I said Liberals...Clinton Luvin Bastages. How many more lives will you destroy?
Democrats are destroying this Country.
Time for a "Free America"
Mac