save the 'net...

thirdthoughts does not normally endorse grass roots campaigns of any sort, however, in case you haven't been paying attention, you may not have heard of something called, "network neutrality", the First Amendment of the Internet, which ensure that the internet public can view the smallest blog (such as thirthoughts!) just as easily as the largest corporate website. here is a short description:

"Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the Internet's First Amendment -- a principle called Network Neutrality that prevents companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from deciding which Web sites work best for you -- based on what site pays them the most. If the public doesn't speak up now, our elected officials will cave to a multi-million dollar lobbying campaign".

Basically it comes down to large internet service providers such as AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, Time Warner, and others who want to play "gatekeeper" on the web and decide for you, the paying customers, which sites load fast (the ones in their best interest!) slow, or not at all. this is just wrong on so many levels. but don't just take my word for it, take a moment to sign the petition or at least go read the faq's. call your senators and write you representatives. tell congress they can't hand over control of the internet to AT&T and Verizon.
end rant.