Today's FCC Ruling On Protecting Internet Traffic

FCC chairperson Julius Genachowski

The FCC officially ruled today in favor of a protective piece of legislation, basically stating that internet service provider's (ISPs) cannot interfere with the content and/or traffic flow of their customers.  The idea being that an AT&T customer might be getting blocked from accessing Comcast content, or a similar situation.  The truth is, this is a bit of something out of nothing.  Has anyone ever faced a situation where they couldn't access certain content, or faced extremely low web speeds due to interference from their ISP?  I don't think so.

To quote the AP - "Known as "net neutrality," the rules prohibit phone and cable companies from favoring or discriminating against Internet content and services, such as those from rivals."

"The rules require broadband providers to let subscribers access all legal online content, applications and services over their wired networks — including online calling services, Internet video and other Web applications that compete with their core businesses. But the rules give broadband providers flexibility to manage data on their systems to deal with problems such as network congestion and unwanted traffic including spam as long as they publicly disclose their network management practices."

As I said, I do believe in a completely free and protected Internet environment (I wouldn't work online if I didn't).  I do think this battle was a bit more smoke and mirrors than they are letting on.  The Internet needs to be untethered and in the consumer's hand to shape and mold.  But I do agree with the Conservative opinion in this case, which is this type legislation might slow ISPs from trying to build out comprehensive strategies to incite their customers with content and package upgrades.

Full story here...http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101221/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_fcc_internet_rules.

Major Weekend Headlines; DADT, North Korea Backing Down, And I Get New Shoes

The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal was easily the biggest piece of news over the weekend.  And it's about damn time.  The folks who are saying this will now cause a distraction with their armed forces is high.  I'm not doubting that there will be some redneck officer who is going to start some trouble with an openly gay soldier, but I'm going to guess those incidents will be few and far between.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/19/darrah.dadt.repeal/index.html

North Korea is lowering their arms momentarily after making a public statement, saying they would NOT be attacking South Korea over alleged drilling conflicts.  Days ago N.K. took the opposite opinion and said they would keep up the current hostility, but my guess is they got distracted when Kim Jong found something else to look at:
http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/

Personal highlight...was gifted a pair of Clae Strayhorn, half sneaker half work functional.  The best of both worlds.

Kal Penn Joins White House Team

Yes, Kal Penn who broke into the Hollyweird scene as Van Wilder's lovable Banglapoor-ean (?) Taj, has been appointed as an associate director in the Office of Public Liason. Yeah, the clip leads to Taj very discretely discussing his plans for de-virginizing himself.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has hired actor Kal Penn as a liaison between President Barack Obama's administration and Hollywood.
White House spokesman Shin Inouye said Tuesday that the actor who has a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and has starred in several movies would join the staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison. His role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts and entertainment groups.
Penn starred as Kumar in the movie, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay."
Penn was an Obama supporter during the campaign. The White House says a start date for Penn hasn't been set.
The hire was first reported by Entertainment Weekly.

I really wish I knew more details here but the story is only a few hours old so more to come. Any man who stands besides Van Wilder's bulldog is cool in my book.

Bush Gets The Shoe Slap Treatment From Angry Iraqi

In the end, the Iraqi people did not bid farewell to U.S. President George W. Bush with gratitude or wreaths of victory. Instead an individual, unarmed Iraqi threw shoes at him, a traditional demonstration of anger and contempt.

Needless to say, Bush's reaction after is unbelievably funny. He compares it to getting flipped off in your car at one point.

Here's some advice for the shoe thrower from the most dazzling secret agent of all time...