I just got off a media conference call with Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg.
They announced a new policy recommendation that would kill the Internet as we know it, if implemented by FCC Chair Julius Genokowski and other policy makers.
The old "wireline" Internet that will be irrelevant in a few years? We propose a "new, enforceable prohibition against discriminatory practices" on that.
New "wireless services" (aka the entire future of the Internet)? No equivalent nondiscrimination rules for that, but we'll "create enforceable transparency rules." That way, as Americans lose access to the free and open Internet, they can visibly watch it go away.
Just in case "wireless services" doesn't encompass the entire future of the Internet, a new class of "new services" is envisioned, which Schmidt and Seidenberg actively differentiated from "the public Internet." Basically, through private contracting, big corporations could deal directly with the Verizons and AT&Ts of the world to create the next YouTube, maybe dangle it without discrimination to the public just long enough for us to be hooked, and then discriminate like hell over it. But don't worry, the FCC will "monitor the development of these services."
Google, a company that I've long admired and currently hold thousands of dollars of stock in, just "went evil."
This letter was launched last week by 5 groups that use the Internet to organize millions of Americans around issues, and are now using the Internet to save the Internet itself -- Free Press, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, MoveOn, Credo Action, and ColorOfChange.
Why did Google cut this absurd deal, one that dramatically hurts its credibility in the online space?
This public option fight has been a loooong fight. We've all been hit with numerous requests to sign petitions, make phone calls, attend rallies, give money, etc.
In our money-laden, lobbyist-laden political system, it's easy to wonder if grassroots pressure makes a difference. And as MLK said, "sometimes we get discouraged and sometimes disappointed with the slow pace of things."
The fight is not over. But today's New York Times had some very encouraging news for activists:
Senate Leader Takes Risk Pushing Public Insurance Plan
...lawmakers said Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) was increasingly leaning toward the idea of including a version of a public insurance option, albeit one that would allow states to opt out of such a system, in the chamber's bill.
...Mr. Reid's outlook was shaped, in part, by opinion polls showing public support for a government insurance plan, which would compete with private insurers.
..."There is a growing sense that we need to lead on this issue and not wait for it to be offered on the Senate floor," a senior Democratic aide said. "The idea is that it's better to show some fight."
Hmmm...polls are fueling a "growing sense" among Reid's crew that "its better to show some fight" than to cave quietly?
Progressive Change Campaign Committee co-founder Stephanie Taylor immediately put out this response:
"The growing sense that it is time for Majority Leader Reid to be strong and lead comes after an intense week of grassroots activism -- and the release of our new poll showing that Reid's political survival in Nevada requires strong leadership on the public option.
Thousands of people donated this week at BoldProgressives.org to launch a TV ad in Nevada that asks 'if Harry Reid is strong and effective enough as a leader to pass a public health insurance option into law.'
Grassroots pressure is working, and we will continue to keep the pressure on until the insurance companies are defeated and a strong public option is passed into law."
A lot of other groups have also been keeping the pressure on Democrats for months and months: Democracy for America, MoveOn, Blue America, FDL, Credo, OpenLeft, and others. National and state bloggers -- and progressive media voices like The Young Turks -- have pushed politicians and gotten facts out there that the mass media consistently missed. And many local activists have started their own grassroots efforts to pressure their senators.
Sometimes we get discouraged. This fight has been long. It's not over yet. But it's important to take note of progress along the way and recognize that grassroots pressure works.
The election is over. Bad guys lost. And Bush's time is at last coming to an end.
So we can rest, right?
Um...no.
Yes, we can celebrate -- and we've earned it. The end of the Bush administration and the start of a hopeful new chapter in America deserves to be marked, to be shared with friends and with your progressive community. And our good friends at CREDO are willing to pay for it. That's right, they'll fund 1,000 "End of Bush" parties over the next 10 days -- just sign up now (or attend one being thrown by your local Drinking Liberally).
But don't think of these as farewell parties. A progressive agenda still needs us: to support an administration that needs our advocacy, and to push the administration when it doesn't live up to our ideals. Too often, after Election Day, campaign offices close, grassroots groups go into hibernation and "fired up and ready to go" activists are left without a political anchor.
That's where Drinking Liberally comes in. By meeting regularly year-round, we serve a more important role between elections, creating continuity for your political energy, supporting a community that doesn't ebb and flow with campaigns.
CREDO gets it. They are an organization in it for the long haul; they've moved $60 million to progressive groups over the years, and they've invested heavily in infrastructure to register voters, get out the vote and protect voter rights. They have been an ally and an inspiration. And now, they are throwing these parties...to keep us fired up (and fed and tipsy and happy) for the battles to come.
We at Drinking Liberally like to talk -- that's why we do it over beers every week. We think talking is a pretty powerful way to connect to people.
So naturally, we smile when a telephone company figures out yet another way to be an awesome progressive partner.
CREDO is giving its customers free Election Day calling. So, don't worry about burning your minutes as you call everyone you know to remind them to vote, or phonebank with a campaign calling voters, or work in the field and need to check in with fellow canvassers.
It's all free. You could call it, ahem, Talking Liberally.
This is on top of their "Text Out the Vote" plan which allows you to set up text GOTV reminders to friends that will be sent on November 4th. Plus their newly-launched Go Vote which confirms registration and gives you polling location. And their totally rocking voter registration widget.
Oh, also they don't censor pro-choice texting and they didn't help the government spy on you.
In past years, I burned through my minutes in the months leading up to elections, so much so that I invested in bigger plans, earlier evening hours and unlimited texting. I don't know other people's plans for Election Day, but I hope it involves talking -- constantly -- in person, at doors, online, and on the phone.
Our friends at CREDO have done it again: taken a simple idea, created a straightforward program, and made it easy for people to make a difference.
You know those impossibly ancient people that populate polling sites across America? Well, thank god for them -- because without pollworkers, we wouldn't have elections. That said, let's be kind to them -- let them retire! And the only way to do that is to take their spot.
...The Golden Rule.
...a new approach to National Security.
...public education.
...buying beer by the pitcher.
These are a few of the responses on "Whats Your Credo?" -- a new project by CREDO Mobile (formerly Working Assets Wireless) -- that allows you to submit your own videos telling the candidates what you hope they'll say.
Yes, the one about buying beer by the pitcher is mine...but there's a real political philosophy behind it.
It's also timed with the launch of the CREDO brand (for the sake of disclosure: I've worked with Working Assets over the past year on a half dozen projects, and they have been a good partner to Living Liberally). Working Assets is a funder of the progressive cause disguised as a phone company. They are the phone company that won't spy on you or censor you as Verizon and AT&T do and that supports net neutrality. But really they are movement partners that build easy-to-use online voter registration tools and donate your phone payments to 50 progressive non-profits.
And while you're at it, you can check out my political philosophy of buying by the pitcher (I may have been practicing what I preach a little too much, leading to a less-than-stellar on-screen performance):
STATE BLOGS
Yes, we can celebrate -- and we've earned it. The end of the Bush administration and the start of a hopeful new chapter in America deserves to be marked, to be shared with friends and with your progressive community. And our good friends at CREDO are willing to pay for it. That's right, they'll