Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)
 

grahamhgreen

(15,741 posts)
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 01:45 AM Nov 2014

FCC head may reject Obama's plan for net neutrality [View all]

Yesterday, President Obama took a strong position on net neutrality by supporting calls to regulate the internet more like a utility. Less than 24 hours later, FCC head Tom Wheeler indicated that he would break from the president's proposed plan, moving in a new direction intended to pacify huge internet providers such as Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon.

The Washington Post reports that Wheeler told a group of internet companies — including Google, Yahoo, and Etsy — that he favored a more "nuanced" solution than that laid out by Obama. Wheeler's plan would acquiesce to some of the president's demands, but would also kowtow to the demands of huge internet providers.



WHEELER WAS A LOBBYIST FOR WIRELESS COMPANIES LIKE VERIZON

The Washington Post says that Wheeler now thinks Obama's plan — something of a hail mary attempt to get young and tech-savvy voters energized to vote for the Democrats — is too simplistic. But there have been worries about Wheeler's corporate focus since he was appointed FCC head in 2013. Wheeler spent many years as a lobbyist for large telecom companies — while working in Washington for The Wireless Association, America's main wireless lobbying group, Wheeler supported limiting net neutrality policies and argued that the FCC should leave big businesses to do what they wanted in the space. President Obama originally stated that he would not hire lobbyists to his administration, but quickly broke that promise.

According to four sources, Wheeler was reportedly "visibly frustrated" during the meeting, telling attendees that "what you want is what everyone wants: an open internet that doesn't affect your business." Wheeler, a Democrat, said he had to work out how to "split the baby" to keep both sides happy, but also repeatedly stated that he did not answer directly to the US government. Sources report the FCC head repeated "I am an independent agency" multiple times during the meeting.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/11/12/7200815/fcc-head-tom-wheeler-may-reject-obamas-plan-for-net-neutrality
114 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
dang how did this guy ever get on the FCC during a democratic adminstration? oh..never mind nt msongs Nov 2014 #1
I think president Mcain appointed him on the advice of VP Palin;) grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #2
Amazing, isn't it? LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #38
Maybe there is a nuanced way to get rid lsewpershad Nov 2014 #65
Lead poisoning? RoccoR5955 Nov 2014 #69
Jerk. HE is not an independent agency, elleng Nov 2014 #3
And only two of those members appear to support the President's position onenote Nov 2014 #21
Gotta love that phrase being repeated all over the teevee/internet: "the president's position." woo me with science Nov 2014 #34
How can you lie like that? True Blue Door Nov 2014 #41
Who appointed the one causing problems? Autumn Nov 2014 #59
Who appointed the other two who aren't? True Blue Door Nov 2014 #60
I didn't make up the fact Obama appointed the one YOU say Autumn Nov 2014 #61
Congratulations, Carl Bernstein, you've exposed Barack Obama as a President True Blue Door Nov 2014 #63
I'm not comparing him to any Democratic President or anyone else. Autumn Nov 2014 #101
+1!!! Dustlawyer Nov 2014 #43
Well said! This prez is quite the actor. polichick Nov 2014 #62
And therein lies the very problem with the idea of LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #40
I think headline is "more nuanced than that," but why miss an opportunity to bash Obama. Hoyt Nov 2014 #4
Who appointed Wheeler ??? SamKnause Nov 2014 #6
Not my headline. What's the solution? grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #8
That is too cute! We all don't prefer our heads upaloopa Nov 2014 #54
A lot of good all those comments that were sent in did davidpdx Nov 2014 #5
Frankly, they don't give a sh** what the masses want. Their duty is to serve $$$$$'s in RKP5637 Nov 2014 #55
The murder of net neutrality.... madfloridian Nov 2014 #7
Gee, maybe this is why the post about Obama's speech concerning Net Neutrality was met with, djean111 Nov 2014 #9
Actions speak louder than words. Can't the fire Wheeler? grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #10
No, FCC commissioners are appointed to five year terms. former9thward Nov 2014 #13
he CAN do this belzabubba333 Nov 2014 #16
The commissioners still vote on a plan, though, no? alcibiades_mystery Nov 2014 #18
Removing him as Chairman won't make the slightest difference onenote Nov 2014 #22
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/obama-should-fire-his-fcc-chairman-tom-wheeler-106846 belzabubba333 Nov 2014 #24
As I said, the author of that article doesn't know what he/she is talking about. onenote Nov 2014 #25
Should be done anyway. Also, please see Reply 27. merrily Nov 2014 #31
I haven't disputed that the President could replace Wheeler as Chairman onenote Nov 2014 #48
That was not the only point of my Reply 27. And Wheeler should be switched out as chair no matter merrily Nov 2014 #50
First, Wheeler loses money. The Chair gets paid more than the other Commissioners. ieoeja Nov 2014 #98
Tom Wheeler is losing money being chairman onenote Nov 2014 #99
i was just showing you were it came from im not disputing what youve said belzabubba333 Nov 2014 #42
You assume that Obama wants Wheeler out. I think Not. NorthCarolina Nov 2014 #70
heh. SammyWinstonJack Nov 2014 #83
Sadly, your scenario is exactly what is happening. Scuba Nov 2014 #91
lol, yes-- we've seen this little play repeatedly. Marr Nov 2014 #102
Yes, he can! Please see Reply 27. merrily Nov 2014 #26
See post #48 onenote Nov 2014 #49
I did. Also saw the gist the first time it was posted. Unpersuaded both times. merrily Nov 2014 #51
he CAN do this - belzabubba333 Nov 2014 #17
"Nuanced solution," "Compromise," "Negotiate...." I think I know where this is going. Tatiana Nov 2014 #11
Agree, Obama was doing a pre-emptive strike so when the bad news KoKo Nov 2014 #14
Some do. merrily Nov 2014 #30
I have little doubt the Obama is already fully aware of what Wheeler intends to do. NorthCarolina Nov 2014 #12
I think you've nailed it. merrily Nov 2014 #29
I must agree. We've seen this modus operandi time and again. grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #37
+100000 They insult us. They treat us like blithering fools. woo me with science Nov 2014 #46
All they need is "just enough" to keep buying the BS they're peddling. NorthCarolina Nov 2014 #73
+100000 You nailed it. woo me with science Nov 2014 #75
Perfect example of Third Way infiltrators helping the RW destroy democracy and the country. nt Zorra Nov 2014 #15
Now THAT'S what I call 13-dimensional chess. beerandjesus Nov 2014 #19
fire mtasselin Nov 2014 #20
Can't be fired onenote Nov 2014 #23
Wheeler does not have to be the Chair, even if he remains on the Commission. The chair is the call merrily Nov 2014 #27
Well that says it all and tells anyone all they need to know about Obama latest feel good bs. SammyWinstonJack Nov 2014 #84
His name is Copp, I believe. But North Carolina's replies are far, far better than mine. merrily Nov 2014 #85
Oh I hear you. SammyWinstonJack Nov 2014 #92
If it weren't for Lieberman, he would have appointed liberals. merrily Nov 2014 #108
If the President is serious, he will do this. Maedhros Nov 2014 #44
There are only five spots on the FCC onenote Nov 2014 #52
Stop. Demoting Wheeler would do something. It would Obama means what he says, at least a little. merrily Nov 2014 #81
Demoting Wheeler would be cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. onenote Nov 2014 #94
Wheeler's resignation would be no loss. Obama has no bona fides on net neutrality. merrily Nov 2014 #109
The repubs won't confirm Obama's replacement onenote Nov 2014 #111
Democrats still control the Senate and Reid did away with super majorities for confirmations. merrily Nov 2014 #113
Well here's a little something about me onenote Nov 2014 #114
The oligarchy and their purchased administration treat us like blithering idiots. woo me with science Nov 2014 #28
With all due respect to your brain, it's hurting America. merrily Nov 2014 #82
Typical... raindaddy Nov 2014 #32
Yes, typical. "Obama gets to make a strong, principled statement..." woo me with science Nov 2014 #36
I wonder if Verizon is already starting a campaign. Baitball Blogger Nov 2014 #33
The CEO of AT&T has decided extortion TBF Nov 2014 #35
Good. We can use the post office to provide cell service to all. We should have bought T-mobile for grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #39
Oh well. I guess carrier pigeons are the new old Twitter. Ampersand Unicode Nov 2014 #45
Hey Ma Bell, reach out and touch THIS! Ampersand Unicode Nov 2014 #47
don't worry: Comcast and Verizon will write a bill, everyone will have to have a broadband MisterP Nov 2014 #53
+1 historylovr Nov 2014 #57
He can be pressured into resigning mwrguy Nov 2014 #56
Perhaps Obama could threaten a Justice Department investigation in to his "independence"... cascadiance Nov 2014 #58
Might be a good plan if not for the minor detail that ITS HIS GUY ... brett_jv Nov 2014 #107
There are two takeaway outcomes from this: dbackjon Nov 2014 #64
Anxious to get to that xxqqqzme Nov 2014 #66
Wheeler-Dealer Dont call me Shirley Nov 2014 #67
Obama can have his cake and eat it too. How convenient for him and the DC DEMS. blkmusclmachine Nov 2014 #68
HE DOESN'T HAVE A MAGIC WAND!!1!!11 QC Nov 2014 #72
Are you sure? Because this seems to me like a whole bunch of hocus pocus. merrily Nov 2014 #86
Too late for the bully pulpit. LuvLoogie Nov 2014 #71
Never too late for good cop, bad cop, though. merrily Nov 2014 #87
Past lobbyist. Near future Comcast Senior V.P ??? lexington filly Nov 2014 #74
You guys crack me up. babylonsister Nov 2014 #76
Who passed over vigorous advocates of net neutrality to appoint Wheeler? merrily Nov 2014 #89
*crickets* SammyWinstonJack Nov 2014 #93
I thought it was a given easychoice Nov 2014 #77
So looking forward to Google Fiber later this year Lithos Nov 2014 #78
A rogue agency staffed by seditionists. Odin2005 Nov 2014 #79
Update November 12th, 3:50PM ET: FCC says that Wheeler's comments were taken out of context and that w4rma Nov 2014 #80
And we know from experience that we can trust Wheeler re: net neutrality. merrily Nov 2014 #88
What was the understanding about Wheeler's positions when he was appointed? Babel_17 Nov 2014 #90
He wasn't asked about net neutrality in his confirmation hearing onenote Nov 2014 #96
Thanks Babel_17 Nov 2014 #105
kick woo me with science Nov 2014 #95
Kabuki lumberjack_jeff Nov 2014 #97
He could have appointed the head of the EFF, and we'd have NN. grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #100
the head of EFF would never have been confirmed onenote Nov 2014 #103
We'd be better off without him, or anyone in that position. And why appoint the lobbyist as the top grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #104
kick woo me with science Nov 2014 #106
'may' ? spanone Nov 2014 #110
Good catch. Like Obama may stop it, after waiting Til after the elections to come out with a popular grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #112
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»FCC head may reject Obama...