Democratic FCC commissioner balks at net neutrality rules

[Playinghardball]

Source: The Hill

A Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission wants to narrow the scope of new net neutrality rules that are set for a vote on Thursday, The Hill has learned.

Mignon Clyburn, one of three Democrats on the FCC, has asked Chairman Tom Wheeler to roll back some of the restrictions before the full commission votes on them, FCC officials said.

The request — which Wheeler has yet to respond to — puts the chairman in the awkward position of having to either roll back his proposals, or defend the tough rules and convince Clyburn to back down.

It’s an ironic spot for Wheeler, who for months was considered to be favoring weaker rules than those pushed for by his fellow Democrats, before he reversed himself about backing tougher restrictions on Internet service providers.


Read more: http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/233626-fcc-dem-wants-last-minute-changes-to-net-neutrality-rules

[djean111]

1. Well, SOMEONE has to carry the water for the service providers on this one.

Maybe they played rock, paper, scissors.
Again, that "D" thing is becoming a bit meaningless, when it comes to corporatism and the economy and the 99%.

[GuntherGebelWilliams]

2. Sure wish they would publish the regulations so we can see what they are all about

I don't like the attitude that the government knows best and that the citizens it's going to affect are too stupid to understand.

[PSPS]

3. The old good cop / bad cop ruse again.

[NOVA_Dem]

7. The Democratic Party’s deceitful game

The Democratic Party’s deceitful game
They are willing to bravely support any progressive bill as long as there's no chance it can pass.

This should be required reading:
http://www.salon.com/2010/02/23/democrats_34/

[ananda]

4. Did we just get played?

Sheesh

[KoKo]

5. I was worried that something like this would come up after Tom Wheeler

"covered his butt" due to the millions who petitioned the FCC in Favor of Net Neutrality.

It would have to be a Democrat who would cave.

[Enthusiast]

9. I was expecting some sort of corporate subterfuge.

[DustyJoe]

6. China Rules ?

If a commissioner is questioning the upcoming rules as too harsh, maybe a step back is called for. This is one that should be fully made public before enactment. No more pass it then read it malarky.
We decry and chide the chinese when they tighten the screws on chinese internet to control access and content. We might be for it now with Democrats at the FCC helm and a capability to take rushie and FR down, bur what happens when reps get the helm and DU falls on the sword ?

A lot of transparancy needed for this one.

[dembotoz]

8. oh shit here we go-no battle is ever won anymore it seems

[onenote]

10. Did anyone commenting on this actually read the story?

Did you notice that Free Press, which has been a strong and consistent supporter of net neutrality regulation, indicated that the changes sought by Commissioner Clyburn might actually improve the proposed rules?

Or are the "experts" here now throwing Free Press under the bus?