John McCain's Series of Tubes

The "Maverick" just played his hand on Net Neutrality, and the cards reveal a man who's outsider image doesn't quite add up.

On Thursday, Sen. John McCain introduced legislation to kill the open Internet, the deceptively named "Internet Freedom Act." The bill would stop all FCC efforts to have an open and public discussion about proposed Net Neutrality rules.

This comes from a senator who has received more money ($894,379) from AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and their lobbyists than any other member of Congress.

McCain also infamously told the media that he is "illiterate" when it comes to using the Internet and computers.

If this latest round of sock puppetry sounds an echo, it's because McCain seems to be channeling Sen. Ted Stevens' "series of tubes" gaffe from 2006.

Stevens' comments erupted forth during a Commerce Committee hearing as the Senator tried to squash efforts to establish Net Neutrality rules in Congress. But rather than beating back popular support for an open Internet, Stevens exposed himself to be a senator who is disconnected from any understanding of the Internet, but determined nonetheless to push forth the agenda of those that filled his campaign coffers.

As it was in 2006, social media has noticed, and is now awash with criticism of yet another senator cozying up to special interests. (You can join the critique here.) More mainstream media are starting to pick up on the McCain sellout as well.

This latest episode exposes the right and wrong sides of the Net Neutrality debate. And it poses a fundamental question to everyone:

Whom do you want to determine the future of the Internet?

A senator who is a mouthpiece for the same phone and cable lobby that's vying to rig the Internet and control your clicks, or the more than 1.6 million people who have called for Net Neutrality -- a group that includes the geeks who created the Internet to be an open platform.

McCain has built his reputation as an alleged "straight shooter." If he is truly a person of integrity, he would return the tainted $894,379, spike this bad bill and get behind Net Neutrality.

But don't be surprised if this "Maverick" just keeps playing the cards that AT&T has dealt him.

Follow Timothy Karr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TimKarr

Comments

[mjwilstein]

Jon Stewart went after McCain for his stance on net neutrality last night:
http://www.gotchamediablog.com/2009/10/daily-show-john-mccain-and-net.html

[GardenerNorCal]

Why doesn't McCain retire and count his homes?

Sad state of affairs when the congressmen put in charge of legislation are the least likely to understand it.

[Donman]

Here's a funny Youtube video about McCain's "Internet Freedom Act"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZOavCg9Bjk

[Carl Caroli]

Another prime example of why we need to eliminate corporate campaign contributions, PACS, lobbyists and all their money from our politics. We are not getting legislation designed to protect people, we're getting legislation design to protect corporate interests.

[Badbone]

John McCain received more money from telecoms than any other senator. Who came in fourth place? Hint: He's now called 'Mr. President'.

[One more Thing]

Shows you who invested the funds better.

[satyriasis]

Difference is Obama isn't doing their bidding on net neutrality.

They just gave him money hoping to hedge their bets.

[lastpost]

“McCain also infamously told the media that he is "illiterate" when it comes to using the Internet and computers.”

The Luddites failed to prevent the introduction of mechanized systems, which they genuinely feared would deprive them of the means to earn the sustenance necessary for survival. Is John a latter-day Luddite? In that he fears the internet will deprive him of the control necessary to retain a position of power and influence? If so, I suspect that the outcome of these two interventionist responses will ultimately prove comparable. Since the internet, like the future, is bigger than any individual or group of individuals. It will simply chew them up, and pass them out.

[DaneAZ]

I guess since America doesn't make anything anymore, big companies only see 'selling' as a way to big profits. Selling anything.
Integrity and intelligence were the first gone from the shelves.

[vm12608]

All telecoms and everybody else should leave the internet alone. they only want to find ways to make money for themselves and find ways to guide viewers to sites the further their own views.

McCain's Net Freedom Act is a lie...it gives power to telecoms.