net neutrality

save the internet.com

On the Internet, consumers are in ultimate control — deciding between content, applications and services available anywhere, no matter who owns the network. There’s no middleman. But without net neutrality, the Internet will look more like cable TV. Network owners will decide which channels, content and applications are available; consumers will have to choose from their menu.

The Internet has always been driven by innovation. Web sites and services succeeded or failed on their own merit. Without net neutrality, decisions now made collectively by millions of users will be made in corporate boardrooms. The choice we face now is whether people can choose the content and services they want, or whether the broadband barons will choose for them.

Pink - dear mr. president

friday morning reads

The Nation - Blood Is Thicker Than Blackwater

Molly Ivins - Flawed Justice

Bob Herbert - Our Dirty War

friday random ten

Photo by Ryan McManus

Last.fm Edition

"Sometimes Always" - The Jesus and Mary Chain
"Parallax" - Denys Baptiste
"Pauly's Days In Cinema" - The Enablers
"Grader Spader" - Bailter Space
"The Game" - Spare Snare
"Papa Doc" - Dadamah
"Another Take" - Waiting Room
"Debbiedrone" - Catalpa Catalpa
"A-i-a" - Barre Phillips
"Taste" - Ride

bloat-o-meter

The "winner" of the Austin Chronicle's McMansion contest.

thursday morning briefs

Rolling Stone - Worst. Preznit. Ever.

David Neiwert - Radio Rmalkin

DownWithTyranny reviews Neil Young's new album "Living With War".

I'm the Decider (Koo-Koo-Ka-Choo)

I want "YLW LFANT" plates

pass the kool aid

Pentagon says too many troops took part in Iraq operation

From think-tank analysts to angry retired generals to Capitol Hill lawmakers, it has become nearly universal conventional wisdom that the U.S. invasion force that conquered Iraq in 2003 lacked the manpower to secure the country after Saddam’s fall.

But the Pentagon’s civilian policymakers have learned a much different lesson. According to a senior civilian who played a crucial role in developing the just-released Quadrennial Defense Review, the problem with Operation Iraqi Freedom was not too few U.S. troops, but too many. [bold mine]

“You could have adopted a radically different concept of operations,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “You could have trained free forces in various parts of Iraq and over time they could have gained greater control of the country.

“We’ve heard a lot of calls with people saying they would like to have seen a much larger force, especially for stability tasks. ... What is in some ways just as interesting … is what if we had gone in with a much smaller force, but from the get-go leveraged the capabilities of the Iraqis?”

May I humbly suggest this radically different concept of operations for the war planners.

tuesday morning briefs

Carl Bernstein on why Congress should conduct a full investigation the bu$h administration now.

The things the 101st keyboarder carry (not including plastic sheets) by wilbur.

Rolling blackouts in Texas.

Rally with Cindy Sheehan Today

Monday, April 17, 2006

11am - 12:15 pm
ANTI WAR RALLY with Cindy Sheehan, De De Miller, Juan Torres, Carlos Arrendondo, Bill Mitchell and others from Gold Star Families for Peace and Ann Wright, and other Camp Caseyites. LOCATION: UT East Mall, near MLK statue

4-6pm
TAX DAY PROTEST. Protest 50% of your taxes going to war with no avenue for conscientious objectors to legally comply with Cindy and gang.
LOCATION: Downtown post office at 6th and Guadalupe.

6-8:30pm
“People Changing Policy” forum with Casey crew and other locals engaging the community in dialogue about responses to the war.
LOCATION: UTC building room 2.112A. Map to UTC