Kerry Joins Effort to Protect Communities’ Rights to Provide Broadband

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry Joins Effort to Protect Communities’ Rights to Provide Broadband Services
September 23rd, 2005

John Kerry has joined Senators Frank Lautenberg and John McCain’s effort to ensure that communities across the country have equal access to developing broadband internet technologies.

The Community Broadband Act, which Kerry is co-sponsoring, was introduced to ensure that municipal governments have the right to provide high-speed Internet service to their citizens. Many communities in the U.S. are underserved or have no service at all.

“We have to let cities and towns provide their own internet service, especially in rural areas or low-income areas that aren’t currently being served,” said Senator Kerry. “Hurricane Katrina reminds us how important it is to encourage and develop new communications systems in all our communities. One thing is very clear, and that is the desperate need to beef up our existing communications capabilities to keep every community in America connected and safe.”

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=658

[pengu1n]

1. who cares?

Sorry - but with everything else that is going on - why has Kerry got time to get involved with this stuff - important as it might be. It is not what he should focus any energy on.

Kerry was cheated out of his presidency, and is now fiddling about - while the US is taken apart.

WTF!!!!

Stop trying to make news Kerry - and make way for someone else - someone who acually gives shit.

[Mass]

2. Why dont you just ignore her?

And go read more substantial news.

[fedupinBushcountry]

3. Unlike Bush

Kerry can do more than one thing at a time.

Also start paying attention because you have no idea what you are talking about.

I won't bother to list everything Kerry has been up to for the last 10 months, for as your response indicates, you wouldn't read it anyway.

[karynnj]

4. But I've seen tons of useless threads

- On whether Bush is drinking, where people are using the National Enquirer as a source.
- many threads on 2008
- many threads trying to pit Gore and Hillary against each other

This thread has substantive information on legislation before the Senate.

Kerry better have time to get involved in "stuff like this". It's part of his job as a member of the commerce committee and its sub -committee dealing with telecommunications. Telecommunications policy is important and could affect many people. (Your profile says Finland - so it won't affect you unless you're planning to come to the US)

Kerry also wrote legislation that helped small businesses affected by the hurricane. He took supplies donated by MA companies to Louisiana and met with business leaders to get input on their needs. He just went to Iraq to be as knowledgeable as possible as a member of the SFRC. He made a floor speech explaining why he was voting against Roberts. I would assume the people of MA like their senator doing his senate job.

He has also done things as a Democrat. He has worked to help the party in 2005 and 2006. He spoke to 5 different groups in NJ to try to activate grass roots and get volunteers for Corzine. This effort will help who ever runs in 2006 or 2008. He also gave a very well received speech at Brown. He also gave 3 keynote speeches at the Black Congressional Conference on health, education and veterans. On a personal level, he and Teresa got hurricane relief supplies to Mississippi that Lott asked for - and we only know this because Lott thanked him in a Senate speech.

So, what should be doing instead? He has nothing to do with the hurricanes and he already gave a floor speech on Roberts. I would think that if you look at what he's doing it's obvious he cares. You can of course support someone else - that's why we have primaries. If Hillary or someone else wins, they will benefit from some of Kerry's efforts (in parallel to Dean's) that are undeniably strengthening the party.

[zulchzulu]

5. Maybe you don't have a clue, junior

Here's some of what Kerry has been doing recently....
http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/press-statement.cfm

09/23/2005 John Kerry Joins Effort to Protect Communities' Rights to Provide Broadband Services
09/22/2005 Kerry Introduces Plan to Combat Global HIV/AIDS, Neglected Diseases
09/21/2005 John Kerry Opposes Roberts’ Nomination for Chief Justice
09/21/2005 Remarks by Senator John Kerry on His Opposition to Judge Roberts' Nomination for Chief Justice
09/20/2005 John Kerry Addresses African American Prostate Cancer Summit; Demands Washington Address Racial Disparities
09/19/2005 John Kerry Addresses the Lessons of Katrina
09/15/2005 John Kerry Responds to President Bush’s Speech to the Nation
09/15/2005 Senate Passes Kerry Legislation to Provide Tax Relief, Help Guard and Reserve Troops Hurt By Katrina
09/14/2005 John Kerry: Administration Must Investigate Gas Price Gouging
09/13/2005 John Kerry Statement on President Bush’s Failure to Respond to Hurricane’s Devastation
09/13/2005 OTIS REMAINS OPEN FOR NEW MISSION
09/12/2005 Senator John Kerry on Resignation of FEMA Director
09/09/2005 John Kerry Says SBA Must be Held Accountable for Misuse of 9/11 Funds
09/09/2005 John Kerry Offers Major Package of Legislation to Help Small Businesses, Others Devastated by Hurricane Katrina
09/07/2005 Kerry, Kennedy and Meehan Demand EPA Cleans Up Water Contamination at W.R. Grace Superfund Site
09/07/2005 Kennedy, Kerry Announce Introduction of Lowell Park Expansion Legislation
09/06/2005 Senator Kerry Applauds Fight to Keep Otis Open, A-10s at Barnes
09/04/2005 Senator John Kerry on the Passing of Chief Justice William Rehnquist
08/26/2005 Senator John Kerry on BRAC Commission’s Decision on Otis and Barnes Air National Guard Bases
08/26/2005 STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JOHN KERRY ON BRAC VOTES ON HANSCOM
08/25/2005 Senator John Kerry Commends Decision of BRAC to Keep Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Open
08/23/2005 John Kerry Says Proposed Fuel Economy Standards Don’t Address Problems with Foreign Oil, High Gas Prices
08/17/2005 SENATOR KERRY, SENATOR KENNEDY ANNOUNCE GRANT FOR MEDFORD LAW ENFORCEMENT
08/17/2005 SENATORS KERRY AND KENNEDY ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GRANT TO WEST SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FINGERPRINTING TECHNOLOGY
08/17/2005 SENATORS KERRY AND KENNEDY ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GRANT TO WEST SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FINGERPRINTING TECHNOLOGY
08/13/2005 Senator John Kerry Delivered Democratic Hispanic Radio Address on Saturday August 13, 2005
08/13/2005 Senador de Massachussets, John Kerry, Emite el Mensaje Semanal Demócrata por Radio
08/12/2005 Senator John Kerry Delivered Democratic Hispanic Radio Address
08/10/2005 Kerry, Kennedy, Romney and Delahunt Say New Calculations Show Defense Department Overstates Savings from Closing Otis ANGB by $500 Million Dollars
08/09/2005 John Kerry Says Energy Policy Fails Americans
08/08/2005 Statement by John Kerry on the Passing of John H. Johnson
08/08/2005 Statement by John Kerry on the Passing of Peter Jennings
08/03/2005 John Kerry on the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
08/01/2005 Statement by John Kerry on Recess Appointment of John Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
07/29/2005 SENATOR JOHN KERRY LAUDS DECISION BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP MASSACHUSETTS TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE CENTERS OPEN AND URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO SAVE BOSTON CALL SITE
07/29/2005 Senators Kerry and Kennedy Lead Bipartisan Effort to Get Emergency Funds for Shellfishermen
07/29/2005 John Kerry Says Energy Bill Fails Americans
07/27/2005 John Kerry Says Revolution in Telecommunications Must be Addressed in Legislation
07/26/2005 Senator John Kerry, Senator Edward Kennedy, Representative Michael Capuano Join the Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur to Raise Awareness of the Genocide
07/26/2005 Senators on Both Sides of the Aisle Call on President Bush to Release Home Energy Funds for Relief from Extreme Heat and Record Energy Costs
07/26/2005 Finance Committee Passes Kerry Plan to Protect Pensions, Hold CEOs Accountable
07/25/2005 Senators Urge Congressional Investigation Into Leak of CIA Agent Valerie Plame’s Name
07/22/2005 Kerry: American People Must Know Roberts' Record on Civil Rights
07/21/2005 Kerry, House and Senate Environmental Leaders Call for Administration To Reverse Backwards March on Environmental Justice
07/20/2005 Bush Administration Blocking Gas-Price Relief for Farmers, Truckers, Small Businesses
07/20/2005 John Kerry: Protect the Bill of Rights and Freedom of the Press
07/20/2005 John Kerry: Fewer Speeches, More Action Needed on Port Security
07/19/2005 Statement by John Kerry on the Nomination of John G. Roberts to the Supreme Court
07/19/2005 STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JOHN KERRY ON BRAC COMMISSION HEARING TODAY
07/18/2005 Senator John Kerry Announces $8,037,000 Grant Awarded to the Massachusetts Victim Witness Assistance Board
07/18/2005 Senator John Kerry Calls for Immediate Action on Veterans’ Health Care
07/15/2005 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION DEMANDS SANTORUM APOLOGY
07/14/2005 Statement of Senator John Kerry on Homeland Security Bill
07/14/2005 Statement of Senator John Kerry: White House Claim that Too Much is Being Spent On Veterans’ Health Care is “Outrageous”
07/14/2005 Senator John Kerry Fights for Red Tide Program Funds, Criticizes Bush Budget Cuts
07/13/2005 John Kerry on Rick Santorum's Insult to Massachusetts and Abuse Victims Everywhere
07/12/2005 Senate Adopts Port Security Amendment to Homeland Security Bill
07/12/2005 John Kerry: America’s National Security - Not Karl Rove’s Job Security - Should be Administration’s Only Priority
07/12/2005 SENATOR JOHN KERRY AND SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY ANNOUNCE $13,709 GRANT TO BOLSTER LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS IN WARREN
07/12/2005 Senator John Kerry Works to Secure America’s Ports
07/07/2005 Statement from Senator John Kerry On Terrorist Bombings in London
07/06/2005 SENATOR JOHN KERRY FIGHTS FOR MASSACHUSETTS BASES AT PUBLIC BRAC HEARING
07/01/2005 Sen. John Kerry On The Retirement of Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
06/30/2005 John Kerry continues to fight against LNG in Fall River
06/30/2005 John Kerry: CAFTA is a Giant Step Backward
06/29/2005 PRO-TRADE DEMOCRATS BLAST BUSH TRADE POLICY
06/29/2005 John Kerry on Medicaid: The Status Quo is Broken, Especially When It Comes to Kids
06/28/2005 New York Times The Speech the President Should Give
06/28/2005 Statement by John Kerry on Bush’s Fort Bragg Speech
06/28/2005 John Kerry Speaks Out on Iraq, Details Concrete Steps President Must Take to Rescue the Mission
06/24/2005 Kerry Fights to Help Small Businesses and Farmers Deal with Soaring Fuel Costs
06/23/2005 STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JOHN KERRY ON ADMINISTRATION’S DENIAL TO DECLARE MASSACHUSETTS RED TIDE CRISIS A NATIONAL DISASTER
06/23/2005 Kerry on Rove Comments: Make America Safe, Not Divided
06/23/2005 STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND REPORT BY MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC EDUCATION COALITION
06/23/2005 John Kerry: Time for a Policy Wake-Up Call on China
06/22/2005 Kerry joins Bipartisan Group in Offering Climate Change Amendment to Energy Bill
06/22/2005 Kerry Statement on the Release of the DNC Voting Rights Institute Ohio Report
06/21/2005 John Kerry on Marine Corps Report on Equipment Shortages
06/16/2005 Commerce Department Answers Call from Senator Kerry and the Massachusetts Delegation to Declare a Fishery Disaster in Massachusetts
06/16/2005 New Report: Private Accounts Would Cut Benefits, Increase Costs for Small Businesses
06/15/2005 John Kerry Fights to Protect Medicaid Benefits in Massachusetts and the Nation
06/15/2005 John Kerry Urges Bush Administration to Keep Massachusetts IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers Open that Help Elderly and Low-Income Citizens
06/15/2005 John Kerry on GOP Proposal to Raise Retirement Age
06/15/2005 Kerry Takes Aim at Bush Energy Scheme
06/14/2005 CAFTA Information
06/14/2005 SBA RESPONDS TO SENATOR JOHN KERRY’S REQUEST TO DECLARE THE RED TIDE CRISIS AN ECONOMIC DISASTER TODAY
06/14/2005 John Kerry: After Decades of Inaction, A Time to Heal A Nation’s Wounds Over Lynching
06/13/2005 Jeffords and Kerry File Renewables Amendment To Energy Bill
06/13/2005 John Kerry: We Need a New, Common-Sense Approach to Trade
06/12/2005 John Kerry Applauds RiverFest for the Concord, Sudbury and Assabet Rivers
06/10/2005 Massachusetts Congressional Delegation Asks Commerce Department to Declare Massachusetts Disaster Area in Wake of Red Tide Crisis
06/10/2005 STATEMENT FROM JOHN KERRY ON GOVERNOR ROMNEY'S EFFORTS TO AID FISHERMEN
06/09/2005 SENATOR KERRY CONGRATULATES OUTSTANDING NCO OF THE YEAR STAFF SERGEANT ADAM BERG
06/09/2005 Kerry and Waxman Call for GAO Investigation Of Manipulated Climate Change Science
06/08/2005 John Kerry and Massachusetts Delegation Members Senator Kennedy and Congressmen Frank, Tierney, Delahunt and McGovern Strongly Urges Governor Romney to Act Quickly to Aid Fishermen in Red Tide Crisis
06/08/2005 John Kerry and Massachusetts Delegation Members Senator Kennedy and Congressmen Frank, Tierney, Delahunt and McGovern Strongly Urges SBA to Act Quickly to Aid Fishermen in Red Tide Crisis
06/02/2005 Pepperell Springs Conservation Effort Complete
05/31/2005 John Kerry to Join Students and Parents in Round Table Discussion on the Future of Head Start
05/31/2005 John Kerry to Visit Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to Meet with Students and Staff of the TRIO Program
05/31/2005 Senator John Kerry to Visit Upper Housatonic River Valley to Highlight the Importance of Designating it a National Historic Preservation Area
05/31/2005 John Kerry to Host Town Hall Meeting on Issues Affecting Massachusetts’ Seniors
05/31/2005 John Kerry to Participate in Opening Ceremonies with the Kinsella Family at Brockton Rox Baseball Game
05/31/2005 Statement from John Kerry on Governor Romney’s Veto of the Stem Cell research bill passed by the Massachusetts Legislature
05/27/2005 Senator Kerry Honors Massachusetts War Heroes on Memorial Day Weekend, 2005
05/25/2005 Statement by John Kerry on Vote on Priscilla Owen
05/25/2005 Congressional Delegation United on NStar Utility Workers
05/24/2005 Fallout from "Nuclear Option
05/24/2005 Statement by John Kerry on Stem Cell Research
05/22/2005 Senator Kerry delivered at BU Medical School
05/19/2005 John Kerry on “Nuclear Option” on Judicial Nominees
05/18/2005 Statement by John Kerry on Massachusetts Lawsuit to Stop Toxic Mercury Pollution
05/17/2005 KENNEDY AND KERRY ANNOUNCE RECORD TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR MASSACHUSETTS – A $1.17 BILLION INCREASE OVER TEA-21
05/17/2005 Statement by John Kerry on the 51st Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
05/15/2005 John Kerry on New Mercury Rules:
05/13/2005 Statement by John Kerry On Pentagon’s Base Closure List
05/12/2005 Statement by John Kerry on Bolton Nomination
05/12/2005 John Kerry: It's Time to Reign in the Spin
05/05/2005 Statement by Senator John Kerry In Observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day
05/05/2005 John Kerry on Harmful Changes to “Roadless Rule”
04/28/2005 Kerry, Lautenberg Introduce Legislation to Stop Taxpayer-Funded Fake News Hearing on Bill Set for Early May
04/27/2005 John Kerry: White House, Congress Should “Go Back to the Drawing Board” on Energy Plan
04/25/2005 John Kerry to Address America’s Dangerous Dependence on Saudi Oil
04/21/2005 John Kerry on Republican Congressional Leadership's Failure To Focus on Real Priorities of the American People
04/21/2005 John Kerry on Republican Congressional Leadership's Failure To Focus on Real Priorities of the American People
04/21/2005 John Kerry to Address Republican Congressional Leadership's Failure to Focus On Real Priorities of the American People
04/20/2005 John Kerry on Retirement of Senator Jim Jeffords
04/20/2005 John Kerry: It’s Time for President Bush to Address Gas Prices, Dependence on Foreign Oil

[Luminous Animal]

7. Actually, this is an important issue.

Communications industry corporate lobbyists have been trying to buy legislation on the local and state levels to bar the development of government (thus, publicly) owned broadband services.

[OzarkDem]

9. No, its important

With growing corporate control of the news media and its influence in elections, its important everyone have access to alternative news sources.

[madfloridian]

6. This is great.

"The Community Broadband Act, which Kerry is co-sponsoring, was introduced to ensure that municipal governments have the right to provide high-speed Internet service to their citizens. Many communities in the U.S. are underserved or have no service at all."

There has been a lot going on here in our area where the local govts did not want to allow low-cost highspeed service.

This is a good thing.

[wisteria]

8. Alright- bipartition legislation for the good of the people.

Thats a man of the people.

[GetTheRightVote]

10. Because communications is key to life now, otherwise the other side

will catch us with you eyes looking the other way, and take internet connection away from us, and it will be one more freedom down the tubes. Just think about it if the repubs limit it or control what would happen to DU ? Can not give an inch or they will take the mile.

:kick:

[jillan]

11. This is a huge issue.

Look at 9/11 - biggest problem was communication.
Katrina - communication.

Something has to be done. We can't have a country where there is a communication breakdown everytime we have a major tragedy in this country.

And as far as the person saying this is not important because it is from Kerry - Hey, THIS IS WHAT A PRESIDENT SHOULD BE DOING.
I would love to hear the shrub say "It's time to do something about the communication problems in this country."

[burrowowl]

13. AMEN!

Damnit, WE the People own the airwaves!
NOT Corporations!

[hijinx87]

12. get on board!

information works our way.

[high density]

14. What about the new FCC rules that are threatening

my non-"Baby Bell" DSL connection? I love my ISP and I'm going to be pissed if my rates go up because of this bullshit from the FCC.

I guess the best thing about the possibility of municipal broadband is the increased competition with the greedy corporations, though I have to wonder if many towns or cities are up for the job of running an internet service. My town can't even get somebody to set the traffic lights correctly.

FCC changes DSL classification