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Netizens-Digest Volume 1 Number 301
Netizens-Digest Monday, May 10 1999 Volume 01 : Number 301
Netizens Association Discussion List Digest
In this issue:
[netz] ICANN, turning over the Net to commercial interests...
[netz] An appeal to Netizens from Yugoslavia
[netz] Backlash ~~ Bill of Rights Under Attack
RE: [netz] Backlash ~~ Bill of Rights Under Attack
Re: [netz] Backlash ~~ Bill of Rights Under Attack
[netz] [Fwd: Re: Congress Builds a Presence on the Web]
[netz] Some Thoughts on Responsible Journalism
[netz] Kennard: Stark Contrast Re: =>AT&T
[netz] More on AT&T Telco/Cable Monopoly Worries
[netz] Voices need to be heard despite the fact ICANN can't listen
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 01 May 1999 07:09:41 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] ICANN, turning over the Net to commercial interests...
See what a tangled mess if ICANN is allowed to
take over the Net??? Commercial interests
controlling the Net... <sheesh, shudder>
We have a coming battles over and over coming
if allowed to happen.
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 20:19:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jay Hauben <jay@dorsai.org>
Subject: [netz] An appeal to Netizens from Yugoslavia
From: "Ivo Skoric" <ivo@reporters.net>
Date: Sat, 1 May 1999 01:19:23 +0000
Subject: Internet Access in Yugoslavia
Unlike television, which in its top to bottom one way communication
somehow symbolizes totalitarian structure, Internet is a democracy
promoting media. There are signs of danger that it could be shut off
in Serbia. The West officials might not care, since it fits their
picture of barbarian state of Serbia. I believe that netizens, who by
nature transcend borders of geography and nationality, should help
Internet in Serbia survive (after all, it was meant to survive a
nuclear war...)
ivo
YUGOSLAV NGOs
Belgrade, April 26, 1999
STATEMENT ON POSSIBLE INTERNET BAN
We, the representatives of the Yugoslav civil society, coming together to
protest NATO bombing and ethnic cleansing in Yugoslavia now have to deal with
other problem that could uncouple us from the world and practically forbid our
free expression and dissent. One threat is coming from Yugoslav government
agencies and the controlled domestic INTERNET providers. For them it is
important to shut up all independent voices for which reason they banned the
radio B92 and put under control other independent media. For NATO it appears
important to cut off all dissenting people and groups from Yugoslavia in order
to maintain the image of Yugoslav society as if it is totally controlled by
Milosevic regime and made only of extreme nationalists who therefore deserve
punishment by bombs. For us who are long time activists of human rights,
minority rights, union rights, free press rights, women rights, peace and
democracy activists, it is vital to maintain Internet connection to the world
in order to get information and communicate with people about our situation.
We are using INTERNET with respect to the netiquette and urge all Yugoslav
users to avoid hostile and insulting vocabulary. We also pledge to all our
international contact people to exercise their influence on INTERNET public
opinion to avoid aggressive language and hatespeech in correspondences to
people in Yugoslavia.
PLEASE HELP US TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE WORLD!
Yugoslav NGOs:
- - Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support for
Trade Unions
- - Belgrade Circle
- - Center for Democracy and Free Elections
- - Center for Transition to Democracy
- - Civic Initiatives
- - EKO Center
- - Belgrade Women Studies Center
- - European Movement in Serbia
- - Forum for Ethnic Relations and Foundation for Peace and Crisis Management
- - Group 484
- - Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
- - The Student Union of Yugoslavia
- - Union for Truth About Anti-Fascist Resistance
- - WIN- Weekly Video News
- - Women in Black
- - YU Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights
- - District 0230 Kikinda
- - Urban in Novi Pazar, and
- - Center for Policy Studies
- - Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
- - NEZAVISNOST Trade Union Confederation
- - The Centre for the Promotion of Information and Democracy - CeRID
****************************************************************************
JUGOSLOVENSKE NVO
Beograd, 26. April 1999.
IZJAVA O MOGUCEM ISKLJUCENJU SA INTERNETA
Mi, predstavnici jugoslovenskog civilnog drustva okupljeni u grupu koja
protestvuje protiv NATO bombardovanja i etnickog ciscenja u Jugoslaviji sada
moramo da se nosimo sa jos jednim problemom koji bi mogao da nas iskljuci iz
sveta i uskrati nam pravo na slobodno izjasnjavanje i neslaganje. Jedna
pretnja dolazi od sluzbi jugoslovenskih vlasti i od njih kontrolisanih INTERNET
provajdera. Za njih je vazno da ucutkaju sve nezavisne glasove zbog cega su
zatvorili radio B92 i stavili pod kontrolu ostale nezavisne medije. S druge
strane, za NATO se cini vaznim da se izoluju svi oni koji pripadaju opoziciji i
civilnom sektoru da bi se potvrdio stvoreni imidz jugoslovenskog drustva kao
onog koje je totalno kontrolisano od Milosevica i koje cine samo ekstremni
nacionalisti, pa stoga zasluzuju kaznjavanje bombama. Za nas koji smo
dugogodisnji borci za manjinska prava, sindikalna i zenska prava (i ljudska
prava uopste), za mir i demokratiju od zivotne je vaznosti da odrzimo svoju
INTERNET vezu sa svetom da bi smo dobijali informacije i da bismo mogli da
komuniciramo sa nama slicnima. Mi smo do sada koristili INTERNET sa
postovanjem prema usvojenoj netiketi (netiquette). Apelujemo na sve
jugoslovenske korisnike INTERNETA da ne koriste agresivni i uvredljiv recnik i
tako ne provociraju strane provajdere i kontrolore INTERNETA da nas skinu sa
mreze i tako nas onemoguce u sirenju naseg vidjenja ovoga sto se dogadja.
MOLIMO VAS DA NAM OMOGUCITE
DA OSTANEMO U VEZI SA SVETOM !
Jugoslovenske NVO:
- - Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support for
Trade Unions
- - Belgrade Circle
- - Center for Democracy and Free Elections
- - Center for Transition to Democracy
- - Civic Initiatives
- - EKO Center
- - Belgrade Women Studies Center
- - European Movement in Serbia
- - Forum for Ethnic Relations and Foundation for Peace and Crisis Management
- - Group 484
- - Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
- - The Student Union of Yugoslavia
- - Union for Truth About Anti-Fascist Resistance
- - WIN- Weekly Video News
- - Women in Black
- - YU Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights
- - District 0230 Kikinda
- - Urban in Novi Pazar, and
- - Center for Policy Studies
- - Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
- - NEZAVISNOST Trade Union Confederation
- - The Centre for the Promotion of Information and Democracy - CeRID
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ivo Skoric
1773 Lexington Ave
New York NY 10029
212.369.9197
ivo@reporters.net
http://balkansnet.org
- ---
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 May 1999 20:35:02 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] Backlash ~~ Bill of Rights Under Attack
Backlash: Blame the extraneous and
Attack the Bill of Rights and now look...
=========================================
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/cgi-bin/print_story.cgi?story=story_3341
Source:
Berst Alert
Backlash: Littleton Tragedy Jolts Internet Future
Jesse Berst, Editorial Director
ZDNet AnchorDesk
Friday, April 30, 1999
"...For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction.
The Internet pushed us full throttle toward freedom of
expression. The tragic shootings in Littleton may be the
catalyst that ignites the reaction. A Gallup Poll suggests
Americans think the Internet shares almost as much blame
for the Littleton tragedy as the availability of guns..."
~~ Cede over your rights to the government when
you look for scapegoats. ~~
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 19:38:38 -0500
From: "Maverick" <maverick@onramp.net>
Subject: RE: [netz] Backlash ~~ Bill of Rights Under Attack
AND.................who rigs the polls?!?! It's analagous to blaming the
companies who produce matches for the forest fires occurring. Not only are
our Bill of Rights attacked, but so is our intelligence....
Please.......Spare me! Looks like more *BS* in the news.
Maverick
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-netizens@columbia.edu [mailto:owner-netizens@columbia.edu]On
Behalf Of P.A. Gantt
Sent: Monday, May 03, 1999 7:35 PM
To: pgantt@icx.net
Subject: [netz] Backlash ~~ Bill of Rights Under Attack
Backlash: Blame the extraneous and
Attack the Bill of Rights and now look...
=========================================
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/cgi-bin/print_story.cgi?story=story_3341
Source:
Berst Alert
Backlash: Littleton Tragedy Jolts Internet Future
Jesse Berst, Editorial Director
ZDNet AnchorDesk
Friday, April 30, 1999
"...For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction.
The Internet pushed us full throttle toward freedom of
expression. The tragic shootings in Littleton may be the
catalyst that ignites the reaction. A Gallup Poll suggests
Americans think the Internet shares almost as much blame
for the Littleton tragedy as the availability of guns..."
~~ Cede over your rights to the government when
you look for scapegoats. ~~
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 May 1999 21:06:23 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: Re: [netz] Backlash ~~ Bill of Rights Under Attack
Agreed, I've always said the polls are rigged.
Little known truth, certain states are never polled.
But that doesn't stop the politicians quoting them...
Or the media polling only those they expect to
know the answer before they ask it or skew
the questioning altogether.
So should we ignore it?
Nope 'cause the politicians won't...
> AND.................who rigs the polls?!?! It's analagous to blaming the
> companies who produce matches for the forest fires occurring. Not only are
> our Bill of Rights attacked, but so is our intelligence....
> Please.......Spare me! Looks like more *BS* in the news.
No spare the Bill of Rights.
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 13:19:08 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] [Fwd: Re: Congress Builds a Presence on the Web]
Congressional Contacts
- -------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Congress Builds a Presence on the Web
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 12:58:38 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Organization: Electronic Media Design and Support
To: ednet@lists.umass.edu
CC: ednet@dhcp-srv2.oit.umass.edu, K12ADMIN@listserv.syr.edu
References: <a046ec8e.24619238@aol.com>
On Congress...
I write my Congressional Representative
and Senators constantly to give them a
sampling of fair and unfair characterizations
of National Policy re: a number of issues.
I am a strident outspoken supporter
of the freedom of the Internet and that
will not change. I am also a person that
does not vote straight party line...
in other words I have a brain and a conscience.
I get posted letters back in return
via snail mail. Some are the predictable
staff form letters and some are not.
It does help Congress know what we are
thinking in the hinterlands of America
without skewed polls.
So get those Citizen on Patrols sources
to your Congresspeople. Let them know we
don't believe every word issued by mainsteam
media who cites political operatives/spindoctors of
either party as subject matter experts.
To do otherwise abdicates our rights as citizens
not willing to cede our individual rights to the
State <generic>.
Here is a way to communicate with your Congresspeople:
http://legislators.com/congressorg2/capdir.html
and another:
> Congress Builds a Presence on the Web, Study Finds
>
> By REBECCA FAIRLEY RANEY
>
> he Web sites are not sophisticated, and few are interactive, but at
> least they exist -- and for Congress, that is a big step, according to
> an American University study released Tuesday.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/05/cyber/articles/05congress.html
And *never* sign any petition that guises itself
as a nonpartisan one and clearly belongs under the
_______2000.org of any party nominee of any party.
In my mind *ALL* ______2000.orgs all belong as ________2000.coms!!!
Always look for who funds .orgs and who are its main contributors
and board members. Who is really "fronting" this group???
Not all .orgs are charitable and nonpartisan.
To assume otherwise is not savvy or safe.
Be discerning, savvy Netizens and teach your children to be
able to read between lines, clear the smoke from the smoke
and mirrors of mainstream media that hides their sources.
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 10:10:17 -0004
From: kerryo@ns.sympatico.ca (Kerry Miller)
Subject: [netz] Some Thoughts on Responsible Journalism
How to spin 20% skepticism:
- ------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date sent: Tue, 4 May 1999 12:15:27 -0500 (CDT)
From: Rachel Anderson <rachel@benton.org>
SURVEY: PARENTS EAGER, ANXIOUS ABOUT KIDS ON
INTERNET
Issue: Internet
Parents are torn between being deeply fearful about Internet
influence on their children and supporting the computer network's
use as an educational tool. That conflicting view is part of the
results of a telephone survey to be released today in Washington
by the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
Joseph Turow, who wrote the report, said, "People trust their kids
with the Internet, but they don't trust the Internet with their kids."
The study divided parents into three groups based on their
responses. Turow said 39% of parents can be described as "online
warriors," who are convinced of both the happy and scary elements
of the Internet and most concerned about the impact of the Web on
kids. The same percentage of parents are "gung ho" and reject
nearly all statements about its alleged negative effects. The third
group includes "disenchanted" parents who question the Internet's
value for children.
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/breaking/merc/docs/06
8822.h tm)
Communications-related Headlines is a free daily online news
service provided by the Benton Foundation. It will keep you up
to date on important industry developments, policy issues, and
other pertinent communications-related news events. This service
is available online at (www.benton.org/News/).
- --------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 08 May 1999 18:24:41 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] Kennard: Stark Contrast Re: =>AT&T
http://www.zdnet.com/filters/printerfriendly/0,6061,2255554-2,00.html
Source:
ZDNet
FCC promises close look at AT&T deal
By Reuters
May 7, 1999 12:48 PM PT
"...U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman William Kennard on Friday warned
that AT&T Corp.'s complex acquisition of MediaOne Group Inc. would require extensive
review by his agency.
"This is a complex transaction,'' Kennard said in a statement. "Because of its size
and
reach and the many novel legal and policy issues involved, this proposed merger
warrants very careful scrutiny.''
Kennard's comments were in stark contrast to his reaction last year when AT&T
(NYSE:T) made its first foray into the cable business, buying Tele-Communications
Inc.
for $48 billion. That deal, which the FCC approved in February, was "eminently
thinkable,'' Kennard said in June 1998..."
Hmmm... maybe we *are* making a difference!
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 08 May 1999 18:30:00 -0400
From: "P.A. Gantt" <pgantt@icx.net>
Subject: [netz] More on AT&T Telco/Cable Monopoly Worries
http://www.techweb.com/printableArticle?doc_id=TWB19990507S0019
Source:
CMPnet
AT&T Acquisition Frenzy Causing Concern
By Mary Mosquera, TechWeb
May 7, 1999 (2:40 PM)
URL: http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19990507S0019
"...
Federal Communications Commission Chairman William Kennard
said Friday that he will "scrutinize thoroughly
AT&T's acquisition of cable company MediaOne.
"This is a complex transaction. Because of its size and
reach and the many novel legal and policy issues involved,
this proposed merger warrants very careful scrutiny," Kennard said.
AT&T is buying the third-largest cable company in a cash
and stock deal worth $58 billion. With MediaOne, the
FCC said AT&T will pass about 66 percent of U.S. homes
through its cable acquisitions and alliances, making it the
biggest long distance provider and the biggest cable company.
As part of a non-exclusive side deal, Microsoft is investing
$5 billion in AT&T, which will use Microsoft's CE
operating system for set-top boxes. AT&T is selling
Comcast up to 2 million subscribers.
AT&T has been amassing substantial cable space to
provide local phone service and high-speed Internet access.
AT&T owns cable-modem company AtHome through its acquisition
of TCI; it will own a small stake in the other
large cable-modem company RoadRunner through MediaOne.
Competitors and consumer groups fear that AT&T will become
a gatekeeper to the Internet, discriminating against
other than their affiliated ISPs.
..."
- --
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
Electronic Media Design and Support
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
[the Internet] could remain what it ought to be:
just a public instrument. There ought to be efforts --
not just talk but real efforts -- to ensure Internet
access, not just for rich people but for everyone.
~~ Noam Chomsky, MIT ~~
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 14:39:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ronda Hauben <ronda@panix.com>
Subject: [netz] Voices need to be heard despite the fact ICANN can't listen
James Seng <jseng@pobox.org.sg> wrote:
On Sat, 8 May 1999, Dr Eberhard W Lisse wrote:
>> Why are you whining about every post that doesn't fit your narrow
>> little views?
>I think there is something known as the Freedom of Speech. If William
>decided that he wish to speak up his mind, even tho it may be whining to
>you, he is entitled to it just like you are entitled to express your
>opinion of him.
And the ARPANET and then the Internet developed because all those who
had a contribution were able to make them. The forms and
processes of this new medium were created to make it possible
for all to have a voice, and by all having a voice it was possible
to create the Internet. The RFC's and mailing lists and newsgroup and the
Acceptible Use Policy preventing commercial entities from interferring
with the freedom of speech of all others, made it possible to develop
the Internet and to have it grow and flourish.
ICANN is being created, it seems, especially to combat that fundamental
nature of the Internet process.
Now any who oppose the narrow set of commercial interests who are
trying to grab the essential points of control of the Internet via
the creation and development of ICANN, they are being disenfraschised.
Thus the users of the Internet are being told they are no longer
able to have any say over what happens in the development of the
Internet. That the Internet is only a set of wires that are owned
by a narrow set of commercial interests and that they will post
their no trespassing signs along the way against any uses or
activities that they don't agree to or determine should occur.
But the Internet is *not* only a set of wires or of routers etc.
The Internet is something very different.
Thus it seems that ICANN is the exact opposite of what it is
necessary to continue to develop and nourish the Internet.
Clearly the Internet has its enemies and clearly ICANN has grown
out of and is the creation of those enemies.
But it also makes clear to those of us who understand the importance
of the Internet to the future of our society that the principle
of making it possible for all who wish to to speak, and in fact
welcoming all those who wish to contribute is the essential
principle of the new concept and priniciple that the Internet
represents.
>> Haven't you realized by now that nothing you, or I or anyone else for
>> that matter, has any impact?
To the contrary. While one can speak, one has to speak. While
one can protest, one has to protest, as loudly and as broadly
as one can. Once one gives up that ability and that right, one
becomes a slave. It is only then that those who have deemed that
they are the enemy of participatory processes and of the Internet
will have made any headway. Thus the more that ICANN's interim
board and the U.S. government who is empowering them deem
to ignore all views and try to dishearten users and netizens
from speaking out, the more they show their colors as the enemy
of the Internet. And the more they show that they are only functioning
to destroy the Internet.
How netizens determine to deal with this problem will be determined
by netizens :-)
>Geez, are you saying that we as Netcitizen have totally lost our ability
>to influence the direction of how things is going to be in future despite
>that these are the people who is going to CONTROL the net (and horrible as
>it sound, some of us live on the net like our second life).
And for those to whom living on the Internet is important, these are
the folks for whom the Internet was created. Fundamental to the
vision of J.C.R. Licklider who was invited to head the first
computer science office at ARPA was the notion of human-computer
symbiosis. This meant that it was *not* the computer as a file clerk
to the human, nor was it that the computer was supreme and the
human was only the extension to the computer. No. Licklider's vision was
that the human and the computer would be dependent on each other
and would form a new entity that was able to cooperate in a significant
way to make it possible to participate in the decisions making process
that it was too hard for either of the entities to be able to be part
of on their own.
ICANN is the creation of those attacking human-computer symbiosis.
ICANN is the old coming onto the Internet to destroy the new.
The *new* functions with computers around the world and people around
the world working together to solve the difficult problems of our
times. The *new* is where the hard effort to define the question
or the problem that has to be solved develops from contributions
from people around the world who can communicate via their
computers and networks that are part of this new human-computer paradigm.
Thus it is crucial to identify the problem that has to be solved
now. That is the challenge that ICANN puts on the agenda for
all Internet users and for all netizens.
ICANN is deaf, dumb and blind to the voice of computer users
and of netizens.
That is how and why it has been created.
But it is healthy for all those who have any critique of ICANN
to speak up, and all those who have any critique of the role
of the U.S. government in creating and supporting ICANN or
of the other governments around the world who are going along
with the creation of ICANN and in that way attacking the Internet
and the users of the Internet around the world.
>If the "Big Boys" are able to do what they like and we little guys have
>nothing, absolutely nothing we can do to prevent that from happening, I
>think we need a redefination of 'Democracy'.
ICANN is helping to clarify the importance of the participatory
processes that *make* the Internet possible, and that have grown
up as part ofthe Internet. And it is helping to clarify the
old ways of governments like the U.S. which just create an entity
like ICANN to determine in secret behind the scenes dealings who
will benefit and who will be able to use their power to snatch this
entity.
ICANN is showing the world the bankruptcy of the business model
for providing any rights to citizens. And it is highlighting the
fundamentally different model that was created as part of the
process of creating the Internet.
This stark comparison is helpful is seeing what is the future and
what is the past. How we fashion the future is the challenge.
But if we don't take the challenge to clarify the principles by
the attack by ICANN on the principles, then we lose the right
to the future.
>-James Seng
Ronda
ronda@panix.com
- --------------
Write for copy of vol 9-1 of the Amateur Computerist
with articles about the Battle over the
Future of the Internet
write: ronda@ais.org
------------------------------
End of Netizens-Digest V1 #301
******************************
