[12723] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: EFF and the big bad T (tax) word
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Charles Brewer)
Fri May 27 04:32:36 1994
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 14:37:24 -0500
To: com-priv@psi.com
From: charles@mindspring.com (Charles Brewer)
In following this discussion, this is what I have seen:
1. Bill Frezza and others have asked some pointed questions about the
implications of the EFF's stance on providing universal access to the net.
Many of the questions deal with the difficulties of actually implementing
this policy - troubling questions about power and its potential abuses.
Questions like who deserves subsidies, who will pay for them, who will
decide who gets them, and what other regulations (on content, acceptable
behavior, etc.) will likely come along with them.
2. Daniel Weitzner and others from the EFF camp have repeatedly said that
those questions have already been answered, and have refused to address them
again. They go on to insult the intelligence of those who persist in asking
the questions.
I have certainly not seen any answers to those questions - nor can I imagine
that the answers are as clear and conclusive as Mr. Weitzner's postings
would imply. The questions ARE troubling, and the answers to them would at
best be difficult. If the EFF won't even acknowledge that - then they
really are off track.
If there were an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of
individuals in cyberspace, I'd support it. From what I have seen so far in
discussions here in com-priv, the EFF seems to be rather on the other side
of the battle.
And by the way, EFF, if I were keeping score on this debate, I'd have to say
that you are getting crushed. You're swimming upstream, EFF. Give up on
this issue, and do it now. You're totally out of touch with the citizens of
cyberspace - your only natural constituency - on this one.
If you want to to become a an RBOC lobbying orgainization, though, then you
may be on the right track.
Charles Brewer
Charles Brewer charles@MindSpring.COM
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc.
Internet Access for Atlanta (404)888-0725
