Good news/bad news on web discrimination

Posted by Evan Derkacz at 2:58 PM on April 26, 2006.

Be afraid, be very afraid... but take hope.

If you're not sure yet what the hell Net Neutrality is and why the loss of it will deeply effect your life and this nation, watch this video HERE.

The bad news: The "Markey Amendment" -- which would have prevented wealthy telecommunications companies from running the internet and preserved net neutrality -- was defeated today 34-22.

The good news: Not only was this margin far slimmer than expected but the fight isn't over by a longshot. In fact, the momentum has palpably shifted, with lawmakers responding to public pressure.

Matt writes: "All four targeted Dems by McJoan on Daily Kos flipped to our side, and many of the Congressmen both for and against this campaign mentioned the blogs and angry constituents.There’s a white hot firestorm on the issue on Capitol Hill."

Matt quotes Sean-Paul: "This is not how they wanted it to go down. They wanted this amendment to fail quietly, so the Senate would not take it up. We changed the rules today. Great work."

With the fight going back to the House this is the time to sign the petition HERE and contact your rep HERE.

Also, look for a thorough analysis of this battle to save the internet on AlterNet's afternoon edition, tomorrow... (Savetheinternet.com, Agonist, DailyKos)

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Evan Derkacz is a New York-based writer and contributor to AlterNet.