Comcast shows why 'Net neutrality is needed

It amazes you. Cable and Internet giant Comcast tried doing to a meeting about 'Net neutrality what they've already been caught doing to 'Net access - and unwittingly ended up illustrating why they're wrong.

There was an FCC hearing recently at Harvard about 'Net neutrality. But the meeting went awry because Comcast paid people to fill up most of the seats at the meeting and cheer for their side. Supporters of 'Net neutrality - as well as journalists - weren't able to get into the hearing, because Comcast's paid cheerleaders monopolized all the space. Reporters and others had to be turned away because there was no room.

Then, many of the company's paid supporters fell asleep during the hearing! As if that wasn't enough, Comcast lied about what they did. The company admitted hiring people off the street to hold places in line before the event, but denied they actually took seats at the hearing - even though there were witnesses to the fact that they did.

If Comcast is willing to freep a hearing like this and lie about it, think what they'll do to Internet access if they can. Flooding a hearing with paid followers is little different from discriminating against types of data on its ISP. First they block the Internet, then they block the public from attending a hearing about it. That shows you what they'll stoop to.

(Source: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/26/152820/580/236/464551;
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/26/report-comcast-paid.html;
http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/2008/02/25/comcast-blocking-first-the-internet-now-the-public;
http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/top-5/2008/02/26/Comcast-FCC-Hearing-Strategy)