back to article Obama makes net neutrality pledge in State of the Union

US President Barack Obama has mentioned net neutrality in the State of the Union address, and identified online security as a key future challenge. On net neutrality, the president had this to say: “I intend to protect a free and open internet, extend its reach to every classroom, and every community, and help folks build the …

  1. cyke1

    NOW he is making the pledge when he couldn't even bother to give 2 craps before about it. Obama is really tring to drum up support for his party in next 2 years after trains wreck of last 6.

    1. This post has been deleted by its author

      1. Steve Davies 3 Silver badge

        Re: You are taking it seriously, that is your problem

        As Obama can't stand for re-election your point there is moot.

        IMHO, all over the USA there are many corporate bosses going 'Over my dead body' when they hear this sort of proposal.

        good luck to him getting any legislation to back this up approved by the Replublican controlled houses on Capitol Hill.

        Obama is a lame duck president and most of corporate American knows it.

        Sad really but that is the way US Politics is.

        1. Rick Brasche

          Re: You are taking it seriously, that is your problem

          he is however, doing his primary job: campaigning for the rest of his Party. Which has been the entire job of all party politicians since whenever.

          Everything said or done is to either gain power for oneself within the Party structure or pay back that structure by doing whatever possible to get more of that Party in more positions of power.

          Now considering his actual record, of how many SOTU promises broken, the only ones that have been carried out are those who have pretty wrapping but simply transfer more public wealth to private companies with unsavory crony connections.

  2. Bernard M. Orwell

    Fixed that for you...

    "“No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets, or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids."

    'cos we've already got that covered....

  3. Ole Juul

    funny guy

    assisting developing nations to live by the rule of international law

    1. Preston Munchensonton

      Re: funny guy

      Makes me wonder about US use of drones, especially given the threat of continued "unilateral action" in Obama's speech.

  4. Annihilator
    Black Helicopters

    Free and open

    "I intend to protect a free and open internet"

    As in, "our NSA bods are free to open any email message they feel like"?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Free and open

      Just what we need, more stupid ideas from Congress about how to cripple the internet and online trade. Can't wait to see what they dream up this time, PATRIOT ACT II?

  5. Dan Paul

    Obama never met a lie he didn't like.

    Obama is a serial liar. He just can't help himself. What part of "There is no more money left" does he not understand? This "State of the Union" address is just more of the same empty promises.

    Unfunded mandates like unfettered immigration of illegals that will only export MORE of the Mexican crime cartels to the US, stress an already woeful social support an education system and denigrate the extensive efforts of legal immigrants that went through the system.

    He wants to make Community College free of charge, only for some, and specifically the poor. Isn't that a form of discrimination? What about his "help for the middle class"? Just another way to bilk us of any and all remaining income it appears.

    What about those who EARNED AND SPENT THEIR OWN MONEY? No, their education and efforts will be diminished and diluted by the free riders that didn't care enough to learn to read back in high school. He is making a mockery of the community college system. No employer will hire a person with a two year degree soon. There goes any chance for the middle class as we have to pay for his moronic mistakes.

    The existing education system cannot graduate even minimally competent people from city schools while lying about the results and needs a complete over haul but he wants to break something that works for the sole reason of "equality". Oh and to get more votes for the party candidate. Let's not even talk about the four year colleges as no one can afford that anymore. Even a doctor doesn't make enough money to pay back student loans.in a timely fashion these days.

    Maybe the continued media glorification of the hip hop THUG life will result in some nice crackhouse jobs for these new "graduates".

    All the while, he knows that NONE of this can be paid for without bankrupting this country. But that's seems to have been the plan all along because in some twisted way he is trying to finish the job that Bill Ayers and the Weather Underground started.

    And you actually believe he is for Net Neutrality? Or only the part that funds his next career in

    the telcos? We all know what a great job his administration did with Aaron Schwartz. Obama has no idea of what the internet is for beyond his wifes Netflix subscription and Wastebook account.

    1. streaky

      Re: Obama never met a lie he didn't like.

      I don't think you understand basic economics. Also protip: you're not rich on the scale of things and never will be so chill out? Obama is probably the best thing to ever happen to the US and it's been squandered by people pandering to billionaires who keep their money in the Caymans anyway.

      He's a terrible political operator but he's got his head screwed on.

      1. Preston Munchensonton
        Facepalm

        Re: Obama never met a lie he didn't like.

        "Obama is probably the best thing to ever happen to the US and it's been squandered by people pandering to billionaires who keep their money in the Caymans anyway."

        I don't think you understand history. George Washington or Abraham Lincoln would have something to say about this.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Obama never met a lie he didn't like.

        screwed on? no. Screwed? yes.

        His EVERY fulfilled public policy has been to soak the working and/or productive class to provide benefits for the unproductive/terminally unworking class. Or to provide wealth transfer to cronies.

        Taking billions from wasteful defense contractors and giving it to wasteful insurance contractors just because more insurance contractors donate to his party is NOT positive change.

        Only thing "squandering" is a welfare population whose entire contribution is more convenient excuses to restrict freedoms and increase the militarization of police forces.

      3. Dan Paul

        Re: Obama never met a lie he didn't like. @streaky

        Are you out of your little mind? I have earned and paid for everything I have so I understand "basic" economics far better than this theif or you. He orders the Fed to print away any possible future for my children and grandchildren and doesn't even comprehend where that money comes from.

        All he has done is crap on the very people who actually pay for the things he gives away.

        It's complacent morons like yourself that "give up" your rights and income without complaining that are a huge part of the problem.

        Obama, the leftist, lying, socialist terrorist sympathizer is the WORST thing that ever happened to this country. He's the one pandering to billionaires and selling our country to China.

        1. Preston Munchensonton

          Re: Obama never met a lie he didn't like. @streaky

          "Obama, the leftist, lying, socialist terrorist sympathizer is the WORST thing that ever happened to this country. He's the one pandering to billionaires and selling our country to China."

          And, based on your point of view, I would think I would still put FDR front and center. All the modern ills of Federal intrusion can be traced to the Supreme Court upholding New Deal legislation, without which there would be no abuse of the Commerce or Spending clauses.

          1. Dan Paul

            Re: Obama never met a lie he didn't like. @Preston Munchensonton

            The New Deal is immensely different than the Obamacare fiasco and his other foolish peccadillos. One took us OUT of the Great Depression and the other is about to put us back into one.

            While I rail against the intrusion of any government into my daily life, the agencies that were part of the New Deal (FDIC, SSA, FHA, SEC, WPA, CCC, CAA, FCC etc) were way more important and thought out than what has been offered by Obama. His solutions only cover part of our "stupid" population while FDR's and to lesser extent Eisenhowers policies covered the whole population, especially Social Security and did it with some dignity. If it had not been for SSA, too many would be homeless even today. Some federal social safety nets are required. The states could not have done this equitably.

            I agree with some of your arguement as the issue of Constitutionality of many of FDR's executive actions is questionable to say the least. But unlike today, FDR had justifiable reasons to do what he did back then.

            Obama has no such reason or "mandate". His actions, especially on immigration are a thinly veiled vote buying expedition, couched in lies, un-Constitutionally implemented.

            One thing that was missed was that there was never an amendment that says that all elected leaders and Federal/State employees must have the same corresponding pay & benefits that are provided to the populace and nothing more. That would have made things more equal today as federal and state pensions grossly exceed what SSA provides and I pay MORE than federal and state employees did to THEIR pensions.

            If nothing else, Obama and the whole group who developed Obamacare should be investigated for violating the Health Insurance Information Protection act (HIPPA) as it turns out that the various Federal websites are collecting and selling the personal data of the people who sign up for Obamacare and they needed written authorization to do anything that is against HIPPA regulations..

            1. Preston Munchensonton
              Boffin

              Re: Obama never met a lie he didn't like. @Dan Paul

              "The New Deal is immensely different than the Obamacare fiasco and his other foolish peccadillos. One took us OUT of the Great Depression and the other is about to put us back into one."

              OK, I'll bite. Before the New Deal, very few programs existed at the Federal level that would classify as entitlements or benefits. The PPACA would not be possible without the New Deal foundation, thanks to three Supreme Court cases that upheld those programs:

              1. Steward Machine Co. vs. Davis - This is the lynch pin case that opened the flood gates for grants-in-aid, specifically allowing the Federal government to provide grants to the States to run programs like Medicaid and pay for various state/local projects. Completely inconceivable, but justified that it fell under Congressional authority via the "Spending" clause.

              2. Wickard vs. Filburn - Without this case, there would be no individual mandate in the PPACA. This case permits the Federal government to classify virtually anything as affecting interstate commerce, usurping the rights of states and regulating all of us to death, even at the point of forcing us to spend against our will.

              3. Helvering vs. Davis - This is the case that gave rise to the "living" Constitution, insomuch that the Federal government can arbitrarily choose to redefine elements in the Constitution as the time progresses. Without this, there would be no FICA taxes, no PPACA taxes, no capital gains taxes etc.

              Yes, the PPACA will accelerate the funding problems for the Federal government, but the problem would be there anyway due to the trillions of unfunded liabilities in Social Security and Medicare that will come due in the next decade. If anything, I would also put LBJ ahead of Obama in terms of negative impact. Between FDR opening Pandora's Box and LBJ trying to turn the US into a socialist utopia, I'm not sure Obama has really done enough to warrant inclusion yet on the Mount Rushmore of bad presidents. But that's one opinion.

    2. Keven E.

      I've never met Obama

      "The existing education system cannot graduate even minimally competent people from city schools while lying about the results and needs a complete over haul but he wants to break something that works for the sole reason of "equality"."

      Clearly not breaking something that "works" (good enough).

      "Equality" is a pretty good "sole reason", as sole reasons go.

      ******

      "Maybe the continued media glorification of the hip hop THUG life will result in some nice crackhouse jobs for these new "graduates"."

      Thinly veiled would be an understatement.

      1. Dan Paul

        Re: I've never met Obama (and I hope I NEVER DO) @Keven E.

        And I should have used the words "Grade school" in front of "education system" because I was speaking of the lack of a decent education in city schools before you go to community college. They can't even read on a sixth grade level and still are allowed to "graduate" from high school. Great teachers eh? Not really.

        "Equality" is not a good reason if it is the ONLY reason. THAT is reverse racism; the stock and trade of Obama. Especially when those who are being made "equal" clearly do not deserve it. They could have learned to read and write if they cared more about education than following the "thug" life, but that's not cool.

        The COMMUNITY COLLEGE system works quite well because they don't let underperforming students in.

        Obama is going to break that system and dilute what was once a good affordable solution and turn it into an extension of the poorly performing city grade schools.

        You never lived in the states and in any major city have you?

        1. Keven E.

          I've never met Obama

          From his speech:

          "Understand, you've got to earn it – you've got to keep your grades up and graduate on time."

          It's what they do now...

          I'm from Chicago, the west side.

          Nobody said all teachers are great. (whatever that means)

          From "No Child Left Behind" (not that I'm all impressed by this GOP inspired theory, which I consider similar to an accountant keeping an extra set of books just for the public)

          "The act requires states to provide "highly qualified" teachers to all students. Each state sets its own standards for what counts as "highly qualified". Similarly, the act requires states to set "one high, challenging standard" for its students. Each state decides for itself what counts as "one high, challenging standard," but the curriculum standards must be applied to all students, rather than having different standards for students in different cities or other parts of the state."

          Something tells me the rural Alabama standard is a bit different from city of LA..

          45 states have already been give "Flexibility" waivers.

          It's true. People are different. Everywhere.

          Equality is in our constitution. In this case, it's specific to an access to education. Think of it as adding two years on to high school.

          1. Dan Paul

            Re: I've never met Obama

            I'm from the Buffalo area. City schools continually fail to graduate students that can read and write at their grade level. Truly poor school districts in the country consistently put out more accomplished students with better grades and skills.

            The city school teachers get paid twice what the country school teachers do so it's NOT about money.

            What's the difference between them?

            The city school students don't want to learn and would rather emulate people who think school is a waste of time and the country school students actually want to learn and emulate people who think schooling is what made them successful.

            Why do you people think that you can make someone learn when they don't want to? Equality in education has nothing to do with it, regardless of race.

            If you already wasted all the opportunities given to you, why should we give you more?

            I'm tired of wasting money and time on people who don't care. They get what they deserve.

            In the interests of "Equality", Obama will make the bar so low that there will be no value to the Community College system anymore. That exception will only be for the people who don't care to learn. That makes it reverse racism when they get preference soley because of race. (which has already been determined by a supreme court decision) see http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/22/justice/scotus-michigan-affirmative-action/

            If you don't want to learn, there are plenty of jobs that don't require any education.

            Just don't think that someone discriminated against you because that all you're qualified for.

            YOU made your bed. NOW YOU have to lie in it.

  6. Old Handle
    Childcatcher

    I don't like the sound of this

    That was a particularly strange use of the "Think of the Children!" trope, wasn't it? It seemed very arbitrary and tacked on, even by the low standards I've come to expect.

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