[Advisors] Re: [CommunityInformaticsCanada] FW: [governance] US: FCC proposes large public WiFi networks; tech, telecom giants take sides

michael gurstein gurstein at gmail.com
Wed, 6 Feb 2013 09:19:29 -0800


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I'll copy this to Alison whose interests have shifted somewhat but she'll
know if/where her thesis materials might be available online. 

 

M

 

From: advisors-admin@tc.ca [mailto:advisors-admin@tc.ca] On Behalf Of James
Van Leeuwen
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 7:20 AM
To: Susan O'Donnell
Cc: Gary W Kenward; michael gurstein; civicaccess discuss;
cracin-canada@vancouvercommunity.net; advisors@tc.ca
Subject: Re: [Advisors] Re: [CommunityInformaticsCanada] FW: [governance]
US: FCC proposes large public WiFi networks; tech, telecom giants take sides

 

Helpful and timely insights Susan, thank you. 

 

WiFi is our strongest leverage, given the number of devices on the market
today that are WiFi-enabled.

 

I look forward to reading Alison Powell's thesis, as I expect it will add
value to the initiative I mentioned to build the argument for the public
common good. 

 

Do you at least know the thesis title?

 

Also, if anyone else knows of materials that would assist in the effort, I
would appreciate knowing about them.

 

 

James

 

 

 

On 2013-02-06, at 7:48 AM, "Susan O'Donnell" <susanodo@unb.ca> wrote:





Hi all,

James I've been enjoying your last few posts, thank you. 

I wanted to add some info to the situation in Fredericton, since the quote
from our mayor Brad Woodside: 


"We don't charge you to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge you for
broadband?


... generated some discussion around free public access to wifi. The City of
Fredericton launched the first municipally-run free-to-users public wifi
network in Canada (as far as I understand). It WAS developed by municipal
tax dollars (ie property tax) and became known as the Fred eZone. However
the city is very business-oriented and the municipal fibre network that
supports the Fred eZone and many other applications was developed primarily
to attract and support business development in the downtown core (Fred eZone
is also available on the university campus and the airport). Many other
applications on the network are purely business-oriented. The fact that the
free wifi can be accessed downtown by anyone is from the city's perspective
a nice bonus to the core business. So it is a business and run as a
business. I think it is a great model that can be replicated elsewhere.

BTW, a case study of the Fred e-zone and the municipally-owned wireless
network will be included in a Journal of Community Informatics issue
available later this year, special issue on the "First Mile" of broadband
infrastructure. The Fred e-Zone has also been the subject of at least one
PhD dissertation by Alison Powell when she was with the CRACIN project. I
just googled that and found only a few dead links - maybe someone else can
circulate the publication.

Thanks and regards,
Susan

Dr. Susan O'Donnell, Researcher and Adjunct Professor 
Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick 
PO Box 1122, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5C2 
susanodo@unb.ca
Office: 506-444-0374 
Cell: 506-238-7572 
http://videocom.firstnation.ca
http://firstmile.ca

  _____  

From: cracin-canada-owner@vancouvercommunity.net
[cracin-canada-owner@vancouvercommunity.net] on behalf of James Van Leeuwen
[jvl@ventus.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 4:26 AM
To: Gary W Kenward
Cc: michael gurstein; civicaccess discuss;
cracin-canada@vancouvercommunity.net; advisors@tc.ca
Subject: Re: [Advisors] Re: [CommunityInformaticsCanada] FW: [governance]
US: FCC proposes large public WiFi networks; tech, telecom giants take sides

Gary,

 

we are going to be raising taxes here in Alberta, because the dummies who
run this place (voters) are finally realizing they can't have their cake and
eat it too.

 

 

And if anyone mentioned the notion of making universal access a right, it
wasn't me. 

 

It's a notion fraught with numerous and intractable legal perils, and we
literally can't afford to go there. 

 

So, good thing it's irrelevant. 

 

 

We are dealing here with a rather simple matter of collective self-interest,
or at least, enlightened self-interest. 

 

Which gets to the very heart of the issue: 

 

Lack of enlightened self-interest on the part of far too many Canadians.

 

 

The essential value of our public infrastructure is its utility in meeting
our collective economic and social needs and interests more efficiently and
effectively, including all of the needs and interests you rattled off in
your reply.

 

It has enabled us to achieve far greater security and prosperity than we
could have otherwise, to the benefit of the great majority of Canadians past
and present (but not all, and more importantly, what we have is not
sustainable). 

 

 

This foundational economic knowledge seems desperately lacking in Canada
today, to our growing detriment.

 

What do our youth consciously understand of the costs and benefits of the
roads and sidewalks they use?

 

What do their parents and grandparents understand?

 

What do they understand of social responsibility?

 

 

The impact of broadband on the efficiency and effectiveness of our economy
will not be incremental. 

 

It will be transformative, and it won't take legislation to affect the
transformation.

 

It will take learning and leadership. 

 

There is an initiative underway to provide what you've identified as the
missing piece of the equation for 'universal' free access, namely, a
compelling "argument for the greater common good".

 

Even with this in hand, it will indeed be challenging to convince many
Canadians that public interests will do a better job than private interests.


 

Thankfully, industry makes it easier for us by the day:

 

wordsbynowak.com/2013/02/06/shaw-rogers/

 

 

I really wish we didn't need any more convincing than this, but apparently,
a lot of us do. 

 

We are no longer the nation that built this amazing legacy of public
infrastructure that has brought Canada its unprecedented prosperity.

 

Frankly, I don't know what nation we are today. 

 

I'd just like us to be working on becoming the nation we want to be. 

 

 

JvL

 

 

 

 

 

On 2013-02-05, at 11:09 PM, Gary W Kenward <garykenward@eastlink.ca> wrote:






"We don't charge you to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge you for
broadband?

 

Sidewalks are paid for by taxes. So people are charged, whether the want
sidewalks or not. Sidewalks are, like all things in life, not free. 

 

Given current spending cutbacks, which government services would you suggest
people are willing to give up in order to provide universal free access to
broadband? Which issue do you feel "boomers and seniors" care more about?
Health care, unemployment, pensions, public safety, defence, the
environment, education, or free access to the Internet? Food, shelter and
safety will always take precedence. Even with younger generations. 

 

Free communications via mail, telephony, radio, television and carrier
pigeon has never been considered a universal right. So there is a remarkable
precedent to be set.

 

What's missing in much of the current dialogue around universal free access
is an argument for the greater common good that convinces the majority that
its worth government intervention - and spending. That truly convinces the
majority that governments can do a better job then the private sector. Given
recent trends to privatize - with voter support - this will be difficult.

 

Gary


Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose


On 2013-02-05, at 5:16, James Van Leeuwen <jvl@ventus.ca> wrote:

"We don't charge you to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge you for
broadband?

 

 

 


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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue =
vlink=3Dpurple><div class=3DWordSection1><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>I'll copy this to Alison whose interests have shifted somewhat but =
she'll know if/where her thesis materials might be available =
online&#8230; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>M<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p><div><div =
style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in =
0in 0in'><p class=3DMsoNormal><b><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span>=
</b><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> =
advisors-admin@tc.ca [mailto:advisors-admin@tc.ca] <b>On Behalf Of =
</b>James Van Leeuwen<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 06, 2013 7:20 =
AM<br><b>To:</b> Susan O'Donnell<br><b>Cc:</b> Gary W Kenward; michael =
gurstein; civicaccess discuss; cracin-canada@vancouvercommunity.net; =
advisors@tc.ca<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Advisors] Re: =
[CommunityInformaticsCanada] FW: [governance] US: FCC proposes large =
public WiFi networks; tech, telecom giants take =
sides<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal>Helpful and =
timely insights Susan,&nbsp;thank you.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>WiFi is our strongest leverage, given the number of =
devices on the market today that are =
WiFi-enabled.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>I =
look forward to reading Alison Powell's thesis, as I expect it will add =
value to the initiative I mentioned to build the argument for the public =
common good.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Do you at least know the thesis =
title?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Also, if anyone else knows of materials that would =
assist in the effort, I would appreciate knowing about =
them.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>James<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>On =
2013-02-06, at 7:48 AM, &quot;Susan O'Donnell&quot; &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:susanodo@unb.ca">susanodo@unb.ca</a>&gt; =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>Hi =
all,<br><br>James I've been enjoying your last few posts, thank =
you.<span class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><br><br>I wanted to =
add some info to the situation in Fredericton, since the quote from our =
mayor Brad Woodside:<span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br><b><i>&q=
uot;We don't charge you to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge =
you for broadband?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br>... =
generated some discussion around free public access to wifi. The City of =
Fredericton launched the first municipally-run free-to-users public wifi =
network in Canada (as far as I understand). It WAS developed by =
municipal tax dollars (ie property tax) and became known as the Fred =
eZone. However the city is very business-oriented and the municipal =
fibre network that supports the Fred eZone and many other applications =
was developed primarily to attract and support business development in =
the downtown core (Fred eZone is also available on the university campus =
and the airport). Many other applications on the network are purely =
business-oriented. The fact that the free wifi can be accessed downtown =
by anyone is from the city's perspective a nice bonus to the core =
business. So it is a business and run as a business. I think it is a =
great model that can be replicated elsewhere.<br><br>BTW, a case study =
of the Fred e-zone and the municipally-owned wireless network will be =
included in a Journal of Community Informatics issue available later =
this year, special issue on the &quot;First Mile&quot; of broadband =
infrastructure. The Fred e-Zone has also been the subject of at least =
one PhD dissertation by Alison Powell when she was with the CRACIN =
project. I just googled that and found only a few dead links - maybe =
someone else can circulate the publication.<br><br>Thanks and =
regards,<br>Susan<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>Dr. Susan =
O'Donnell, Researcher and Adjunct Professor<span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><br>Department of Sociology, =
University of New Brunswick<span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><br>PO Box 1122, Fredericton, =
NB, Canada E3B 5C2<span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><br><a =
href=3D"mailto:susanodo@unb.ca">susanodo@unb.ca</a><br>Office: =
506-444-0374<span class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><br>Cell: =
506-238-7572<span class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><br><a =
href=3D"http://videocom.firstnation.ca">http://videocom.firstnation.ca</a=
><br><a =
href=3D"http://firstmile.ca">http://firstmile.ca</a><o:p></o:p></span></p=
></div></div><div><div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter =
style=3D'text-align:center'><hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" =
align=3Dcenter></div><div id=3DdivRpF733><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span>=
</b><span class=3Dapple-converted-space><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>&nbsp;</span=
></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><a =
href=3D"mailto:cracin-canada-owner@vancouvercommunity.net">cracin-canada-=
owner@vancouvercommunity.net</a><span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span>[<a =
href=3D"mailto:cracin-canada-owner@vancouvercommunity.net">cracin-canada-=
owner@vancouvercommunity.net</a>] on behalf of James Van Leeuwen [<a =
href=3D"mailto:jvl@ventus.ca">jvl@ventus.ca</a>]<br><b>Sent:</b><span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span>Wednesday, February 06, 2013 =
4:26 AM<br><b>To:</b><span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span>Gary W =
Kenward<br><b>Cc:</b><span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span>michael gurstein; civicaccess =
discuss;<span class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><a =
href=3D"mailto:cracin-canada@vancouvercommunity.net">cracin-canada@vancou=
vercommunity.net</a>;<span class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><a =
href=3D"mailto:advisors@tc.ca">advisors@tc.ca</a><br><b>Subject:</b><span=
 class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span>Re: [Advisors] Re: =
[CommunityInformaticsCanada] FW: [governance] US: FCC proposes large =
public WiFi networks; tech, telecom giants take =
sides</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Gary,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>we are going to be raising taxes here in Alberta, =
because the dummies who run this place (voters) are finally realizing =
they can't have their cake and eat it too.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>And if anyone mentioned the notion of making universal =
access a right, it wasn't me.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>It's a notion fraught with numerous and intractable =
legal perils, and we literally can't afford to go =
there.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>So, good thing it's =
irrelevant.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>We are dealing here with a rather simple matter of =
collective self-interest, or at least,<span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span><i>enlightened</i><span =
class=3Dapple-converted-space>&nbsp;</span>self-interest.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p=
></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Which gets to the very heart of the =
issue:&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Lack of enlightened self-interest on the part of far =
too many Canadians.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>The essential value of our public infrastructure is =
its utility in meeting our collective economic and social needs and =
interests more efficiently and effectively, including all of the needs =
and interests you rattled off in your reply.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>It has enabled us to achieve far greater security and =
prosperity than we could have otherwise, to the benefit of the great =
majority of Canadians past and present (but not all, and more =
importantly, what we have is not =
sustainable).&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>This foundational economic knowledge seems desperately =
lacking in Canada today, to our growing =
detriment.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>What do our youth consciously understand of the costs =
and benefits of the roads and sidewalks they =
use?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>What do their parents and grandparents =
understand?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>What do they understand of social =
responsibility?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>The impact of broadband on the efficiency and =
effectiveness of our economy will not be =
incremental.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>It will be transformative, and it won't take =
legislation to affect the transformation.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>It will take learning and =
leadership.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>There is an initiative underway to provide what you've =
identified as the missing piece of the equation for 'universal' free =
access, namely, a&nbsp;compelling &quot;argument for the greater common =
good&quot;.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Even with this in hand, it will indeed be challenging =
to convince many Canadians that public interests will do a better job =
than private interests.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Thankfully, industry makes it easier for us by the =
day:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><a =
href=3D"http://wordsbynowak.com/2013/02/06/shaw-rogers/" =
target=3D"_blank">wordsbynowak.com/2013/02/06/shaw-rogers/</a><o:p></o:p>=
</p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>I =
really wish we didn't need any more convincing than this, but =
apparently, a lot of us do.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>We are no longer the nation that built this amazing =
legacy of public infrastructure that has brought Canada its =
unprecedented prosperity.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Frankly, I don't know what nation we are =
today.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>I'd just like us to be working on becoming the nation =
we want to be.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>JvL<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>On =
2013-02-05, at 11:09 PM, Gary W Kenward &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:garykenward@eastlink.ca" =
target=3D"_blank">garykenward@eastlink.ca</a>&gt; =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><br><b><i>&quot;We don't charge you to walk on our =
sidewalks. Why would we charge you for =
broadband?</i></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Sidewalks are paid for by taxes. So people are =
charged, whether the want sidewalks or not. Sidewalks are, like all =
things in life, not free.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Given current spending cutbacks, which government =
services would you suggest people are willing to give up in order to =
provide universal free access to broadband? Which issue do you feel =
&quot;boomers and seniors&quot; care more about? Health care, =
unemployment, pensions, public safety, defence, the environment, =
education, or free access to the Internet? Food, shelter and safety will =
always take precedence. Even with younger =
generations.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Free communications via mail, telephony, radio, =
television and carrier pigeon has never been considered a universal =
right. So there is a remarkable precedent to be =
set.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>What's missing in much of the current dialogue around =
universal free access is an argument for the greater common good that =
convinces the majority that its worth government intervention - and =
spending. That truly convinces the majority that governments can do a =
better job then the private sector. Given recent trends to privatize - =
with voter support - this will be difficult.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Gary<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><b><i><br></i></b>Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme =
chose<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>On 2013-02-05, at 5:16, James Van =
Leeuwen &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:jvl@ventus.ca" =
target=3D"_blank">jvl@ventus.ca</a>&gt; =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote =
style=3D'margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>&quot;We don't charge you to walk on our sidewalks. =
Why would we charge you for =
broadband?<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div></div></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div></div></body></html>
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