Pretty straight forward episode with a good mix of melodic tunes covering most of the indie pop universe. Sure, there’s a couple of harder numbers, but I was feeling in need of a little boost of mellow. Tales From The Drop Box Episode 83 is more of the different just from the other end of the musical funnel.

Speaking of funnels, it is important that the internet not become a funnel controlled by a few Internet providers. Although it may seem like the concern is on a much bigger level, the absolute true fact is that without “net neutrality” the Internet will change and rather dramatically. The Internet will become a place where only speech advocated by a particular Internet company will be permitted unfettered distribution. Minority voices will be silenced. Among the silenced will be blogs such as Tales From The Drop Box and the podcast that you are hopefully listening to without having to pay a premium.

At its most basic level “net neutrality” is a construct designed to ensure that Internet service providers enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites. Thus net neutrality rules preserve not only our expectations but a fundamental principal to speak freely on the internet.

As you can see from reading this blog, the opinions expressed are not particularly controversial (at least in my mind). However, on occasion those opinions may be the antithesis to the views held by the regime currently in power. And that is why net neutrality is important. Tales From The Dropbox is still here. If the FCC overturns the net neutrality rules that were first adopted in 2015 (the Open Internet Order), then the Internet, as we know it now,  will change forever and not in a good way. Really. It will be the end. Think of the consequences if a few providers such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon are able to decide which websites they like and those they don’t. Sure, a number of websites that you have “heard about” (and would never visit because they are foul and disgusting and contain the type of porn you would never watch and object to primarily on moral or religious grounds) would no long “exist” but then you already had the choice, the freedom, to not to visit those websites anyway. Without these rules, Internet providers would be able to block websites or content they do not agree with, or who won’t pay them additional fees for access, or block content and applications that compete with their own services.

As enacted by the FCC through its Open Internet Order (see above), the rules deregulate the internet and prohibit Internet providers from monetizing their control of a limited resource. Why the fuss now? The Trump administration is seeking to end “net neutrality.” They don’t say that because they are not totally stupid. They just lie about their true intentions by disguising the true objectives in a nicely worded, pleasantly colored, website that the U.S. taxpayer funds – The official FCC website.

The Trump FCC is already operational and the agency’s website spews Trump regime propaganda with a spin on the proposed rule change to eliminate net neutrality calling the proposed new FCC rule making activity “Restoring Internet Freedom” and claiming that “net neutrality” is bad and that the FCC Chairman’s proposal to end net neutrality is somehow “good” for the American people. See Restoring Internet Freedom.

The FCC website is  obviously a tool for the Trump administration as it should be. However, it should not contain deliberate falsehoods designed to mislead the American public.  Although claiming that the “FCC has proposed to return the U.S. to the bipartisan, light-touch regulatory framework under which a free and open Internet flourished for almost 20 years,” this is not the truth. It is deception. “Light touch regulatory framework” ends net neutrality, and opens the door for Internet Providers to act badly. In short, the new proposal is basically put your faith in capitalism and trust AT&T and other Internet Providers to do good. Seriously, that is #^^#ed up.

Net neutrality rules protect those advances in technology and the Internet made in the past 20 years and ensures, for the future, that smaller companies and individuals with products are not forced to sell to an established provider in order to gain access, that speech remains free for everyone, and that all viewpoints, including those we disagree with, are expressed without restriction. For a generation that depends on the Internet, get on your couch, pull out your cell phone, and voice your opposition to the end of net neutrality by commenting here: FCC’s Electronic Comment System

Today is the deadline for the first round of comments, but you will have a second bite at the apple later. Make your voice heard.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode #83:

1. Auction For The Promise Club – “See Through” (Silence)
2. Little Cub – “Snow” (Still Life)
3. Deacon Blue – “Dignity” (Live From The Glasgow Barrowlands)
4. Great Cynics – “Easily Sone” (Posi)
5. CF98 – “Story Makers” (Story Makers)
6. Saint Pé – “ Sweet Laurel” (Fixed Focus)
7. Dispatch – “Painted Yellow Lines” (America, Location 12)
8. 1234 – “Demons (Are A Girl’s Best Friend)” (In Your Faith)
9. Kane Strang – “My Smile Is Extinct” (Two Hearts and No Brain)
10. Dream Machine – “Buried Alive” (The Illusion)
11. Maximo Park – “The Hero” (Risk To Exist)
12. Kamera – “Keep Me Alive” (Blank Expressions)
13. Sunshine & The Rain – “Let’s Go” (In The Darkness Of My Light)
14. Penetration – “Don’t Dictate” (“Don’t Dictate” b/w “Money Talks” (7” VS 192)
15. Paramore – “Grudges” (After Laughter)

And he packs his lunch in a Sunblest bag the children call him bogie he never lets on … stop asking why, why we had to waste so much time well, we just pick up, pick up and start again cause we can’t keep holding on to grudges . . .

KFR