Monday, July 28, 2014

The money conundrum.

Right now there is an incredible conference going on down in D.C. It is being led by a man who has devoted his life to making sure that underserved people and people of color have open and free access to the Internet, access to capital, and a voice in the shaping of the telecom industry.


I usually try to go every year, and I will try to make it down tomorrow if my schedule permits.


Anyway, thanks to my relationship with David Honig over the past few years, I have become more familiar with how the FCC works and with all the lobbying and "inside baseball" that goes on as it relates to this particular industry.


It is because of David's influence and connections that I have managed to meet some powerful people in the industry, as well as some brilliant and forward thinking entrepreneurs who are trying to make their mark.


Having said that, I wonder how David and the folks at MMTC will react to the following story? (h/t Dartanyan)


"Last Friday, just before the Federal Communication Commission closed its comment period for its upcoming rule on “network neutrality,” a massive coalition of Asian, Latino and Black civil rights group filed letters arguing that regulators should lay off of Internet Service Providers regarding Title II reclassification and accept FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s original plan. In other words, something close to half of the entire civil rights establishment just sold out the Internet.


The civil rights group letters argue that Title II reclassification of broadband services as a public utility — the only path forward for real net neutrality after a federal court ruling in January — would somehow “harm communities of color.” The groups wrote to the FCC to tell them that “we do not believe that the door to Title II should be opened.” Simply put, these groups, many of which claim to carry the mantle of Martin Luther King Jr., are saying that Comcast and Verizon should be able to create Internet slow lanes and fast lanes, and such a change would magically improve the lives of non-white Americans.


The filings reveal a who’s who of civil rights groups willing to shill on behalf of the telecom industry. One filing lists prominent civil rights groups NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Urban League, the National Council on Black Civil Participation and the National Action Network. The other features the Council of Korean Americans, the Japanese American Citizens League, the National Black Farmers Association, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, the Latino Coalition, and many more.


Of course, the groups listed on these filings do not speak for all communities of color on telecom policy, and there are civil rights groups out there that actually support net neutrality, including Color of Change and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Joseph Torres with Free Press told VICE that communities of color believe a free and open Internet is essential in the digital age, especially when most non-whites do not own radio stations, broadcast outlets or other forms of mass media. “Protecting real net neutrality is critical for people of color because an open Internet gives us the opportunity to speak for ourselves without having to ask corporate gatekeepers for permission,” Torres says.


A number of K Street consultants have helped make this epic sell-out possible.
The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) coordinated many of the participants in the anti-net neutrality filings sent to the FCC last week. Last year, the Center for Public Integrity published an investigation of MMTC, showing that the group has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from Verizon, Comcast, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, and other telecom sources while reliably peddling the pro-telecom industry positions. For instance, the group attacked the Obama administration’s first attempt at net neutrality, while celebrating the proposed (and eventually successful) merger between Comcast and NBC.


Martin Chavez, the former Mayor of Albuquerque, now works with a group called the Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) to corral Latino civil rights groups into opposing net neutrality. Last month, Chavez hosted a net neutrality event on Capitol Hill to call on legislators to oppose Title II reclassification. As TIME recently reported, Chavez is on staff with one of Verizon’s lobbying firms, the Ibarra Strategy Group.


“HTTP is nothing more than an industry front-group that is at best misinformed and at worst intentionally distorting facts as it actively opposes efforts to better serve the communications needs of Latinos,” says Alex Nogales of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, which strongly supports net neutrality. His group has filed its own letter to the FCC.


Still, telecom cash has become a vital source of funding for cash-starved nonprofits. OCA, the Asian American civil rights nonprofit formerly known as the Organization of Chinese Americans, counts Comcast as a major donor and sponsor for its events and galas. Not only did OCA go on to sign the anti-net neutrality letter last Friday, the group wrote a similar filing to the FCC in 2010, claiming absurdly that Asian American entrepreneurs would benefit from having ISPs able to discriminate based on content. Similarly, League of United Latin American Citizens, better known simply as LULAC, has been a dependable ally of the telecom industry while partnering with Comcast for a $5 million civic engagement campaign. Here’s a picture of LULAC proudly accepting a jumbo-sized check from AT&T.


As VICE first reported, telecoms are desperate for third party approval, and have even resorted to fabricating community support for their anti-net neutrality lobbying campaign.


Perhaps the bigger picture here is how so many of the old civil rights establishment have become comfortable with trading endorsements for cash. Verizon, Comcast, AT&T and other telecom companies have donated, either directly or through a company foundation, to nearly every group listed on the anti-net neutrality letters filed last week. We saw a similar dynamic play out with Wal-Mart when the retailer handed out cash to civil rights groups in order to buy support for opening stores in urban areas." [More]


If I didn't know David and how committed he is to civil rights, it would be easier for me to buy into the author's premise that his organization is selling out along with the old civil rights establishment. But I cannot, because I understand that it is far more nuanced than that. Or maybe my judgment when it comes to this issue is clouded by my admiration for this particular individual.
This is all similar to the situation that has manifested itself recently with the UNCF and the money received from the Koch Brothers. Dear UNCF, we are going to give you 25 million reasons why you should like us. It worked. The UNCF took the money, and their leader found a way to justify taking it.


I understand that for some there are no easy answers when it comes to this issue as well. Who can argue against young people of color having the funding to get an education? But then, considering where it's coming from, I could argue against taking it.   


Still, I guess money talks, even if the men who are doing everything in their powers to limit access to the ballot box for people of color are behind the talking.


Of of course, as is the case above with "net neutrality", there were critics. And Harry Belafonte, bless his no quarter giving heart, had some very strong words about the gift:


"They are white supremacists . They are flooding our country with money..."


They are flooding the UNCF with money as well.


Sadly for some, though, they have plenty of it.  And so does Comcast, Verizon, and AT & T.




*Pics from insidermonkey.com and freebacon.com






  










 

45 comments:

Wesley R said...


It's sad that while African Americans have the spending power of over one trillion dollars, a group like the UNCF has to gather donations from people who are trying to take rights away from their clients.

Field,
Usain Bolt met with the press at The Commonwealth Games to talk about the meet and a crazy reporter asked him about the situation in Gaza.

Anonymous said...

Wesley R wrote,
It's sad that while African Americans have the spending power of over one trillion dollars, a group like the UNCF has to gather donations from people who are trying to take rights away from their clients.

Laughable. Blacks have virtually no savings and retire with few assets. This is the kicker. While retiring with less, they also retire earlier. Go figure. But when you have YT providing the EBT card then what the hell.

QLB

Anonymous said...

"Perhaps the bigger picture here is how so many of the old civil rights establishment have become comfortable with trading endorsements for cash."

But of course, 'civil rights' was always a scam.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste said...

"They are white supremacists . They are flooding our country with money..."

Yep, white supremacists are giving $25 million for black student scholarships...the bastards!

Harry Belafonte has always been the worst kind of loon, a racist hateful loon.

Take that, serfs! said...

760 aliens disembarked the DHS train in Tennessee recently with no notification to any state authorities. Not who they are, where they are, who they are with, or what of their status. Nothing. Just take them and choke on your 10th amendment, ghost shirters. The governor is, of course, highly vexed. Quite impotently so he will come to learn, if not already advised. Though before allowing reality to fully digest, he penned a polite missive to “The Honorable Barak Obama” asking if perhaps it would be too much trouble for a state’s governor to be notified of any ongoing clandestine alien resettlements within his border.

Haslam, a Republican, said he still has not been contacted by the Obama administration – and has no idea where the illegals were resettled.

“I still have not been contacted and have no information about these individuals or their sponsors other than what was posted on the HHS website,” he wrote.

"White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that the illegal immigrant children have a right to privacy. He said privacy rights of the illegals are more important than the public’s right to know what’s happening."

Your government has placed the rights of non-citizens who came here illegally above your rights to even know WTF is happening to your country.

The American revolution has come full circle. The government has declared its independence from the people. What are you going to do about it?

field negro said...

Wesley, I saw that. I think he is healed now.

Hmmm, "YT" gets a lot of those EBT cards as well.
Don't even get me started in that one.

field negro said...

The bigger question is what are YOU going to do about it?
Be careful what you write, though.Folks in the secret service read this blog. :)

Anonymous said...

field negro said...

The bigger question is what are YOU going to do about it?
---

I know you will do whatever they tell you to up in the house.

You like being a slave.

Anonymous said...

Blogger field negro said...
The bigger question is what are YOU going to do about it?
Be careful what you write, though.Folks in the secret service read this blog. :)

11:18 PM
-------------
Are you shitting me? Why didn't you tell me before now? Field, you are nothing but trouble.

WTF! I'm outta here.

Dear FP, watch what you write about the God thing. The secret service is reading every word. You could end up in jail. Make sure you have a good Christian lawyer from the GOP...DO NOT...REPEAT, DO NOT COUNT ON A LEFT WING LAWYER...They have some of the most pathetic lawyers when it comes to religion and God.

You probably know this anyway, considering you have been reading atheist porn lover Field's bs.. That guy is headed straight to hell.

Anonymous said...

The buy-off of civil rights organization is depressing. Unfortunately, it's not new. The Congress of Racial Equality got bought off a long time ago, and is now a sleazy mouthpiece for right-wing causes.

I do have one quibble with Harry Belafonte. The Koch Brothers aren't really focused on white power; that's not their ultimate objective. They're the prophets of greed. Their sole goal is to support the privileges of their own ultra-wealthy social class. To the extent they support racist measures, like undermining minority voting rights, they are doing it out of pragmatism.

But then, flogging racism in order to support aristocracy is how the Republican Party has worked for a long time now.

focusedpurpose said...

Anon 1:23am-

i believe Almighty over all i think i see.

if BO is having folk cuffed/stuffed behind not agreeing with his politics...

oh well.

what's his approval rating? that's a lot of folk. but they ARE prepared so...

back to oh well.

maybe more americans will wake up + Stand/Speak up.

those that seek to save their lives will lose them. this is spirital warfare that has not much to do with the flesh.

that's what's written.

+ i already killed myself + die daily;)

not literally for the slower folk. lol.

on a different level.

as for the police state of america. maybe ya'll didn't know or forgot, but cointelpro is very Real. america has BEEN a police state for many for a long time. just one big long episode of reality tv really.

folk know Good and well how to find me + what my views are.

i'm ok with that.

Lights are not to be hidden as it is written. this said humbly of course.

if folk can hear as well as see me, like folk claim here- but i am the "crazy" one" lol- then they have heard me pray for BO + his whole house. the same for FN and his.

i don't hurt spiders and creepy critters- much less people. so meh. and it can't be a federal offense to suggest that one with a white mother might not be Black but biracial. folk were sure talking 'bout his white mother to put him in the wh. now all of a sudden mums the word?

i don't dislike ww at all. i am just reserving the Right to speak the Truth as i understand it.

what's there to fear really?

i have Peace that surpasses all Understanding. otherwise i would be tortured by the nonstop lies and wickedness that most are too afraid to speak out against. so they stand in silent agreement.

as for my not mentioning Almighty Yah and His Word based on fear.

nope.

since i have been studying Isaiah this evening, let's stay there for just one of the many reasons none of that really matters to me:

_____________________


UNIVERSAL LAW:

KJV Isaiah 43:2

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.


________________________

Question for the feds assigned to this gov't blog:

is there anyway you could find out if BO is a 32nd degree prince hall mason?

could someone Anon up and spill the tea, please?

if you would come through better than the braggart that was with Sybrina Fulton. let everybody over here know. but couldn't ask if she were an eastern star, 'cause fp wanted to know. if you do better, that would be swell;) + thank you.

sure THAT can't be a federal offense either.

http://focusedpurpose.blogspot.com/2014/07/turn-cornershall-we.html

focusedpurpose said...

something else folk might want to ask folk with BO's ear about:

http://blackstarjournal.org/?p=4250

"My Brother’s Keeper’ initiative is destroying the Black male mentoring movement"

THIS would be a Good time to remind him that ya'll think he is a Black man.

or just keep being proud 'cause he "made it"+ be veeeeery quiet. ...

and of course afraid.

'cause quiet and afraid is the best strategy in any spiritual battle. prayer, fearless Standing in Love + Truth...

field negro said...

Anon@1:23, you will be fine.I know u are a member of Anon Inc.so u are covered under the FPA (Field Protection Act )

Oh yes, Niger Innis and CORE. Now those Negroes know how to jig.

PilotX said...

Yes sir, money talks and the consolidation of media show worry all of us. As far as UNCF, I say take the money and get an education and do everything you can to empower your community.

anotherbozo said...

Here in New York City we have the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. Yes, that David Koch. I myself see no reason not to accept the money, either for the arts or for "negro" education. Will it help the Koch Brothers clean up their image to be a part of "good causes"? Not in my book. (They can wash and wash, those hands'll never be clean.

I have an idea. The NY Times has a column called "The Ethicist." Why doesn't somebody pose the question to him, make this a public discussion. The Koch Brothers are rapidly becoming well-known as a force for Tea Party values, and their attempts to launder their image, if that's what this represents, won't help them—but it will help kids who otherwise couldn't afford college. Or if the Koch Brothers are schizo in their philosophy of giving, why not take advantage? Every penny you accept from them for an EGALITARIAN cause, after all, they can't use for a BIGOTED one.
I revere Belafonte, but I'm inclined to take a more cynical view of this. But I'd like to hear it discussed on a big scale; could be I'm very wrong on this.

Anonymous said...

""My Brother’s Keeper’ initiative is destroying the Black male mentoring movement""

But weren't you complaining a few months ago that it didn't include black girls and women?

I never thought My Brother's Keeper was going to succeed because I know the raising and nurturing of children begins AND ends in the home.

"Programs" do not and CANNOT raise and nurture children into a productive adulthood.

Of course, a few of the very smartest AND determined black boys might break out of the matrix with this or some other "program" but most will drown. I already knew this.

BTW: Is it Obama's fault that so many black parents nowadays expect the public school system, community centers and programs of various kinds to actually RAISE their children? Is this really Obama's fault?

agentX said...

Speaking of Tea Party weirdos, there's an interesting update out of Philly.
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/philadelphia-tea-party-group-rebrands

So what is the new groups "no-longer-tea-Party" groups agenda? Preaching conservative views of religious liberty, defense and education spending, foreign affairs, and advocating for pro-life legislation.

It smells like the same old corporate Tea Party agenda to me, hoping to ditch the negative connotation the Tea Party has has claimed as its legacy.


The Tea Party name is too tarnished, Field.

Anonymous said...

"The Tea Party name is too tarnished, Field. "

By a coordinated media effort to label them racist when race had nothing to do with the agenda.

Another victory for leftist propaganda.

Anonymous said...

Can one of you lefties explain this visceral hatred of the UNCF donating, art supporting, ACLU funding Koch brothers?

Is it just because the media told you they were evil racist plutocrats out to re-institute slavery, or do you have some objective evidence that justifies this?

And how are they worse than the leftist billionaires, those in the majority like George Soros, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Mark Zuckerberg etc., whose bought-and-paid-for politicians are working tirelessly to increase immigration, both legal and illegal, so that these poor fellows don't have to pay American craftsmen and engineers wages that might shave a tenth of percent off their profit ratios? Is that good for the working man? How about the fact that these guy's operations pay much less in taxes than Koch Industries?

It's always a good idea to question why the media wants you to hate somebody, and why they don't tell you about some things. Just a thought.

anotherbozo said...

@Anonymous at 11:40:

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/koch-brothers

PilotX said...

Maybe we should make college more affordable. I remember hearing that if we closed our military bases in Germany and Japan we could afford free college for all students. The cost of education is ridiculous, we need to investigate ways to make it more affordable so we remain a world leader.

PilotX said...

Grrrr, my post didn't go through. Oh well if it did ignore this repost. We need to find a way to make college more affordable so the Koches don't have to give money to educate our kids. Tuition is ridiculous. If we want to remain a world leader we need to figure out how to make school affordable.

Bill said...


FN Said...
...underserved people and people of color have open and free access to the Internet


Instead of forcing the people you hate to pay taxes to do your bidding, why don';t you put up YOUR $$ and pay for a family to have their "free" internet on your dime?

Get PilotX, PurpleCow and the your other online buddies to do the same and give free internet to poor families.


If the koch brothers can voluntarily help black kids go to college, why can't you even just voluntarily give them free internet?


...young people of color having the funding to get an education? But then, considering where it's coming from, I could argue against taking it.

Is your hate for the koch brothers stronger than your appreciation/love for black children getting the same chance bestowed upon you to attend college?


Personally... If I could get my "enemy" to spend his $ doing something I wanted done, I would think I was winning.



If you get your wish and the koch uncf $ goes bye bye, who wins and who loses?






focusedpurpose said...

@ 8:19 am-

"But weren't you complaining a few months ago that it didn't include black girls and women? "

_______________

no. i was not. if anything i have mentioned his refusal to pretend he cares about BW and girls. i have maintained all along, before he landed in the wh, that he would be bad for Black folks. go to the 2008 archives at my blog and see.

i'd post links but i am busy;)

hope that clarification helps.

blessings to you.

Bill said...


PilotX said...
Maybe we should make college more affordable.


To figure how how to make it more affordable, first we need to figure out what currently makes it so expensive.


Making Public College Presidents Millionaires Correlates With Increased Student Debt, Study Finds
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/19/college-presidents-student-debt_n_5353665.html


government employees getting rich on taxpayer $.


cal president Janet napolitano, $570,000 despite "zero experience leading a college"


With the record number of college graduates working below their education level, does that show a failure on the college system that needs to be addressed?





parvenu said...

The actions of major "civil rights" groups regarding the current FCC Net Neutrality issue remind me of the words of a noted Boston civil rights leader during the famous Boston Busing boycott against school integration controversy decades ago. Faced with the news that certain black politicians had agreed with most of the provisions demanded by the white organizers of the Busing boycott he said - "It's not that our people SELL OUT, it's just that they sell out SO DAMN CHEAP!!" White Corporations sell out for BILLIONS of dollars; whereas Black "leaders" sell out for thousands of dollars.

focusedpurpose said...

@ Anon that is fearful of being monitored by the all seeing evil eye of big brother.

_____________________

UNIVERSAL LAW:

KJV Proverbs 29:25- The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Sovereign shall be safe.

______________________

He/His Word is not a man that He/His Word should lie.

so let the menfolk that think they are running thangs, do what they do...

may your Faith in Almighty be only increased;)

Blessings all!

Plane Ideas said...

I tire of broke noble negroes..I always counsel to take all the money..

For decades we performed for free that includes our civil rights icons...

Not me Not ever

Anonymous said...

Field said,
Hmmm, "YT" gets a lot of those EBT cards as well.
Don't even get me started in that one.

Why don't we get started on it? I know you have problems with such concepts such as percentage, median and mean buts lets examine the data. Blacks are 2.5 to 3 times more likely than Whites to get welfare benefit as a percentage of the population. They're also more likely to stay on it longer and use it as a lifestyle instead of as a bridge. I just wonder what is going to happen when the magic EBT cards finally gets shut off.

QLB

Anonymous said...

"They're also more likely to stay on it longer and use it as a lifestyle instead of as a bridge. I just wonder what is going to happen when the magic EBT cards finally gets shut off."

QLB
----------------
Well, we'll have to wait and see won't we? Maybe all Blacks will be homeless and in the streets begging folks like you for a dollar.

Or maybe White Americans like yourself will advocate a "Purge", like in the movie "Purge" where it will be legal for Whites like yourself to kill poor folks(read Blacks) for 24 hours once/year. According to the movie killing off the poor(read Blacks) keeps taxes and beggars low.

Anonymous said...

When I have EVER advocated violence? But your people on the other hand...... I just want you to shut up during movies and perhaps learn how to tip your wait service.


QLB

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
When I have EVER advocated violence? But your people on the other hand...... I just want you to shut up during movies and perhaps learn how to tip your wait service.


QLB

9:55 PM
----------------
No, you want a lot more than that.

You want to punish all Blacks for not being the way you want them to be. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen so you might as well go see depressed Negro's therapist about your mental ailments.

Anonymous said...

Btw,QLB, how is the weather in Seattle these days?

Anonymous said...

And that line of reasoning if why Blacks will be the permanent inhabitants of the hood/ghetto.

Anonymous said...

Permanent inhabitants of the hood? Hell, you aren't telling us anything new. As long as Whites run America, Blacks will be poor and in the ghetto.

So relax. You're safe.

Anonymous said...

Been to Africa lately? It's a total crap hole and your people run it ( into the ground )

QLB

Shabazz said...

"Been to Africa lately? It's a total crap hole and your people run it ( into the ground )

QLB"

Africa is run (into the ground)
by white colonial eurotrash like yourself.
You seem to have a lot of hardships with random black people you have never met before. If you feel Amerikkka is such a cesspool because of us, why don't you carry your pasty flat ass back to Europe? Contrary to popular belief, your boy columbo didn't "discover" Amerikkka. This land was inhabited long before the trailers came in.

Inquirer said...

QLB lives in Seattle? O-o

Anonymous said...

Tell em Shabazz. Africa was ruined by Whites like QLB. And then has the nerve to blame it on the Blacks. People like QLB are going to hell for sure.

PilotX said...

I have, went to Dakar Senegal and had a great time.

PilotX said...

Africa is a large continent and like all large continents has good and bad parts. Are there parts of Europe that none of us will go? Uh, hell yeah. Same song.

Anonymous said...

Shabazz said,
Contrary to popular belief, your boy columbo didn't "discover" Amerikkka. This land was inhabited long before the trailers came in.

No, what he did was pilot three small ships across the Atlantic and return. He was able to do it 4 times. An incredible feat of seamanship and a tribute to the technology of its day. Your people would be hard pressed to do it now even with modern tech.

QLB

Shabazz said...

"Your people would be hard pressed to do it now even with modern tech.

QLB"

I know, because you're so smart oh mighty great one with the high IQ. Your savage "friend" columbo would have never had the skills, or the mathematical brains to make such a feat possible if it wasn't for those damn negroes- you know the ones you are so much smarter than
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_science_and_technology_in_Africa

You must LOVE the taste of leather 'cause you always seem to have your foot in your mouth dumbass. You probably don't even have a rudimentary education, much less college. Don't you notice no one here takes anything you say seriously? There's a reason for that. You're irrelevant. Not just here, but in real life too. That's why you come here day after day after day after day. You display the tendencies of a neurotic sociopath screaming out for attention. LOOK AT ME, LOOK LOOK...I CAN STAND ON MY HIND LEGS, OUCH I HIT MY HEAD, OOH I HIT MY HEAD AGAIN

PilotX said...

There's evidence to suggest "our" people visited the western hemisphere long before Columbus. Read ivan Van Sertima's "They Came Before Columbus". There aremany advances that our ancestors can claim. Hell, civilization started on the mother continent.

Anonymous said...

Pilot said,
There's evidence to suggest "our" people visited the western hemisphere long before Columbus. Read ivan Van Sertima's "They Came Before Columbus". There aremany advances that our ancestors can claim. Hell, civilization started on the mother continent.

You can claim anything, the problem is that you have no proof. Nada. Nothing. Where's the evidence? Did you burn it in some giant bongo party? Here's the real deal. Early man left Africa so he could start civilization.

QLB