roundtable: Re: FCC: This is Getting Ridiculous

roundtable: Re: FCC: This is Getting Ridiculous

Re: FCC: This is Getting Ridiculous

Vigdor Schreibman - FINS (fins@access.digex.net)
Wed, 16 Feb 1994 15:46:44 -0500 (EST) 

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 15:46:44 -0500 (EST)
From: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
Subject: Re: FCC: This is Getting Ridiculous
To: telecomreg@relay.adp.wisc.edu
In-Reply-To: <199402100325.AA05760@dorsai.dorsai.org>
Message-Id: <Pine.3.05.9402161542.B12507-c100000@access2.digex.net>

The problem raised in this message is buried not in the specific actions
pertaining to cable rates but in the doctrine of "reasonableness" advanced
by the FCC for many years.  For thoroughly corrupt reasons the insiders do
not find it convenient to discuss this important topic.  In short, when a
standard of "reasonableness" is used under the Communications Act, this
allows broadcast licensees, cable compaines, and common carrier telephone
companies the widest possible discretion to adopt any conduct that can be
justified by virtually any reason they can offer.  This doctrine of
"reasonableness" is akin to a license to kill, and it cannot be overturned
except for an abuse of discretion, which is impossible to find for all
practical purposes and is totally immune to all appellate review.  When
members of Congress led by the Markey Subcommittee passed the recent
measure to curtail Cable rate abuse--based on this standard of
"reasonableness"--they were simply extending the tyrannical swindal that
is the FCC and its progeny.  All the fuss over why the standard does not
work is nothing but fraudulent window dressing. That outrageous standard
cannot be made into an equitable measure for the reason that its basic
premise works in exactly the opposite direction.  Moreover, far from
revising that standard, its use is now being extended.  Take a look at the
pervasive use it will have in the new telecommunications bills, such as
S.1822! 

  The only real solution to this totalitarian conduct lies in a massive
American effort to radically transform our political system and
government.  Twenty million networkers should lead the way in organizing
the citizenry toward that end. 

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On Wed, 9 Feb 1994, John Higgins wrote:

> 
> Now that the FCC has extended the cable rate freeze for the third time, I'm
> starting to have some sympathy for the cable operators. I'm no cheeleader for
> the MSOs, but they do have one valid complaint: how are they supposed to do
> business when the government can't decide what the rules are going to be. It's
> bad enough that the FCC STILL hasn't established the standards for what a
> reasonable cable rate is (cost of service standards). But to freeze their
> prices for an entire year now? Maybe it's legal, but it's certainly hard to do
> business when you can't reasonably project your revenue streams. A favorite
> note in the FCC's new freeze order seems to state that chairman Hundt has
> spent so much time listening to cable operators that he hasn't had time to
> decide how to act. Can't wait for health care legislation. Or the execution of
> NII legislation.
> 
> John M. Higgins                                   higgins@dorsai.dorsai.org
> Multichannel News                                            CIS:75266,3353
>                                               V)212-887-8390/F)212-887-8384

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