The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted on an amendment sponsored by Democratic representatives to a bill on Internet regulation that would have guaranteed equal access to all information on the Internet, The amendment was shot down 34-22, which was in some ways seen as a partial victory, as it was a slimmer margin of defeat than was expected; this means that support for the surrender of the Internet to the Telecom Giants might be slipping as public opposition to the idea, while late in coming, is growing rapidly. While some Democrats have voted for the Telecoms, the voting is split mostly among partisan lines, with the opposition to handing control to Telecoms coming from the Democratic side.

If you want to add your voice to public petitions that support Net Neutrality and oppose handing control to the Telecoms, you can sign petitions at MoveOn, Save The Internet, and Don’t Mess With The Web. Don’t Mess With The Web is a new site joining the fray, with a blog keeping track of current events on the issue.

This is important, people–losing this battle could seriously mess with your ability to access the sites you want to visit, especially sites that offer free access to content you like. It’ll hike your costs without giving you any increase in content or quality, and would give Telecoms the ability to censor or inhibit any voice they don’t favor, on the basis of money, prejudice or self-interest. It’s yet another multibillion-dollar giveaway to giant corporations with absolutely no benefit to the public. Get it stopped, now.