On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission voted — among party lines and against the will of the majority of Americans — to repeal the rules commonly known as “Net Neutrality” that makes the Internet an open and egalitarian place. Many fear that this means service providers will now be able to charge higher rates for different tiers of faster and faster internet access. That’s bound to favor big e-companies and hurt the smaller ones.
Things aren’t going to change right away, and there’s still a possibility that Congress could block the decision. Even some Republicans think it’s a dumb idea, but then again, maybe not, considering that ISP’s have donated more than $100 million to current members of Congress.
Until then, Internet users have been left to stew and worry. One of those people is Jimmy Kimmel. The once (and often, still) silly, easygoing comic has slowly turned into a widely heard voice for progressives. Earlier this year, after his infant son needed intensive medical care for a heart issue, Kimmel gave impassioned monologues on the air about the need to save Obamacare. Last night, Kimmel stood up to the FCC with an engaging speech about how the repeal of Net Neutrality is both dangerous and bad.
“Internet service providers will be allowed to slow down or block web traffic to any website or streaming service they like,” Kimmel said, “which benefits the big telecom companies, and does the opposite for all of us.”
He added: “They did this even though 83 percent of Americans support Net Neutrality — and two million of the people who supposedly wrote to the FCC to oppose it — were bogus.” Indeed, millions of letters to the agency were faked, part of a plan to create the impression that people actually wanted this law repealed.
Then Kimmel sarcastically thanked President Trump and “this jackhole you appointed to run the FCC,” a former Comcast executive named Ajit Pai. “Big corporations are about to take full control of the Internet. So Merry Christmas, everybody.”
Lots of people then used the Internet, you know, while they could, to thank Kimmel for taking a stand.
Jimmy Kimmel, thank you for speaking out against the net neutrality ruling. 83% of us were against this yet over 2 million fake signatures were sent support its demise, many consisting of dead people and falsely led people -that we know of this far. Ajit Pai-go straight 2 hell.
— Deborah Lamson (@knowgirl1) December 15, 2017
Go Jimmy!! @jimmykimmel and hope the kiddo continues to grow and be a happy lil guy
— Val (@Val68075575) December 15, 2017
Were always so intent on making life difficult it’s sad and pathetic that people obtain power then repeal things like this yet don’t have the courage to do things to make the world a better place.
— Flawless Imagination (@theFlawlessLab) December 15, 2017
You have to wonder how many Trump family investments will make millions off this deal selling out the American public for profit
— Look to the Light (@PersevereEver) December 15, 2017
While the rest of the World are moving forward the US chooses to move backwards to 1960, see u wouldn't want to be you
— JOSEF HARPER (@josefharper00) December 15, 2017
So long net neutrality—So money talks & the good of many matters little to the few with the money! SHAME today on the powers that be.—I DO believe a better day is coming… & it sure won’t be too soon.
— Tom Kimmel (@TomKimmel) December 14, 2017
#AjitPai is a man with a narrow ideological agenda who is attempting to make the internet 'free' again by returning power to large corporations. The Internet should be equal for all, not another tool for the rich and powerful.
— American Centrist (@USCentrist) December 15, 2017
"Jack hole"?!?! I think Kimmel is being extremely nice to the FCC chairman.
— Lazy Boy and Chair (@stevemoth) December 15, 2017
Jimmy using his platform to speak out. Join him.
— Carolyn Smith (@CarolynCl5s) December 15, 2017