Dec 1, 2017 4 min read

Isn’t it wonderful that we are granted free access to any website on the Internet? This is because of net neutrality.

Net neutrality is the principle that Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon should not control what we see and do online. It solely preserves our right to communicate freely online. The Federal Communications Commission adopted strong net neutrality rules based on Title II of the Communications Act, giving people strong protection when using the Internet. These rules prohibit Internet providers from blocking, spying on and charging their customers for the websites they visit. Title II allows people to share and access the information of their choosing without complications.

However, President Trump’s FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, is introducing a plan that will give complete control of the Internet to big companies. If this is approved, then the Internet will become a closed-down network where phone companies, such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, make the decisions on where you will go on the Internet and whether you will have to pay extra just to visit a website. They will be able to block websites and content they do not approve of as well.

The FCC will vote on Pai’s proposal Dec. 14. We should not take net neutrality for granted.

Alicia M. Bonus

Washington

Where is a flag at W&J?

In the past four years, we have followed the Waynesburg University wrestling team to most of their matches and tournaments in several states. All of these events started with the playing of the national anthem.

Last year, however, the tournament held at Washington & Jefferson College omitted this tradition. We had hoped that this decision was made because they were so late getting started.

This year, we were eager to attend this event at W&J’s new fieldhouse. Unfortunately, they must have run out of money before purchasing a United States flag.

I found it very upsetting that the administration at a school named after two of the founders of this country has decided to do away with displaying its flag or playing the national anthem. It was especially shameful because this year’s tournament fell on Veterans Day.

Linda Wolfe

Washington

Man overboard

In the summer of 1985, the aircraft carrier I was stationed on was conducting drills in the Caribbean when the crew of more than 5,000 sailors was told it was the real thing.

Man overboard.

The massive 90,000-ton vessel slowed down as much as she could, and every man on board was accounted for.

It turned out the unfortunate soul who was floundering in the darkness wasn’t one of our own. Rather, it was a lone Haitian on a raft, but we didn’t leave him to drown. He was taken on board by medical personnel, treated for dehydration and given a chance to recover from his harrowing ordeal.

Thirty-two years later, we have a commander in chief with the compassion of one of the barnacles clinging to the underside of my old gray lady, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The U.S. recently ended a program that granted temporary visas to 59,000 citizens from the native land of the man we plucked from the sea.

They were allowed to come to America after the cataclysmic 2010 earthquake that killed more than 300,000 of their countrymen. The humanitarian president who served before the current self-serving one, extended their temporary protected status. No such compassion is forthcoming from our twittering tearful tyrant.

They all get the boot in 18 months. All 59,000 of them. That’s about how many people fill one NFL stadium on any given Sunday.

Maybe if they were all stranded at sea, they would have a better chance of survival on our shores. Then again, with Captain Outrageous at the helm, the ship would be ordered to proceed on her present course, full speed ahead.

Vin Morabito

Scranton

One day without football

Why don’t we protest and take one day with no football? Let’s show the NFL they need us, but we don’t need them.

Let’s give up football for one day to be with our families.

George L. Black

Jefferson