Phones are ringing in Wilson. There’s a new poll about HB 1252 that is apparently designed with leading questions about municipal broadband. It includes questions that, as a friend put it, can’t possibly be answered correctly without siding with certain cable and or telco providers.
I’m guessing a couple of the industry execs will use it this week to convince lawmakers that Wilson citizens don’t need their system.
The same poll, or a similar one, has also popped up in Salibury. This weekend, several people there reported getting phone polls that led them to the same conclusion about their new network. Salisbury is network now that is similar to Wilson’s.
One poll. Two cities. One intended result.
The bill is expected to come up this Wednesday in the Public Utilities Committee.
I’m sure you’re aware, but in case you’re not, in addition to this poll, News 14 Carolina – owned by Time Warner – is being used to spew one-sided Time Warner propaganda.
For instance:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x921vf_news-14-time-warner-introduces-mete_news
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x921v3_news-14-carolina-time-warner-shelve_news
Note the deceptively worded question by the Time Warner guy in the 2nd clip “Is it fair for a city to tax a company, then use that tax to compete with the same company?”
Who wants to bet this push poll has that question on it?
By: Rooker on April 28, 2009
at 8:59 am
Sorry. Gave the wrong link.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x920wc_wral-raleigh-cable-providers-hamper_news
The bit about taxes comes at about 1:20
By: Rooker on April 28, 2009
at 1:13 pm
These clips are part of our ongoing coverage of this issue on http://www.stopthecap.com. Don’t let the clips alone make you think they are the last word on this issue. We’re taking them apart when needed.
News 14 Carolina is the Pravda of the Carolinas. We’ve been taking their propaganda reports apart for the last two weeks.
By: Phillip Dampier on April 28, 2009
at 3:16 pm
I got a call to answer survey questions about Internet service Monday, April 27, but didn’t because I was fixing dinner. They said they would call back but didn’t. I live in Asheville.
By: Kenneth Fulford on April 28, 2009
at 7:12 pm
Brian:
As one that has been down this push poll & misinformation path too, I thought I’d provide some links to similar misbehaviour by SBC & Comcast from 2003 in our neck of the woods.
http://www.tricitybroadband.com/news1.htm
http://www.tricitybroadband.com/news2.htm
and my personal favorite:
http://www.tricitybroadband.com/videos/unproven.wmv
Keep hammering away. You are doing the right thing for your community & state.
Regards,
Pete Collins
I.T. Manager
City of Geneva, Illinois
By: Peter Collins on April 28, 2009
at 9:09 pm
Read about this on Slashdot, and traced the story back to your blog. Good luck in this David & Goliath fight for what’s fair!
Since this story is getting more attention and can be read by random folks such as myself, have you considered setting up a site for donations?
Again, good luck!
By: Ixnayonthetimmay on April 29, 2009
at 12:53 pm
Saw this on slashdot:
TWC and the like have absolutely no right to complain. The fact that government can out-compete a private enterprise means that private enterprise has not done it’s job. Under no circumstances should they be allowed to stifle any competition, ever.
By: Alex K on April 29, 2009
at 3:20 pm
Is it possible to get some concrete examples of the questions being asked in this push poll? It makes explaining just how desperate and outrageous the established ISPs are much easier for people who aren’t following this.
By: Dan A on April 29, 2009
at 5:01 pm
In several places where this is being reported, I am noticing confusion over the definition of “push poll“.
A push poll is not a poll – it is propaganda in the form of a question.
In a push poll, the answers to the questions are irrelevant and those responsible for it don’t really care how the questions are answered. The purpose is to influence opinion or spread false information by phrasing the questions in a deceptive manner.
For example:
“Would knowing that Candidate John Doe has misused tax revenues to purchase a new Ferarri every year make you less likely to vote for him?”
By: Rooker on April 29, 2009
at 5:17 pm
I am not surprised by these underhanded tactics – typical big business in America, if you can’t compete, stoop to what ever level possible (legal or illegal) to maintain the status quo.
Community owned broadband is a GOOD thing. We might finally catch up with those evil socialist counties like Sweden and North Korea!
I hope these bills don’t pass, and we see more and more project Greenlights across America.
By: Sad Panda on April 29, 2009
at 11:40 pm
David vs Goliath? Really?? Is anything bigger than gov’t???
Also folks, do any of you work for small mid size businesses? There are a lot of independent ISP’s who resell Embarq DSL (NCISP, Carolina Connections, etc..) Wilson is competing with them too!!! Shouldn’t it be an even playing field?
Should Wilson next open a oil, lube shop next to their insurance company? Do you not see the slippery slope. Gov’t can always do it for cheaper when they constantly raise taxes on everything. Think about it!
By: Terry Shrader on April 30, 2009
at 5:06 pm
Terry,
This is state government vs. local government.
I’m sure that at one time there were well diggers who protested cities providing water systems, too.
By: Brian on April 30, 2009
at 5:26 pm
Brian,
I am sure the same could be said about electricities too? That was a great idea that is paying off. All residents love that coop. I am sure a pretty picture of roses was painted back then as well!
By: Terry Shrader on May 1, 2009
at 2:30 pm
Additional regulations after TMI pushed up the cost of finishing the power plant near Apex.
Those regulations were necessary. These are not.
By: Brian on May 1, 2009
at 2:40 pm
More information about the push polls in today’s Salisbury Post.
http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/050109-fiber-americans-for-prosperity-on-cable-bill
By: Brian on May 1, 2009
at 6:46 pm