FCC Plans To Ditch ‘Net Neutrality’

“The Republican head of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission unveiled plans on Tuesday to repeal landmark 2015 rules that prohibited internet service providers from impeding consumer access to web content in a move that promises to recast the digital landscape.

The commission will vote at a Dec. 14meeting on his plan to rescind the so-called net neutrality rules that treated internet service providers like public utilities.
These rules barred broadband providers from blocking or slowing down access to content or charging consumers more for certain content. They were intended to ensure a free and open internet, give consumers equal access to web content and prevent broadband service providers from favoring their own content.

The impending action marks a victory for big ‘internet service providers’ (ISPs) such as AT&T, Comcast Corp and Verizon that opposed the rules and gives them sweeping powers to decide what web content consumers can get and at what price.

A major concern raised by consumer advocates is that ISPs could block or slow traffic to websites or services of their choosing, playing an outsized role in what users can and cannot access. Providers could also give preferential treatment to their own content or websites that pay extra fees, consumer advocates said.
ISPs could impede video streaming services and consumers' ability to make free or inexpensive phone calls over the internet, advocates said.
The nonprofit Consumers Union said a repeal could lead to higher consumer prices for existing internet access and speeds.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-internet-exclusive/fcc-chief-plans-to-ditch-u-s-net-neutrality-rules-idUSKBN1DL21A

What is net neutrality?:
http://elaw.guide/net-neutrality-for-dummies/

Take action:
https://www.savetheinternet.com/action/topic/internet-freedom

https://www.freepress.net/?akid=a47695229.11280624.8OkI22&rd=1&source=conf&t=1

Novarupta: Largest 20th Century Eruption

In the last week, there have been two notable volcanic eruptions (Mexico and Bali) and a large flurry of micro quakes in California (that could possibly be the precursor to a major seismic event). Other volcanic episodes and mega quakes during the past century highlight the tectonic drama of the Pacific Ring Of Fire. One such volcanic eruption that has been forgotten occurred on “June 6th, 1912  when a tremendous blast sent a large cloud of ash skyward and the eruption of the previous century was underway. People in Juneau, Alaska, about 750 miles from the volcano, heard the sound of the blast – over one hour after it occurred.”

"For the next 60 hours the eruption sent tall dark columns of tephra and gas high into the atmosphere. By the time the eruption ended the surrounding land was devastated and about 30 cubic kilometers of ejecta blanketed the entire region. This is more ejecta than all of the other historic Alaska eruptions combined. It was also three times more than the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, the second largest in the 20th Century. Forty years after the eruption, investigators finally realized that Novarupta -- and not Mount Katmai (6 miles distant) had been the source of the eruption. The region was so sparsely populated that there were no witnesses. Because of the reports of the top several hundred feet of Mt. Katmai being gone, it was assumed that Katmai had blown. It turned out, however, that about one cubic mile of material collapsed into the magma chamber below Katmai -- because Novarupta had stolen vast amounts of magma that had supported Mt. Katmai. This collapse produced a crater about two miles in diameter and over 800 feet deep."

http://geology.com/novarupta/

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo/hot_stuff_expanded/katmai.html

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs075-98/images/Novarupta.gif

List of known large volcanic eruptions:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_known_large_volcanic_eruptions

Note: Free apps showing current world wide volcanic activity and earthquakes are readily available.