NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Payoffs and Integrity
Greetings. After my brief comments in "Google and Censorship" ( http://www.nnsquad.org/archives/nnsquad/msg01340.html ) I received an accusatory message from an outspoken anti-net-neutrality advocate, suggesting that I was being "paid" by Google to say nice things about them. This is not the first time that I've received exactly this accusation from highly visible personages who reside on what we might characterize as the pro-ISP side of this debate. It's unfortunate that we've reached a stage in these issues where it's impossible to take a stance unpopular in some quarters without being accused of being a secretly paid stooge. So let me set the record straight. I'm not on Google's payroll. I don't own any Google stock (though I wish I did). The incredibly tiny number of stock shares I do own -- now essentially worthless -- are mostly in corporations like AT&T and Comcast -- that is, the ISPs that I frequently take to task. As it happens, at the present time, I'm not being paid by anyone -- and how long disk drives can keep spinning and data circuits stay humming along running on credit vapors is an interesting expierment indeed, though perhaps more than a bit morbid. But you can rest assured that no matter how much you may agree or disagree with my opinions on any particular point, there are no secret deals or shadowy influences affecting my statements. If and when in the future I am paid to do any work with or for any firms that have relevant interests in these debates, you can be sure that I will disclose that fact (the same would hold true of any stock or other financial relationships). What's more, *even if* I was an employee of such firms, there's no amount of money that could ever make me publicly state something that I don't honestly believe to be true. Obviously employees can be limited by non-disclosure agreements and corporate responsibility not to discuss certain issues, but in no case would I ever lie for an employer or contracting firm. Period. We now return you to the Olympic Auditorium for your regularly scheduled tag-team battle of network neutrality issues. --Lauren-- NNSquad Moderator