Thursday, January 12, 2012
Arkansas Media Community group protests Comcast
Posted by Max Brantley on Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 7:19 AM
When Comcast got the go-ahead to acquire NBC, part of the deal was that the cable giant would provide low-cost computers and Internet service to poor families (as judged by those qualifying for school lunch programs).
Arkansas Community Organizations says Comcast has been non-responsive to Little Rock families seeking the promised benefits.
Comcast? Non-responsive? Surely that's a misprint. (Snark.)
A protest is scheduled today. Details follow.
NEWS RELEASE
Members of Arkansas Community Organizations and United Labor Unions Local 100 will put out flyers and hold signs outside Comcast Cable company’s service center at 2714 S. Shackleford in Little Rock at Noon on Thursday, January 12. Both organizations serve low-income and working families in Arkansas. As part of an agreement with the FCC over the acquisition of NBC Universal, Comcast is supposed to offer low cost internet and low cost computers to families with children enrolled in the federal school lunch program in Little Rock public schools. Yet when parents inquire about the service, they are given the run around.
The two organizations are working with groups in other cities to put pressure on the company and the FCC to implement the agreement. Computers and internet access have become as essential to families as phone service. Computer skills and knowledge of the internet are an important part of a 21st century education. Many low-income families cannot afford a computer or internet service and left behind as a result of “digital divide.”
“When I received information from my school about the new Comcast program, I was excited,” said Little Rock resident Marthella Johnson. “I called the 800 number and was told I would receive an application in the mail. That was back in August. I still have not received the application.”
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Comments (14)
Showing 1-14 of 14
As a Comcast subscriber, I object to having any of my money paid to Comcast being used for Comcast to buy anything for free loaders !! Get a job and get your own cable !! Use the free cell phone you get when you get your food stamps to call and get your free cable !! Lazy bums
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Here is Comcast's $9.95/mo. offer -
http://www.internetessentials.com/
Comcast also released a major iPad app update this week -
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57357067-…
Comcast just passes these 'retribution charges' on to their customers. Customers don't know it because there is no line item on their bill labeled 'retribution charges'. So everyone is ignorantly happy and government continues in its role of redistribution of income.
If you don't like what Comcast does, don't be a Comcast subscriber. That is how you object in the free market.
November and Holmes,
If you don't like paying the 3 cents on your bill to help poor kids connect to the Internet, I suggest you change cable companies. Oh, you can't do that -- because Comcast has a monopoly and no competition in Arkansas.
I would rather the FCC break up the Comcast-NBC cable monopoly and help smooth the way for more competition in Arkansas and surrounding counties. I think most Comcast cable customers would happily "redistribute" 3 cents each month to poor people trying to connect to the real world vs. the millions of dollars each year they "redistribute" to Comcast executives with million-dollar monthly paychecks.
And if you look at your cable bill over the past decade, I guarantee you that it is at least 4 or 5 times higher than it was in 2002, although cable executives and lobbyists in Washington and Arkansas have lied to lawmakers and consumers that prices would go down if they would support the cable companies continued expansion into the phone and internet business.
You sit at your computer crying about poor people trying to help better educate their kids, while at the same time Comcast executives bend you over and their lobbyist have their way with your local Tea Party representive.
November and Holmes talk about ignorance as if it is something that is only found in the homes of bleeding heart liberals and poor folk. If you both would take some time to get up from your computers and look in the mirror, you will find that ignorance is nearer to you than you think.
OccupyLittleRock - Utilities like Comcast and AT&T are not "free market" businesses. They enjoy extraordinary quasi-governmental privileges like eminent domain, and the right to bury cables and poles in your private property without compensation. It's reasonable for society to impose some regulations on utilities in return for those extraordinary powers.
Oh, for the days of Teddy Roosevelt when trusts were busted instead of encouraged. *That's* the "good old days" I long for.
If it weren't for Republicans and Clinton in the Telecom Act of 1996 cities across the nation could be broadcasting internet signals to all residents for very low monthly fees, like $6 or $7 per month.
I'll be so glad when Chickenopolis sells off our water supply to the highest bidder so they can crank up rates 400% , pay a local CEO $450,000 per year then we will all be FREE! Free I tell you!!
Comca$t doesn't get a dime from me. I 'might' consider getting cable if prices were cut back to Year 2000 levels and if they allowed ala-carte channel programming.
I agree with you, RadCent. They are quasi-monopolies with bonus privileges, and since the beginning of time societies have imposed regulations on businesses in exchange for the franchise to operate in that society.
But my point still stands -- any consumer who doesn't like what Comcast does doesn't have to do business with Comcast.
I switched from Comcast to free TV over the web and through the air, and I LOVE it.
lowincomeinternet.com is offering a similar service without all the hassles.
Handout masters get food stamps, free cell phone, TEA, Title 8 housing, free medical clinics, 4$ drug program, assistance from drug companies, this , that, the other.....Im tired of paying for it!!! They need to watch TV that is NOT cable. Watch ALL the digital stations !!! Quit making others map for your situation. You HAVE a tv !! watch what you can see on the free channels !!! Im sick of paying for mistakes that are NOT MY FAULT !!!
Oh shut up November, you're not convincing anyone with your ReThugtard bullshit and you still have no respect for anything or anyone including yourself and it resonates through every word you write. I'd tell you to try writing something thought provoking or interesting, but I don't think you can. It's all programming from Faux and Rash Limpdog and the other talking idiots on the radio. You're like Winston Smith's co-worker in '1984' who only talked in Doublespeak.
If someone actually qualifies for assistance, they're poor. You have to prove eligibility for assistance, no one hands out anything without the paperwork being done. Why don't YOU try to apply for something at DHS and see how fast you're turned down! Quit shrilling for the 1% who got tens of trillions in corporate welfare, they don't love you and aren't going to help you when you get hurt and can't work. They'll just call you a dirty SOB and send your job to China.
I guess it was MY turn to strike at the bait!
If you think the squalling and bitching is getting louder folks, well it is! It's 'cause they know they're gonna lose in November. Let's keep it up!
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