PROFILE
FROM Everett Ehrlich
Does 'Net Neutrality' Have a Future? "Net neutrality" is the principle that Internet service providers, including Verizon and AT&T, treat all web traffic on their networks equally. But the providers say they've invested billions in the "pipes" that keep electronic information flowing, and they've sued to end "net neutrality." A virtual crowd of corporate lobbyists, financial analysts, and consumer advocates has been waiting since early September for the federal appeals court in Washington, DC to issue a decision. If established players, like Google and Facebook can pay to get in an Internet fast lane, would that freeze out small start-ups that might provide competition? The case has implications for everybody who goes online. We hear about a pending court decision that could make a big difference to online users now and in the future.
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Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.