Broadband Is A Human Right - In Kentucky
from the don't-everyone-move-at-once... dept
According to this article, broadband internet access has been added to the list of "inalienable rights" for residents of the state of Kentucky. Basically, this just means that all new low-income housing built in the state needs to include a high speed internet connection along side the other basic utilities.
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No Subject Given
There will come a time, probably sooner than we think, when being cut off from the network will be a major, possibly constitutionally unacceptable, hardship.
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Unalienable rights?!?
Calling anything else a "right" is basically a way for politicians to buy votes by giving away something for "free". Of course, someone has to pay for it somewhere.
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So does this mean....
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No Subject Given
While strictly speaking that's true, the meanings of things are constantly evolving.
We aren't born with electricity or running water, however they are considered "inalienable rights" so far as they are being interpreted in this situation for the practical purposes of ensuring that low income housing meets acceptable standards.
Hence - I agree with this ruling.
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Re: No Subject Given
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What about broadband access via POTS, as in DSL?
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Re: What about broadband access via POTS, as in DS
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Broadband
I suspect upon recieving this "right" there will more than a couple of people that will demand a P4 with512 ram and of course 120 Gig Hard drive and all the ink they possibly can use.
This will of course make it really easy for me to get a good computer. I will only have to goto the pawn shop to buy one that just so happens to match the one the government is providing.
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Technology for the Poor
Harvey was reminding his older audience of the days when a color TV cost $1,000 dollars in 1954 and giving the impression that the "poor" were rich enough to afford an expensive TV today. I was offended by the comparison, since I got my last TV from the dumpster, and one could find 19" TV's of the kind Harvey was whining about at Walgreens for about $100.
Computer technology is no different. I know people on disability with computers. Most of these are $500 computers with Ethernet. I've been paying $33 for dialup and am getting DSL service for $40 and there's every indication that absolute costs will continue to trend downwards.
Beneath Kentucky's rhetoric of "inalienable rights" is the fact that Ethernet residence wiring is *very* inexpensive when done as new construction. It's good planning and no less necessary in public housing.
It's a good thing.
Take care,
Dave
P.S. Homeless people only need to scour the dumpsters to find computers. I know, I've been asked many times to get junkers working for low-income people.
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Re: Broadband
Using Zoomtown right now..I am looking for something less expensive and faster. 3mb/s speed for $50 a month seems to be popular around the country. I'm only getting 1.5mb/s for about $100 with phone services.
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Re: Broadband Is A Human Right - In Kentucky
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