Verizon, responding to customer complaints, is canceling the surcharge they instituted on August 14.  I blogged my complaint about the charge last week.

“We have listened to our customers and are eliminating this charge in response to their concerns,” Bob Ingalls, chief marketing officer for Verizon, said in a statement Wednesday.

Two days after my original post on the surcharge I noticed that someone at Verizon’s headquarters had visited my article.  This is further evidence that the voice of bloggers are being heard.

This is a good example of an ISP voluntarily responding to customer pressure in a competitive free-market environment.

Raves | 3 Comments »

“Most bad government has grown out of too much government.”

Thomas Jefferson

Quote of the Day | 1 Comment »

Labor day is around the corner, the feel of fall is in the air and today is the final Thursday at the Square.  Summer does seem to be much too short and the final Thursday at the Square of the season is like a rite of passage in Buffalo.  All the more reason to attend today’s downtown concert.

The lineup for the show virtually guarantees a big turnout.  Eric Burdon and the Animals are headlining.  The opening act, The Ifs, is a local British Rock invasion band.  I first heard them performing at the Taste of Buffalo and am looking forward to hearing them today.

Tom Stahl and the Dangerfields are the second group on stage today.

Be there or be square!  (i know, it was a bad pun, but i couldn’t resist)

Buffalo, Events, Music | No Comments »

Many times Free New York, Inc. has brought to the public’s attention the wage disparity between public and private sector workers in our area.  This has been pointed out by other sources as well.  The wage disparity contributes to the overall economic decline of our region and is indicative of the power that the public sector unions have over our current crop of elected officials, with a few rare exceptions.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has recently released a study showing a huge disparity between the average wage of Federal employees and private sector employees.

Below is a condensed synopsis and analysis of the study.  You can read the full article, written by Paul Jacob, here.

Let us now praise the underpaid, selfless civil servant.
Does such a person exist in federal employ?
Hard to find. As the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported this month, federal civil servants receive far, far more in wages and benefits than workers in the private sector. Indeed, twice as much.
Average compensation for federal civilian workers last year came to $106,579 — which Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute notes is “exactly twice the average compensation paid in the U.S. private sector.” Throw out the benefits and the difference is less, but still a whopping 62 percent.
This is just the unvarnished truth. Then put it into context, like Mr. Edwards does: “Federal workers receive generous health benefits during work and retirement, a pension plan with inflation protection, a retirement savings plan with generous matching contributions, large disability benefits, and union protections.” Let me stop. There’s lots more, but I don’t want to wear out my vocal cords.
Figuring in all the benefits, Edwards suggests that government employees should be paid less than private sector employees, not more. But don’t hold your breath.
So, why is federal employee compensation so high? Well, maybe it’s the fact that politicians love giving away the store to big special interests and the public employees unions have become a big, if not the biggest, special interest group.

Buffalo, Erie County, National | No Comments »

According to an article printed on August 16, 2006 in the National Law Journal, proposed net neutrality regulations violate the 1st Amendment rights of Internet Service Providers.

But an often overlooked and underappreciated one is that net-neutrality mandates likely would violate the First Amendment free speech rights of the ISPs, such as Verizon Communications Inc. or Comcast Corp., to which they would apply. This is a case where greater sensitivity paid to constitutional values will lead to sound policy.

The article goes on to caution against unwarranted legislation to address problems that do not even exist. 

It is generally agreed that except for a few isolated and quickly remedied incidents, neither the cable operators nor the telephone companies providing broadband Internet services have blocked, impaired or otherwise restricted subscriber access to the content of unaffiliated entities. As a matter of policy, Congress should be very hesitant to pass a law in anticipation of conjectured harms that may never materialize. As the Internet continues to evolve, such a law almost certainly would turn out to be overly broad in application, restricting efficient business arrangements that otherwise would allow ISPs to make available services demanded by consumers at lower costs. Moreover, the vague terms of the mandates would be grist for the litigation mills for years to come.

The net neutrality legislation is compared to the Fairness Doctrine by the FCC that was supposedly in the public’s interest by guaranteeing equality in access for political speech.  The actual result was less information for the public because the media cut back on broadcasting anything political for fear of violating the regulation.  Ultimately, the Fairness Doctrine was abandoned two decades ago.

Net neutrality legislation would reverse a 2005 Supreme Court decision and add 5th Amendment concerns to the violation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.

In effect, what the net-neutrality proposals really seek to do, without saying so directly, is to reverse the Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in National Cable & Telecommunications Assoc. v. Brand X Internet Services by turning ISPs into common carriers required to carry all messages indifferently. In addition to the problematical First Amendment implications, to do so would implicate the Fifth Amendment takings clause, because it is questionable whether compelled access to the ISPs’ private property would be found to be a public use.

Important constitutional interests are at stake in the raging net-neutrality debate. Greater appreciation for these constitutional values, especially freedom of speech, is likely to lead to sounder communications policy.

The unlawful breech of the ISP’s private property rights would result in higher prices for consumers combined with less innovation and improvements in broadband service. 

Late addition: I am happy to see that I am not alone in the local blogosphere opposing net neutrality. Ryan has posted his very insightful thoughts on his blog.

National | 3 Comments »

According to a poll in a Buffalo News story today, Western New York residents have a significantly higher rate of dissatisfaction with State government than the rest of the State.  While this does not surprise me it belies the laissez-faire attitude we see at the polls at election time.  Voter turnouts are usually low and the same tired incumbents, who put us in this mess, are frequently reelected.  There are a few exceptions, but not enough to make a meaningful change.

The voters need to translate their dissatisfaction into results not only in November, but also in the primary elections on September 12.  There are 2 democrats running for the party line in the Primary.  Suozzi, who as a track record of financial turn-around combined with specific ideas to spur economic growth, and Spitzer, the leader at the moment with a huge war chest provided by unions and special interests.  It doesn’t take a Ph.D in political science, with a minor in economics, to figure out which candidate is more qualified and more likely to make the decisions necessary for positive change.

We need a Governor who will take on the unions and special interests, not embrace them with open arms while lapping up their support.  We need a Governor who will take on the special interests and the powerful politicians that put their wants and needs ahead of the taxpayers’.  Spitzer is where he is today because of the influences of the well-heeled interests that make NYS inhospitable to business.

The results of the poll in the News are meaningless unless the voters of WNY turn out heavily on Primary Day and pull the lever for Tom Suozzi.

Buffalo, Erie County, New York State | No Comments »

I would hardly call the Washington Post a bastion of libertarian thinking, however they do agree with my position that net neutrality is not what it appears to be. People who don’t agree with my position seem to have a penchant for categorizing it as a “libertarian” position, as if that is somehow a bad thing. The characterization is not an inaccurate one, but the position is embraced by many people, not just libertarians. I think my position would be more accurately defined as being based on common sense and historical evidence on the workings of the market.

The Berkeley Economic Press, a very liberal groups if there ever was one, has a great paper on the realities of net neutrality available here. Here is the abstract from the paper -

Robert Hahn and Scott Wallsten argue that mandating net neutrality, like most other forms of price regulation, is poor policy; instead, the government should focus on creating competition in the broadband market by liberalizing more spectrum and reducing entry barriers created by certain local regulations.

Following is my response to Derek’s post on my views.

Derek, while I respect your opinion and do realize you are fighting for something that you perceive as being right, I am also in the same position. I would hope that you have taken the time to thoroughly study this issue. The net neutrality campaign is very slickly designed to garner support without inspiring people to study the issue from all sides. I did a prior post with much more information than what is contained in the video. It can be viewed here.That post also contains 3 links to very good articles here, here and here. Among those articles is a warning from the head of the FRC -

Deborah Platt Majoras, the FTC’s Republican chairman, said extensive net neutrality legislation currently pending in the US Senate is unnecessary because there has been no demonstrated harm to consumers, that normal market forces would be likely to prevent any problems, and that new laws would cause more problems than they solve.

A quote from the Washington Post, opposing net neutrality and dealing with economic realities, not scare tactics and wild-eyed scenarios -

Meanwhile, there are powerful arguments on the other side. If you want innovation on the Internet, you need better pipes: ones that are faster, less susceptible to hackers and spammers, or smarter in ways that nobody has yet thought of. The lack of incentives for pipe innovation is more pressing than the lack of incentives to create new Web services.

You can see this imbalance in Wall Street’s low valuation of Internet infrastructure firms such as Verizon (price-to-earnings ratio: 12) and its infatuation with Internet service firms such as Google (price-to-earnings ratio: 69). You can see it, too, in the fact that U.S. broadband infrastructure lags behind that of East Asia and Europe. Allowing builders of Internet infrastructure to recoup their investment by charging the Googles and Amazons for use of their network would balance the incentives for innovation more closely. Ironically, a non-neutral net would accelerate the spread of zippy broadband that can deliver movies, allowing hobbyists with camcorders to take on Hollywood studios. The neutrality advocates who criticize corporatized cable TV should welcome that.

Capitalism is not the enemy, it is what brought us the level of internet service we have today. Government regulations inhibiting capitalism always result in a decline of service, reduce innovation and ultimately results in higher prices to consumers. Stating that costs always get passed on to the consumer is a very misleading statement. Under net neutrality, that is a more appropriate statement because costs will be passed on to all consumers. Under a deregulated internet, costs are allocated fairly to reflect the beneficiaries of certain services. Overall costs to consumers will be less. If Verizon doesn’t have the option to charge bandwidth eating companies for FIOS, who do you think is going to end up paying??? If you and I go to the grocery store and you jam your cart full and I only get 10 items, should I pay the same price as you? I don’t think so!

National | 7 Comments »

For more information click here.

National | 3 Comments »

Musings | 1 Comment »

Many people, local bloggers included, are jumping on the bandwagon to fight a Bill in Congress that reverses a previous bill putting regulations and restricitions on internet service providers. What the groups are promoting is a concept called Net Neutrality. In simple terms, net neutrality is supposed to mean that everyone has equal access to the Internet.  This sounds like a noble goal, however, with some serious thinking about the ramifications of this policy comes many valid reasons not to support net neutrality.  The Bill is being fought heavily by moveon.org and the Christian Coalition.  Both of these organizations have a record of favoring government legislation to further an agenda and solve society’s problems.

The problem with the Internet is that it isn’t broke and it doesn’t need to be fixed.  Internet access speeds have increased dramatically without government interference and the price for service has dropped.  The organizations are pushing for government regulation based on scare tactics and worse case scenarios that would not happen.  We have a choice, as customers, to choose our Internet providers.  If we don’t like the pricing or service level from one provider we are free to switch to another.

The pending bill reverses previous legislation that would prevent IP’s from providing service in the most cost-effective, efficient way possible.  The result would be exactly the opposite of what is being claimed.  Without the ability to determine how to best provide service to individuals and businesses the IP’s would be left in a position of reducing service to contain costs and this would lead to less innovation.  Innovation, due to a lack of regulation and interference, is what has brought us to the level of service we are able to obtain now.

For a more thorough understanding of the issue, please read the following two articles.  It will only take a few minutes but it could save endless problems down the road.

Save the Internet From the Government

The Market, Not Regulators, Should Decide the Internet’s Future

Following is an addition to my original post. This is a very important issue and I think people need to research and get as much information as possible before deciding to support net neutrality.
Here is a quote from an editorial on TechNewsWorld.

If the loss of net neutrality principles was really a problem, advocates wouldn’t need to scare Americans in order to win their support. Using government regulation preemptively to shortchange business partners is a reckless abuse of the public policy process. New laws should be based on facts and reality, not fear and hypothetical situations.

And here is the opinion of the head of the Federal Trade Commission, an agency that generally favors regulation.

Deborah Platt Majoras, the FTC’s Republican chairman, said extensive net neutrality legislation currently pending in the US Senate is unnecessary because there has been no demonstrated harm to consumers, that normal market forces would be likely to prevent any problems, and that new laws would cause more problems than they solve.

National, Rants | 7 Comments »

Is anyone else to the point where most of the spam they receive is in Japanese or Chinese? What is the point if you can’t even read it?

This is my latest Japanese spam -

二人で一緒に、激しく濃厚なセックスしません？

刺激がほしいの・・・

一夜だけでいいから、私の身体を愛してほしい・・・

これ以上、我儘言わないから・・・

お願い・・・

I ran it through the babel fish translator and this is what came out -

Together, thickness it does not have sex extremely with two people? We want stimulus… From calling, we want with just one night loving my body… Above this, selfishness you do not say because… Request…

Raves | 1 Comment »

If you didn’t make it to day 1 of the Polish Harvest Festival you are in luck, there is a 2nd day. The festival is held at Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark Street at the corner of Kent Street. It is just southeast of the Broadway Market. The hours for Sunday are 11:30 am to 8 pm. The food is delicious and cheap!!

I started out with some pierogi filled with sauerkraut, mushrooms and carrots. I didn’t get a picture, I was starving and ate them immediately. They were delicious, big and buttery. For $3.00 I received 4 large, homemade pierogi. Next I decided to try the golabek (stuffed cabbage). I was literally in heaven eating it. It was big and only $2.00. The filling was the most moist, soft and tasty that I have ever eaten. The tomato sauce was equally delicious. Nothing fancy, but it had a fresh, sweet tomato taste that was very good.

Of course I needed something to wash this food down. Enter the Polskie Piwo (Polish Beer). It had a bite, yet it was smooth at the same time. The beer was offered in 2 different sized bottles. I had the small, 11.2 oz., for $3. Other food items available were a sausage plate, pastry, lazy pierogi, dogs, burgers and fries.

When you go tomorrow, you must take a walk around the interior of Corpus Christi Church. The building itself is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. The interior is breath taking. It is worth the trip just to view this beautiful church. The Pauline Fathers, who own the church, are in midst of a million dollar renovation program. So far, about $255,000 has been raised. The history of this church is fascinating and posted with pictures of the renovations in the entrance-way. Below is a slide show from the inside of the church. I might return tomorrow with my tripod for some more photos. I was a bit rushed today since I only had about 15 minutes before the 5 pm mass was starting.

Buffalo, Events, Food & Dining, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Boomerang’s, located at 995 Niagara Street, Buffalo, is one of my regular stops when I’m in the mood for a Friday fish fry.  Like anyplace with a good fish fry, you might have to wait a bit for a table.  That isn’t a problem here, the bar room is a comfortable place filled with friendly people.  It is the kind of neighborhood tavern  that Buffalo is noted for.  The beer is ice cold, served with a smile and won’t break the bank at $2.50 for a bottle of blue.

You have a few choices for seating.  You can sit in the dining room that is right off the bar, you won’t miss your friends and neighbors if you choose this spot.  There is also another dining room that wraps around the back and side of the building.  This will offer a bit more quiet on Friday.  The third choice, which is what my party decided on, was a table on the front deck.

After perusing the menu, 2 of us decided on the beer battered haddock fish fry.  The dinner is served with macaroni salad, cole slaw and your choice of potato.  I opted for the potato salad and wasn’t disappointed.  The macaroni salad and cole slaw are quite good also.  The meal is served with eppie rolls and butter.  The haddock is always wonderful.  It has a very good tasting beer batter that is also light and crisp.  More often than not, I leave here with a “to go” container.  The portions are always generous.

The 3rd person in our party, the fussy eater, decided on a steak sandwich.  He wanted mashed potatoes, unfortunately they weren’t being served at the time.  However, he was in for a pleasant surprise.  There were mashed sweet potatoes available.  I didn’t get a taste but was told that they were delicious.  The fussy eater was very satisfied with his meal.  Next time I visit I will have to try the sweet potatoes.

Prices here are very reasonable.  Most items on the menu are between $5 and $10.  I have dined here on other occasions and tried several different menu items.  I have always been happy with my choices and love the reasonable prices.

Buffalo, Food & Dining | 1 Comment »

A recent project by The Sunlight Foundation exposes huge amounts of taxpayer money being spent as anonymous earmarks from Congress.  One of the earmarks provides $3 million dollars to the City College of New York for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service to prepare individuals for careers in public service.  Not only are we being screwed by the government’s taxation everyday, we are paying millions of dollars to teach people how to screw us!

Here’s the list of identified Buffalo area earmarks:

• $100,000.00 for 1490 Enterprises Inc. for a program to improve physical activity and nutrition among senior citizens.  This is the community center founded by Herbert Bellamy, Sr., former Councilman-at-Large for the City of Buffalo for 9 years.
• $450,000.00 for  Roswell Park Cancer Institute for facilities and equipment for cancer treatment in collaboration with WCA Hospital in Jamestown, NY.
• $300,000.00 for Mercy Hospital for facilities and equipment.  Notice the vague descriptions - “facilities and equipment”, that could be anything.
• $175,000.00 for Erie Community College for a program in real time writing and captioning, which may include student scholarships.  Another not so clear description of exactly what the money is earmarked for.
• $100,000.00 for Erie County Medical Center, for a telemedicine project.  Huh??
• $100,000.00 for the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County, for arts education programs.  I always get warm and fuzzy feeling when the government decides which art deserves our money and which doesn’t.  I’m very sure our Congressman are all experts on art and would never give our money away foolishly.
• $75,000.00 for People Inc., for an integrated Alzheimer’s and dementia respite care demonstration project.  Excuse, how much is the unintegrated version?

The total for earmarks destined for the City of Buffalo alone is $1.3 million.  This is just a small portion of over 1800 earmarks attached to just one upcoming Labor HHS Bill.  When the earmarks get attached they are anonymous, there is no public record of who they came from.

The Sunlight Foundation is working to expose this out of control spending and urges taxpayers to call and question their local representative about the earmarks.

For more information on these earmarks and The Sunlight Foundation click here.  There is a map and a spreadsheet identifying the out of control spending by Congress.

National, Rants | 1 Comment »

Free Buffalo (Free New York, Inc.) held the 2nd Annual Cocktail party at Shanghai Reds yesterday. Clouds were looming but the event prevailed and was enjoyed by all. Jim Ostrowski, president and founder of Free Buffalo, gave an update on the non-profit organization’s plans and accomplishments.

The view from the 2nd floor patio provides a wonderful vantage point to view the waterfront and the city skyline.

For more information on the organizations plans and goals, please visit their website. If you would like to participate in some very interesting conversations on many topics, including politics and government, visit Free New York’s blog. You can read more details about the event here.

Below is a slide show of some photos I took of the event.

Buffalo, Erie County, Events, New York State | 2 Comments »