Through the Wire

DeGette’s Net Neutrality Flip Televised

Rep. Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat starting her sixth term, discussed the issue of network neutrality in a recent C-SPAN interview as part of the esteemed network’s series, The Communicators. DeGette, however, did so without disclosing her own rather extravagant policy flip-flop on broadband regulation.

Today, DeGette, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, is an unalloyed supporter of Google, Yahoo and Microsoft over cable and phone companies in the net neutrality debate. House Democrats are expected to revive the issue at some point in 2007.

Just a few years ago, DeGette was a vocal advocate on behalf of broadband-access providers, who want compensation for use of their data pipes, particularly video and other brandwidth-hogging traffic. At the time, she dismissed the “Microsoft-led group” as wanting nothing more than to prevent “competitors from engaging in the same fair business practices that they themselves use to give consumers products that they want.”

DeGette outlined her anti-net neutrality views in a lengthy op-ed piece in the Nov. 19, 2003, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Microsoft’s local paper. She argued that net neutrality proponents were essentially opportunists, fighting regulations aimed at them while counseling Congress to bury cable and telcos in red tape.

The notion that the once-deregulatory Google guys would entertain government regulation of the Internet space was “a switch that only students of public policy with a strong taste for irony could appreciate,” DeGette chided.

DeGette’s current position isn’t just Beltway rhetoric. Last June, she voted to impose net neutrality, supporting an amendment sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) that was easily defeated by the GOP-controlled House.

With Democrats controlling the House and Markey running a key telecom subcommittee, DeGette expects a rematch on the House floor.

“[Markey’s] passion right now, of course, is net neutrality,” DeGette told C-SPAN interviewer Susan Swain on Jan. 8, for a show that first aired Jan. 13. “I think you are going to see a real effort to either pass stand alone [net neutrality] legislation or else to incorporate it as part of a larger bill.”

Why the switch? “She’s been presented with both sides of the argument and changed her position … after several [committee] hearings,” DeGette communications director Brandon MacGillis explained.

If net neutrality becomes law and inflicts the kind of harm predicted by cable and phone companies, here’s an idea for a new C-SPAN series: The Undertakers.

How to Hook Up With Virtual 'L Word’ Hotties

Are you a fat, hetero guy trapped in Nowheresville, U.S.A.? Don’t despair! With the click of a mouse, you can adopt the persona of a gorgeous lesbian and hang out in a super-chic L.A. neighborhood.

Showtime Networks is making this pipe dream real with the launch of “The L Word in Second Life.”

The hub of the show’s island in Second Life — the 3-D multiplayer virtual game-world that allows members to fashion their own identities — is a virtual café called The Planet, modeled after the rendezvous point of the same name in the show. (Which, now that we think about it, is also virtual.) There, your online alter-ego can sit in on various events, including “speed dating” and discussions about the show. A 60-person amphitheater will screen past episodes of The L Word and other show-related clips. There’s also a virtual dance club with special guest DJs.

And get this, L fans: Showtime plans to hold weekly chats with cast members from the show, who will appear as digital avatars with their own names. Admit it, you’ll be praying Cybill wears some kind of leather garment.

Ion Convergence: Three Brides on the Same Day

This past Saturday was a big day in the lives of at least three Ion Media Networks (formerly Paxson Communications) executives in South Florida.

The trio all got married. All in the same part of the Sunshine State (Ion is based in West Palm Beach).

Separate ceremonies, though — and, of course, separate husbands.

Alphabetically, they’re Michelle Baker, director of financial planning and analysis; Risa Mathews, director of cable marketing and distribution; and Leslie Monreal, VP of communications. Matthews and Monreal seem especially convergent, given the information provided about them from Ion. They’d been dating their respective new spouses for seven years and been engaged for more than a year. Also, they both booked short “minimoons” in Key West with plans for longer getaways this spring.

What about potential difficulties arising out of invite conflicts?

Chris Addeo of Ion’s marketing and promotions department told the Wire she was going to Risa’s wedding. “She picked the date first — two years ago!”