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February 14, 2005

Lecture: What does the telecom industry have to do with the Internet?

Assignment: BLOG POST: How do laws fail?

In the magazine article, "Letter from Washington: The Chairman," the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is briefly described, as is the feeling that the Act has failed. (The Chairman of the FCC is quoted as saying about the Act: "We were sucking helium out of baloons.") Please answer two questions. First, in your opinion, what was the most important thing the Act was trying to achieve? Second, why did the Act fail to do this (or at least: why is the Act now perceived as a failure)? Post an answer in your blog that is at least 200 words. DEADLINE: 1 p.m. -- one hour before class begins.

Web Reading: Letter From Washington

Lemann, N. (2002, October 7). Letter from Washington: The Chairman. The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/printable/?fact/021007fa_fact