MOBY, R.E.M., RICK PENBERTHY, MATT STOLLER, TRENT REZNOR KICKIN' IN TO SAVE THE FREE INTERNET-- AND HILLARY CLINTON TOO!

Matt over at MyDD has been doing a really terrific job in focusing attention on Bush's Big Telecomm contributors' naked attempt to take over and pervert the free Internet. Matt has been tireless in encouraging a strong coalition of Net Neutrality advocates in the business community and the political world. Some of the best Democratic challengers this year have understood why this issue is so important and have pledged their support, including Herb Paine (AZ), Tony Trupiano (MI), Eric Massa (NY), and, of course, tech entrepreneur Ned Lamont. Today I got a press release from DWT endorsed Rick Penberthy (FL).

Today Congressional Candidate Rick Penberthy announced his support for Network Neutrality legislation.

"I support net neutrality because a nation founded on equality and freedom for all will not stand for segregation of any kind," said Penberthy. "Telecoms have their priorities backward and their wallets forward on this issue."

Net neutrality is best described as the First Amendment of the Internet insuring that the public is able to view the smallest blog as easily as a corporate web site. Network Neutrality legislation would ensure that the networks only job is to move data- not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.

"This is an issue that cuts at the heart of the American spirit," explained Penberthy. "A free and equal Internet promotes innovation, creates jobs, and educates millions. I commend Congressman Ed Markey's introduction of The Network Neutrality Act of 2006 and when elected will support Network Neutrality legislation whole-heartily."

Think about being represented by a congressman like the man who looked at the issue and responded the way Rick did instead of by a rubber-stamp extremist ideologue whose most memorable moment in Congress was when she demanded that the bodies of U.S. servicemen who were killed and buried in France be dug up and shipped to the U.S. because she and Bush were having a hissy fit that France wouldn't invade Iraq. Rick Penberthy will be a congressman the 5th CD, all of Florida and all of America will be proud of, unlike Ginny Brown-Waite, who everyone is just embarrassed about.

But it isn't just Rick who announced support for Net Neutrality today. MoveOn.org's Save The Internet campaign got a big boost when concerned, technologically-savvy musicians like Moby, R.E.M., Q-Tip, Trent Reznor (NiN), Indigo Girls, Wilco and Jill Sobule announced their own action to back Congressman Markey's legislation.

I guess Hillary watched the Moby video because right after it came out even she-- one of Corporate America's best friends-- declared that she's supporting Markey on this one! "I support net neutrality. The open architecture of the Internet has been the critical element that has made it the most revolutionary communications medium since the advent of television... Any effort to fundamentally alter the inherently democratic structure of the Internet must be rejected."