NTIA Seeks Nominations to Serve on the Online Safety and Technology Working Group

Fed. Reg. Notice Friday November 21, 2008

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Notice: Call for Nominations, Online Safety and Technology Working Group

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration

ACTION: Notice and Request for Nominations of Representatives to Serve on Working Group

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking nominations of individuals to represent the business community, public interest groups, and other appropriate groups interested in serving on the NTIA Online Safety and Technology Working Group (OSTWG) for a single fifteen (15) month term to commence in January 2009. At the conclusion of the working group’s term, the OSTWG will provide a report to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator and to Congress on ways to promote and to preserve a safe environment for children using the Internet.

DATES: Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before December 12, 2008.

ADDRESSES: An organization wishing to submit a nomination of an individual to represent that organization’s interests relevant to the work of the OSTWG should send the individual’s resume or curriculum vita and a biographical statement summarizing the individual’s interest in serving on the working group and relevant qualifications to the attention of Tim Sloan by mail to Office of the Assistant Secretary, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue N.W., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230; by facsimile transmission to (202) 482–6173; or by electronic mail to ostwg@ntia.doc.gov. Individuals may also self-nominate by submitting the same information listed above, as well as an indication of support from the organization or group that the individual will represent.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Stark at (202) 482–1880 or estark@ntia.doc.gov; or Tim Sloan at (202) 482–1899 or tsloan@ntia.doc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 10, 2008, the President signed into law the ‘‘Broadband Data Improvement Act’’ (the Act), Pub. L. No. 110–385. Section 214 of that Act directs NTIA to establish the OSTWG to review and evaluate:

• The status of industry efforts to promote online safety through educational efforts, parental control technology, blocking and filtering software, age-appropriate labels for content or other technologies or initiatives designed to promote a safe online environment for children;

• The status of industry efforts to promote online safety among providers of electronic communications services and remote computing services by reporting apparent child pornography, including any obstacles to such reporting;

• The practices of electronic communications service providers and remote computing service providers related to record retention in connection with crimes against children; and

• The development of technologies to help parents shield their children from inappropriate material on the Internet.

The OSTWG must report its findings and recommendations to the Assistant Secretary and to Congress within one (1) year after its first meeting.

MORE . . . . .

"Wont Someone Please Think of the Children Webcasters!"

With all the elections, and ClusterF@#K to the Poor House, and figuring out which are the real Americans and which are the fake Americans - the 110th Congress sure found time to get busy with a lot of new legislation this fall.

This story begins with a fish - a CARP more precisely. Now given the nature of the past election, one would have thought that any discussion of fish would necessarily either involve Alaskan Salmon, or putting lipstick on a pig. Turns out - in the words of VPWannaBe Sarah Palin, PresWannaBe Barack Obama, and PresWannaBe John McCain - "You Can Put Lipstick on a Bad Music Royalty Deal, But It's Still a Pig."

The Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP) had apparently agreed to a music royalty rate agreement for webcasters that was a pig, and would have put webcasters in the Poor House. Therefore, in the spirit of massive bailouts, Rep. Jay Inslee introduced the Webcaster Settlement Act which overrides the CARP decision, and allows the webcasters and the copyright owners to negotiate a new deal.

Tis the season for industry bailouts - and this one had the support of both sides of the negotiating table - the webcasters and SoundExchange, which represents the copyright owners. But in a democracy, every piece of legislation has to be opposed by somebody, so the National Association of Broadcasters volunteered to oppose it. But after a few smoke filled, back room deals to appease the opposition, the NAB relented and the legislation went through unanimously. It was sent to Still-President Bush and was signed into law on October 16.

Now everyone is happy (more or less):

• Inslee Internet Radio Bill Passes Senate Press Release : October 1, 2008 “It's a true delight to pass a bill which will allow for the survival of webcasting. Internet radio is an integral part of many of my constituents' daily lives and this bill will keep it that way."

• DiMA Thanks Congress for Passing Webcasters Settlement Act . “On behalf of DiMA and our Internet radio members, I want to thank Congress for acting quickly to pass the Webcaster Settlement Act. This legislation will enable DiMA and our member companies, and all Internet radio services, to continue negotiating royalty rates with SoundExchange for the years 2005-2015." "We express great thanks to Senators Wyden and Brownback, and Representatives Inslee and Manzullo for sponsoring the Webcaster Settlement Act and also being great leaders of the Internet Radio Equality Act.

• Press Release SoundExchange Welcomes Senate Passage of Webcaster Settlement Act , (Oct. 1, 2008) "The bill was needed to give the parties more time to negotiate while Congress is out of session and allow any agreements to take effect. Though there has been progress in the talks, SoundExchange expressed a note of caution because there is no deal yet with large webcasters although an agreement in principle with National Public Radio had already been announced. “We are hopeful, but we've been close at other times during the past 18 months,” said John Simson, Executive Director of SoundExchange. “Certainly, Congressman Howard Berman's role as facilitator has helped tremendously in moving the ball forward. My hope is that we can quickly get back to the table and capitalize on the momentum."
• Nab Statement On Senate Passage Of Webcaster Settlement Act , (Oct. 1, 2008) "NAB looks forward to sitting down quickly with SoundExchange to craft equitable streaming rates that enhance the online music experience and expose more artists to our listeners."

The law itself is relatively simple. According to the Congressional Reports Summary:

“Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 - Allows a receiving agent (designated by the Librarian of Congress to collect royalties that ultimately are disbursed to sound recording copyright owners and performers) to enter into agreements with webcasters that establish royalty terms for the performance of sound recordings over the Internet. Provides that such agreements, which may be effective for a period of up to 11 years following January 1, 2005, are to be binding on all copyright owners of sound recordings and other persons entitled to payment, in lieu of any determination of compulsory license rates by the Copyright Royalty Judges.

Terminates the authority to negotiate settlement agreements under this Act on February 15, 2009.

Declares that nothing in this Act (or any agreement entered into under this Act) shall be taken into account by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in its review of the May 1, 2007 determination of royalty rates by the Copyright Royalty Judges.”

Text of the legislation:

110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7084|
AN ACT

To amend section 114 of title 17, United States Code, to provide for agreements for the reproduction and performance of sound recordings by webcasters.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008'.

SEC. 2. AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF WEBCASTERS.

Section 114(f)(5) of title 17, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (A)--

(A) by striking `small commercial' each place it appears and inserting `commercial';

(B) by striking `during the period beginning on October 28, 1998, and ending on December 31, 2004' and inserting `for a period of not more than 11 years beginning on January 1, 2005';

(C) by striking `a copyright arbitration royalty panel or decision by the Librarian of Congress' and inserting `the Copyright Royalty Judges'; and

(D) in the second sentence, by striking `webcasters shall include' and inserting `webcasters may include';

(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking `small commercial' and inserting `commercial';

(3) in subparagraph (C)--

(A) by striking `Librarian of Congress' and inserting `Copyright Royalty Judges';

(B) by striking `small webcasters' and inserting `webcasters'; and

(C) by adding at the end the following: `This subparagraph shall not apply to the extent that the receiving agent and a webcaster that is party to an agreement entered into pursuant to subparagraph (A) expressly authorize the submission of the agreement in a proceeding under this subsection.';

(4) in subparagraph (D)--

(A) by striking `the Small Webcasters Settlement Act of 2002' and inserting `the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008' ; and

(B) by striking `Librarian of Congress of July 8, 2002' and inserting `Copyright Royalty Judges of May 1, 2007'; and

(5) in subparagraph (F), by striking `December 15, 2002' and all that follows through `2003' and inserting `February 15, 2009'.

Passed the House of Representatives September 27, 2008.

Attest:

Clerk.

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7084

AN ACT

To amend section 114 of title 17, United States Code, to provide for agreements for the reproduction and performance of sound recordings by webcasters.

END

H.R.7084
Title: To amend section 114 of title 17, United States Code, to provide for agreements for the reproduction and performance of sound recordings by webcasters.
Sponsor: Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] (introduced 9/25/2008) Cosponsors (4)
Related Bills: S.3649
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-435 [GPO: Text , PDF ]

Agencies Issue Final Rule to Implement Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

Press Release November 12, 2008 HP-1266 Agencies Issue Final Rule to Implement Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act Washington - The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board today announced the release of a joint final rule to implement the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. The Act prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with unlawful Internet gambling, including payments made through credit cards, electronic funds transfers, and checks. The Board and the Treasury are required by the Act to develop a joint rule in consultation with the Department of Justice. The final rule requires U.S. financial firms that participate in designated payment systems to establish and implement policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent payments to gambling businesses in connection with unlawful Internet gambling. The rule provides non-exclusive examples of such policies and procedures and sets out the regulatory enforcement framework. For purposes of the rule, unlawful Internet gambling generally would cover the making of a bet or wager that involves use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any applicable federal or state law in the jurisdiction where the bet or wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made. Compliance with the rule is required by December 1, 2009. The Federal Register notice is attached. -30- REPORTS Final Rule

Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act (KIDS Act)

The Adam Walsh Child Safety and Protection Act was passed in 2006 and, among other things, created state public online databases of sex offenders and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website through which all of the state databases could be accessed. Leveraging information technology, the Department of Justice has now put within everyone's reach information about sex offenders in their neighborhood. Visit the site, punch in your zip code, and get a graphical map displaying who lives in your neighborhood, their name, where they live, and what they were charged with.

It's easy to use and the results can be, unfortunately, surprising.

The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website provides information about who is near you in the real world – but what about in the virtual world. What about on social networking sites. How do you know whether a person near you online is a sex offender? Your child may be discussing with a “new friend” how yesterday some one-hit-wonder-pop band is, or how good it is that Jagr left the Rangers and went back to Russia to play hockey. That “new friend” could be anyone.

Sen. Chuck Schumer attempted to address this problem with the recently enacted Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act (KIDS Act). This new law would require sexual offenders to register their email addresses and another other online identifiers that they use. The Department of Justice will house this information in a secure database and permit certified social networking sites to securely contrast their subscriber lists against the sex offender database. The statute calls for this comparison to be secure such that the DOJ Database Operator cannot see the social networking site's list – and the social networking site cannot see the database – except for those records that match records on the social networking site's list (this security is possible using cryptographic measures).

Use of the service by social networks is voluntary, they must be certified, and they may not abuse the information they come to acquire from the database.

Registration of email addresses and internet identifiers is not voluntary for the convicted sex offenders; failure to comply may subject violators to up to ten years' imprisonment.

Upon passage, sponsor Sen. Schumer stated

“Millions of teenagers log on to websites like MySpace and they, and their parents, shouldn't have to worry about running in to these predators online,” Schumer said. “Sex offenders have no business joining social networking communities - especially those with teenage users - and our legislation will help keep them out. We know that many predators are using the Internet to find victims. This legislation will take a big step toward keeping sexual predators out of the online neighborhoods our kids frequent.”

The KIDS Act was also co-sponsored by Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ).

CFP CFP WDC

Call for presentations, tutorials, and workshops
http://www.cfp2009.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

From CFPWiki
Jump to: navigation, search

The 19th annual Computers, Freedom, and Privacy conference is now accepting proposals for panels, workshop sessions, and other events.

CFP is the leading policy conference exploring the impact of the Internet, computers and communications technologies on society. It will be taking place in June 2009, just months into a brand new U.S. administration -- an exciting moment in history, as we look into the future and ask, "Where do we go from here?" For more than a decade, CFP has anticipated policy trends and issues and has shaped the public debate on the future of privacy and freedom in an ever more technology-filled world. CFP focuses on topics such as freedom of speech, privacy, intellectual property, cybersecurity, telecommunications, electronic democracy, digital rights and responsibilities, and the future of technologies and their implications.

We are requesting proposals and ideas for panels, plenaries, debates, keynote speakers, and other sessions that will address these and related topics and how we can shape public policy and the public debate on these topics as we create the future.

We especially encourage proposals that:

* Take advantage of our Washington, DC location
* Shed light on what we can expect from the new administration
* Incorporate a global and international perspective
* Focus on the future and what we can expect in the years to come in technology and policy
* Include debates or otherwise present challenging points of view
* Inform attendees about cutting-edge technologies and issues

However, we encourage proposals in all areas. The more complete and fleshed out a proposal, the more likely it will be accepted -- but we welcome the submission of all good ideas.

Open participation is invited for proposals on panels, tutorials, speaker suggestions, and birds of a feather sessions through the CFP 2009 submission page. Please read the submission guidelines.

The deadlines are coming up: tutorial and plenary proposals must be received by December 19, 2008.
[edit]
Suggested topics

This is a list of suggested topics, but we you have a good idea for a topic that's not in this list, please feel free to send it along.

* Information Privacy
* Anonymity Online
* Government Transparency
* Voting Technology
* Online Campaigning
* Social Networks
* Citizen Journalism
* Cybercrime & Cyberterrorism
* Digital Education
* Copyright and Fair Use
* Patent Reform
* Open Access
* P2P Networks
* Information Policy and Free Trade
* Media Concentration
* Genes & Bioethics
* Electronic Medical Records
* Web Accessibility
* Open Standards
* Network Neutrality
* High-Speed Internet Access Policy
* Freedom of Information
* Technology Policy Administration

[edit]
Submission Deadlines

* Panel, Tutorial, and Speaker proposals: December 19, 2008

Broadband Data Improvement Act Title II: Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act

Congress spent a good part of Pre-Election and Post-Poor House September “ thinking about the children .”

As has already been blogged about, with the encouragement of Obama-Suppporter-Oprah , Congress passed Sen. Joe VP-Wannabe Biden's PROTECT Our Children Act – which sought to bolster law enforcement and forensics efforts, and put up a few hundred million to this end. Amended to Biden's legislation was Sen. Prez-Wannabe McCain's SAFE Act – which requires Internet services to report known content that exploits children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – a requirement which has already been on the books for 10 years .

Now comes word that Congress was also thinking of the children when it passed S.1492 Broadband Data Improvement Act , sponsored by Sen. Inouye. Amended to Sen. Inouye's legislation was the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act , originally introduced by Sen. Inouye's friend and fellow non-continental senator, Sen. Stevens ( S. 49 ).

Steven's Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act is Title II of Inouye's Broadband Data Improvement Act . Originally the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act received a lot of negative reviews . In its current form, the legislative does a few specific, sometimes useful, sometimes confusing, things.

Sec. 212 calls on the Federal Trade Commission to engage in a public awareness campaign “to promote the safe use of the Internet by children.” The FTC already has such a campaign known as OnGuard Online (“OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.”). It's not really clear what Sec. 212 is adding to what the FTC already does. Thus, confusion.

Sec. 213 calls on the FTC to file a Report with Congress. I think the legislation meant for the report to address the FTC's activities in Sec. 212. Unfortunately the language calls on the FTC to file a report with regard to its activities pursuant to Sec. 103. Unfortunately, Sec. 103 of this Act deals with the Federal Communication Commission's obligations to determine whether broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely manner. So I am just confused. [ REPORT COUNT : 1]

Sec. 214 calls on the Department of Commerce to establish the Online Safety and Technology Working Group, which would basically be a federal advisory group (but not under the federal advisory committee act (FACA) rules – a lot of these committees have been established recently with language to weasel out of FACA). This working group would look at industry efforts to promote online safety, and submit a report to congress within one year [ REPORT COUNT : 2].

Interestingly, the working group will look at internet services obligation to report online child exploitation pursuant to the 10 year old law, 42 USC 13032 – but not Sen. McCain's new parallel obligation to report online child exploitation pursuant to the new PROTECT Our Children Act – I have previously groused over the intelligence of enacting two similar-but-not-the-same laws, leaving it to industry to pay attorneys lots of money to figure out the ambiguities of complying with both. Finally, the new task force will look at one of the Attorney General's long desire items, record retention by internet services – but wait! The new McCain Act in fact has a record retention provision in it (so not only was the McCain SAFE Act not harmonized with preexisting law, but it would appear that the McCain SAFE Act was not harmonized with the Steven's Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. Or maybe just more confusion).

Sec. 215 imposes a new requirement on the FCC's Erate program . Currently, to receive federal subsidies to support Internet access in schools and libraries, those schools and libraries must certify that they have an Internet Safety Policy in place . Sec. 215 revises that obligation to specify that the Internet Safety Policy must include “educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.” The State of Virginia has already implemented such an educational program – making Internet safety a required part of the educational curriculum. Many other schools systems have done likewise. But now it's federally required.

Sec. 216 adds yet another statutory definition of the Internet. I may make fun of this in a separate post. What is bizarre is that we have so many different definitions of the Internet, and the definitions are different depending on what crime is involved or what law you have to comply with.

Finally Sec. 221 (yes, the Act jumps from Sec. 216 to 221 – attorneys can't add or I guess count) amends FCC authority so that the FCC has authority to punish “certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors” – in other words, child pornography. Sec. 2252 deals with such things as transportation, distribution, or shipment of this stuff.

Here is the statute as amended – the text in brackets is added so you can see what is going on - the text in bold is the new amended text.

(1) Any person who is determined by the Commission, in accordance with paragraph (3) or (4) of this subsection, to have—

(A) willfully or repeatedly failed to comply substantially with the terms and conditions of any license, permit, certificate, or other instrument or authorization issued by the Commission;

(B) willfully or repeatedly failed to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, or order issued by the Commission under this chapter or under any treaty, convention, or other agreement to which the United States is a party and which is binding upon the United States;

(C) violated any provision of section 317 (c) [ Acquiring information from station employees ] or 509 (a) [ Influencing, prearranging, or predetermining outcome (of broadcast contests) ] of this title; or

(D) violated any provision of section 1304 [Broadcasting Lottery Information] , 1343 [Fraud by wire, radio, or television] , or 1464 1464 [Broadcasting Obscene Language], or 2252 [Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors] of title 18 ;

shall be liable to the United States for a forfeiture penalty.

This statute previously dealt with enforcement issues related to broadcast. The new amendment adds a reference to 18 USC 2252 which deals with the transportation, distribution, or possession of child pornography, not in the context of broadcast. Note that child pornography is already illegal to broadcast under FCC authority. 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.4165, 73.3999, 73.4170.

The FCC is an agency of limited resources with an enforcement staff geared towards its regulatory mission. If someone violated 18 USC 2252, for instance by stepping across a state border with a flash drive filled with bad content, this is not usually something that is the FCC's concern. Furthermore, if there is a violation of 18 USC 2252, it is usually DOJ and local police who are best situated to prosecute.

So, in sum, more confusion. I would love to hear from those with enlightenment on these issues.

For those keeping track, we now have six new reports to congress due that deal with online safety for children in one way or another.

STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN ON INTERCARRIER COMPENSATION AND UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM

STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN ON INTERCARRIER COMPENSATION AND UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM   November 3, 2008   The issues of Intercarrier Compensation and Universal Service reform have been in front of the Commission for years. Last summer I publicly indicated my intention to put forward concrete and comprehensive proposals to reform the inefficient and outmoded Intercarrier compensation and Universal Service programs. Those proposals have been with my colleagues for several weeks now. I am disappointed that we will miss the opportunity for comprehensive reform. Instead my colleagues have requested that we once again seek public comment on several proposals. As a result such a notice would make little progress and ask for comment again on the most basic and broad questions about reforming the two programs. For example, the Commission would again ask should broadband be supported by the Universal Service Fund and should we move to one uniform rate for all traffic or should that rate vary by the type of company?   I would like to be encouraged by my colleagues' commitment that they will truly be ready to complete this much needed reform on December 18. The nature of the questions they would like to include makes me doubt they will have found their answers with an additional seven weeks. I believe the far more likely outcome is that, in December, the other Commissioners will merely want another Further Notice and another round of comment on the most difficult questions. I do not believe they will be prepared to address the most challenging issues and that the Commission will be negotiating over what further questions to ask in December.   Additionally, I have instructed the Bureau to draft a narrow order to address the Court's remand. However, I remain skeptical that such an order which retains artificial and unsupported distinctions between types of Internet traffic will be seen any more favorably by the Court than the Commission's two previous attempts.   I recognize that few other issues before the Commission are as technically complex and involved, with as many competing interests, as are reforming the Intercarrier Compensation and Universal Service programs. But neither of those two realities are an excuse for inaction.  They will be true in one month, in one year or as we have now seen at the Commission, in ten years. I too remain committed to tackling the most difficult issues, providing answers to the toughest questions, fixing broken and outdated government programs and providing broadband to all Americans including those living in rural areas. I look forward to completing these long overdue and much needed reforms as soon as possible. STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN ON INTERCARRIER COMPENSATION AND UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM by Statement.  OCM. Contact Robert Kenny (202) 418-2668 <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-286537A1.doc> <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-286537A1.pdf> <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-286537A1.txt> =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= Cybertelecom :: Federal Internet Law & Policy www.cybertelecom.org =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= bobArlington :: Bunkum Blog from bArlington a Complete Waste of Time http://barlington.blogspot.com =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=

JOINT STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONERS MICHAEL J. COPPS, JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN, DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE AND ROBERT M. MCDOWELL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              November 3, 2008   JOINT STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONERS MICHAEL J. COPPS, JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN, DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE AND ROBERT M. MCDOWELL               Below is a Joint Statement from the above-referenced commissioners in response to the decision to remove the intercarrier compensation and universal service proposals from tomorrow's agenda:   "Three weeks ago, Chairman Martin first shared with the Commission his proposals to fundamentally reform the intercarrier compensation and universal service systems.  Four Commissioners provided the Chairman bi-partisan, constructive and substantive suggestions, and stated that notice and comment should be sought on the proposals, with an understanding that we would all be prepared to vote on December 18.  We also have asked the Chairman to narrowly address the ISP-bound traffic remand and the Joint Board's Recommendation.  We therefore are disappointed that the Chairman has withdrawn the fundamental reform item from tomorrow's agenda.   "We approached this proceeding with the common goal of modernizing our universal service and intercarrier compensation policies, and commend the desire to tackle some of the most important issues facing this Commission.  It is equally important to ensure that any reform proposal receive the full benefit of public notice and comment - especially in light of the difficult economic circumstances currently facing our nation.   "We remain committed to fulfilling our obligation to tackle these difficult issues, and have set forth a reasonable path for completing comprehensive reform.  We remain hopeful that the consensus process we have pursued regarding this issue will ultimately lead to a thoughtful, well-reasoned item that will inure to the benefit all Americans."   JOINT STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONERS MICHAEL J. COPPS, JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN, DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE, AND ROBERT M. MCDOWELL.  STMT  CMMR <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-286533A1.doc> <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-286533A1.pdf> <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-286533A1.txt> =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= Cybertelecom :: Federal Internet Law & Policy www.cybertelecom.org =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= bobArlington :: Bunkum Blog from bArlington a Complete Waste of Time http://barlington.blogspot.com =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=