Rattle wrote:

This is part three of my explanation of how America went from having the fastest and cheapest Internet service in the world to what we have today -- not very fast, not very cheap Internet service that is hurting our ability to compete economically with the rest of the world. Part one detailed expected improvements in U.S. broadband based on emerging competitive factors, yet decried that it was too little too late. Part two explained how U.S. broadband ISPs are different from most overseas ISPs and how those differences make it unlikely that we'll ever regain leadership in this space. And this week's final part explains that this all came about because Americans were deceived and defrauded by many of their telephone companies to the tune of $200 billion -- money that was supposed to have gone to pay for a broadband future we don't -- and never will -- have.

Sigh... there's really nothing else to say about this that I (and a dozen others) haven't already said. In and of itself, this is seriously demented. But relative to what's going on with the war, health care, education, and about half a dozen other 'scams' occurring, it pales in comparison. Especially since nothing will be done about it and the damage that's been done will echo for decades.

RE: I, Cringely . The Pulpit . The $200 Billion Rip-Off | PBS