The letter from Phil Kerpen ("FCC's Net Plan a Disaster," May 29) castigating an article regarding proposed government regulation of the Internet was nothing short of self-serving hogwash.

Attempting to raise the "big government" specter, he glosses over the real intent of the proposal. The legislation is an attempt to stop Internet service providers from controlling what we can see and hear on the Web.

In an unregulated marketplace, an ISP with a particular viewpoint could close access to websites with alternative viewpoints or slow access to them. Businesses have a real interest in attempting to control public opinion, and the Internet is perhaps the last arena where they cannot influence things their way. For example, an ISP with an association with BP could block or impede access to sites with information or opinions detrimental to BP's handling of its oil spill.

The legislation would prevent this, and Mr. Kerpen knows that very well. By raising fears of government control, he hopes to panic us into opting to allow corporate control of the Internet.

Most would oppose that control, so Mr. Kerpen and his cronies are forced to resort to misguiding the public into rallying for the very control they oppose. Their biggest fear seems to be letting us make up our own minds.

HOWARD SCHMITT
Green Tree

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