Opposing Net Neutrality, TSA Unionizing and Banning Soft Toilet Paper

The Washington Post editorializes against the FCC’s proposed “net neutrality” regulations.

The American Federation of Government Employees seeks to unionize airport safety screeners and other employees of the Transportation Safety Administration.

Environmental activists try to ban extra-soft “plush” toilet paper in favor of rolls made from recycled fibers.

Listen to LibertyWeek, the CEI podcast, here.

1. TECHNOLOGY

The Washington Post editorializes against the FCC’s proposed “net neutrality” regulations.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Information Policy Analyst Ryan Radia on why the government itself needs to stay neutral:

“Genachowski’s proposed rules would make good on a pledge that President Obama made in his campaign to enshrine net neutrality as law. The announcement was met with cheers by a small but vocal crowd of activists and academics who have been pushing hard for net neutrality for years. But if bureaucrats and politicians truly care about neutrality, they would be wise to resist calls to expand the government’s power over private networks. Instead, policymakers should recognize that it is far more important for government to remain neutral to competing business models — open, closed, or any combination thereof.”

 

2. SAFETY

The American Federation of Government Employees seeks to unionize airport safety screeners and other employees of the Transportation Safety Administration.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Senior Attorney Hans Bader on the consequences of this unionizing drive:

“A left-wing union is about to unionize the Transportation Security Administration, which is in charge of airline security. Thanks to the Obama administration, the union will now be able to demand job rules that make it harder to get rid of lazy, incompetent, and careless employees. The Washington Times reports that the unions want to get rid of basic skills tests for employees, and to destroy records of poor job performance.  The unions have urged TSA Acting Administrator Gale D. Rossides to suspend use of the agency’s skills test for screeners. Failure rates this year reached more than 50 percent and were as high as 80 percent at some airports.”

 

3. ENVIRONMENT

Environmental activists try to ban extra-soft “plush” toilet paper in favor of rolls made from recycled fibers.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Former Journalism Fellow Michael Fumento reacts to the news:

“They say that’s because plush U.S. toilet paper is usually made from older trees – though not what’s defined as ‘old growth’ by any means. And older trees, they say, are better for absorbing carbon dioxide and thereby slowing global warming. (Have you noticed that there’s nothing that can’t be tied into global warming?) They want us Americans to wipe with the same stuff Europeans use, made from recycled paper goods. Well, I’ve been to Europe a lot and while I’m no xenophobe I must say their toilet paper is just one grade above sandpaper. No, ifs, ands, or butts about it. They’ll get my soft toilet paper when they pry it from my cold dead hands!”

 

Listen to LibertyWeek, the CEI podcast, here.