[R-390] The politics of BPL

[Mark Richards]

I think BPL is a symptom of a much larger problem.  I believe it speaks of
the worst embedding between government regulators and powerful commercial
interests who have been given significant opportunity in many areas to
increase business profitability.  For example, increased use of offshore
labor and materials raises corporate profit by reducing overhead, but cuts
significantly into American jobs.  A University of California study
estimated that 300,000 of the 2.4 million jobs lost since the start of the
current administration is directly associated with the offshore labor
practice.  Another 14 million jobs remain at risk, and the current
administration has the power, but no plan, to add restrictions that would
protect American jobs.  The interest here seems clearly against the average
person.  It's about the corporation.

BPL has the same glamor.  It's a cash cow that can be easily milked with
minimal infrastructure cost and low overhead.  The interference problem can
be eliminated simply by ignoring it - along with countless studies that
clearly show the technique is an unmitigated communications disaster.

When (current) FCC Commissioner Katherine Abernathy gave a nice prepared
speech before the "American Power Line Council" last year (picture a bunch
of rotund, cigar-smoking men around a big walnut table drinking heavily and
slapping each other on the back) I knew the rational opposition to BPL was
in deep trouble.  Studies be damned, it's on with the show.  Her appearance,
prior to any FCC decision, represented a disgusting conflict of interests
or, at a minimum, the appearance of evil.

I think the presidential (and congressional) decision comes down to what BPL
represents and how we got to where we are based on the the current
administration's policies.  The policies are wrong, and they will go - when
the current bunch railroading things like BPL through are gone.


Mark Richards
k1mgy



> -----Original Message-----
> From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bob Camp
> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 17:15
> To: Cecil Acuff; R-390 HF Receiver List
> Subject: Re: [R-390] The politics of BPL
>
>
> Hi
>
> One way or the other it's the power companies that are going to make
> the money on BPL. They are a highly regulated industry. Their profit
> and loss hinges on all kinds of tiny little changes on the part of
> state and federal regulators.
>
> Like anybody else in that position they spend a lot of money on
> lobbying. I suspect they also contribute a bit to the candidates
> directly. They have to stay on good terms with the government or they
> are out of business.
>
> When they decide to turn those same lobbying skills to something like
> BPL, well welcome to the result. That's why I'm not totally sure just
> who in which parties is sold or not sold on this little deal. It's
> obvious who a few of the buy in folks are, but not who all of
> them are.
>
> We find our selves in a mode where some form of action seems to be
> required. However I totally agree that turning this into a branch of
> the Presidential election campaign is not a good idea.
>
> What I'm suggesting is that a lot more than just the President is
> getting elected this year. Regardless of who you prefer to
> vote for in
> your local elections make them aware of what you think about BPL. If
> they support your position so much the better. If they do not support
> your position then at least weigh that along with everything
> else when
> you consider who to vote for. Making this an absolute test is not
> realistic. A lot of things go into any decision about who to
> vote for.
> At least know where your local representative stands on the issue ...
>
> 	Take Care!
>
> 		Bob Camp
> 		KB8TQ
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 11, 2004, at 3:51 PM, Cecil Acuff wrote:
>
> > Group,
> >
> >         I have been copying the mail on this one for quite
> a while now
> > and
> > times before...
> >
> > Don't let this issue cloud your decision making when choosing your
> > Presidential candidate this fall....
> >
> > Four yeas ago we hadn't even heard of BPL and four years from now it
> > may be
> > gone....but there are many more issues that come with the
> choosing of a
> > Presidential candidate that could be more profound.
> >
> > I'll not attempt to campaigned for either but say that BPL
> was no more
> > the
> > brain child of the current administration than it was your local
> > Utility
> > company.  Both of which have been sold this load of crap by
> highly paid
> > folks that just do their jobs well.  They both (Gov. and
> the Utilities)
> > believe they are making the right decision based on the information
> > they
> > have been given.(and yes it's driven by economics....if you were
> > driving a
> > huge investor owned corp. you would be too.)
>
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