White House Urges Reversal of Ban On Cell-Phone Unlocking 256
netbuzz writes "In a dramatic call for action directly prompted by 114,000 signatures on a 'We the People' petition, the Obama Administration moments ago urged the reversal of a federal regulatory decision that had rendered the act of unlocking a cell phone illegal. From the reply: 'The White House agrees with the 114,000+ of you who believe that consumers should be able to unlock their cell phones without risking criminal or other penalties. In fact, we believe the same principle should also apply to tablets, which are increasingly similar to smart phones. And if you have paid for your mobile device, and aren't bound by a service agreement or other obligation, you should be able to use it on another network. It's common sense, crucial for protecting consumer choice, and important for ensuring we continue to have the vibrant, competitive wireless market that delivers innovative products and solid service to meet consumers' needs.' Statements from the FCC and Library of Congress indicate that they back the administration's position."
Re:Political stunt (Score:2, Funny)
Like, what you're trying to do, but failing?
Re:Political stunt (Score:5, Funny)
Yes, I know, it's because of the travesty that is DMCA, but that doesn't make it any less silly.
No, no, of course not, but it does mask it. Like, a man wearing a tutu, bunny slippers, and a singing Billy Bass as a hat is pretty fucking silly. But put that man on a giant merry-go-round with a troupe of nuns yodeling the dictionary backwards, an upside-down pie-eating contest, a poo-flinging monkey in a pope outfit on stilts, and so on, and suddenly the guy in the tutu doesn't stand out so much.
Of course the rational response to all this silliness is to bulldoze the entire merry-go-round into a big hole and cover it with hot tar.
Re:Political stunt (Score:3, Funny)
I'm pretty sure anything Obama does is wrong. Even when he does the "right thing" the anti-Obama crowd claims he did it for the wrong reasons. It's a form of insanity.
I have a friend who, in response to exactly this kind of insanity, simply adds his thanks to Obama for everything good that happens in his life. Having beautiful weather? Thanks Obama! Finding five dollars in a jacket you haven't worn for months? Thank goodness Obama is President! Getting engaged? We might never have met if it wasn't for Obama!