All I can say after reading that lovely review is AMEN! And I am reminded how much I enjoyed the soundseeing tours (all the podcasts, actually, but the soundseeing tours are especially engaging) and how lovely it would be to hear another sometime soon.

I wonder who this “BePaul” could be???? I do wish they would let us know who they are….sigh….

I am BePaul. Who lurks behind that alias is just a regular guy from Wisconsin, USA. I’ve been a Caribbean-o-phile (say that three times fast!) since I was just a kid. Especially the music. The “Be” part of my alias sounds like the first initial of my given name. The “Paul” part is the beginning of my family name. I admit to being influenced in my choice of alias by C*POP. Just couldn’t bring myself to use his trademarked “*” character! That should be enough for Georgia to figure out who I am.

Who I am not is a relative or employee of Georgia Popplewell, nor am I a pothound with ‘tude. I’m certainly not Georgia herself. She is a much better writer than I ever will be. I am flattered that a relative of hers could think she might have written that review herself. Even I know that’s not Georgia’s personal or rhetorical style! We’ve exchanged e-mails but, sadly, have never met each other. Really, I’m just another fan of this beautiful, talented woman. From day one, I have looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of her CFR podcasts. I will continue to do so until either she stops making them or I stop living. I wish she’d make more, but I think I understand why she can’t.

I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to post that review in the iTunes store. I’m glad you all (especially Georgia) enjoyed it! I sincerely hope it brings new listeners to the CFR podcast. I like to share the joy whenever I find it!

P.S. The U.S. Congress is about to pass legislation that will, effectively, turn control of the Internet (access and, therefore, eventually content) over to U.S. telco and cable companies. This does not just effect the United States, it effects the entire world.

This legislation has already passed the House of Representatives. If it also passes in the Senate, the content available to people in the U.S., and every other country on earth, will be “filtered” by these private, for-profit U.S.-based companies. The Internet, to and from the U.S., will be structured like an HMO. There will be one price for “in-network” content-providers and users and another, higher price, for “out-of-network” content-providers and users. Content providers will have to pay a fee to belong to the “in-network” crowd — over and above what they already pay for backbone access. The telco and cable companies, through their lobbyists, have already stated their intentions to charge content providers higher fees for faster Internet delivery (i.e., higher bit rates). This is a de facto filter that especially works against innovation (since most innovations come from individuals or small companies with scant budget to spare, not from larger companies with deep pockets).

An example of things to come if this legislation passes is occurring as I type this. A large cable company ISP (Cox) has been blocking the highly popular Craigslist Web site while providing unfettered access to its own, competing, shopping site. Their reasons for doing this are laughable (their security software has a “bug” — right, one they haven’t been able to fix for three whole months?). But, even though they’ve been caught in the act, they still haven’t removed their filter. These people are so powerful they think can get away with just about anything, regulatory bodies be damned! Sadly, they probably can.

In no time at all the “new” AT&T, or Time-Warner cable, will be dictating which search engine you can use, which on-line stores you can shop at, which blogs and podcasts you can read or listen to, and so on. Even if you don’t live in the U.S. This is very serious stuff, folks. Please, please go to Save the Internet to take action against this attempt by big business to privatize the Internet. No matter which country you call home. Act NOW before it’s too late! Don’t let them Neuter Net Neutrality! Thanks!