7 FEB, 2002 - 1340 CST And this fiasco is being sheparded through the federal government by House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) - the same politician who has helped to deregulate CATV subscriber rates, and who wants to further strengthen the monopoly the incumbent local telephone carriers (SBC, Ameritech, etc.) now have on wired high-speed Internet connectivity. Apparently he cares far more about helping corporations than he does about individual consumers. From what I've seen and heard about Louisiana politics, those people in cajun country are right up there with Illinois pols when it comes to taking care of friends and companies with deep pockets. I know this makes me sound like I am a supporter of the donkey party, but I still generally prefer elephants. 73 - Dick