McDowell Shouldn't Solve This Internet Crisis

[Commentary] Last week in the Washington Post, Federal Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell published an op-ed asking, "Who Should Solve This Internet Crisis?" Based on that article and his lengthy, flawed dissenting statement at last week's FCC meeting, this much is clear: It shouldn't be McDowell. Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, secretly blocked Internet users from accessing legal content. It got caught. Last Friday, a bipartisan majority at the FCC moved to hold it accountable. That's the FCC's job. But McDowell, the commission's newest member, mounted a spirited defense on the company's actions that conveniently leaves out many facts of the case. McDowell, unlike his current Republican colleagues, is likely to stay at the FCC in the next administration. This makes his disconnect from the popular will even more disconcerting. Fortunately, a bipartisan majority at the FCC is listening to the public and has now established a clear precedent that blocking will not be tolerated. That's the kind of collaboration everyone should support.