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This is a moderately interesting but awkwardly written story about Internet freedom -- in the traditional sense, and in the sense of free vs. paying. It makes a big deal out of Amsterdam having a lot of freedom but doesn't really compare the foreign city's ways to U.S. customs. The title "Internet freedom reigns in Amsterdam" doesn't mean much without such a comparison; aside from child pornography and dishonest business, I'm not aware of too much Web content that's restricted in the U.S.

It also warns of broadband providers who are considering creating "'toll booths' that would charge Internet companies to move content along fast broadband lines." Though it doesn't say just how this would work and eventually trickle down to consumers -- or what countries' broadband providers are considering this, and why they think it's fair -- it does sound pretty foreboding.

Robert VerBruggen blogs at http://robertsrationale.blogspot.com.

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