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I wrote this earlier today to explain to a friend in layman’s terms what net neutrality is and why it’s needed. I started with how the Internet works, described how it might operate without net neutrality and then touched on a few other counterarguments and points. I figured it might be useful to some other people, so I’m posting it on my blog.

As I’ll cover in a separate post tomorrow, the Internet community has done a good job of condensing this complex technical subject into simple terms and actions. That simplification is what has allowed so many people to voice their support for net neutrality. Those in opposition to net neutrality cry foul over this fact, but I don’t see that the reduction in technical language has in any way misrepresented the debate. However, it does mean that many people who support net neutrality may not fully understand the subject. Hopefully this explanation may help enlighten anyone interested.

The good news, of course, is that the FCC passed strong net neutrality rules earlier today. Reclassifying the Internet as a public utility will preserve the open Internet we’ve enjoyed for over 2 decades for the foreseeable future.

As a disclaimer, I wrote most of this based on what I’ve read and understood about net neutrality. I don’t have any particular academic or professional technical background in this, so there could be errors. That said, I have read extensively on the topic over the years and I’m fairly confident in my understanding of the material.

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Arizona Sunset is my first ever attempt at a day/night time-lapse. I was presented with a great opportunity to capture a beautiful sunset and took advantage. The logistics of taking a time-lapse when there is such a wide variation in light proved challenging. In addition to careful setup for the shoot, post processing work was required to clean up the photos. However, I think the result speaks for itself. I’ve learned a lot and can’t wait to explore time-lapse photography even more in the future!

Over the past several months, many Trumbull residents have gotten to know Doug Sutherland for the first time. But I’ve known him my entire life – he’s my dad.

Those who have met my dad this year have undoubtedly seen what I have seen: that he is both dedicated to helping others and committed to this community.

Growing up, some of my fondest memories and most formative experiences were in Cub Scouts. My dad volunteered as scoutmaster for many of those years, leading Pack 261 at Daniels Farm and organizing exciting overnight trips on battleships and museums as well as food bank donation drives and other community service opportunities.

My dad and I both got involved in local politics at the grassroots level about 10 years ago, collecting petition signatures door-to-door. For me, that early experience in our neighborhood demonstrated the powerful effect public service can have on people’s lives. It led me to attend American University in Washington, DC and to focus my career on improving our government. It led my dad, once retired, to continue to become more involved in local issues here in Trumbull.

At all levels, our government has become tragically divisive, polarized, and gridlocked. Whenever possible, it is important for us to elect officials who are committed to addressing our problems, instead of their own political careers or special interests.

In this election I’ll be voting for my dad for state representative in the 123rd District. I hope you will too.

PYONGYANG – Yesterday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took to Twitter to announce his universal health care plan, “RouhaniCare.” Not to be outdone by his Axis of Evil partner, North Korean President Kim Jong-Un today unveiled his “KimCare” plan.

Gov will extend medical insurance to all Iranians. First step will be to cover 5mn uninsured Iranians by the social safety net #RouhaniCare

— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) February 5, 2014

“While North Korea has always had universal health care for its citizens, we recognize there have been significant barriers to access. KimCare will remove those barriers,” Kim said in a speech carried live on state television.

Under the new plan, malnutrition will no longer be considered a pre-existing condition, enabling millions of North Koreans to now get coverage for the very first time. “Health care is a right, not a privilege. Therefore, we believe every citizen should have affordable access to health care regardless of their access to food,” he proclaimed.

Kim said the improvements in KimCare were extremely personal for him, inspired by his own experiences. “I strongly believe in health care for all North Koreans and I hope KimCare will be the signature accomplishment of my time as Supreme Leader,” he said. The plan will include the most advanced coverage of addiction and drug abuse rehabilitation services in the world. Kim indicated this move was inspired by a close friend who has suffered from alcoholism.

Counseling and psychological services will now be covered under KimCare, in case of the sudden death of a family member, such as an uncle. Children will also be able to stay on their parent’s insurance until their parents die in office.

Critics of the plan swiftly pointed to what they called an exemption for government employees. Under KimCare, millions of North Koreans will get their coverage subsidized with little to no out-of-pocket premiums. However, Kim Jong-Un hit back quickly explaining, “These characterizations are not true. The people subsidized under this program are not government employees–they live and work in prison camps across North Korea and have no other sources of income to pay for health insurance. For the first time ever, we are telling our political prisoners: Under KimCare, we’ve got you covered.”

Starting March 1st, North Koreans can begin signing up for coverage online at KimCare.kp.gov. President Kim is not worried about possible difficulties navigating the site. “Not only is KimCare.kp.gov the only website citizens need to go to, it’s also the only website they can go to,” he said.

While it has taken years for Americans to understand and support Obamacare, immediate reactions across North Korea were generally positive. “We don’t understand what KimCare is, but we fully support the Supreme Leader,” said one North Korean.

Today may seem like just another day, but it is one on which we carry heavy hearts. The memories of a year ago are still very fresh and the losses still tragic. The events that occurred in Sandy Hook were even more impactful for me because I grew up in a community not too different and not too far from Newtown.

I, like so many others, saw Sandy Hook as a wake-up call; an opportunity and a need for change. Thankfully, there has been progress in the last year: Connecticut passed the toughest new laws in the country. Efforts in Colorado, despite setbacks, were successful. Mark Herring will be the next Attorney General of Virginia, once the bastion of the Confederacy, in part due to his support of tighter gun restrictions. Yet some people today will point to the total absence of progress in Congress. The lack of action at the national level in the past year is frustrating, but we are not frustrated. We are committed.

“Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” –George Bernard Shaw

Since I am in politics, there is one phrase coined by our Founding Fathers that really strikes me. When they founded this nation, they set out to create a “more perfect Union.” The important distinction in this phrase is that our Union is not perfect. More than 225 years later, despite so much change, this is still true. It is likely that we will never achieve absolute perfection, but I believe that the heart of American exceptionalism is that we never stop trying. If history is any guide, the forces for progress always succeed eventually, no matter how formidable their opposition is. Our fight is not merely for new gun control measures or even new mental health programs. It is for the creation of an even more perfect Union.

That is why I am a liberal and that is why I am Newtown.