Now AT&T is showing how stupid they are - here's CEO Whitacre:

AT&T's CEO Ed Whitacre is once again crowing about his company's plans to extort money from Google and other Web sites who want to be able to reach AT&T customers. "The content providers should be paying for the use of the network," he told the Financial Times, and added that they shouldn't "expect a free ride."

Hmm. Two things come to mind. First, the pipes are being used by people who use Google (et. al.). So the proper charge point is - wait for it - the consumer end. Second - there's this line item that comes in on my cable bill every month - I bet Google gets one just like it, but with more zeros at the end - it's my internet access charge. In other words, AT&T (and the rest of them) are being paid. If he thinks that we aren't paying our way, then he should be more honest, and advocate a rate increase.

Instead, he might start supporting truth in advertising, and call himself Tony - as in Soprano.