Does Google really mean what they say? Are they now back-pedalling on NN?

According to Comm Daily today, it appears as if Google is doing some major "bobbing and weaving" on its net neutrality stance. Google's top policy executive, Andrew Mclaughlin, at the Tech Policy Summit in San Jose, appeared to soften Google's hardline stance on net neutrality legislation, but did he really?

Let's examine what he is reported to have said that's new, and also what they have not said, which is important to seeing if they are just doing PR spin or have truly changed their position on net neutrality legislation.

First, what Mr. McLaughlin was reported to have said by Comm Daily today:

• (Quotes are Comm Daily and italics are McLaughlin's direct quotes.) 
• "...an authority other than the FCC should enforce a simple net neutrality rule barring broadband providers from discriminating in favor of their own companies or applications providers in quality of service."
• "Google favors a simple rule against bias, not 'heavy regulation or price tarriffing' for the FTC, DOJ or other enforcer to interpret."
• "'Cutting the FCC out of the picture would be a good idea' since agency network regulation wouldn't be suitable."
• Hooray! It sounds as if Google is getting more reasonable and is beginning to see the error of their "don't be evil" ways.
• But Google cuts against this newfound reasonableness, by saying "the regulation is justified by 'market failure" of 'inadequate competition' in the last mile." And that "wireless  technologies aren't 'meaningful alternatives'."
• So what are they really saying here, its not clear.

What they have not said is the most telling.

• They have not said that they no longer support Dorgan-Snowe and the old Markey House bill which have the FCC doing traditional network regulation.
• My questions to Google are:
• Will Google now oppose Dorgan-Snowe as introduced as overly intrusive?
• Will Google publicly urge Chairman Markey to scrap his FCC broadband regulation approach and cede his law making jurisdiction to the House Judiciary Committee which oversees the FTC and DOJ?
• Will Google admonish the Save the Internet crowd for pushing for Dorgan-Snowe and the Old Markey bill?

Google what do you really stand for?

• We will watch your actions not your words.