There is no way anyone is going to step in and block the $2.7 billion sale of access lines between Verizon and FairPoint Communications. There is no reason to block it.

That doesn't mean there are not plenty of legitimate gripes and well-placed doubt; there are. Nor does it mean that it doesn't make sense for unions to scream loud enough to be heard across the country; it does. The more screaming they do, the more commitments and shorter timelines they will get from FairPoint or imposed on FairPoint.

But they should make the right arguments. They should try for stronger commitments and tighter timelines on broadband deployment. They should make sure it's delivered ubiquitously. But they shouldn't bother crying about pensions and job security. Nobody they are screaming at in local, state or federal government truly cares or can do much about their pensions or their future work prospects even if they do care. If they did, House Bill 404, which prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from enforcing federal immigration laws, wouldn't be coming to a vote in New Hampshire. Maine wouldn't already be a sanctuary state. Your welfare (not the handout kind) does not factor into the equation. Sorry.

And if those in opposition think that Verizon would have brought fiber to their homes any sooner than FairPoint, then they haven't looked at a business plan lately. Companies make infrastructure investments based on two criteria: First, whether any company executives live in the remote areas being considered, and second, where they are most likely to get a return on investment the fastest so they can afford to bring fiber to the rest of its territory if and only if it makes economic sense.

The only thing that will stop this sale is if decision makers lose confidence that FairPoint actually has the financial wherewithal to complete the deal and make itself profitable, thereby able to make the investment it has said it would.

Keep screaming, though. It is good theater and may get you a few more megabits. It may even get you a few more call center and technician jobs, which you can give away to those in your sanctuaries.

E-mail me at tmcelligott@telephonyonline.com.