This explains part of the story about my phantom DSL provider.  The line was (again) down most of the day, coming up for about a half hour every three hours, finally coming back up and staying at about 2:30 this AM. 

All is not hopeless.  WorldCom is buying Rhythms, or at least they're buying that group of access rights for Central Offices which include the CO for my particular line.  Maybe WorldCom will take me under their wing and send me a bill for this DSL.  Then at least I will know who to call when it goes down, or slows down.  Gawd, I can't imagine calling somebody just to tell them my bandwidth is drooping when I've lately gotten used to being wonderfully grateful just for having a connection.