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| Home Front: Politix |
| Fairness Doctrine dead? Not so fast... |
| 2009-02-27 |
| Reported today that the Senate passed a bill (S160, aka HR226) to afford the District of Columbia a vote in the House. Buried within is an amendment (S34) ostensibly to ban reemergence of the 'Fairness Doctrine' by the FCC. However, the wording of this amendment is reported to suggest an assymetric affront on the freedoms of Americans on the radio waves. Air America failed due to 'free market conditions'. However, it is asserted by those now in power that radio needs to be 'more fair', despite the calls to renounce the Fairness Doctrine. If somebody else is able to grab the text I'm referring to in this amendment, put it in a new post. It's far too important to stick in a comment. For your reading pleasure, here is the text of a Kentuckian from almost a month ago regarding his misguided perceptions of freedom (the ignorance displayed here is the same ignorance I run into in speaking with anyone of liberal staid): H.R. 226: Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009. Suppression Of The Fairness Doctrine. James Pence Videos Opinion by Ron Leach While the new administration and US Legislature (with significant bi-partisan support) are attempting to hit the ground running with an appropriate sense of urgency and pragmatic non-partisan solutions this moment in our nation's history requires, there are still those among our representatives that choose to hit the ground digging, building a bunker and fortification to protect their narrow agenda and self interests rather than represent our commonwealth or our nation. Regrettably, it appears that two of our state's own US house members (Brett Guthrie, R-KY-2, and Geoff Davis, R-KY-4) are among those entrenched in protecting a narrow non-representative agenda and not ready to lend a hand towards steering a nation beyond the divisive partisan poisoned politics of the past several decades. Congressman Davis and Guthrie's early record in the 111th congress suggests that they do not understand that we need to get past the divisive culture and partisan wars of the past. They do not recognize that the urgency of our dire state and national condition does not benefit from entrenched partisanship and the stale old battle lines. They fail to acknowledge that at this crucial moment in history that non-partisan solutions and grand bargains are required and that the electorate has endorsed and is demanding a new direction, a new political environment, new responsibility, openness to ideas and a transparent and effective government. A quick look at their positions, co-sponsorships, and voting record in these early days of the 111ht congress support my suggestion that they just don’t get it. I will discuss one example presently – co-sponsorship of HR 226. Despite the tragic results of the previous eight years of rule by executive decree, stove pipe decision making and shredding of the basic tenets of our constitution - made possible to a great degree by the systematic silencing and or slandering of any and all voices of opposition – (no matter the experience, esteem, moderate nature or true patriotism of those opposition voices); Congressman Guthrie and Davis are cosponsoring House Resolution 226 that seeks to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from enacting any regulation that might promote the free marketplace of ideas and opinions. Specifically it seeks to ensure that the FCC can not reinstate the "Fairness Doctrine" which was suspended during the early years of the radical rights's rise in the mid 1980's. HR 226 reads –"Commission shall not have the authority to prescribe any rule, regulation, policy, doctrine, standard, or other requirement that has the purpose or effect of reinstating or re-promulgating (in whole or in part) the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the `Fairness Doctrine'". It is no surprise that this would be a first order of business for those entrenched in a narrow radical agenda. It was this suspension of the Fairness Doctrine and the suppression of equal access to our airwaves, consolidation of the media, and a suppression of free speech, that enabled the radical right to consolidate its power and reshape the political and social landscape into the social, economic and political ruble that the right's revolution has left us with. Their message of radical partisanship and an agenda serving the select few can only flourish in a vacuum devoid of open thought and exchange of ideas that is the right wing propaganda machine. There is a continued strength of this well funded, focused, and disciplined machine; despite being thoroughly discredited by the culminating collapse of the past year. But a narrow self serving agenda which is represented by the radical right depends on the continued suspension of the open exchange of ideas promoted by the Fairness Doctrine. Congressman Guthrie and Davis co-sponsorship of HR 226 represents their endorsement of the continued suppression of free speech and exchange of ideas. Let Congressman Guthrie and Davis know that we do not fear the open and free expression of ideas. Let them know that the strength of a free people and a truly representative democracy require protection and the free exercise of all voices. If their tired discredited dogma and narrow ideology that has brought our nation to our current broad based national crises can survive in a free market place of ideas, so be it. If it requires the continued suppression of a balanced and open marketplace of ideas as an artificial life support, then let their radial right ideology die a natural death and take its place in history with the multitude of other failed ideologies which have sought to favor the few and suppress the democratic process. Congressman Guthrie and Congressman Davis; It is time to lead, follow, or get out of the way. Clinging to the failed ideologies of the past, propped up via the suppression of free and fair expression, will not serve the commonwealth of Kentucky or our Nation. Ronald Leach Hardinsburg, KY Ronald Leach: You are an ignorant buffoon. |
| Posted by:logi_cal |
| #5 This is the typical kind of writing from liberals. They use hundreds of words without actually saying anything at all. I mean, read that first paragraph and ask yourself, exactly what is he saying? There are no specifics, no hard facts, no dates, absolutely nothing but a lot of vague accusations. I'll be damned if I'm gonna wade through all that to try to figure what his point really is. It's buried too deep and I don't have time for it. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2009-02-27 12:18 |
| #4 Hate speech is being set up right now by way of the UN. Wait till you see the treaties that become law as a result of that. Sic Semper Tyrannis |
| Posted by: AlanC 2009-02-27 11:22 |
| #3 <<<<<< Congressman Davis and Guthrie's early record in the 111th congress suggests that they do not understand that we need to get past the divisive culture and partisan wars of the past.>>>> I am always intrigued when this type of argument is raised. What is the dickens do these people think? The legislation of the past month together with proposed attacks on business, the class warfare, attacks on 2nd amendment rights is as potent a formula for creating division as anything for years. The dishonesty inherent in Obama speeches from proclaiming he doesn't believe in big government to proposing just that to all of the other inconsistencies which emerge daily. This is all a consequence of a reaction against Bush. The only slogan which really worked was "anybody but Bush". Few really debated the alternative in depth. Shelby Steel pointed out that Obama was a fraud over a year ago and so did Sowell. But because they are black they got away with it. Frankly the majority elected Obama for the same reason that dogs eat grass. |
| Posted by: Omoter Speaking for Boskone7794 2009-02-27 11:20 |
| #2 "Tested" for certain and don't forget "hate speech" which we'll all soon hear more about as well. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-02-27 07:54 |
| #1 My rights are non negotionable. Write what you will, but at some point it shall be tested. |
| Posted by: newc 2009-02-27 01:51 |