Posted on 08/22/2004 5:19:23 PM PDT by NDJeep
Every decent American ought to be thoroughly outraged by what has transpired in response to the ads being run by those Swift Boat veterans contesting John Kerry’s accounts of his heroics during. Rather than merely refute their claims, dark forces are working to suppress their efforts to speak out on this subject.
Unfortunately, with too few Americans understanding the threat posed by those who would forcibly subdue others with whom they disagree, the reaction to this infuriating episode has been minimal.
A previous assault on the rights of citizens, perpetrated last summer on the Senate floor, set the stage for the present, detestable situation. In the wake of "Dixie Chicks" singer Natalie Maines’ derisive comments regarding President Bush, major radio markets, responding to an enormous outcry from their listeners, were dropping "Dixie Chicks" songs from their rosters. Caterwauling that this somehow constituted "censorship" by station owners, a Congressional hearing was convened, during which Senator John McCain (R-AZ), among others, excoriated the management of Cumulus Media, Cox Radio, and Clear Channel Radio for the "Dixie Chicks" boycott.
The radio executives should have informed McCain, after a brief civics lesson explaining the realities of the First Amendment, that if their listeners prefer to be inspired by Lee Greenwood rather than being insulted by the "Dixie Chicks," it was the broadcasters’ right to give them what they wanted. Furthermore, they should have asserted in no uncertain terms that it was none other than McCain who, by invoking the monstrous power of the Federal government against them, violated the integrity of the First Amendment and thus proved himself a danger to the Republic.
In light of McCain’s deference to the "rights" of leftist bimbos to have their music played for an affronted audience, it might seem reasonable to presume that he would now likewise insist that the Swift Boat veterans be allowed to speak their piece. But instead, he has been almost obsessive in his efforts to see them silenced, based on what he asserts to be the inappropriate nature of the ads. Clearly, a much more sinister purpose is motivating McCain
When was the notion established that free speech must pass some government test for accuracy in order to be permissible? Is it John McCain alone who should have the final say as to who can speak in public and who cannot, based solely on his arrogant assessment of the worthiness or accuracy of their statements?
McCain’s vindictiveness towards the veterans based not on their real credibility but instead on their previous association with others, who had worked to thwart his political ambitions, is indicative of the very seed of tyranny that the founders most feared. Clearly, the framers of the First Amendment crafted it in such a manner as to ensure that individuals such as John McCain would never have the prerogative to use the laws of an out-of-control government to subdue their opposition.
During recent months, Americans have had their sensibilities assaulted by the despicable fabrications of Michael Moore in his perversely prejudicial movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11." While many have expressed anger at the fraudulent nature of his work, nobody on the "right" ever suggested for a moment that be prevented from producing his propaganda.
Those who operate in the realm of truth readily comprehend its ability to overcome any amount of lies, as long as their side can be heard. Conversely, individuals who aspire to unaccountable power recognize their inherent vulnerability to an informed public. It is for this very reason that printing presses have always been classified as illegal contraband within tyrannical states.
From the manner in which Senator McCain has invoked its premises in this present situation, and contrary to its initially stated purpose of reducing corruption in government, McCain-Feingold, the ostensible campaign finance "reform" law, is plainly not intended to clean up politics. Rather, its purpose is to stifle the efforts of those McCain and his elitist cohorts in the United States Senate find objectionable. The "ruling class" we should realize, is above criticism.
If anything, these senators, drunk with power, seek to use the premises of campaign "reform" to silence those courageous veterans who have gone out on a limb to draw attention to disreputable behavior in a major political player. In short, McCain-Feingold protects the ability of corrupt and deceitful politicians to perpetrate their fraud. As a result, and with John McCain’s blessings, such corruption in the political system will only get worse.
Repeat!!!!
McCain is finished in national politics. McCain likes the eastern media to say kind things about him. He isn't as repulsive as Arlen Specter, but that kind of loutishness is difficult to obtain.
Interesting...in that one of the Swifties chaired the VA McCain for pres. campaign in 2000...
My apologies MikeinIraq - I didn't go back far enough
I'm convinced now that McCain is a complete A**hole. He was a POW, ok, he deserves some credits for that, but he has now become a flaming leftist under the cloak of an (R) after his name.
If I lived in Arizona and was a Pubbie, there is no way in Hell that I would vote for this jerk.
I suspect that Kerry has promised him SecDef or SecNav if he can shepherd Kerry thru this situation.
I've been wondering if he regrets not doing this , instead of signing it on the sly like he did---
How long, I wonder, before the John McCains and the NY Times of the nation try to stifle the internet. I suspect that, while pornography remains untouched, attempts will be made to monitor and shut down inconvenient internet sources in much the same way that the left is trying to control talk radio. Funny how the so-called defenders of free speech are always the first to try to shut up anyone who doesn't see things their way.
Yeah, but the beauty of the Internet is, you can put it on an out-of-country server and short of instituting a China-style filtering and blocking regime, there's not a concrete thing they can do about it for the near future. I'm not taking any bets for a few years down the line, though. Info-warriors will just have to get slicker and smarter and one step ahead of the gestapo.
Bump. Media whore McCain is an idiot.
"McCain is finished in national politics. McCain likes the eastern media to say kind things about him. He isn't as repulsive as Arlen Specter, but that kind of loutishness is difficult to obtain."
If you are a Zonie, you find him every bit ad repulsive. John Mc has recurring skin cancer and would appear to be being treated, given his recent WEIGHT gain!
McCain is trouble,I pray he loses the next election.
One of the POWs Kerry is smearing worked for McCain's campaign as its Virginia co-chair. Why is John McCain leaving one of his fellow vets, who also happens to be a former staffer, out to dry? Does he not trust the judgment of somebody who worked for his campaign?
I hope the people of Arizona have their fill is this fraudulant ba$tard. I know I have.
It's really a shame when a national hero turns the wrong way. Being from Ohio I felt the same desertion from John Glen
When the Supreme court upheld McCain Feingold, I think they sent the Presidency a message. "The next time some bill comes up that should be vetoed, veto it. Don't try and push the dirty work off on the Supremes."
----as far as I'm concerned, the only "message" that got sent is that five black-robed liberals don't care what the words "Congress shall make no law" mean----
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