Posted on 06/29/2005 1:46:27 PM PDT by AWestCoaster
The Federal Election Commission says Web blogs just might be a threat to democracy and it's considering whether to police them.
The issue, being discussed during FEC hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, is whether some Web sites actually provide unregulated benefits to specific political campaigns. The famously free-spirited Web community is fighting back.....
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
those two words alone are despicable when describing free speech!!!
Yup, I like the unregulated benefit of free speech, except it's not a benefit, it's a right, sort of, and being eroded each election cycle. First came the impediment to free speech known as Campaign Finance Reform, next - it seems - the prohibition of free speech via blogs. Blogs are nothing more than a high-tech version of standing on a soap-box in town square. I guess that would be next to go also.
This is part of the fascinating anti-free speech logic that comes from liberals. As I remember it the argument goes, "since little people are powerless, they need big people to control the media, and sometimes with a strong hand, so the little people hear the real truth."
I'm convinced that our so-called elite class (media, political, and moneyed level liberals) see themselves as the "ubermensch." They are to national socialism what the "dictatorship of the proletariat was to communism.
Private profits/public expense. The few, the proud, the favored.
gotta be honest with you.. I see them as EXACTLY the same monster. one gets a cold the other says atchoo...
I would also mix in the IRS and the BATF on the same bucket.
I should have said it clearer...
I mean the current executive branch of the Bush administration which is overseeing and coordinating this unprecedented move using the same tools, agencies and powers across the board... and doing so with nearly complete republican/conservative approval.
yes.
I am disgusted with all of OUR TEAM at this point in time.
And it is clearly showing, i believe it comes from the top and permeates the entire executive.
and that it will eventually be directed towards us.
the goal...
controlling free speech and putting the brakes on liberty... especially political liberty.
in my view of late, they have all turned into rats.
that may not be your view.
but it IS mine until I see some movement to the conservative side of the equation... smaller government, more freedom, less intrusion... and LOTS LESS MONEY out of my (and probably YOUR) wallet.
The Dems still fear FR enough to figure out some rule to cause us all problems.
I certainly hope so. On the other side of the coin, blogs are a necessary means to restore and maintain our Republic.
Well, yes, you are quite right. It is the political caste rebelling against the people. Time to get a new caste.
Another possible nail in the coffin of free speech.
"With this issue, where have all the leftists gone?"
Free speech for me but not for thee.
"Dems AND Pubs."
Of course.....
What border problem??!!!??
SCOTUS. LOL
Loss of control threatens them, not the democracy.
My thoughts exactly.
Democracy is a tyrannical system that deprives the individual of liberty and property. In that respect, I agree that freedom of speech and thought are direct threats to democracy. This should not concern Americans, as we are Republic.
If Congress moves in that direction next month, everybody here on FR will be motivated into direct political action.
My blog was started just before the U.S. invaded Iraq. Last year, January, 2004, I learned that my web site had:
[B]ecome a favorite of many readers who work for the United States and Canadian governments. Each day we get more and more visitors from government workers, and from the U.S. military. One week in January, over 2,700 visitors from the White House, NIPR Military, Naval Intel, CIA and the FBI and read reports on [my site]. Visitors from these government sites often spend in excess of 15 to 35 minutes reading news reports that are posted here.
Am I supposed to be shaking in my boots over a random comment by the FEC?
To quote Danny DeVito's character Sid Hudgens in the great film L.A. Confidential: "Think again, dear readers."
I'm not giving up. On the contrary, I'm just getting started.
Like Hillary and Newt? Ewwwwwwww
Yeah right. Wed blogs are a threat to democracy. I can't imagine what they think McCain-Feingold is.
Irony? As in the guy that wants to use eminent domain to take Judge Souter's house...one of the black-robed chowder skulls to give a thumbs up?
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