First of all, this sounds like a threat. After all, privileges can be revoked.
Second, it's interesting to see the Dems frame their objections in populist terms. The reality is that the energy against the film is coming from a handfull of elites worried about their public image. This is very much a top-down phenomenon. But the Dems are doing everything they can to make it look bottom-up, as conservative disgust with the Reagan film was. Their quickly assembled 200,000 person petition is a case in point. As a tactical matter, it's clear the Dems are making a deliberate effort to keep their anti-film activities from having the appearance of being spurred by the narcissistic self-interest of an elite few. Instead, it's all in the interest of "the people".
"First of all, this sounds like a threat. After all, privileges can be revoked."
Heck, we ought to support the Dem's on this. If they want to shut down ABC because it says something they don't like after smearing us 98% of the time. Than, we should view it as an oppurtunity to get rid of ABC. It really does not make any difference what stick you use to beat a dog. This way we have a precedent to go after CBS.