Posted on 02/03/2007 8:38:20 AM PST by Isara
BALTIMORE - Outspoken radio show host Tyrone Powers has filed notice with the state that he intends to sue Gov. Martin O'Malley for $88.9 million for abridging "his freedom of speech."
Powers' attorney Jimmy Bell sent a two-page letter of intent to the State Treasurer Nancy Kopp Tuesday. Powers, the former FBI agent and host of The Powers Report on Morgan State University's WEAA-88.9 FM, claims the station manager canceled his show because the governor wanted it "pulled off the air."
O'Malley spokesman Rick Abruzzese declined to comment on Powers' allegations.
Powers said at a Tuesday rally that his views and politics led to the cancellation. The Powers Report, which aired Tuesdays, often criticized O'Malleys administration policies.
"We are saving peoples lives by speaking the truth about the problems of this city," he said. "This is not about me, this is about the community, and we cannot let them run us out of here," he said.
Bell said that they are also asking for outside help in the letter.
"We need an outside agency to look into this, and decide if laws have been violated," Bell said.
Protesters gathered just outside Morgans campus to support Powers cause.
"This is definitely censorship," alumnus Troy Williams said. "The show should be back on the air."
But armed guards met the group as they marched to the universitys administration building. Powers entered the building but the protesters were denied admittance.
Talk show host Ed Norris of 105.7 FREE FM, who attended protest, said he could empathize with Powers.
"When my show first went on the air," the former Baltimore police commissioner said, "the mayors [OMalleys] people told me they would be taping it."
A spokesman for Morgan could not be reached by press time.
I got this from DCRTV web site because I don't want to sign into Baltimore Sun to read the news.
Do you remember MD4Bush? We still don't know who was behind it, do we? My bet is O'Malley's camp. Then he was Baltimore mayor, paving his way to be governor. Now he is MD governor. He is going to get rid of his opponents all the way to the White House.
Don't let him get away with it.
Unlikely. He may think of himself as the Don and the darling of downtown, but outside of Maryland machine politics he is a flaccid sock-puppet.
His only skill is in trying to be all things to all people. In other words, he's an empty suit.
"Free Speech" only applies to those Democrat-Party elites now....
If your "Free-Speech" is not pre-approved by the DNC, expect it to be censured...
I'm sure glad all those Republicans stayed home to "Prave A Point", how about you?
Howe about those so-called 'true conservatives' that have consistently voted "D" for the past several years to 'prove a point'?
*ugh*
Congress Wants to Regulate Bloggers
The U. S. Senate is considering legislation that would impose criminal penalties, even jail time, on grassroots causes and citizens who criticize Congress. Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, would require anyone who communicates to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and file quarterly reports to Congress. Those failing to file or who file late would be subject to fines and possible imprisonment.
S. 1, A bill to provide greater transparency in the legislative process, was introduced by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev). The advertised intent is to restrain undue influence. But just like campaign finance reform, the measure places greater restrictions on freedom of speech.
Reid defended the bill as necessary to ensure fair debate. A lot of people launching blogs or handing out pamphlets dont know what theyre talking about, Reid complained. We need more quality control. Congress has the experience and judgment to sort out fact from fiction and ensure that voters arent misled by these know-nothings.
The proposed new rules would require anyone who conceivably might reach as many as 500 people through any media to regularly report on their activities. Major media would be exempt because they already provide a fair and balanced perspective that represents all proper viewpoints. We want to know who these know-nothings contact and what they are telling them, Reid explained. Those spreading erroneous information will be directed to issue corrections or face penalties. Those refusing to correct their errors or failing to disclose their activities will be sent to prison.
Reid predicted that with the passage of S. 1 scandal, corruption and influence peddling will become unheard of activities. Well see a quieter, less contentious America. Respect for government will be enforced.
read more...
http://www.azconservative.org/Column_Archives.htm
Is this America still??
Notice something missing from this story?
I don't think they have a point. Possible exception being made for the one on top of their head.
Don't forget the "Fair Doctrine" to shut up Rush.
Precisely.
What is it?
Someone please tell me I am wrong. This bill has to be fought and defeated in the legislature. If we can not protract and plead our case to the public, then we have truly lost touch with America. President Reagan stopped this doctrine during his administration and it will take a 'Reaganite' to bring America back. There are no leaders anymore, just managers of many tasks.
scandal, corruption and influence peddling will become unheard of activities. Well see a quieter, less contentious America. Respect for government will be enforced. -Reid
Translation: ONLY our view will see light of day, all others are heresy and must be crushed.
I notice there's no discussion about whether the guy actually had an audience.
Grandstanding. As much as we might emphathise with Tyrone, he has no "right" to be on the air and he has no "right" to a program on the University station. He broadcasts at the discretion of whomever is running that station and they can remove him for any reason they desire.
He's going after O'Malley because it makes better headlines instead of going after the real culprit, the station management.
The ratings of this show in comparison to the other shows that are still on the air. That would provide numerical proof of something fishy going on.
Another thing is the strange lack of mention of the governors political party but that could be because it is written as a local story and it is just assumed that every one knows the political affiliations of all involved.
You are right that he doesn't have any right to be on the air. The governor doesn't have any right to force the university, which receives funding from the state, to fire him, neither.
For background, Morgan State University is a state university which has predominately black students. O'Malley is a Democrat. He beat Republican governor, Bob Ehrlich, last November.
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