Posted on 06/18/2008 9:44:44 AM PDT by HABIFF33
FCC to go after Talk Radio
Dear Talk Radio Hosts, guests and listeners:
Even though they virtually dominate the media on television and in print, liberals are now poised to go after the top prize: talk radio.
Despite the fact that there is no market for their radical ideas, they are building the case to use the FCC to censor free speech by resurrecting the Fairness Doctrine -- a blatant form of government control of ideas that could banish the conservative voice from the airwaves!
Right now, a bill is being prevented from getting to the floor for a vote by liberal leadership in Congress. This bill -- the Broadcaster Freedom Act -- would permanently ban the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" and bring about true Radio Independence once and for all!
Conservative Action Awaits
Each year, we celebrate our country's Independence on July 4. This year, we'd like to celebrate Radio Independence Day, but we need your help!
We must join together to save the free debate of ideas from government censorship! That's why we're asking you to sign our special Citizen Petition to stop the Fairness Doctrine. Please go here now: http://www.mrcaction.org/512/petition.asp?pid=16837381
Timing is Critical
We want to present Congressional leadership with at least 100,000 petitions demanding the Broadcaster Freedom Act be brought to a full floor vote before the Fourth of July!
Every member of Congress needs to go on record on this vital First Amendment issue -- but we need your help, first.
This bill will languish in committee unless we can rally members of the House to sign a "discharge" petition that would bring the bill to the House floor for a vote.
Right now, 194 members of Congress have signed the discharge petition, but getting the remaining 24 signatures--the key signatures we need will require a massive grassroots effort!
That's why we need you to sign this petition right now and help make this July 4 Radio Independence Day.
Please go here: http://www.mrcaction.org/512/petition.asp?pid=16837381
Our Full Commitment
Let's face it. The Left still dominates the mainstream media. The last main barrier to total control is conservative talk radio!
Imagine a world without Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity or Mark Levin or Laura Ingraham.
That is why we are dedicating every possible resource at the MRC's disposal to fighting this effort to gag conservative ideas. We must keep talk radio free and independent of government control.
It is time to rally for Radio Independence Day, and we're counting on you to help us strike back and silence this attempt at censorship!
Thank you in advance for taking a stand to ensure that conservatives have a voice in our society.
- Brent Baker
They may succeed with this plan but it will be short lived, as most of the conservative talk will simply goto xm or internet exclusively. I already listen to radio online almost exclusively.
They could see a net loss here.
If they go after Talk-Radio then we use THEIR EXACT SAME ARGUMENT against liberal television and print.
And why didn’t we make a law to ban the “Fairness Doctrine” back when we controlled Congress?
By the way, as a Mason I like your name! Welcome to FR.
Because we understand what the Founding Fathers meant when they said “Congress shall make no law.......”
Don't expect the GOP to ride to our rescue. They'll happily agree to whatever form of pergatory the libs consign us to.
Do you have a link for what you actually posted here (the article link is pointing to the petition) or are you the original author and this post is the source link?
XM is going away...you need to read up all the stipulations they are piling onto the satellite services...they might be non competitive soon.
This is another reason why Obama must be defeated.
Yeah, the technology is there to do a virtual radio program strictly over the Internet.
Noted and in full agreement with you. The fox wears many faces./Just Asking - seoul62......
Will they go after Ed Schultz (SP)?
Thanks, after years of lurking, I finally decided now was the time to join. Have a great day!
Ah, yes ... the days of talk radio during the “unfairness doctrine”.
There was sharing of Recipes of Aunt Jane’s Meatloaf, TRADIO ... the on air classifieds,
45 book Authors on the Kennedy assasination, and the most DARING of Talk Hosts... would call a Public Pay Phone, and interview whoever answered.
And the DEMS think these are “the Good Old Days”.
Or it will be like the classic SNL skit with Buck Henry:
Yes, we’re talking about federally supported municipal bonds! Say, is it a federal problem? Is it a state problem? Is it - is it a combination of federal and state problems? Is it YOUR problem? Is it OUR problem? Why don’t you give me a ring and talk back to me, Frank Noland? The operators ARE standing by! [another long pause, Frank grabs a glass of water and takes a sip, he looks at the silent row of phones, looks uncomfortable] This ... is Frank Noland. And our first topic tonight is, and has been “Federally Supported Municipal Bonds — Yes or No?” Hey! But that’s not the only issue I’m prepared to talk about tonight. How ‘bout this one? “Forced Busing — Yes or No?” Huh? I’m sure you have as many things to say about forced busing as I do. I’m Frank Noland and I’m prepared to talk back to you! And those numbers, once again, are eight zero-zero, five-five-five, three-three-one-zero — one-one, one-two, one-three, one-four, one-five, one-six, one-seven, one-eight and one-nine! And they’re TOLL-FREE! Totally toll-free!
[another long pause, Frank takes another drag and impatiently taps his pack of cigarettes on the table]
Let’s run over those burning issues once again, shall we? They are, one, “Federally Supported Municipal Bonds” and, two, “Forced Busing”! Remember, toll-free! Totally free! You pay nothing here. We pay for the entire call. [phone rings once, Frank reaches for phone] And here’s our first on “Talk Back” right now!
[Frank puts his hand on the phone and freezes as he realizes that it has stopped ringing — another pause, Frank lets go of the phone and puts his hand to his head - he’s getting desperate]
Here’s another issue that may interest you: “Soviet Communism — Let’s Give It a Chance”! I’ll bet there are some of you who have opinions on this one. That’s Soviet Communism here — here and now! Here, in this country, in your own community. I guess there are plenty of good, red-blooded Americans out there who’ll have a little something to say about that. And, if there are, and you want to talk back to me, Frank Noland, I’m prepared to talk back to you! Maybe you forgot to make a note of those numbers. The numbers again are eight zero-zero, five-five-five, three-three-one-zero — one-one, one-two, one-three, one-four, one-five, one-six, one-seven, one-eight and one-nine. And I’m ready to talk back on these same topics: Federally Supported Municipal Bonds, Forced Busing, and “Soviet Communism Here and Now”! I, Frank Noland, am ready to talk back to you in support of spending federal funds to bus known Soviet Communists into your community now — to teach your children and to live in your house, whether you like it or not! Now, if anyone has another position, and it’s your right as an American to disagree, give me a call on one of these toll-free lines. Call me collect! I’ll answer and I’ll talk back to— I’ll talk. I—
[pause, Frank puts an unlit cigarette in his mouth, thinks for a moment, then leans forward intently]
How ‘bout this? “Killing Puppies — It Doesn’t Bother Me” ... That’s me, Frank Noland, and I LIKE dead puppies! Frankly, I’m totally in favor of using federally supported municipal bonds to pay for forced busing of Soviet Communists to come into your homes to kill your puppies! Give me a call, won’t you? The lines are open. Tell ME what you think about it. [lights his cigarette, mumbles to himself] Dead, mangled puppies ... I like ‘em ...
[starting to lose it]
Okay. While you’re thinking about THOSE topics, here are a half a dozen others which I, Frank Noland, am personally in favor of. “Adolf Hitler — Boy, Do We Need Him Now”! Huh? What about that? Hey, “Incest — I Practice It, Why Don’t You?” Give me a call. Talk to me about it. [A sympathetic woman enters and joins Frank] “No Toilets for the Blind”? Call me! Call me, if you’re watching! And, and—
**Or it will be like the classic SNL skit with Buck Henry:**
Comic or Prophet? Last several years regarding our Politics, my favorite line has been, “Even SNL couldn’t make something this funny!” I missed this skit, but I can see Michael Savage saying this on his final show, just before his head DOES Explode!
Maybe we should just ask Moveon.org, the DailyKos.kooks and the DNC what they would concider as Proper topics for talk radio.
I figure their list would bring to me alternating Laughter, Tears, and Nausea. And then, I would join Michael Savage as My head EXPLODES.
**we use THEIR EXACT SAME ARGUMENT against liberal television and print.**
The Liberals have no CLUE. My congressional IDIOT has said “Yes, I DO believe that NPR is Fair and Balanced.” So, of course, he IS one of the Major Proponents of reinstituting the “”Fairness Doctrine!”” But then, Anyone who can connect the dots to blame Sean Hannity for 9/11, HAS to believe that the NY Times is Impartial.
God BLESS the USA ... but please HURRY!!
No. You can’t. In the minds of the FCC, Congress and judges, CNN, pMSNBC, etc. are fair and balanced.
Done.
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