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 Jim DeMint Ping! |
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Posted on 01/07/2009 8:14:18 PM PST by rabscuttle385
Republicans introduced a bill Wednesday that would bar Congress, President-elect Barack Obama and federal media regulators from bringing back the Fairness Doctrine, which they said would all but eliminate the talk-radio industry.
The doctrine, a 1949 requirement that broadcasters present opposing points of view on political issues, was scrapped in 1987 after the Federal Communications Commission said it restricted journalistic freedom. But a new administration with the power to appoint members of the FCC, along with Democratic gains in both chambers on Capitol Hill, has renewed fears among Republicans that the doctrine could be revived.
"Freedom of speech is under attack in this country," said Sen. Jim DeMint, South Carolina Republican and co-sponsor of the Broadcaster Freedom Act. "I am just committing today to use every rule, every tactic that we have at our disposal to keep the Fairness Doctrine from moving in Congress or to overrule it if it is implemented by the FCC."
Many credit the rise of talk radio to the demise of the Fairness Doctrine, which also governed television broadcasters. If it were to be reimposed, sponsors of the bill said the entire medium would be threatened.
"Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine today would amount to government control over political views expressed on the airwaves," said Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican and a former broadcaster.
Joining Mr. Pence and Mr. DeMint were Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma and Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
DeMint ping!
Walden’s my critter! Wow!
Haven’t lived in an R district until now.
Go Walden!
What’s this? Sanity?
What a breath of fresh air.
Fiiinally some Republicans with BACKBONE. Good for them!!!
every once in a while some of the pubies
stand up and act like men.
“fairness doctrine”. Quotes, indeed, are a prerequisite.
As has been said before, ‘fairness’ and ‘doctrine’ are a dichotomy.
Brought about from those that would put ‘card check’ for unionization under the guise of ‘free election’ crap.
And, by those who regale in the statement that the current P-E is ready to “rule”... (might as well eat some melamine, I’m gonna barf anyway)
ping
Why not have the Republicans in the House just boycott being part of any legislation for as long as Nancy Pelosi upholds her anti-Republican Party rules? Also, the Republicans in both the House and Senate should just let the Democrats to do all of the political damage without any Republican Party help of any kind! The Republicans should just do the complete play-by-play of everything wrong done by all of the leftists from both major parties while also fully working, to the best of human abilities, towards hopefully regaining conservative political majorities asap!
This bill will not die so fast as they will keep trying to bring it back.
The Democrats don’t need the Fairness Dosctrine. They can simply name Limbaugh, Hannity, et al as enemy comabtants and keep them locked up for years ifthey want them off of the airwaves.
We had eight years, six of which we had a Republican President, a Republican House, a Republican Senate, and a SCOTUS with 7 of 9 members appointed by Republicans. And it took all but two weeks of that time to get this on the agenda.
Frankly, the Republicans in Washington, D.C. don’t deserve to be there. Never has so little been done with so much opportunity.
“the rest of GOP capitulates”...not far from!
Please remember that although the Republicans had majority control of the Senate, they never had enough votes to stop a Dem filibuster. The Dems blocked many good bills in the Senate and the Republicans couldn’t do anything to stop them.
I already have a portable satellite radio and I’d bet dollars to donuts that Rush and the other conservative commentators on the radio already have frequencies purchased just waiting for a thumbs down by the Dimowits.
What you’re saying is “Don’t just do something, sit around and look stupid.”
Nay, nay. Time to stop reacting and be proactive. Get out in front, set the agenda, choose the battleground, define the terms of the debate and stop waiting to be ignored.
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