Posted on 02/16/2009 6:59:38 PM PST by kristinn
The American Spectator's Prowler column published today has a disturbing report on the plans by the Democratic Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Henry Waxman to regulate political speech on the Internet.
In addition to details of methods Waxman is considering to rein in conservative talk radio, The Prowler reports on Waxman's desire to use the power of the federal government to investigate amd control political content on the Internet.
The article quotes an unnamed committee staffer as saying of Waxman's power grab:
"Does one heavily trafficked Internet site present one side of an issue and not link to sites that present alternative views? These are some of the questions the chairman is thinking about right now, and we are going to have an FCC that will finally have the people in place to answer them."
"Internet radio is becoming a big deal, and we're seeing that some web sites are able to control traffic and information, while other sites that may be of interest or use to citizens get limited traffic because of the way the people search and look for information. We're at very early stages on this, but the chairman has made it clear that oversight of the Internet is one of his top priorities."
"This isn't just about Limbaugh or a local radio host most of us haven't heard about. The FCC and state and local governments also have oversight over the Internet lines and the cable and telecom companies that operate them. We want to get alternative views on radio and TV, but we also want to makes sure those alternative views are read, heard and seen online, which is becoming increasingly video and audio driven. Thanks to the stimulus package, we've established that broadband networks -- the Internet -- are critical, national infrastructure. We think that gives us an opening to look at what runs over that critical infrastructure."
The article reports that Waxman intends to work with Democratic Party President Barack Hussein Obama's nominee to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, who is awaiting confirmation by the Democrat controlled Senate, to investigate and regulate free speech on the Internet.
Guns of various makes, models and calibers...
He really is positively simian...
Who else thinks this is really a way to get a list of who on the campus is willing to sign this and the people who will now will be treated sort of like the so-called commie lovers back in the 50's, where people who didn't speak out were considered the enemy.
Oh, so every time a newspaper endorses some socialist pig democrat for office, they have to have a few column inches for rebuttal from the Cato Institute??? No? Why, sauce for the goose not so tasty on the gander?
There doesn't necessarily have to be legislation to get the results that they want; Lawsuits, regulatory hanky-panky, congressional inquisition, etc. can and will be used to pressure and intimidate broadcasters and service providers into 'compliance'. My guess is that most of them will fold like a cheap ironing board before any signatures on any bills will be necessary.
Thanks for the ping!
I recommend that we call Heir Waxman and share our thoughts about his dictatorship and destruction of our Freedom of Speech.
202-225-3121
I plan to call tomorrow. Next, we will be asked to sew Star of Davids and Crosses on our clothes.
According to the SCOTUS, that puts the Feds in charge of regulating just about anything. They already dictate the capacity of your commode.
Even then, they had to starve the dog for two weeks.
Good way to handle it!
You pathetic despotic little twit of a man. A kind word of warning from a patriotic man. Watch my friend where you might trample, understanding payback will be equally ample.
I recommend that we call Heir Waxman and share our thoughts about his dictatorship and destruction of our Freedom of Speech.
202-225-3121
I plan to call tomorrow. Next, we will be asked to sew Star of Davids and Crosses on our clothes.
__________________________________
YES!!
Elections DO have consequences, don’t they?
One if by land, two if by sea....
______________________
HOLY SH*T, we are under attack. I’m stunned! I thought nothing else would shock me, this is COMMUNISM, not socialism
Anybody remember the miniseries “V”?
It was the scientists in that one.
They have the House, the Senate, and the WH and they are socialists. That equation adds up to bad news.
I find it horrifying how many Liberal Jews instantly become Nazis for the Left.
_________________
amazing isn’t it. I guess 6 million wasn’t enough
It’s really enlightening to see just how much power ONE little part of a state (one congressional district) has to make the rest of the country miserable, isn’t it?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.