[Delacon]

The Left is essentially engaged in a brilliant diversionary tactic here: Let the those opposed to the Fairness Doctrine work themselves up into a lather about it but then tell them that you have no intention of reimposing it and so there is nothing to fear.  Meanwhile, they are pushing all sorts of regulatory nonsense is through the back door under less ominous-sounding names like “localism requirements” or “public interest” reforms. 

[Delacon]

 

PETITION TO BLOCK CONGRESSIONAL
ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS

To: U.S. Congress, President of the United States, Supreme Court of the United States

Whereas, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances";

Whereas, members of Congress are recently on record saying they want to re-impose the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" on U.S. broadcasters, or else accomplish the same goal of censoring talk radio by other means, and thereby establish government and quasi-government watchdogs as the arbiters of "fairness" rather than the free and open marketplace of ideas;

Whereas, the U.S. experimented with the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" for 38 years - from 1949 through 1987 - during which time it was repeatedly used by presidents and other political leaders to muzzle dissent and criticism;

Whereas, the abandonment of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" in 1987, thanks to President Ronald Reagan, resulted in an unprecedented explosion of new and diverse voices and political speech - starting with Rush Limbaugh - that revitalized the AM radio band and provided Americans with a multitude of alternative viewpoints;

Whereas, talk radio is one of the most crucial components of the free press in America, and is single-handedly responsible for informing tens of millions of Americans about what their government leaders are doing;

Whereas, it is a wholly un-American idea that government should be the watchdog of the press and a policeman of speech, as opposed to the uniquely American ideal of a free people and a free press being the vigilant watchdogs of government;

Whereas, the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" - either under that name, or using a new name and even more devious methods - represents a frontal assault on the First Amendment, and its re-imposition would constitute nothing more nor less than the crippling of America's robust, unfettered, free press:

 

                                SIGN THE PETITION at http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=87882

 

Freepmail me if you want to join my fairness doctrine ping list.

[mgc1122]

Prediction - Congress ramrods it through and Obozo signs it (supposedly) reluctantly. All part of the sham, folks.

[jongaltsr]

I heard a couple of Lefties say that there was no way that this would ever occur because that would involve everyone requiring TV, newspapers etc to make the same change they would require from Talk Radio.

Sounds reasonable but because they did not take into consideration the their own bias did not recognize this difference in perspective between the Left and the Right, their observations are null and void.

If you can't see what is obvious then you are assuming that everyone else must - which aint’t so.

Liberals so accept status quo in their media that they can only see it as good and that ours is bad and needs to come to the same status as their choice.

Fairness has nothing whatsoever to do with anything. It is comfort that they are truly concerned with and they are uncomfortable with Talk Radio so it MUST be changed to their control (defination), then they can once again be comfortable.

Then the world will be good and they will again never have to think again for that is the cause of their discomfort.

[Gritty]

The Washington fascists now in power are probably looking for a good trip wire to destroy our voice and individual freedoms. If we finally have enough and don't supinely fold to their ongoing tyranny but rise up in some sort of spontaneous violence (no matter how localized) they can then take "decisive" police action and pass draconian laws to stomp us out physically, and for good. This is one possible concocted outrage which many will see as a bridge too far. HR 45 is another.

But those are only two of many. They are heating the furnace 7 times hotter for a reason. They aim to still our voice and influence for good - while robbing us to pay for the process.

King George III would have been jealous with envy at how much they have achieved so far and how much we have rolled over and accepted.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Constitutional Critique of the Fairness Doctrine Advocacy

[dr_who]

I knew it.

[tflabo]

Here’s a thought for y’all. Since the tasbards in DC who signed the 1000+ page stimulus bill and didn’t even read it maybe there is some Fairness Doctrine measure that they sneaked in there like a worm....

[Nateman]