The Government Doesn’t Belong in Television

Future of Freedom Foundation ^ | 2/6/04 | Scott McPherson

[templar]

No doubts about the wisdom of having an FCC?

That is correct. I have no doubts as to the validity of and need for the FCC. I am not addressing any questions about how they should be accomplishing their job, just the need for them. All governments address the use of radio frequencies, and it is generally accepted as nescessary and reflected in international treaties regarding their rightful uses.

[eno_]

We also hear from the supporters of socialized medicine that all governments, other than in very poor and backward places, have nationalized health insurance. Or put it this way: "If Canada jumped off a cliff, would you do it, too?"

Are you resigned to paying half your income in taxes forever? Or are there any functions of government you consider illegitimate?

[templar]

We also hear from the supporters of socialized medicine that all governments ...

Isn't it a bit of a (desperate) leap to go from nescessary regulation of RF use so that it can be a viable communication media to socialized medicine? I don't think you have any valid argument here. Perhaps you should consider the difference between the way we do it (licensing to private companies) vs the way the English do it.

Or are there any functions of government you consider illegitimate?

There are many funcitions of government I consider illegitimate. FCC rules for use of the airwaves, like traffic laws for use of the roads, are not among them.

[eno_]

OK then, what function of federal government do you consider to be outside of constitutional bounds?

It's always interesting to ask Drug Warriors to name one unenumerated right. They never can. Let's see if your conservatism is more than skin deep.

[templar]

OK then, what function of federal government do you consider to be outside of constitutional bounds?

Almost all of the WOD for one. All firearms laws except for simple excise taxes for another. All federal laws regarding the purchase and posession ages for tobacco and alcohol (not taxation), as these should be 9th and 10th ammendment matters left to the people of the various States. Routine surveilance (without specific warrant) of the general populations banking and communications activities. FBI, ATF and other Federal agency investigation into crimes which occur strictly within State boundaries and do not genuinely affect interstate commerce or Federal activity or property (such as Post Offices). Care to go on? I'll end up naming about three fourths of what the Federal government is doing, so it could be a really long list.

[imintrouble]

It was my understanding the original purpose of the FCC was to assign radio wave transmitting power so that frequencies would not interfere with other frequencies or stronger ones override the lesser ones in an area.

Over time, its duties were expanded for the "public good" in addition to the electronic power mandate.

As with most bureaucracies, it grew into a burgeoning rule-making group who appears to have lost its way, especially as it concerns "the public good".

For any attention to be paid by the FCC concerning Janet Jackson's exposure, one would have to write their local CBS affiliate, having such letters put into the public file which is reviewed when that local station's license is up for renewal. It will be a whimper in the wind.

Also writing to one's local representative, and/or the national CBS corporate body will make you feel better but will hardly change anything at this point. The bell has been rung.

CBS at most will no doubt receive a letter of reprimand from one of their good friends at the FCC.

The only way of protest is through the advertisers for which the television network is merely another outlet for their message.

As for Ms. Jackson, I think she garnered enough publicity for the print space and air space she has received since the Super Bowl half time stunt.

One could "protest" by refusing to purchase Ms. Jackson's new album, but frankly I think few would be interested in that purchase anyway except as a curiosity.

If I am in error, I would appreciate information to correct me. Thanks.

[eno_]

Cool! Good! You get it.

Ultrawideband won't be ultra-widespread for another 5-10 years. We can revisit the need for an FCC then.

[Paul C. Jesup]

More Orwellian Double-talk from you.

[unspun]

We have rules. They were ratified in the Year of our Lord 1787, PCJ. They say that we have the right to form our own government and empower it. It makes sense for any entity to own what it needs to have full authority over in order to function, nations included. The way a nation owns something is through its government. It's really simple.

[Paul C. Jesup]

We have rules. They were ratified in the Year of our Lord 1787, PCJ. They say that we have the right to form our own government and empower it. It makes sense for any entity to own what it needs to have full authority over in order to function, nations included. The way a nation owns something is through its government. It's really simple.

Just keep in mind that form of government was a republic within a democracy and not the twisted socialist democracy that would have now.

[unspun]

Just keep in mind that form of government was a republic within a democracy and not the twisted socialist democracy that would have now.

Yes indeed, FRiend. Something very important to keep in mind!

[Paul C. Jesup]

Alright, just one item, would = we in my last post.

[dljordan]

Your neighbors would track you down and ground your antenna to your cojones.

[Mikey]

The proper way to "regulate" the airwaves is so simple. If people don't like what they see, they can turn the TV, radio off. They can boycott a specific station. The way to keep trash off the airways is so simple, hit the networks in their wallet. When they (the networks) learn that 1/2 or more of their audience has disappeared because of whatever?, they will remove that which is bothering the audience. 

Karl Marx would be proud to see his manifesto is alive a well in "the land of the free."

The people should be ashamed to have allowed this too happen, but first they have too give a damn.

TEN PLANKS OF THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

Our elected representatives have passed laws implementing these anti freedom concepts. The communists have achieved a de facto FEDERAL SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT in America.

In 1848 Karl Marx and Frederick Engels wrote a book outlining a political ideology, titled "The Communist Manifesto". Marxism’s basic theme is that the proletariat (the "exploited" working class of a capitalistic society) will suffer from alienation and will rise up against the "bourgeoisie" (the middle class) and overthrow the system of "capitalism." After a brief period of rule by "the dictatorship of the proletariat" the classless society of communism would emerge. In his Manifesto Marx described the following ten steps as necessary steps to be taken to destroy a free enterprise society.

Notice how many of these conditions, foreign to the principles that our country was founded upon, have now been realized by the concerted efforts of socialist activists? Remember, government interference in your daily life and business is intrusion and deprivation of our liberties!

First Plank:
"Abolition of property in land and the application of all rents of land to public purposes."

(Zoning - Model ordinances proposed by Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover widely adopted. Supreme Court ruled "zoning" to be constitutional in 1921. Private owners of property required to get permission from government relative to the use of their property. Federally owned lands are leased for grazing, mining, timber usage's, the fees being paid into the U.S. Treasury.)

Second Plank:
"A heavy progressive or graduated in-come tax."

(Corporate Tax Act of 1909. The 16th Amendment, allegedly ratified in 1913. The Revenue Act of 1913, section 2, Income Tax. These laws have been purposely misapplied against American citizens to this day.)

Third Plank:
"Abolition of all rights of inheritance."

(Partially accomplished by enactment of various state and federal "estate tax" laws taxing the "privilege" of transferring property after death and gift before death.)

Fourth Plank:
CONFISCATION OF THE PROPERTY OF ALL EMIGRANTS AND REBELS.

(The confiscation of property and persecution of those critical - "rebels" - of government policies and actions, frequently accomplished by prosecuting them in a courtroom drama on charges of violations of nonexistent administrative or regulatory laws.) See also "...someone accused of using it in a felony."

Fifth Plank:
"Centralization of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly."

(The Federal Reserve Bank, 1913 the system of privately owned Federal Reserve banks which maintain a monopoly on the valueless debt "money" in circulation.)

Sixth Plank:
"Centralization of the means of communications and transportation in the hands of the State."

(Federal Radio Commission, 1927; Federal Communications Commission, 1934; Air Commerce Act of 1926; Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938; Federal Aviation Agency, 1958; becoming part of the Department of Transportation in 1966; Federal Highway Act of 1916 (federal funds made available to States for highway construction); Interstate Highway System, 1944 (funding began 1956); Interstate Commerce Commission given authority by Congress to regulate trucking and carriers on inland waterways, 1935-40; Department of Transportation, 1966, and on and on and on. )

Seventh Plank:
"Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State, the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan."

(Department of Agriculture, 1862; Agriculture Adjustment Act of 1933 -- farmers will receive government aid if and only if they relinquish control of farming activities; Tennessee Valley Authority, 1933 with the Hoover Dam completed in 1936, Wet Lands Act, Chesapeake Bay Waters Act)

Eighth Plank:
"Equal liability of all to labor. Establishment of industrial armies especially for agriculture."

(First labor unions, known as federations, appeared in 1820. National Labor Union established 1866. American Federation of Labor established 1886. Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 placed railways under federal regulation. Department of Labor, 1913. Labor management negotiations sanctioned under Railway Labor Act of 1926. Civil Works Administration, 1933. National Labor Relations Act of 1935, stated purpose to free inter-state commerce from disruptive strikes by eliminating the cause of the strike. Works Progress Administration 1935. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, mandated 40 hour work week and time-and-a-half for overtime, set "minimum wage" scale. Civil Rights Act of 1964, effectively the equal liability of all to labor.)

Ninth Plank:
"Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries, gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equitable distribution of population over the country."

(Food processing companies, with the co-operation of the Farmers Home Administration foreclosures, are buying up farms and creating "conglomerates." )

Tenth Plank:
"Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production."

(Gradual shift from private education to publicly funded began in the Northern States, early 1800’s. 1887: federal money (unconstitutionally) began funding specialized education. Smith Lever Act of 1914, vocational education; Smith Hughes Act of 1917 and other relief acts of the 1930’s. Federal school lunch program of 1935; National School Lunch Act of 1946. National Defense Education Act of 1958, a reaction to Russia's Sputnik satellite demonstration, provided grants to education's specialties. Federal school aid law passed, 1965, greatly enlarged federal role in education, "head start" programs, textbooks, library books.)

(Research source: Encyclopedia Britannica.)

"Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants, it is the creed of slaves."
William Pitt

“None are as blind as those who refuse to see.”

See also, Post 18, marriage license's

Communism/socialism is not dead. It just moved over to these united States and is calling itself ;

"Liberalism"

A true wolf in sheep's clothing.

[Mikey]

"Interstate commerce clause, general welfare clause."

These two clause's have been bastardized way beyond their original intent.

[Revolting cat!]

Sayin government doesn't belong in television is the same as saying the government doesn't belong in the roads and highways. Pathetic idiocy not worth a discussion!

[Mikey]

Communist Goals - 1963 Congressional Record

Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35
Published: Jan 10, 1963 Author: "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen

Communist Goals (1963)

Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35

January 10, 1963

Current Communist Goals

EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 10, 1963

Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America.

At Mrs. Nordman's request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following "Current Communist Goals," which she identifies as an excerpt from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen:

[From "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen]

CURRENT COMMUNIST GOALS

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.

Does ANY of this look (sound) familar? Don't worry "I'LL NEVER HAPPEN HERE"