On Sinclair: CALL/EMAIL THE FCC

Politicalities ^ | 10/13/2004 | Voice of Reason

[Politicalities]

The DUmmies and the DNC are both orchestrating massive campaigns to attempt to squelch the forthcoming Sinclair broadcast of a one-hour program based on the allegations raised in Stolen Honor. Below are my comments on the issue. The short version: this is a travesty and an affront to the free speech ideal the Democrats claim to hold dear.

Counter by calling and/or emailing the FCC to tell them your opinion. The FCC's phone number is 1-888-225-5322. The menu options to select are first 4, then 0.

When I called, I spoke to a very nice and friendly FCC representative who thanked me for my comments, and urged me to email them to campaignlaw@fcc.gov. She also enthusiastically encouraged me to distribute this email address and suggest that others email their comments as well. Please do.

Defend freedom of speech. None of these jokers complained in the slightest when the major news networks dumped buckets of slime supported by forged documents on the President, and here they are trying to censor a minor broadcaster that owns 16 mostly UHF stations. It's repulsive, and we should not stand for it.

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ON SINCLAIR

The Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of 16 television stations, is currently producing a one-hour special to examine the allegations raised by Vietnam POWs against John Kerry in their documentary, Stolen Honor. This documentary, which I have not seen, apparently features the testimony of POWs (including two Medal of Honor winners) who claim that Kerry's actions as a member of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War prolonged and harshened their imprisonment.

Let the wailing and gnashing of teeth begin.

Democratic Underground is having a hissy fit, including mass boycott threats against Sinclair's sponsors. The Democratic National Committee is urging action, promulgating a list of Sinclair-owned station phone numbers and filing complaints with the FCC and FEC, alleging in the first case that Sinclair's actions constitute an abuse of the public airwaves, and in the second case that they represent an in-kind contribution to the Bush campaign. 20 Democratic Senators signed the FCC complaint. The editorialists and interest groups are all weighing in, with universal condemnation.

And Kerry campaign spokesman Chad Clanton issued a not-so-veiled threat when he said, "I think they're going to regret doing this. They better hope we don't win."

Come on.

I ask these people: where were you when CBS, 60 Minutes, and Dan Rather engaged in a blatant smear of the President using badly forged documents and no credible eyewitnesses? Where were you when they repeatedly stood by their story in the face of mounting evidence that the documents were phonier than John Kerry's smooth unlined forehead? Where were they when CBS featured the testimony of Ben Barnes, without noting that he was contradicting his earlier sworn testimony and that he was one of John Kerry's top moneymen? Where were they when it turned out that CBS's "unimpeachable source" was a rabid partisan with an axe to grind?

And how dare they ever, ever, ever mention the First Amendment to the United States Constitution ever again?

Freedom of speech goes every which way. You don't get to squelch news because it might be unflattering to your candidate. You can't, apparently, squelch unflattering news even if it's a barefaced lie, if the consequences suffered by CBS for their participation in a vicious smear are any indication.

I'll bet a thousand dollars that fewer than one quarter of the Senators who signed that bogus complaint have even seen Stolen Honor. And Chad Clanton's open threat to retaliate against Sinclair using the reigns of power, should America be so unfortunate as to elect John Kerry, is criminal or ought to be.

[Always Right]

Nice e-mail. I am sure you will recieve a well thoughtout form letter in response.

[lesser_satan]

Yeah, you're probably correct, but if enough people send similar emails it will be difficult for them to ignore.

[Always Right]

Yeah, you're probably correct, but if enough people send similar emails it will be difficult for them to ignore.

The problem is everyone today sends e-mails. You want attention, send a letter.

[infowars_victory]

Your letter was well written and I hope I did not come off as being rude. I hate Kerry but I also hate massive conglomerates too.The sponsors are the ones in control (of everything) so concern yourself with them.

[Logical me]

The FCC does not have the authority to bar Sinclair Broadcast Group from broadcasting the piece since it does not violate FCC rules. If they attempt, then if I were Sinclair I would broadcast anyway and then sue the FCC. You'll have tons of supporters. Just because the FCC is an arm of government, they have rules they must abide by.

As for the FEC, they don't know their a@@ from a hole in the ground.

[atruelady]

Here is my e-mail to the FCC:

Dear FCC,

This is just a short note to let you know that I support Sinclair's right to freedom of speech.

They are not violating campaign law by any stretch of the
imagination any more than CBS showed a libelous and fraudulent report regarding George Bush and the Air National Guard, et al.

For the DNC to say that somehow this is a violation of campaign law, then to repeat several times later that Sinclair "{better hope we (Kerry) don't win" in a response to the announcement of broadcasting the program that makes
Kerry look bad should be looked upon by the Federal Government as a violation of civil rights.

The FCC should rule accordingly that there is no violation of campaign law. I myself read online the statutes regarding campaign law and the media and I have yet to read anything that applies to the DNC complaint.

If there is, point it out.


Candace
Florida

[RightWingConspirator]

Here is what I sent:

"Today I saw in the news where a number of Democrat senators and the Democratic National Committee are having a hissy-fit because Sinclair Broadcasting is exercising their right to air the documentary, "Stolen Valor", that details treasonous activities in the early 1970's by John Kerry, Jane Fonda and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). This documentary is based on facts that are supported by government records. Sinclair, in what I believe is a display of fairness, has offered John Kerry the opportunity to discuss and rebut the charges made in the documentary by POWs, official government documents and other people familiar with the events that are detailed. What the Democrats are trying to do is to censor a news documentary and prevent it from being shown on TV.

Where were these same people when CBS's Dan Rather aired a "60 Minutes II" piece on President Bush a few weeks ago that was based on forged documents, and which likely was produced in collaboration with the DNC and the Kerry Campaign? CBS and Dan Rather continue to refuse to acknowledge that their "news story" was a set of total falsehoods and that the documents were completely bogus. Where are these people regarding the Sundance channel airing the "Concert for Change," a six-hour anti-Bush concert, or PBS airing a fawning hagiography on John Kerry? If it OK for CBS, Sundance and PBS to broadcast these pro-Kerry/Anti-President Bush programs, why is it not OK for Sinclair to broadcast a documentary that presents facts and truth? It appears that there is a terrible double-standard being employed here."

[lesser_satan]

You were right, and here is the form email they replied with:

I appreciate your contacting me about Sinclair’s proposed broadcast of Stolen Honor. As you will see from the following statement that I released, I am concerned that this decision is not in keeping with the public interest responsibilities of our broadcast media. Thank you for contacting me about this matter.”*** Non-Public: For Internal Use Only ***

There was also a Word doc attached of Copp's statement on the Sinclair broadcast.

[gunner03]

Just spoke with a young lady from the FCC, who told me I was the first to support the showing of " Stolen Honor" and that they are being bombarded by people against. Are we still the silent majority? If we do nothing, they win.

[HaveGunWillTravel]

To whom it may concern,

While your chairman is taking notice of the alleged bias and questionable legality of a certain network running a certain documentary, perhaps someone on your end could remind him to go back and way belatedly prosecute Dan Rather, CBS, the DNC and ABC for their clear and unquestionably illegal bias. I think we're way past the point of pretending that they are more media than an obvious extension of the Kerry Campaign. Failure to do so will place you in the catagory of suspects. Thank you.

[MistyCA]

You know, I think Sinclair is very resolute in their decision to show the film. If we tie them up with mass emails and phone calls it might be counter productive. Maybe just a few people could do that and say they represent thousands of us FReepers????

[MistyCA]

I agree!

[The Citizen Soldier]

Called the FCC and talked to a very polite and courteous man. While he directed me to the e-mail, I was a little more forceful (I learned that from the President during the last debate), and told him that while I would send an e-mail, I nevertheless wanted to point out that I was a Viet Nam veteran.

He immediately seemed interested in hearing more. He asked me to confirm that I was a Viet Nam veteran and then asked me what my thoughts were. He listened and then said he was making a note of my call (he addressed me by name).

Near the end of the call he asked me to repeat my feelings (I gathered he was writing my words down). I urged him to allow the showing of "Stolen Honor." I told him that I did not know what the men in the video would say, but they had certainly earned the right to an audience after 30 years. I sensed that he agreed, but I can't be certain of that.

Please, Viet Nam vets call and let your voice be heard. Be polite but be firm.

[BushisTheMan]

From Copps (the RAT shrill)

I appreciate your contacting me about Sinclair’s proposed broadcast of Stolen Honor. As you will see from the following statement that I released, I am concerned that this decision is not in keeping with the public interest responsibilities of our broadcast media. Thank you for contacting me about this matter.”

[Stayfree]

Haven't posted for a long time, but I urge everyone to go to the Sincair website which is www.sbgi.net and give them your thoughts about Kerry The Enemy Within!

[BushisTheMan]

Sinclair is a huge company. We aren't doing any tying up of anything. There have people to handle these e-mails.

No matter how many e-mails the DU rats send, I can tell you that THIS GUY (Hyman) is not going to fold.

I think he would appreciate e-mails of support after the foul-mouthed ones they get from the RATs.

If they are like my company, e-mails containing certain key words (curse words and foul language) don't get passed through anyway.

[diamond6]

Done.

[Stayfree]

This is a copy of my email to the FCC:
If you are stupid enough to interfere in Sinclair's first amendment right to broadcast
Stolen Honor, the heartland in this country will descend on Congress with 40 years
of pent up absolute disgust at the liberal control of politics and the media in this
country. Because there are more of us and a lot less of them, we will clean house
once and for all! You can bet your job on it!!! And I'll help start the movement.

BTW, check out one of our websites: www.BiggestP**ckOnEarth.com for a fitting tribute to the two greatest threats to America!

[Politicalities]

This is a copy of my email to the FCC

Congratulations, you just got dismissed as a nut. Try to keep it civil next time.

[Agitate]

Bump!