On Sinclair: CALL/EMAIL THE FCC

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.

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.

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."

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.

I sent this email to Sinclair and urge others to make their strongest statements in support of airing 'Stolen Honor'.

I strongly urge you to proceed with airing the documentary 'Stolen Honor' as scheduled. In the face of such intimidation and outright coercion from the DNC and the Kerry campaign it is imperative that the public be able to see the evidence of factual statements and appearances by presidential candidate Kerry following the Viet Nam War, when he was still a Naval Officer, sworn to defend the constitution and the honor of the United States. His actions are clearly a betrayal of that Navy commission and it is necessary that the public be able to evaluate those statements for them selves. If you do not present the facts, who will?

Confidently,

William Mann
US Navy Reserve - Viet Nam 1966 - 1970

These are my FCC letters. I sent the second one to all the email addresses below. I wrote two letters and am sending them with these addresses to 14 friends so they can cut and paste, maybe alter the letters a little. I'm doing the same for the advertiser letters, so it'll be easy for them to do, and right now, I have time.

To:
campaignlaw@fcc.gov, Michael.Copps@fcc.gov, Michael.Powell@fcc.gov, Kathleen.Abernathy@fcc.gov, Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov, KJMWEB@fcc.gov

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I understand an FCC executive was quoted as saying "This is an abuse of the public trust. And it is proof positive of media consolidation run amok when one owner can use the public airwaves to blanket the country with its political ideology — whether liberal or conservative" in regard to the upcoming broadcast of "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" by the Sinclair Broadcast Group.

The veterans in this film have fought and sacrificed for this nation and they have a right to be heard. I was not in Vietnam and cannot judge if their complaints are valid which is all the more reason they need to speak. Surely, these men have a right to speak without being hindered. Instead, you should save any reprimands for CBS, who used forged documents for a political smear. It is inexcusable for such an experienced and resourceful organization to present such a story to the people without verification or authentication.

Moreover, is there a clear violation of any campaign or media law? If CBS was not in violation, I hardly see how this could be.

Right now, you are being blanketed with the political ideology of a powerful political party who does not like the idea of free speech that they don’t approve of. I urge you to not pander to the interests of special interests groups and to not harass the Sinclair group about their decision to air “Stolen Honor.”

You are entrusted with an important responsibility. I appeal to you to remain fair to the American people so these veterans’ voices may be heard.

Sincerely,

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen;

Today I read that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and some Senators, all Democrats, are upset because Sinclair Broadcasting has decided to air the documentary, "Stolen Honor." As you know, this film deals with activities by John Kerry and others in the early 1970’s. I’m sure you know that Sinclair offered a rebuttal opportunity to Senator Kerry as well in the interest of fairness. Can you explain how this would constitute a violation of any campaign or media laws?

This documentary is based on facts that are supported by government records and eyewitness accounts. It provides an opportunity for Vietnam Veterans who do not have the wealth and power of Senator Kerry and the DNC to have their voices heard. It should be obvious that the DNC is trying to censor American Veterans because their experiences do not fit a political agenda. If you cannot reprimand CBS for its use of forged documents on 60 Minutes II, then you surely will not reprimand Sinclair for broadcasting a documentary that has been verified and authenticated, will you?

How disgusting that the DNC would try to evoke blatant double standards against American Veterans for political gain. I entreat you not to fall for these abhorrent tactics. Instead, stand firm on the principles that of fairness and the duty you have been entrusted with. The American people will recognize that you have not fallen for hypocrisy and thank you for it.

Sincerely;

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