I used to be very, very liberal. This was back in my younger days when I thought I knew it all and didn't understand how the world really worked.
At one point I was even going to major in journalism so I could report "the truth." Because I was young and carefree and didn't know about things like editors and agendas and assignments. It sounds sad now, but for a brief, youthful, shining moment back in the day, I was blissfully sure I could not only change the world, but make it a much better, more honest place by simply reporting "the truth."
I make no apologies for having once been that naive. I was young and dumb and I don't have a problem admitting that. And then I grew up. There is a saying that with age comes wisdom. I like to think I'm an example of that.
I understand that there are people in the world - hell, even among my own family and friends - who look at things much differently than I do. In the upcoming election some of them will vote differently than I will. And I don't have a problem with that. I may not understand why they think the way they do, but I have no problem respecting their right to their differing opinions. It's still a free country, at least last I heard.
Why do I bring all this up? Because now the Dems are set to muzzle anyone nervy enough to have different views from them. Yes, you're reading that correctly: They want to pass a law to shut up people with opposing viewpoints. Another famous saying comes to mind: power corrupts. Our Congress would appear to be proof of that. These people are positively giddy at the prospect of putting a leash on anyone not on board with them and pulling on the collar until it chokes. In America.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jordan Richardson
Interesting take on the Fairness Doctrine. But doesn't it mean that the Dems can't shut up those with opposing views but rather must give equal balance to all views?
In fact, all this would serve to do would be to stop conservative radio from simply being a hub for ONE point of view. Some people only listen to conservative radio and, on the contrary, some people only listen to liberal radio. By making sure people hear different points of view, you expand perspectives.
And once again the article, and many, will charge that the FD is a force too powerful for your simpleton government to wield. Well seriously, what isn't? Nobody seems all that upset that the government is dumping tonnes of money into corporations to "bail them out." C'mon people, where's the Boston Tea Party? What happened to Americans' natural hatred for taxation? Where's the uprising? Where's the rage?
Oh right, it's tied in with things like this that mandate fairness and equality. Well, there's nothing more un-American than that. Carry on.
2 - Jordan Richardson
Interestingly, more than half of Americans agree with the basic premise of the Fairness Doctrine. But they oppose it being regulated online.
I think when the media is designated to serve the public trust, fairness needs to be considered as vital.
3 - Dave Nalle
Jordan, more than 50% of Americans think the government was responsible for 9/11, that angels are real, that there were WMDs in Iraq...need I go on?
Deceptively naming this proposed legislation the 'Fairness Doctrine' probably accounts for the public support. And it does nothing to make it any less of a violation of the 1st amendment.
Majority rule in the area of rights like free speech is NEVER a good idea.
Dave
4 - Jordan Richardson
Yes, Dave, there are bad ideas everywhere. Because of FAUX News' ability to spew pretty much whatever they want, a huge number of their viewers believe some pretty ridiculous shit as well. I think there's a reason for that: lack of perspective.
The only thing to fear with the Fairness Doctrine, properly applied, is that clowns like Rush Limbaugh, Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, and Bill O'Reilly might be out of work.
Boo fucking hoo.
5 - moon
The government WAS responsible for 9/11.
Every non-gringo knows that--I even said it on the Mexican t.v. news on 9/11, and articles were in all the newspapers here saying stuff like "The Martians Speak English!"
Even elementary school kids said that Bush and Cheney did it to start the next world war.
Motive, means, opportunity.
And my name ain't even Occam.
Cognitive dissonance is the technical term for Gringo Denial.
6 - Victor Plenty
Moon, yours is the most creative attempt to swing voters to McCain I've yet seen. Congrats.
7 - Cindy D
The Fairness Doctrine only applied to limited space media, in other words, air waves. Media that already has unlimited space to present various opinions (print, internet, cable) isn't subject to such a need.
How is it a violation of free speech? It doesn't limit speech.
The air waves are the public domain. How is it serving free speech to have 4 or so private giant conglomerates deciding what people should hear based on their corporate agenda?
8 - moon
Victor: Just keep in mind that I believe that Gringolandia DESERVES the worse of the Two Evils.
There will be no free lunch, nor un bel di, Cio-Cio-San.
9 - Cindy D
melinda,
I hope you continue to grow. There's still time to find out that you still think you know everything.
10 - Victor Plenty
Moon, you just keep getting funnier. I applaud the imagination creating the character you are playing here. Such attention to detail! It raises so many fascinating questions. For example, is there just one person inventing all these background stories and coming up with appropriately arrogant foreign language phrases, or is there a whole team of writers dreaming you up?
Either way, y'all keep up the good work! It's a laugh riot!
Sincerely,
your biggest fan amongst the Imperialist Running Dogs of Gringolandia.
11 - moon
Victor,
Thanks for being such a cheap laugh.
I have to confess that I AM a whole team of writers.
As for the arrogant (sic) foreign language phrases, I thought even the anti-intellectuals here on BC had heard of the most famous aria from Puccini's Old War Horse, Madame Annie Get Your Gun--er, Butterfly.
You betcha.
Wink wink.
12 - Cindy D
I haven't turned on the radio in my car in 25 years. How exciting that there might be something worth listening to again.
13 - Victor Plenty
Cindy, if you get a chance, try listening to some Air America broadcasts sometime. I have, and wasn't terribly impressed. Stupidity, arrogance, and crass attack dog attempts at humor are not any more appealing to me from the left than they are when they come from the right. But who knows, maybe you'll have better luck than I did.
14 - Melinda Loomis
Don't agree with all the comments, but really appreciate them. I actually expected to get my ass handed to me on this one. The comments so far are not nearly as rough as I expected.
In a perfect world all journalists are completely objective. It's not a perfect world. So with that in mind, I don't think there's anything wrong with a particular media outlet - whether it be CNN, MSNBC, network news, Fox News, Air America or conservative radio - having a slant one way or the other these days. What bugs me is when they try to pass themselves off as completely objective.
Each has identified their audience and they program for that audience. Nothing wrong with that.
Even though it's my news net of choice, I'm willing to call Fox out on their "fair and balanced" slogan. They're no more fair and balanced than the nets that slant liberal, they just offer an alternative to balance out the other nets. And they have been very successful in doing that and that pisses off a lot of people.
My problem with the "Fairness Doctrine" is that it would force media outlets to air viewpoints which would cause the audience to tune out. If I want a liberal slant I can easily find it in the media. Finding conservative programming and values has taken a bit more effort and I don't want those sources ruined for me. You may think muzzling conservatives is a good thing. I think it's suppression of free speech. And yes, muzzling liberals is also suppression of free speech. But libs have their programming sources. I don't want to interfere with them and I don't want them interfering with mine.
There is something I have been wondering about for some time, especially having benefitted from conservative radio: Why haven't liberals supported Air America? Is it because so many media outlets are already on their side? With this in mind was Air America just not needed? I'm genuinely curious about this.
Thanks for reading.
15 - Clavos
I haven't turned on the radio in my car in 25 years.
Get satellite radio, Cindy. The talk channels cover both sides, if that's your preference; personally I HATE talk - radio OR TV, and never listen to it, but the music available is excellent and varied, without commercials.
16 - Cindy D
Thanks Clav,
I hadn't realized that.
You know what I miss though? Local radio. Really local radio. In Hawaii where my mom lived, they had great local radio. It made the whole community more involved with local announcements and callers calling in. Lost and found. It was neat.
17 - Cindy D
Thanks Victor,
I used to listen to Air America on the computer when they had interviews I was interested in. I should check it out again. I like mostly educational stuff, interviews, topics, science and history so I watch/listen to PBS shows online a lot.
I like Pacifica Radio Archives. Right now they have a project called 1968 Revolution Rewind and are restoring their programming from that year.
You might want to check it out.
18 - not a fan of talk radio
Hopefully someone will hand Pelosi her hat - she seems to be the ony one interested in reviving the doctrine....Melinda said "There is something I have been wondering about for some time, especially having benefitted from conservative radio: Why haven't liberals supported Air America? Is it because so many media outlets are already on their side? With this in mind was Air America just not needed? I'm genuinely curious about this"
Of radical middle persuasion I don't feel the need to have my world view reinforced and thus don't need or want journalist or 'personalities' telling me what to think about current affairs. If I need help, then I'll search for someone who has some expertise in the issue at hand, be it the economy, medicine, art, literature, politics. I certainly won't listed to rabidly partisan pap.
Can't say why Air America is having trouble, have just learned they existed this election season.
God forbid the fairness doctrine requires that Rush Limbaugh be given a column in the WSJ!
19 - Cannonshop
#18 Oh, don't worry about that! given the predictable outcome of this election, it's much more likely that Rush will have to give over half his programme to Michael Moore, or he may well just be removed from the air entirely by regulatory and legislative fiat. (along with anyone else that offends our Leftist Masters and their bootlicking followers.)
20 - Arch Conservative
Are you suprised Melinda?
The Obama brownshirts will stop at nothing to assimulate you.
The facist doctrine is just one tool in their bag they plan on using to do so. Frau Pelosi has been itching to roll it out.
Don't worry though Melinda. You have much to look forward to under the leadership of the people's party.
Standing in line for five hours for a stale loaf of the people's bread........
Forced adulation of Chairman Obama at the end of a gun...........
Seriously............if there was any justice in this world Obama woould have OD'd on the white stuff years ago and the Viet Cong would have finished off McCain.
Oooooohhhhh that's so over the line............
Too fucking bad!
Both of these men are committed to doing their utmost to make things in this nation worse for its citizens during the next four years and I am supposed to display respect and civility?
May they both rot in hell for eternity!
21 - Dave Nalle
Yes, Dave, there are bad ideas everywhere. Because of FAUX News' ability to spew pretty much whatever they want, a huge number of their viewers believe some pretty ridiculous shit as well. I think there's a reason for that: lack of perspective.
All they had to do is turn to MSNBC to get all of the perspective they needed. Problem solved.
The only thing to fear with the Fairness Doctrine, properly applied, is that clowns like Rush Limbaugh, Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, and Bill O'Reilly might be out of work.
Imagine all the trouble they could get up to then while no one is keeping an eye on them.
Dave
22 - Baritone
Sieg Heil, Comrades!
We of the Fascist/Communist People's Party welcome all who grovel at our feet and pay proper homage and respect to the State and to Chairman Obama. You are all welcome to the collective, but be sure to wipe your filthy bourgeois feet at the door.
B
23 - Cindy D
Melinda,
Could you elaborate on why you believe that reinstating the Fairness Doctrine amounts to muzzling conservatives?
One more thing. Why as a capitalist do you choose the words of a socialist to make your point?
Or, maybe more accurately, circa 1984. Doublethink and Newspeak indeed.
24 - moon
B:
Chill out, dude.
Your tanga is all twisted.
Nothing you do or say is going to make any difference.
Go see a movie.
Go to a park and feed the ducks.
Get a life.
25 - Baritone
M,
Likewise, sweet cheeks.
B