Free the airwaves - Page 2

We should fully privatize the broadcast spectrum, properly establishing true freedom of expression. Currently used frequencies probably should just be properly recognized as belonging to the people who are using them, who have invested in the equipment and the development of those spectrums as valuable property. Or perhaps auction off the right to use of those frequencies. Either way, get the government out of it.

Moreover, we need to end the artificially created scarcity of the broadcast spectrum. There are all kinds of usable broadcast spectrums that are prohibited by law from being used. Anybody who wants to jump up and homestead a piece of the spectrum should be understood to have every right to do so, so long as they're not interfering with other broadcasts.

So then, let me take this opportunity in the closing days of this campaign to officially quote my hero Elvis Costello in the words of the song he sang when he famously seized the airwaves on Saturday Night Live in 1977:

Radio is the sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you'd better listen to the voice of reason
But they don't give you any choice
'cause they think that it's treason.
So you had better do as you are told,
You'd better listen to the radio

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Article Author: Al Barger

Unreformed hawkish Hoosier hillbilly Al Barger runs the still squeezin' down the psychodelic Kentucky moonshine at More Things. What with the paranoid religious visions, the Pentecostal music, visions of God and anarchy running amok and such, somebody …

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