Something that effects every writer, speaker, publisher, broadcaster, and US Citizen.
Today's Salem Witch Trials to begin again. Everyone who supports Free Speech needs to watch out or they may be next to be burned at the proverbial stake. Sound far fetched? It may not be so far fetched as we think. According to reports Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, along with Steny Hoyer, have declared that they will “aggressively pursue” reinstatement of what was called the Fairness Doctrine during the next six months.
This so called Fairness Doctrine was dumped in 1987 for the most part. Due to recent FCC reported hag lings over the “Hush Rush” syndrome in the media recently, it seems as things on the floor will become hotter. The reasoning for Pelosi to 'pull out the matches' has developed according to many for two reasons. “First, [Democrats] failed on the radio airwaves with Air America, no one wanted to listen.”, “Conservative radio is a huge threat and political advantage for Republicans and we have had to find a way to limit it. Second, it looks like the Republicans are going to have someone in presidential race who has access to media in ways our folks don't want, so we want to make sure the GOP has no advantages going into 2008”. These statements are according to a senior adviser to Pelosi as reported by The American Spectar.
It is evident to this writer that there are definitely two different reasoning's for this push at this moment. Salem Radio Network is one of the fastest rising radio networks in the country today which features hosts such as Rush Limbaugh, Bill Bennett and the popular Christian host Dr. Richard Land. They are not afraid to speak their beliefs and opinions and to call out those who disagree. That scares politicians when it is directed at them.
The revival of the “Fairness Doctrine” has been described by some as “nothing short of an attack on free speech”. According to CNSNews.com, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) called the measure “outdated” and “a 1940's law that would take away radio and television licenses if broadcasters express their opinions.” “Let's be honest, the Fairness Doctrine is an undisguised attack on freedom itself,” Boehner said. “It is nothing less than sweeping takeover by Washington bureaucrats of broadcast media, and it is designed to squelch conservative speech on the airwaves.”
Numerous broadcast media representatives have stepped forward to state loudly the reinstatement of the doctrine is as one media mogul said “an abomination of free speech and the Constitution”. So what is the real deal here? One of the freedom's we lay claim to as US citizen's is the Freedom of Speech. The ability to speak freely what my opinion is. I have a child in the service that is fighting for and defending my freedoms. I do not want some bureaucrat now telling me what opinion I can and can not state out loud. Here is a solution. If you don't like what is on TV – change the station. You don't like what is on the radio – change the station. Rather simple. But what is the real reason behind the Fairness Doctrine push at the moment.
I personally do not believe this has anything to do with the “Hush Rush” push. That may be a secondary bonus. So why the push? Think about it the controversy behind the Democrat presidential campaign this year has been overwhelming. Between the party not being unified on who to support, to comments made by both of the candidates that have had to be cleaned up. What better way to take the focus off your muddled presidential campaign than to start a witch hunt?
Remember the earlier quote, “Second, it looks like the Republicans are going to have someone in presidential race who has access to media in ways our folks don't want, so we want to make sure the GOP has no advantages going into 2008”.
Here is my opinion. Rep. Pelosi the “Fairness Doctrine” strips the Freedom of Speech my daughter is fighting to protect. If you don't like what Rush says, turn the station. Stop pushing a personal agenda and start pushing something to fix the state of the economy. Stop wasting time and spending my tax dollars on distracting the public from the elections and start spending my tax dollars on real solutions to the gas crisis. Stop worrying whether the GOP has an advantage in the election and start doing the job we pay you to do. That is to work for the country, protecting the freedoms we have under the constitution, and start being Democratic or Republican and be an American citizen. There are so many problems in the State of the Union currently from economics to security to homeless numbers, unemployment rates, interest rates, foreclosures, and I could go on for hours, that should be discussed in the one place that can do something real to start working on solutions.
For the record, I am not registered as a Democrat, Republican or any other party – I am a US Citizen that votes for whom I think will be the best for the job. I am not a Liberal or a Conservative – I am a US Citizen that votes for what I think will be the best for our country. I wish there were a box next to the parties labeled US Citizen to check. Maybe the politicians would start to hear us (US citizens). So there you have it – my opinion.
