Fairness Docterine Coming Back, Stronger Than Ever We Will Know Soon

Senate bars FCC from revisiting Fairness Doctrine

This amendment to this Un-Constitutional attempt by the Democrats to give DC a voting representative in the House of Representatives (with the ultimate plan being to give DC two US senators also) was probably meant as a posion pill for the bill. Since the Democrats have no intention of ever passing anything called the "Fairness Doctrine" this backfired on the Republicans.

The quote above is an indication of how the Dems plan to effectively reinstate the effect of the "Fairness Doctrine" without actually using the words "Fairness Doctrine".

Yes, its absolutely appalling, and... clearly unconstitutional.

How is restating an existing law a new threat to freedom of speech?

I know this is confusing to many, but by whom and how laws are interpreted and enforced has just as much, if not more, affect on their enforcement. There is nothing preventing the current Congress and Administration from adding to the existing laws by legislation or Presidential order.


"But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government." -- Andrew Jackson, Farewell Address, March 4, 1837

"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both." -- James Madison

It is 'expanding" an existing law.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


If Washington creates any new legislation or twists any current legislation that does anything to abridge freedom of speech, then it is guilty of violating the constitution and therefor should be condemned via all appropriate channels, the first of which being our freedom of speech.

It falls to the supreme court and they have already upheld the mccain finegold encumbent protection act which curtails free speech prior to an election. They said it was "just a little violation of the first amendment. and they let it stand"

I am afraid there is NO such thing as a little violation of any part of the Constitution which is acceptable!!

People are distracted now by an economy which is tanking faster each day. That may cause things to be put in place that would not happen under other circumstances.

Watch the little news bits for things that are happening. This administration is not adept at keeping secrets yet!

Slàinte,    

Patch    

I agree with this statement, though I think its premature to assume that restating existing law threatens free speech. The language used to describe what this law is meant to accomplish is so vague that it doesn't seem to me that you can interpret it to mean anything specific:

".....that federal regulators would work to promote diversity in media ownership and that the DeMint provision would not take away FCC authority to ensure that broadcasters meet their obligations to operate in the public interest."

This however is clear, from the Associated Press:

"But DeMint said it was still necessary to get in writing a guarantee that the government would not apply quotas or guidelines to programming."

"House Republicans have introduced similar language to prevent the FCC from implementing a new version of the Fairness Doctrine."

Guess we'll have to see what actually transpires.

I am waiting and watching but my confidence in this administration is fading fast.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

I would LIKE to think that this would break up Clearchannel and other monopolistic groups that have taken control of the airways, but I'm pretty sure that isn't what they have in mind!

The ONLY confidence I ever had in this admin was that it would ruin the U.S. as we know it. And they are living up to it every day!

I didn't vote for him and didn't want to see him win.

This is off topic but I just got an alert from GOA indicating that the DC gun ban repeal passed the senate 62-36. Pelosi has vowed to stop it in the house. Do you suppose the political parasites are getting worried? All the pressure possible on ones reps. would really help!!

Slàinte,    

Patch