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Home » Opinion » Editorials

Friday, July 11, 2008

EDITORIAL: Keep free speech free

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soxconn

The Fairness Doctrine is government control of the first amendment. Here again there needs be a littoral translation of the Constitution. Forcing people to listen to "both" sides of the broadcast is reminiscent of the 1950's communist propaganda state and more analoguous with "1984". Where does it state in the Constitution that freedom of speech is defined by what the Democrats in Congress want you to hear?
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diosprometheus

There is a Fascist and a Marxist in the heart of every little peabrain Democrat just waiting to come out when opportunity strikes. Democrats think they define each and every acceptable behavior and speech in American life which is why they can not tolerate anyone who stand up against them or opposes their the stupidity of their policies.
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rtk_51

The Democrats don't believe in democracy, they haven't since the 1960's this is why they are trying to shutdown talk radio and the private blogs on the net. Politicians that can't survive in a honest election or a society gets to put both sides of an issue into the debate always want to limit speech to their side.
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Mifiti

To think that in America we have to publish letters or call our congress people to try to protect the fundamental but paramount Right to Free Speech is disheartening, if not scary. And to think that the Majority party in our legislature is even considering re enacting the (Un)Fairness Doctrine is testimony to the fact that "We the People" have failed to vote into Congress people of integrity who will honor the United States Constitution and that is even scarier.
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kc1

Of course the Fairness Doctrine should be allowed to expire. I have no doubt the irony that we have this law at all is completly lost on the reactionary right sampling below. Such a law was placed in force to save us from communist influence. As if we were children and needed to be saved from ourselves and our freedom to make choices. Once you give gov't power it always tries to hang on to it. Once gov't passes a law some faction within the gov't will always profit from that law and try and retain it or expand it. Once again we have laws being passed to save us from some external threat. Now we can be spied on, be declared enemy combatants and locked up indefinitly and tortured while locked up and it's all legal. For now it's only being applied to the bad guys. But one bright sunny day it will be turned on the rest of us. We didn't need the Fairness Doctrine then, and we don't need it now. Real Americans face the danger of the unknown and keep their liberty at the same time. I don't need or want the gov't in my life even if it means greater danger. I want my freedom from the gov't.
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virion1

Well, in all "fairness," if the Fairness Doctrine is revived it should apply to television too. I don't think the left-leaning socialist - oops, I mean Democrats, would like that very much.
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RogueAmerican

I wish Nancy would have a complete and total melt down and moon some people while a camera was running. Then everyone would know for sure weather it is a red sickle or a swastika tattooed on her butt. Or both.
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Cobra

"talk radio is overwhelmingly one way." And your point is, what exactly? Talk radio is 100 percent choice driven. No one is forcing people to listen to talk radio and if the audience doesn't like the programming, they find another station. Just ask Air America about that. With this "fairness doctrine," you are trying to mandate content of a single media for public expression simply because YOU don't like the content. If you try to mandate content, then choice is no longer available. What's the matter, democrats? Do you have a problem with individual, personal choice? I choose to listen, or not listen, to any opinion or public statement I wish, and there's nothing you can do about it. Stop trying to control my listening habits, it's not yours to control.
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