Rush and Beck on the Fairness Doctrine threat
In case you missed it yesterday, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck spotlighted Team Obama’s direct and indirect threats to free speech — and how the Fairness Doctrine (or some stealthier form of it) might be reinstituted.
Rush has the full transcript. An excerpt:
BECK: Now joining me on the phone is radio talk show host Mr. Rush Limbaugh. Rush?
RUSH: Glenn Beck. How are you, sir?
BECK: Very good, sir. I want to play something for you. I don’t know if you just saw it, but I want to play it again. This is the new diversity officer for the FCC, a newly created position. This is what he said at a speech or talk he was giving about Chavez’s Venezuela and how the media work down there. Watch this.
MARK LLOYD: In Venezuela, with Chavez, you really had an incredible revolution — democratic revolution — to begin to put in place things that were going to have impact on the people of Venezuela. The property owners and the folks who were then controlling the media in Venezuela rebelled — worked, frankly, with folks here in the US government — worked to oust him. He came back and had another revolution, and Chavez then started to take the media very seriously in his country.
BECK: Rush, I find that breathtaking.
RUSH: I find the whole administration breathtaking, Glenn. You’re doing great job this whole week. I mean I saw Sarah Palin even “tweeted” about what you’re doing, urging people to watch. This whole administration is as radical and far left as any that the country has ever had, and what they’re trying to do here to communications is simply stifle dissenting voices. They’re trying to wipe out any opposition. If you look at Barack Obama and his track record as a politician, it is to clear the playing field. He doesn’t even like debating his opponents. He just wants to get rid of them. And this “diversity czar” comes from a fringe, radical, Saul Alinsky-type of background; and the things that he’s talking about doing — and I watched your show for the first half hour today — but the things he’s talking about doing to shut down radio are simply un-American. It’s not enough to say that it’s not constitutional.
It’s simply un-American, and make no bones about it, folks, Glenn is right — and I think he’s maybe underselling a little bit about as far as their intentions are concerned. The stimulus plan! Glenn, look at what they’re doing to the US economy. Anybody with a sense of economic literacy would know this is not how you create jobs. You do not rebuild the private sector. This is being done on purpose. All of these disasters are exactly what Obama wants. The more crises, the better. The more opportunity for government to say, “Let us come in and fix the problem.” His number one opposition is on radio and Fox News. His number one opposition is on radio. They can’t go Fairness Doctrine because it’s too obvious. So they’re trying to do this backdoor route with “diversity” and ownership, a 100% tax on operating in order to pay public radio because they’re supposedly fair. It’s insidious. But I don’t think it’s gonna work in the end because the American people are too informed, Glenn. They’re too aware of it. Their radio means too much to them. Their free speech — freedom in general — means way too much to them. And just as they’re fighting back on health care and a number of other things, so will they fight back on this.
***
Barack Obama has a stunning lack of tolerance for free speech. And one thing Americans can expect from an Obama administration, and a Democratic-controlled Congress, is a legislative attempt to bring back the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which will limit free speech and diminish the conservative influence on talk radio.
A new ATI-News/Zogby International poll released on Oct. 26 made it clear that those who intend to vote for Obama support re-establishing the Fairness Doctrine.
The poll asked likely voters, “Some members of Congress have discussed reinstating the Fairness Doctrine for broadcasting. The Fairness Doctrine requires radio stations to provide equal air time for opposing viewpoints.”
“If reinstated, regulators determine if both sides of an issue are equally presented. There is concern among some broadcasters that this equal presentation could lead to dropping some popular conservative talk shows in an effort to avoid airing less popular liberal talk shows. Knowing this, do you support or oppose reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine?”
Those likely to vote for Obama support reinstating the Fairness Doctrine by a margin of 49 percent to 36 percent, and Democrats support it 47 to 38 percent. Independents marginally support the fairness doctrine 42 percent to 40 percent, though this is within the poll’s margin of error. (The remaining respondents all replied “not sure.”)
Those polled were then asked, “Some say the Fairness Doctrine could result in popular radio shows, such as Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, to be taken off the air in some markets. Knowing this, do you support or oppose reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine?”
When informed that the Fairness Doctrine might take Limbaugh and Hannity off the air, the percentage of Democrat likely voters who support the Fairness Doctrine rose to 53 percent. The percentage of Obama supporters supporting the Doctrine rose four points to 53 percent. However, the percentage of Independents opposed to the Fairness Doctrine rose to 49 percent.
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yep it can and may…we need to take lessons from the founding fathers who found ways to work around the British to get the word out..yea it’ll be much tuffer than their time but we Americans can be very inventive can’t we…
Read a few histories of coups and you will find out quite a few of them are indeed carried by the current administration. Either they are stopping a democratic removal and/or loss of power or removing political opponents in their own government, the military or bureaucracy.
There was a time that happened in Argentina odd Tuesdays and sometimes sooner. They were so good at it the tanks stopped at traffic lights!
With the Leftist/fascist so close to so many of their goals I just do not seeing them giving up power willingly. Add Obama’s messiah complex and America-we have a problem. They do not have to issue arms to ACORN worker-ACORN can borrow them from the Nation of Islam or the New Black Panthers Party.
Mormon wards can effectively run as local governments as well. The local members all are supposed to have 2 years supply of food for thier families and the stakes are supposed to have more plus commo with higher. If it all goes to hell, the mormons are actualy equiped and trained to take over for a short time.
I have a Mormon cousin who gave me a lot of tips on how to stock up for emergencies, etc. They definitely are prepared. We all need to take a lesson from them.
By the way, it is almost time for Beck and I see that Sen. Kennedy’s car bearing his casket is due to arrive at its destination any minute. If FOX pre-empts Beck today, I will throw something at the TV!! And, “blood will shoot out of my eyes”. They wouldn’t dare. Not for this!
We need to be exceptionally cautious regarding the Left’s predictable plans to control all media outlets. Still, I think opposition from the Right will be significant enough to halt the Left-wing Loons in their tracks.
Um, no. He used the word Army to describe Obama’s ACORN/Organizing for America groups and how they are collectively organizing to subvert the Constitution.
It’s what literate people would call a ‘metaphor.’
sonofdy said (#93):
I’m all for free speech. If people like Beck want to speak out, they can go to where crazy people speak freely — speakers’ corner in Hyde Park in London or 14-th street below Union Square in New York City or the Sather Gate in Berkeley. Heck, they can do public access cable. Major TV networks should (in a perfect world) put on news shows with more contact to reality.
ArizonaNeanderthal said (#102):
An old rusty pistol from a Black Panther greybeard (they were active in the sixties). LOL!
Socky said (#107):
(Returning an insult) You helped me understand how conservatives take things out of context. You are unable to listen to two sentences in a row. In one sentence Beck says Obama is building a private army. In the next sentence, he says Obama will use this to take over the country. He says exactly that Obama is planning a coup.
Might be a good time to get a ham radio license too – they’ve kept communications open when CB and cellular communications have failed (the movie Independence Day deviated from being science “fiction” when they had the hams spreading the word around the globe on how to take down the alien ships).
At 6:21 pm, lgm said, “… Major TV networks should (in a perfect world) put on news shows with more contact to reality.”
Your reality, sweetie, is not reality. Are we scaring you?
The ham radio license is a good idea, Wayfaring. We’re already stocked up on food, water, fire sticks, ammo, etc. Planning to get a short wave radio in the next few days.
His ratings aren’t just increasing, for a 5PM EST cable show they are through the roof.
I believe what Beck says is true, but if only 20% were true we would still have a huge problem.
Oh, you mean like Olberman and Matthews, et al? Crazy like that?
Normally I ignore trolls, but free speech denied for one is free speech denied for all.
And since when did lgm and its ilk become the arbiter of who is or is not “crazy”?
You are a moron. He said “exactly“? No, he didn’t. I watched, AND listened. You can’t even adequately explain your own points of view, and obviously, even less than those of another person with whom you disagree.
By the way, as a temporary, but useful tool , of the statists now running this country, you will be among the first to be disposed of, if, what Beck is alluding to, happens…you DO know that, don’t you?
LOL, you’ve apparently never worked in a psych ward. LGM is probably writing from the staff computer.
And who the heck does it think it is to say who should be on FOX TV? That is their call. And they know a good show when they see one. Ratings or not…this is something that needs to see the light of day. And lgm…you may not like that very much…but mark my words. One day you are going to regret your liberal rants. I pray it won’t be too late for you to change your attitude.
Snort – yeah, folks here have generally concluded that lgm has ‘multiple personalities’.
Letget posted this shortly after the first post.
…and all of them are anally retentive!
Um, I’m not sure. He may have multiple screen names (ILMC, RSS) but I think the diagnosis is clearly delusional psychosis. I may have to check the DSM-IV to be sure.
I once had a patient who called the WH from the payphone to threaten the president (in the 1970s). The Feds are really fun when that happens.
Nail, meet head…
happyscrapper, lgm’s problem is that it thinks (or something vaguely analogous to thinking
) that its side will remain in power in perpetuity, and therefore fails to consider that the “Fairness Doctrine” could easily be employed against it.
Except for one small and very salient point: those who believe in the Constitution would never think of denying the freedom of speech to the likes of lgm and its ilk as it (and they) would deny it to us.
I would not be lgm or its like for all the gold in the universe. What a sad existence it must endure.
Well, lgm shouldn’t feel too bad. Zeroangel calls ME Sibyl. Ha!! He thinks it is insulting but I think it is hilarious.
LOL
Off topic, but I noticed in a thread some months back about Sen. Hatch crawling in bed with Teddy (ugh – must scrub brain now…
)that you mentioned being descended from someone with the surname Alexander whose lineage traced back to Elder William Brewster. Am I recalling that correctly? If so, we are related by more than ideology. Brewster is just one of several Mayflower passengers (the First Comers) from whom I’m descended.
WfS-this is the part that I don’t get about the lgms, the MSM, etc, who blindly follow Leader Lemming off a cliff. Do they really believe that they will be in the inner circle of friends when we become USSR-2?
Even people who are wealthy and in the cream of society do not have the assurance that they will be in the group that rules. That would include the useful idiots in Hollyweird.
Right on said it well:
So much for, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”
On August 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm, Ignatius Reilly said:
There was plenty of evidence, well over a year ago…
Your point? No one is saying that lgm cannot say whatever it wants. I simply question its qualifications to determine who is crazy, or who is allowed access to the airwaves.
No stifling of freed speech in that – not on this side of the question anyway. lgm will have to speak for itself on that point.
It is un-American to cry about freedom of speech, and say nothing about Dr. Savage being banned in Briton because of speech.
If Beck, and Limbaugh will not say anything to support Dr. Savage, why should anyone care if Beck, and Limbaugh lose their freedom of speech?
Of course, this is bigger than three individuals, but I think most of you will understand my point.
Seriously?? That is fantastic! Yes, I am descended from Wm. Brewster. I think I probably could find more Mayflower ancestors, but haven’t had time to hunt for them yet. I wish we could take this off line and compare notes. Do you have any throw-away e-mail addresses by any chance? I wouldn’t mind giving mine, but I hesitate to do it. (And yes, Orin Hatch is an eighth cousin once removed…sigh).
Hi cousin!
I don’t have such an e-mail address at the moment, but can set one up and catch up with you on another thread sometime. For now I have to sign off and get some work finished before I head off to bed.
Sorry, mate. I meant it was lgm who was failing to live up to the ideal.
You are a like a golem, you only react to the talking points set before you. Your academician world insulates you from reality. Your NYU fellows reinforce your misconceptions. Your willful ignorance and bias destroys you. lgm, turn to the light side. It’s not too late for you. I can tell that you care, otherwise you wouldn’t post here so often. Despite my terrible barbs against you, I hope you can see that I pay attention to you because I care about you …what happens to you. I am concerned and pray for you.
Tell you what laddie-I have my grandfathers Model 1917 Colt New Service in .45 ACP-92 years old this year- and it is still deadly accurate at 30 yards free hand. Old does not diminish weapons. And the New Black Panther Party IS active today and with today’s weapons. But then I am fairly sure you know that and approve.
But I am amused with your “free speech is fine as long as I agree with it”. Joe Stalin still occupies a warm place in you heart does he?
I am fairly sure Obama’s Civilian Security Forces will indeed be made up of the likes of ACORN and the New Black Panthers Party. Think you will do well under such a regime? So did Gregor Strasser.
Yep.
Rags and I have been remarking on that for the past 2-3 months or so.
In fact, this latest personality seen over the past few days-week is yet another new one.
Hey!
I believe that I introduced “Sibyl” as an accurate, descriptive term for the silly chameleon lgm in those discussions with Rags referred to above.
Yet another thread where half or more of the posts are about LGM. He has the ability to kill the actal topic of any discussion here because so few are willig to just ignore him. Don’t feed the trolls.
To me it’s the height of silliness to put LGM’s moniker on the same page as thinkers like Rush and Glen and Michelle. While they discuss matters of importance and use solid examples and fact, people like the LGMs just use “OH YEAH?!?” reasoning.
We should remind LGM that she should feel honored to produce the CO2 we need so much to protect this planet in our presence.
I feel as though I am not in America anymore. Where is the America where “We the people” are in charge and not the politicians? This health care crap that is being rammed down our throats is not something I want. Where is my right to choose? What about this attempt to silence people who speak for the conservative cause. That is about as un-American as it gets. We do not live in a communist country or, do we? Are the liberal politician’s sleeper communists? It sure seems they are. God I am just sick of this crap. I hope that the true American way life of can be repaired after this administration leaves.
Then WE need to vote them out. WE need to stop being “reasonable” and agreeing to weak “winnable” candidates who stab us in the back at first opportunity. WE need to stop being so “busy” that we let the Left take over the “lesser important” posts at the school boards, city and county offices.WE need to work for and support those candidates who will stand for America and not “the reasonable” the coward, the hack.
Sound hard, time consuming, expensive? What do you think those patriots at Valley Forge went through, our young people in the sandbox?
“No more compromise,” Chickasha resident Ed Hicks said. “We’re losing our country.
Yes indeed valleygreaser I too am giving the little twerp too much attention. Thanks for the comeuppance. Don’t feed the trolls.
Sorry, but LGM is a special type of troll, because we know who he is. He’s not nameless and faceless. He’s a college math professor who really wants to be a representive for the Left. I say bang away at him, often and loud. Let’s pull back some curtains on the worshipers of The One.
Yet clear as day, the video MM posted has Glen Beck stating as a fact that Obama is organizing a private army to seize control of the government.
You enjoy hearing this, like you enjoy watching professional wrestling. But both of them are fake. You shouldn’t take either one seriously. Professional wrestling is not on sports shows. Beck should not be on the news.
In point of fact he is not on the news, but his show is commentary. Granted he is on a news channel, but that doesn’t change the fact the he makes no claim to being a reporter.
You’ll also note that his bio appears in the Opinion section of Fox News.
You may not like what he says, but as long as he makes no overt threats and causes no one to be incited to illegal action there is no justification for your remark. Other than your opinion, which is duly noted.
As for your interpretation of his comments, again we have opinions, and that is all your observation is, not point of fact. Beck is stating something he believes may happen, which is also an opinion. As for Obamachev building an “army,” that may be quite true. A large group of people running around doing someone’s bidding can be rightly described as an army, whether armed or not, and whether for good purposes or bad.
Are they trying to take over the country? So far Obamachev’s MO is to attempt to silence his critics, not engage them. The smell test says he at least fits the profile.
As for opinions… Opinions can be like posterior orifices — everybody has one and they all stink.
See, Mitt Romney looks better and better!
Aarrgghh!!
You beat me to it!!!!
Coincidentally, last night, Huell of PBS showed what used to be the houses/residences of wealthy folks in Havana. Raul took them and turned them into other uses. Some now house embassies. I wonder how Malibu/Brentwood/Beverly Hills/Bel Air would fare!
Correct that,(my previous comment) brother Fidel was the one who took them, albeit Raul may have a hand on the taking!
Do you have proof that Obummer isn’t? You’ve yet to factually refute any of what Beck has already dug up on Dear Leader.
You, like many professors I’ve become acquainted with over the years and had as family friends, look down on the rest of society. Even prescribe generalizations that fit your perception. The hard truth I took away from many personal/academic relationships I’ve had with professors is the following:
You only see reality through your own point of view. You are like the former Minister of Propaganda for Iraq saying that our US military had been defeated when the carefully constructed world that Saddam Hussein constructed was imploding around him.
You sadden me, and your willful blindess should be a limitation on your power over impressionable young students. If you want to limit who and what can be hired on a given network, schools should very carefully screen who is allowed such close contact with their students.
Here’s another thought, lgm: public schools screen for undersireables already with background checks and fingerprints. Perhaps, universities and colleges should do the same.
You’re so full of contempt and hate for the feelings and opinions of others it’s not funny. It’s just sad. You can’t see beyond it and I’m surprised you can do an effective job as any kind of educational professional. I had tons of hate heaped on me while I taught at a public school when Bush won in 2004. Just because I didn’t share these other teachers’ beliefs.
Think carefully, lgm. Really really think. I can have perfectly reasonable conversations with Chaps and find I can learn new things through that exchange but the kind of exchange and opinions you often share on this blog are counterproductive and unhelpful.
You may be in the field of academia, but you, and your fellow ivory tower academics, do not control the market place of ideas. This is the reason we have the first ammendment, an inconvenient truth for you.