The American Spectator : Targeting Free Speech

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Targeting Free Speech

By Mark Hyman on 7.13.10 @ 6:08AM

A war quietly pursued on many fronts.

Any doubts about the administration’s designs on reducing First Amendment opportunities may no longer exist due to officials’ remarks and government actions including a recent decision by President Barack Obama. The administration’s resolve to tamp down dissent was signaled in a June 28th presidential memorandum that would lead to the end of all free, over-the-air television.

Fortunately for Obama he has various federal agencies, the Democrat-controlled Congress, a judiciary hostile to the Constitution, and a compliant liberal media at his disposal to help him usher in speech controls.

Obama’s disdain of political dissent is well documented. He has differentiated himself from all other modern presidents by publicly calling out by name the handful of journalists that have criticized his presidency. Senior White House staff have served as his Praetorian Guard against media critics.

While presidential name-calling is indeed troublesome, it does not rise to the level of the concern created by the administration’s plans to control the nation’s telecommunications platforms.

Obama’s Harvard Law School classmate and current Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has been directing a multi-pronged effort aimed at increasing government control of news, information and entertainment.

First, is the FCC’s ill-conceived National Broadband Plan, which is designed to end local television broadcasters’ use of the electromagnetic spectrum (i.e. the radio spectrum) to deliver free, over-the-air television and eventually move the nation’s 1,600 TV stations to subscription-only platforms such as cable. Cable is a much easier to control than 1,600 geographically dispersed television transmitters.

The goal, claims Genachowski, is to make the spectrum available to other wireless platforms such as cellular telephones. The single largest beneficiary of the FCC scheme would likely be Verizon. Unfortunately for Genachowski, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg panned the NBP and found the FCC’s “looming spectrum shortage” claims to not be credible.

“I don’t think the FCC should tinker with this,” Seidenberg told the Council on Foreign Relations in April. “I don’t think we’ll have a spectrum shortage the way [the National Broadband Plan] suggests we will.”

To bolster support for its National Broadband Plan, the FCC announced a broadcast engineering panel to examine the technical aspects of its proposal. The June panel convened by the FCC was notable for who the Commission excluded — broadcast engineers. The FCC relented at the last moment after the Society of Broadcast Engineers waged a fierce PR campaign to be added. To exclude broadcast engineers from the panel would have been the functional equivalent of bureaucrats rewriting detailed medical procedures without consulting a single doctor.

In all fairness, convening the engineering panel — even with the technical experts — was a moot point. Days earlier, the FCC inadvertently disclosed a report prepared by staff bureaucrats that had reached conclusions before the engineering panel had met. The after-the-fact panel may have been an attempt to rubber stamp the FCC proposal. However, the FCC’s report was criticized as being flawed on several technical accounts including having omitted key data.

Another point of concern is the FCC’s “Future of the Media” inquiry. Not only does this effort fall well-outside the agency’s statutory charter but the FCC does not have any of the expertise to properly evaluate the information the agency intends to collect such as company business models, corporate debt levels, newsroom staffing policies, and even print industry operations.

According to an FCC Public Notice, the project “will produce a report providing a clear, precise assessment of the current media landscape, analyze policy options and, as appropriate, make policy recommendations to the FCC, other government entities, and other parties.”

Former Newsweek reporter Steve Waldman, who is the public face but not the hand behind the study, told a skeptical industry gathering in April that the FCC was merely preparing a report and had no plans to initiate a regulatory rulemaking.

The FCC is not the only government agency inappropriately “studying” journalism. The Federal Trade Commission, also singularly unqualified and without statutory authority, launched its own effort. The FTC’s “Reinvention of Journalism” discusses several proposals to “reinvent” journalism, including some that would drastically alter the media landscape and severely impede a free press.

For example, the FTC offers the possibility of copyrighting “facts or ideas” that would not only severely restrict the press and the public but could also lead to the government releasing “facts” only to politically allied news organizations. The FTC study contemplates various subsidy options, primarily for the newspaper industry. Other FTC proposals include expanding AmeriCorps into journalism and growing the size and scope of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting; in other words, vastly increasing government control of news.

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About the Author

Mark Hyman hosts “Behind the Headlines,” a commentary program for Sinclair Broadcast Group. You can follow him on Twitter at @markhyman.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (67) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Darin| 7.13.10 @ 7:09AM

Joseph Goebbels would be proud.

ENOUGH ROPE| 7.13.10 @ 3:18PM

OBAMA, MASTER OF DECEIT.
Obama is a mixture of Marxist, Fascist, Socialist, and Islamist (Man caused disasters is Orwellian Newspeak). More and more of the public perceives his deceit. Even if we had not identified him as a very habitual liar, Obama's radical thirst for power and his Marxist, Fascist, Socialist, and Islamist agenda for America impels him to squash free speech and every other freedom ensured by the Constitution.

REMEMBER NOVEMBER!

Purpleguy| 7.13.10 @ 10:04PM

Just copying the Cheney playbook. Don't like it, then don't do it when it's your turn.

Radegunda| 7.14.10 @ 12:10AM

In what universe does the mere mention of "Cheney" take the place of a real argument?

Funny that you don't specify anything Cheney actually did. Why didn't "Cheney's playbook," in eight years, take us anywhere near the policies in question?

Uh ... duh ... "Cheney Cheney Cheney Cheney." So there.

Radegunda| 7.14.10 @ 12:19AM

If you think the Obamacrats are just following the "Cheney playbook," I guess that makes you a committed enemy of the current regime.

Purpleguy| 7.15.10 @ 4:13PM

Guess the message is lost on you, huh?

scotchieguy| 7.14.10 @ 2:01AM

Cheney=Hitler. Therefore, all reasonable discussion is useless. You need to get in front of a mirror, purple guy, and start smashing your head into it. That is how far off your rocker you have become.

American Eagle| 7.15.10 @ 9:28AM

"cheney = hitler" (by fiat of scotchieguy), "therefor [no discussion is permitted]"

THAT attitude is the Hitler attitude, and which, as adopted by Obama, is being decried in this article. By the way, Deborah D, below, is right. The only thing that can stop these criminally insane bunch, starting with Obama, is "pitchforks". And no need to worry about these Obamamatons. They constitute a 21% of american population. When we are done with them, we can put them all in California and jettison the latter into the Pacific Ocean.

Purpleguy| 7.15.10 @ 4:28PM

It's just funny when the bully gets his own tactics turned on him. Everyone was fine with investigating Clinton ad infinitum, and also fine when we gave up our freedom and practiced torture and shame under Bush in the interest of safety, bankrupt the country with deficits with Reagan, Bush I and Baby Bush ... all that was fine - until the Democratic President has a deficit and practices some of the same techniques the righties did - NOW, you're all incensed when your ox is gored.

Sure, fix Social Security and Medicare - we need it. But fix the Pentagon and it's bloated budget too. Tone down the American Empire and close a lot of bases around the world. We aren't, and can't afford to be the world's police. End the longest wars in our history .. and take care of our own people, America first.

And, let's get the government out of our bedrooms and churches, provide equality under law in all things. Keep the separation of church and state ... As Thomas Paine said "I believe in one God and no more." and "My own mind is my own church". and "All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit" - The Rights of Man, Thomas Paine 1794.

Deborah D | 7.13.10 @ 7:50AM

It might be time for those pitchforks. Thanks so much, all of you brainless Obama voters. If we make it through the elections, then we have the "lameduck Congress" promising to screw the American people as they walk out the door.

Republicans and conservatives, pay attention, they're out to shut us up (only to start with). Truly, no scarier time in my lifetime as far as government corruption. Nixon was a piker compared to Obama and company.

martin j smith| 7.13.10 @ 8:14AM

As on many issues, I agree with the point. But more importantly" What is To Be Done" ? I hjate to use this phraseology but I will ( because it is appropriate ) there is a need for a Committee to Counter Left Propanganda" an kind of political couunter "Terrorism". I know there are many blogs e4tc that focus on the media and as in AmSpec stuff like this article, but making people aware IS NOT ENOUGH. Looking at the Tea Party for example, you can see the Left hates meaning to say fear the Tea Party. When the Left fears something ( I am not talking about fakery ) you know you are on right track.

Blackknights 1802| 7.13.10 @ 8:37AM

The fact that this issue is even being considered at the highest positions of our government should scare each and every American citizen. Election Day can not come soon enough.

Shamus| 7.13.10 @ 9:04AM

There is a history of executive antagonism to free speech in the US. Woodrow Wilson had a movie producer imprisoned because he didn't like the political views of the man who made it. Wilson also had a political opponent sent to prison because he dared to challenge him for office.

Deborah D | 7.13.10 @ 11:06AM

Yep, Woodrow Wilson was a Progressive -- same as Obama. They believe they are our rulers and we should just shut up and take it!

MOS was 71331| 7.13.10 @ 11:49AM

A hearty Amen, Debbie. Well said.

Len| 7.13.10 @ 1:56PM

John Adams did the same. Remember, the first sedition act was in 1798 and aimed at those opposing the federalists. Lincoln shut down newspapers and had their owners and editors thrown in prison. Were they progressives? Not really, but like the progressives of the left they loved power and authoritarianism and no mere parchment was going to stand in their way.

Petronius| 7.13.10 @ 9:14AM

We live in a true idiocracy. The final solution is nigh.

Mimi| 7.13.10 @ 9:18AM

The "WAKE-UP " callers should be aware... don't let your Nortons's run out!!! I couldn't post for over a week and got hit with a devilish spam, when I went to delete it and my finger slipped. Please be careful PATRIOTS, when posting.

RacerJim| 7.13.10 @ 9:22AM

What is to be done to Obama et al?
Citizen's Arrest
Military Coup
Civil War

Purpleguy| 7.13.10 @ 10:06PM

Re-election!

Deborah D | 7.14.10 @ 5:20AM

Yeah, Purple, that's not going to happen unless he has screwed up the voting rolls as all good Chicago gangsters do to win re-election.

Academic| 7.13.10 @ 9:22AM

Good grief!"The purpose of free speech" There is no purpose. It is a Right given by the Creator. Bills of Rights exist to keep government from taking our G-d Given Rights. Of course,"political speech"needs double protection

MOS was 71331| 7.13.10 @ 11:56AM

Exactly! I wish all of the Supremes, rather than merely the four I respect most plus an occasional justice in agreement, agreed with this. The only present justices I can count on are Alito, Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas. The last two are the pair I most respect, and they're both getting on in years. If they die or resign, I greatly fear their replacements.

JJC| 7.13.10 @ 9:34AM

Marl Llyod is a trotskyite and a marxist.

Such a person should not be allowed around public policy, or children, for that matter.

NavyBrat | 7.13.10 @ 9:38AM

None of this is surprising & all of it has been done before. As Darin noted above, this is worthy of Goebbels, who once said, "it is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formulation of public opinion."

"The bourgeoisie is many times stronger than we. To give it the weapon of freedom of the press is to ease the enemy’s cause, to help the class enemy. We do not desire to end in suicide, so we will not do this."...Lenin

"While the State exists, there can be no freedom. When there is freedom there will be no State."...Lenin

"A forbidden writing is thought to be a certain spark of truth, that flies up in the face of them who seek to tread it out."...Sir Francis Bacon

If only someone would finally give Julius Genachowski his figurative "et tu, Brute" moment. Hopefully, the Ides of March will be coming soon for ALL of these traitors to the Republic who've crossed the rubicon with their power grabs & usurpations. I just hope the Ides takes place in November instead of March.

Ken (Old Texican)| 7.13.10 @ 10:04AM

First and third Saturday mornings of each month, your County courthouse lawns, empty hands, if the internet goes down, folks.

As I have posted before, there are a number of canaries in our coal-mine. Please be alert. Have a plan. Begin executing it now.... today.

These evil folks in Washington are going to try to starve us into submission... hunger for food and water ...hunger for honest news...

Fatten up now with facts, and knowledge... like printing the article above for keeping.

Ken (Old Texican)| 7.13.10 @ 10:24AM

WOW!
I just went over to Thinker.
Talk about hair standing up on one's neck!

http://www.americanthinker.com.....oming.html

NavyBrat | 7.13.10 @ 11:30AM

I just read it, Ken. VERY troubling indeed!

Al Adab| 7.13.10 @ 12:20PM

Ken, Brat:

Try current issue of National Review re: hate speech. Same stuff, different day.

Ken: What the heck is Rick Perry thinking in regard the Arizona Law? It's in the TX legislature as I understand it. What's he doing?

Purpleguy| 7.13.10 @ 10:08PM

Naw, the real Statists are not in office or control anymore ... not to worry. The Daddy party are the dictators. Mama don't dictate.

Deborah D | 7.14.10 @ 5:22AM

You really believe this BS, don't you? When you wake up one day with Obama's boot on your neck, I hope you'll remember the fantasy you wrote above.

Yosemeti Sam| 7.13.10 @ 10:47AM

Um there are such informative communicative avenues used prior to the internet and to date - Ham radios!

When those 'global' reach devices are targeted - then IMO it becomes a dire omen.

Ned| 7.13.10 @ 10:48AM

November

Tony S.| 7.13.10 @ 11:00AM

For Shamus who wrote [Woodrow Wilson] "also had a political opponent sent to prison because he dared to challenge him" :

Thanks for the history lesson . I dislike him more and more as time goes on. Don't forget our First Despot, however, Abe Lincoln.

Paul| 7.13.10 @ 11:54AM

When is someone going to have the courage to stand up and call for impeachment of this president?

MOS was 71331| 7.13.10 @ 12:07PM

Impeachment is impossible. There's no way two-thirds of the Senate would vote to oust 0bama. And the next two successors, Biden and Pelosi, wouldn't be much of an improvement. The best we can hope for is GOP majorities, with few RINOs, in both the House and the Senate.

Al Adab| 7.13.10 @ 3:53PM

Guys,

President Biden?

Ted| 7.13.10 @ 11:58AM

"Threats against free speech become more ominous when key administration officials feel comfortable publicly calling for restrictions on the First Amendment. "

You forgot to identify Solicitor General Kagan in this list. She told the U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizens United case that the U.S. Government claimed the right, under the law in question in the case, to censor books and political pamphlets. This admission, that she made in open court before the Justices, is likely the reason the administration lost the case. Read the transcript at http://www.scotusblog.com/

And now she is a candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court. Fasten your seatbelts, ladies and gentlemen. We are in for one heck of a ride.

Louis Jenkins| 7.13.10 @ 12:02PM

We are in a dire situation here. TV, Radio, the written word, and the internet all in the gun sites of an administration that is bound and determined to regulate the "word." And the article from the American Thinker says that something may be in the offering come Oct. that will set us on our heads. ( Ken says we need to consider getting together twice a month on the courthouse lawn.) We will only be getting what the administration approves of and it will be more dire than a 24/7 news blackout. No, the bottom line is even more worse than we think or could imagine. There is no bounds to what this administration can dream up for us and he will use it folks. We have placed an unworthy man at the head of the US goverment. The FEMA camps sound almost like a relief.

Bydand76| 7.13.10 @ 12:06PM

Ken (Old Texican), Navy Brat,
I have said this a million times and I will say it again!

John F Kennedy once said:
"Those who make peaceful revolution IMPOSSIBLE, will make violent revolution INEVITABLE."

Pro Libertate!

(Bedias, Texas was AWESOME btw! I Love your state! Shot a lot of varmits with the new AR and drank alot of beer and single malt.
GOOD TIMES!!! Can't wait to go again!)

NavyBrat | 7.13.10 @ 1:05PM

Byland76. I agree that both Kennedy's words & those of Jefferson ("the tree of Liberty must be refreshed, from time to time...") stand a good chance of coming to pass these days. I will, however, pray that it doesn't come to that. We are Americans, & we have managed the peaceful transfer of power for all but save one time in our short history. Even the Roman Republic wasn't so fortunate.

I do agree with others I've seen posting here & elsewhere that its time for a conservative version of "Rules for Radicals." A plan of action for those who hope to retain OUR Republic. "Liberty & Tyranny" & "Liberal Fascism" are a good start, but they, to me, are merely "know thy enemy" type books. What we need is the conservative "Art of War." In my opinion, Machiavelli wrote "The Discourses" & "The Prince" with just such instruction in mind. As is the case with my ususal heroes, Cicero, Demosthenes, & Aristotle, I look to ALL of history to see where it is we are going.

Here's an interesting breakdown of Machiavelli on "Liberalism & Meanness" posted on Free Republic. Its MINDBLOWING:

http://www.freerepublic.com/fo.....1316/posts

And here's a list of Machiavelli quotes, ordered by catagory, from the same site. There are a lot of them, but this page is on my "favorites" list & I've printed it out in its entirety to add to my HUGE library of quotes. Enjoy & lemme know what y'all think.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/670893/posts

Bohred| 7.13.10 @ 1:16PM

If it comes to that I'm moving to Texas. Will you welcome a Yankee who can hit a forehead at 600 yards?
"I'm ashamed of you, dodging that way. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"

— John Sedgwick, last words

Ken (Old Texican)| 7.13.10 @ 1:55PM

OK, Louis, Bydand, Brat!

I shan't go to "FEMA summer camp". The bastards will have to kill me.
...easy enough, but if I go silent here...lock and load, and kill a few of the bastards for me will you?

Better, don't shoot foot soldiers. Go pro-active and consider their bosses.

An ex-special forces guy told me the other day: "Heck, I think I can pop five or six Senators, before they can kill me...good trade doncha' think?"
Heh,
You know, folks, since I am writing the unspeakable here...THE UNSPEAKABLE HERE, may I suggest that "term limits" are now in force.... in full.
...Term limits due to Lead Poisoning.

The communist, (pardon the shorthand), legislators and judges...now enjoy those term limits.

There are several hundred thousand vets across our country , quietly choosing their place and time to die for your liberty.
(( God, enfold every single one of them in your arms. Please let every single one of those honorable men and women sell their lives dearly.)

I can do no less than lay down my life guaranteeing that those patriots have a good PLAN!

Several hundred thousand Americans read my words every day or so. http://judgeroy.wordpress.com
20 million folks hear Rush Limbaugh every day or so. I hope youall enjoy Rush's eulogy of li'l ole' me.

See folks, Senators and Reps like to go to cocktail parties and even to open bars...for a drink...or seven.
It would not be very much fun for them if they had to hide behind the Secret Service... 24 hours per day...seven days a week.

...Somewhere along there the Secret Service, (God bless their hearts), would all resign...and many would obey their oath to the constitution.....OOPs.

...Any Secret Service guys reading this? Good! Question: do you guys take an oath to protect the constitution? You know...like soldiers and congress critters?
...Or.....are you guys simply "muscle"? Are you guys simply bodyguards...as if to mafia lords?

You know, folks, it would be delightful if most of the Secret Service personell just resigned. Many of them will not. Heck, they have a "career" too. They will sell out our country for a pension.

(Pssssst, you ain't gonna' get paid.)

So.....I guess I just wrote my death warrant, folks.

So be it.
God bless the shining city on the hill.

RCV| 7.13.10 @ 2:16PM

Ken, you have a strange idea what Constitutional government and a "shining city on a hill" are. Neither encompasses shooting elected officials because you lost an election. I have every confidence that the good men and women who serve in our military, our police, and the secret service -- as well as our veterans -- have a better idea of what their oath to constitutional government means.

And, in case you really believe the drivel you pound out -- nobody really cares about the nonsense you're spewing. You can rest easy.

NavyBrat | 7.13.10 @ 2:23PM

"And, in case you really believe the drivel you pound out -- nobody really cares about the nonsense you're spewing. You can rest easy."

You obviously cared enough to reply to it, genius. And guess what? While many of us don't think we're quite to the point Ken does, we sure as heck can see it around the corner. You can follow the Pied Piper OhBummer off the cliff. That's all you. The rest of us won't be lead down the primrose path as easily as lemmings like you.

RCV| 7.13.10 @ 4:32PM

There is no cliff on the horizon. You're fortunate to live in the freeest, most prosperous, and greatest nation on earth. Thank God for that, and stop running around yelling "the sky is falling."

As for Ken, I was speaking about the imaginary police and Federal authorities he thinks are coming to get him or threaten his life. The drama queens on this site are a collection.

Ken (Old Texican)| 7.13.10 @ 7:32PM

We real Texicans,
have a little different view of the world. The RCVs of the world will never get it, God bless 'em.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....8&NR=1

Just type in "governor rick perry" and listen to his many speeches.
See.....he is speaking to Texicans...real Texans.

One thing that always pisses Texans off is the columnists, here, even at TAS...refuse to capitalize the word "States". Well, many of you might reside in states (lower case l), but we Texans do not.

Having been the only fully sovereign REPUBLIC to join the Union... with the right to step out if desired, we remain the largest interstate "exporter" of goods Americans want. ...Sonofagun!

Well, we Texans screwed up. We joined the Confederacy....and lost that war.

We were crushed by the carpet-baggers as a result.

...but you know what?

We are not drama queens. We are not slave-owners. Never were. We are free men under God. We bow to no other. You RCV twerps LOOSE!

Len| 7.13.10 @ 2:53PM

While I have no particular affection for Ken, your reply is nonsense. Is there some magical process that upon swearing an oath grants an immediate understanding of the US constitution and that furthers guarantees the integrity of those so swearing to not violate it?

The US constitution was one of few and defined powers granted for certain ends, so to say we have a constitutional government when almost all that the federal government does is beyond their authority is further nonsense.

To further say that only one party (the government) may exercise force is absurd, as that power is a positive granting for specific means and ends, foremost the protection of person and property, thus the people may always take back what was given to exercise themselves when others will not, or are even corrupting the use of such a grant.

Jefferson understood this well when he spoke of the blood of tyrants and patriots refreshing the tree of liberty.

Anytime you want a long list of specific violations I'll offer them up, or you can just watch CNN for daily updates of constitutional violations.

Len| 7.13.10 @ 3:01PM

Oh heck I lied. I'll give a few right now.

Bailouts, no grant of power, see Article 1, Section 8.

Medicaid, no grant of power, see Article 1, Section 8.

Dept. of Education, no grant of power, see Article 1, Section 8.
Further this power was specifically rejected from being granted to the federal government, see Aug. 18th of the federal convention.

Grants and loans, such as education loans, no grant of power, see Article 1, Section 8.
Again, see Aug. 18th for the specific rejection of such.

Business regulations of any kind, no grant of power, see Article 1, Section 8.
Again see Aug. 18th, where the power to grant charters of incorporation was left to the states, thus any power over business can only be exercised by the states per the 10th.

I can go on, and I'm sure you'll try to lean on some post ratification SCOTUS decision to say that the US constitution doesn't say what it says, or says more than it does, but it will be so much drivel from you and easily refuted.

Toodles

Skinner| 7.13.10 @ 5:02PM

Match

Skinner| 7.13.10 @ 5:01PM

Game, Set

Louis Jenkins| 7.13.10 @ 5:14PM

Not yet Ken, not yet. They may have the high ground but they also have a tendency to shoot high. Yes, it would be nice to sleep in a FEMA camp all comfortable and cozy, but I'm with you on that. Let's see how things go for the other camp this election. Heck, we may even be blessedly surprised. As far as the rogues and trolls who post here, well, screw 'em.

George S| 7.13.10 @ 2:08PM

What the Obama crowd is trying to do is define by government statute what journalism is, with the possibility of licensing entities that disseminate information (a Department of Information cabinet?). The trouble is the Constitution purposefully does not define "press"; we can assume that any citizen is free to publish leaflets and today's leaflet is the internet. So I will now become a journalist by printing the following information the government may not appreciate...

... in 1798 Congress passed the Sedition Act which fined or imprisoned any individual who criticized the government not only in print but in speech as well. Thomas Jefferson responded by writing the Kentucky Resolutions to encourage states to nullify the unconstitutional Act, calling it a dangerous usurpation of power. Jefferson argued that since only the elected members themselves are capable of stopping their reach for power beyond the Constitution, the states -- who are sovereign and independent -- have the "unquestionable right" to judge the overreach of the federal government and therefore can apply the only effective remedy, nullification.

Now that you know there is precedent for nullifying unconstitutional power grabs by the government, you have a historical precedent to throw at your CongressPuke.

In addition, the FCC was chartered to make the airways usable, not to control content. Since the spectrum is limited by the laws of physics to frequency and power, the free market cannot determine what frequencies to use or how much power will do the job. If two competitors chose the same frequency, there would be static; if a broadcaster wanted to overpower his competitor, he would buy a bigger generator and broadcast on his competitor's channel. So the government had to carve out territories separated by frequencies bound by power limitations and license each territory only to prevent crosstalk and static, i.e., make the public airwaves usable. Nothing in it's charter stated anything about the content, that was all free market stuff. So then how does Obama extrapolate this into control of information, see the Sedition Act of 1798 and why it was written. Just dusting off more of the same failed Marxist nonsense. Don't let them get away with it.

Len| 7.13.10 @ 2:19PM

Nice posting George S.

In regard to the US constitution (if that means anything), not defining the press, that is because the press is not people, but literally the press, or the instrument used to publish, and so it is the people's right to be free in their use of a publishing instrument for whatever purpose (other than libel). It is merely time that has transformed our concept of "the press" to groups of people, as if they are somehow specially selected by nature or God to be the select transmitters of information or ideas.

Stan Redmond| 7.13.10 @ 3:29PM

Michelle Antoinette Obama is out touting one of the most effective tools in Obama's arsenal to end free speech. RACISTS!!! Everything is racist now. You don't like Obama's policies it's only because he "has a funny name," "doesn't look like the other presidents," has the "middle name [is] hussein," bitter gun clingers, and as Michelle says, you're racist.

Obama you are a liar and a thug

Duff| 7.13.10 @ 3:45PM

This just continues the assault on free access to robust media that began with the 1996 Telecommunications Act, continued during the Bush Admin with the "The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace", the fine happy FCC Chairman Powell and NSA data mining. Guess who will benefit the most from the Obama Admin's policies? The same people who have always benefited from the oligarchies actions: the oligarchs. The cable companies will now get the 15-20% of households (mine included) who have avoided paying for TV by using an antenna. That should be a profitable year for the cable industry.

Pretty soon, the media will be so watered down that the only message we'll receive will be that of the oligarchy.

Nancy in NC| 7.13.10 @ 5:29PM

The Fourth Estate has died.

MSM has not reported on the new Black Panthers and their kill a white baby rant. Also, nothing on Christian Adams spilling the beans on DOJ. We hear plenty about Lindsey Lohan, but nothing much on the Gulf lately, especially about senators and press being denied to visit the site.

The MSM has so much vested in this President; they cover up his lies or omit them daily.

Unfortunately, many people are working two jobs to survive in this economy (if they're lucky enough to actually have a job), and don't have the time to do the research, can't afford cable, and are depending on MSM to deliver the news. Those folks are up a creek.

Len| 7.13.10 @ 5:35PM

Also no coverage on Detroit for anything. Seriously how is a school superintendent masturbating in meetings with women and pulling out a handkerchief to wipe himself not news? Not to mention a school board member calling himself a reverend excusing such as actions as normal for a young man, a 55 year young man.

WeeWeed| 7.13.10 @ 9:41PM

I can see Nov. 2 from my house, dude. Bring it.

Kylie Estwick| 7.13.10 @ 10:27PM

WOW....if I found myself in agreement with any of the above posted paranoid right wing hysterics Id seriously consider starting a new drug regimen; preferable a powerful anti-psychotic.

gary| 7.13.10 @ 11:35PM

WOW If I found myself in agreement with the folks, like kylie, who have no answer to the facts about Obama's attempt to shut his opponents up by force of law ,other than smears, I would assume hmmm

Jimbeaux| 7.15.10 @ 1:38PM

Purpleguy is a kittie starting with a "p". He doesn't make arguments, he tosses agitprop bombs. Fortunately, he and his ilk will be VERY sad come November.

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