November 12, 2008

The Crazies Again (This Time It's The "Fairness Doctrine")

I've been waiting for someone to say this:
Am I the only one who’s confused by all this conservative organizing against the re-imposition of the “fairness doctrine” on talk radio? I understand why they oppose that move, but why are they putting so much energy into blocking something that nobody is trying to do. A Fairness Act bill was submitted in the House in 2005, but it only 16 cosponsors. No such bill was submitted in the last conference. Barack Obama opposes reintroducing the Fairness Act. And speaking as a paid-up member of the vast left-wing conspiracy, nobody on our side is getting any marching orders about this
There's more at Washington Monthly:
So why the wild-eyed panic? The American Spectator, a right-wing magazine, claims to who have spoken to "two members of the House Democrat [sic] Caucus" who warned the hard-right publication that Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer plan to "aggressively pursue" reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine over the next six months.
And that leads back to Mother Jones:
So the Spectator, not exactly known for its deep sources with the Democratic Party, reports that "two members" of the House Democratic caucus claim that Pelosi and Hoyer are going to aggressively pursue reimposition of the Fairness Doctrine. Unfortunately for the conspiracy theorists, this was reported in May of 2007, and unless I missed some big news, Pelosi and Hoyer failed to make their big push.

So why are conservatives in such a tizzy about this? It's a mystery. There do appear to be a few members of Congress who think it's a shame we got rid of the Fairness Doctrine, but as near as I can tell, "few" equals four or five in the Senate and maybe a dozen in the House. There are probably more Republicans who believe in a return to the gold standard than there are Democrats who seriously want to reimpose the Fairness Doctrine.

And remember, President Elect Obama opposes reintroducing the act. Who supports it? I want names.

I can see the silent unmarked black New World Order helicopters from my house!

UPDATE ONE: I missed Brian O'Neill's great piece about the collective Republican delusions regarding the Fairness Doctrine. Take a look:

The Fairness Doctrine is not going to be reinstated, nor should it. Never mind that a restraint on free speech would be a betrayal of core liberal principles. It won't happen because President-elect Barack Obama has no interest in it, few Democrats in Congress care about it, and they all can read a map.

If last week's presidential map showed anything, it was that a medium where America's conservative white guys talk mostly to each other is just the kind of insular world that can help a party lose by 7 million votes.

UPDATE TWO: I contacted Congressman Mike Doyle and asked if there was any plan to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine his answer:
David, I know of no plans to try to reinstate the fairness doctrine.

23 comments:

  1. John K: Who knows why conservatives do this sort of stuff? Perhaps because both Reid and Pelosi have said they will revisit the fairness doctrine. Because Chucky Schumer in an interview last week with Hemmer of FOX called conservative radio "pornographic' and then asked who wanted pornography blasted into their homes. Or perhaps Obama's appointments to the FCC promised to look into fairness on the airwaves. Yah, no conspiracy there.

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  2. John K: Actually left wingers did get marching orders on this issue.  Acorn was ordered to flood radio stations that aired negative comment on Obama to the GM.  And to complain as loudly as they could.  Media matters monitors conservative radio shows for any and all signs of any talk about liberals.  Now the word 'thug' has become pejoritive.  Especially in Chicago.  Keep trying liberals. This ain't 1968 and you don't run the airwaves anymore. LOL

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  3. Sources, please, John K. Actual links, not just something Rush Limbaugh or Jim Quinn said.

    And how does Obama appoint People to the FCC before anyone’s term on the FFC expires? Before they are confirmed by the Senate? You are either just stupidly parroting Quinn and or Limbaugh with out bothering to find out if it is true, or you are stupidly making shit up.

    By the way, any comment on Republican voter suppression committed by Nathan Sproul?

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  4. John K: Ed Heath, do you actually read what I post?

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  5. johnk,

    I suffer through reading your posts. And, you never have provided any more "documented" source that your alleged "Schumer interview." You didn't even say whether or not you heard it yourself.

    And, Ed does raise a very fair point: "Obama's appointments to the FCC???" He was only elected a week ago. He won't become president until Jan. 20, 2009. How has he made "appointments to the FCC?"

    Talking out your ass again, aren't you?

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  6. John K: Directly to Kimber. You have to sbe stupid. Right in the post I said he gave the interview to Hemmer as in Bill of Fox news last week. Kimber I have to suffer from the stupidity you bring to this blog. Sheeesh. And it aired the day after the election. It also played on Limbaugh, Beck, Quinn and Hannity that day and the following day. Kimber stop boring me with your stupid posts.

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  7. John K: To the rest of the posters in this blog who do have brains; We listened very carefully to what Hussein Obama said and wrote about during the two year campaign he ran. And if words mean anything, and why shouldn't they, we took him seriously. I know you left wingers are now trying to tell us that what he said is not what he is going to do. To which I ask, why did he say it? And we don't believe you. He will try to implement the fairness doctrine and he is in for a fight. Does any lefty remember this comment from Hussein Obama, "My poll numbers would be 4 - 5 points higher without FOX news." Conservatives did.

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  8. Directly to johnk....Did you hear that interview on Fox, yourself? Or did you hear it on one of the wingnut shows that you listed? Or did you just hear what the hosts of those radio shows said was in the interview?

    ps.....You didn't vote, did you? Why not? Not old enough?

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  9. John K: Not only did I hear it on Fox I also heard it on the radio shows of Limbaugh/Hannity/Beck and Quinn. We take the threat seriously. Next stupid question Kimber from your stupid brain.

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  10. John K: You left wingers are under some impression that what Hussein Obama said during the election ment nothing. Campaign rhetoric as Matthews would say. We conservatives think words have meaning and we take Hussein Obama at his word. If not then he is a liar and has lied to the American people. (He did lie to you Kimber, LOL ) So it will also be fun to watch Sen. Webb turn in his hand gun at the request of Hussein Obama. This way Webb can show what a loyal Democrat he is. LMAO

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  11. John K: For the record, Olbermann did not vote. LMAO LMAO

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  12. So, do you have a transcript from the Fox interview, John K.? Do you have links to where Reid and Pelosi are in print saying they will revisit the Fairness doctrine? Do you have the names of Obama's supposed appointments to the FCC (the first of whom would not be able to take office before June, and would have to be a Republican or independent: Do you actually read my comments?)? Do you have proof from a news –source that ACORN was ordered to do anything by anyone? Do you have proof in print that Media Matters monitors conservative radio for any talk about liberals?

    You commented first here, making slanderous accusations (that are also stupid) without any links to prove them. You still have not answered how Obama can have FCC appointments when (a) he is not President, and (b) no FCC appointments are up and (c) the Senate has not confirmed any appointments yet. Of course, you won't answer me directly, you never do.

    By the way, any comment on Republican voter suppression committed by Nathan Sproul?

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  13. John K: Oh Oh Left wing kooks, upset that Prop 8 failed in Calif due to the votes of afro americans have now resorted to using the N---word in referring to them. Roseanne Barr is one such left winger. I thought Hussein Obama was going to stop all this. It will be tough cosidering that racism now resides within the ranks of the Democrat left.

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  14. Anyone see a response to my questions in John K.'s last comment?

    Maria, if John K can call all liberals racists, what are we allowed to say about conservatives?

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  15. Pelosi DOES NOT support the Fairness Doctrine, you derganged loon.

    Really, John K., you're becoming unhinged! It's awesome!

    You're paranoid conservative rantings are classic, my friend.

    And if you knew what was going on in Liberal circles, you'd know that we blame the LDS church and their doctrine of hate for the passage of Prop 8, so take your divisive rhetoric and shove it.

    See, John K., we haven't forgotten how much you Holy Rollers want to enforce your dogma down other people's throats; it's just too much to let people live in peace - they have to live like you, don't they, you party-purging, thick-skulled Brownshirt?

    Keep doing what you're doing though, because it's exactly what Obama and the Democrats want you to do - we want you to freak out and attack Obama 24/7 because the public is behind Obama OVERWHELMINGLY.

    THE PUBLIC IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE, JOHN! Or did you miss the results of the election? Have you forgotten the supreme ass-kicking liberals just delivered to conservatives?

    And make no mistake about it, John - you conservative idiots made this election a referendum on liberalism vs. conservatism when you started portraying Obama as the "most liberal" Senator and calling him a socialist.

    Guess what? Conservativism lost. It has no credibility as political movment right now because of how they've governed the country.

    Do you really think that in the course of a week that people have suddenly forgotten how much you and your conservative buddies have fucked up the country? Do you really think conservatives are somehow not going to pay a political price for what they've done for a very long time yet to come?

    You're like the boxer who's been knocked down, bloodied, spitting teeth out on to the canvas, nice gash above the eye, and counted out...and yet...instead of rehabilitating himself, he's dumb enough to think he's ready for a fight the next day.

    Your rhetorical flailing, John K. is just an indication of how pathetic, desperate and out of touch Republicans are right now.

    So, please, continue to flail away, because you're doing nothing but doing Obama a huge favor.

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  16. John K: Instead of contacting Rep. Doyle on reinstating the fairness doctrine why not contact Sen. Chucky Schumer or Rep. Waxman. And the better question to ask Doyle is will he vote with his liberal pals to reinstate the fairness doctrine when Waxman introduces it in Jan?

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  17. John K: It is amazing how little left wing kooks actually know. And like Jaywillie, in their ignorance they claim they have the facts. The left wing prop 8 loons protested outside the Mormon Church in NY City last night or did you also miss that on the news. Ed (I have no idea of what is going on) Heath will ask for a reference. LMAO LMAO Jaywillie, you been made into a fool again. LOL Hello lefties, start reading something besides the dailykos.

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  18. John K: And finally, Barr did use the N word to describe afro americans who voted to squelch Prop 8. And many left wing blogs also referred to afro americans as N--- for their opposition. Racism is doing well in the ranks of the Democratic party. LOL

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  19. So, John K, you still haven't answered my questions, so I believe I am within my rights to say you must be a liar and most everything you say is bullshit.

    By the way, I don't particularly care what Roseanne Barr says (I am sure she doesn't care what I say), nor do I care where a Prop 8 opposition group protested in NY.

    Don't think that just because you parrot what is said on Limbaugh or Quinn that you have some clue what is going on. Rather exactly the opposite. Operation Chaos, some stupid little game only made real because of Limbaugh's utterly clueless followers, was obviously a complete failure (unless your goal was to put the Democrats in charge, in which case, jolly good job). McCain was soundly defeated. The only slight Republican victory is that they may not have lost enough seats in the Senate to ensure a filibuster proof majority for the Democrats (I keep seeing different things), so they can keep holding up all the legislation except their appropriation bills, laden with earmarks. Pat yourself on the back (and cackle) all you want, I will keep requesting you back up your accusations with links to actual sources, and every time you don't, you will prove to every reader of this blog what a fraud you, and by extension Limbaugh and Quinn, are.

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  20. John K: You ought to care Ed Heath. Because Jaywillie now thinks Mormons are a hate group. Just like a liberal, take the bible and call it hate speech but leave the Koran that Hussein Obama studied alone. LOL LOL Got you again Jaywillie. Give up, you can't win.

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  21. John K: You left wingers are now worshiping at the alter of Hussein Obama. LOL LOL LOL LOL And Pelosi does support the fairness doctrine. She publicly stated it.

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  22. John K,

    Seriously, learn how to read/listen and stop defaming Roseanne Barr.

    Show me where she used the N-word about Prop. 8.

    Here's the transcript from Rush's own website.

    Even Rush did not say that Roseanne said that word.

    He did, however, claim that, "And I have not seen the fact that millions of liberal bloggers are using the N-word, angry at black people in California for voting against Proposition 8, the gay marriage amendment to the constitution in California."

    Well, provide the proof. If "millions of liberal bloggers" have used the N-word it should be easy to find MANY, MANY examples.

    PROVE IT.

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