Little-Acorn
New member
Not sure what to say about this one. That's unusual for me.
The 1st amendment guarantees freedom of speech and of the press, of course. And the main reason for that guarantee, was so that government could not punish you for saying certain things (except provably deliberate lies or slander)... and even that standard was to be relaxed for political speech, fortunately for Democrats and the BUSH LIED!! crowd.
And THAT was because the Framers knew well, the kind of abuse and chicanery govt routinely engaged in to suppress unfavorable viewpoints. The best solution they could see, was to flatly ban government from doing it.
Yet here we have a poll from a reputable group (Rasmussen Reports) that found fully half of the American public was just fine with the Federal government examining what viewpoints are being promoted over the airwaves, evaluating them for conservative/liberal or whatever, and ordering changes if they find anything they don't like.
Nearly one-third of the public wanted this for the internet also... and the article almost seemed to regard that as GOOD news.
I weep for my country at times like this. Rights will certainly vanish unless we are vigiliant in defending, or at least guarding, them. But here we have almost a majority who are willing to let them go.
A vague silver lining to this otherwise-black, thunderous cloud? This near-majority wants govt-controlled "fairness", not just on radio (the domain of Limbaugh, Hannity et. al.), but on television too. Apparently they want the leftist views of most mainstream newsreaders controlled ("balanced"), as well as the conservative views of the radio kings. That's one place the leftists who have been pushing the the Constitutional travesty of the "Fairness Doctrine", have NOT wanted to go: They intended government to reach in and control only talk radio where conservatives dominate, not television where liberals dominate.
Thanks for nothing, you 47%.
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http://rasmussenreports.com/public_...rnment_mandated_political_balance_on_radio_tv
47% Favor Government Mandated Political Balance on Radio, TV
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Nearly half of Americans (47%) believe the government should require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary, but they draw the line at imposing that same requirement on the Internet. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say leave radio and TV alone, too.
At the same time, 71% say it is already possible for just about any political view to be heard in today’s media, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) do not agree.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) say the government should not require websites and blog sites that offer political commentary to present opposing viewpoints. But 31% believe the Internet sites should be forced to balance their commentary.
The 1st amendment guarantees freedom of speech and of the press, of course. And the main reason for that guarantee, was so that government could not punish you for saying certain things (except provably deliberate lies or slander)... and even that standard was to be relaxed for political speech, fortunately for Democrats and the BUSH LIED!! crowd.
And THAT was because the Framers knew well, the kind of abuse and chicanery govt routinely engaged in to suppress unfavorable viewpoints. The best solution they could see, was to flatly ban government from doing it.
Yet here we have a poll from a reputable group (Rasmussen Reports) that found fully half of the American public was just fine with the Federal government examining what viewpoints are being promoted over the airwaves, evaluating them for conservative/liberal or whatever, and ordering changes if they find anything they don't like.
Nearly one-third of the public wanted this for the internet also... and the article almost seemed to regard that as GOOD news.
I weep for my country at times like this. Rights will certainly vanish unless we are vigiliant in defending, or at least guarding, them. But here we have almost a majority who are willing to let them go.
A vague silver lining to this otherwise-black, thunderous cloud? This near-majority wants govt-controlled "fairness", not just on radio (the domain of Limbaugh, Hannity et. al.), but on television too. Apparently they want the leftist views of most mainstream newsreaders controlled ("balanced"), as well as the conservative views of the radio kings. That's one place the leftists who have been pushing the the Constitutional travesty of the "Fairness Doctrine", have NOT wanted to go: They intended government to reach in and control only talk radio where conservatives dominate, not television where liberals dominate.
Thanks for nothing, you 47%.
---------------------------------------------------------
http://rasmussenreports.com/public_...rnment_mandated_political_balance_on_radio_tv
47% Favor Government Mandated Political Balance on Radio, TV
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Nearly half of Americans (47%) believe the government should require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary, but they draw the line at imposing that same requirement on the Internet. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say leave radio and TV alone, too.
At the same time, 71% say it is already possible for just about any political view to be heard in today’s media, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) do not agree.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) say the government should not require websites and blog sites that offer political commentary to present opposing viewpoints. But 31% believe the Internet sites should be forced to balance their commentary.
