Obama administration no longer issuing denials on Fairness Doctrine
posted at 12:00 pm on February 15, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Remember when the Left laughed at conservatives’ concerns over the Fairness Doctrine? Barack Obama already said he opposed the reimposition of the FCC rule, they said. After all, Obama’s campaign gave this definitive statement in June 2008:
“Senator Obama does not support re-imposing the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters,” said press secretary Michael Ortiz in an e-mail to B&C late Wednesday.
“He considers this debate to be a distraction from the conversation we should be having about opening up the airwaves and modern communications to as many diverse viewpoints as possible,” said Ortiz.
As our friend Jim Geraghty reminds us, all of Barack Obama’s statements come with an expiration date. Today, Chris Wallace interviewed David Axelrod and asked him directly about the Fairness Doctrine — and suddenly the White House adviser got a lot less definitive:
WALLACE: Will you rule out reimposing the Fairness Doctrine?
AXELROD: I’m going to leave that issue to Julius Genachowski, our new head of the FCC, to, and the president, to discuss. So I don’t have an answer for you now.
That’s hardly a denial, as Politico’s Michael Calderone notes:
Lester Kinsolving, the conservative radio host, has twice asked Robert Gibbs about it in the briefing room, and each time, the press secretary didn’t reveal the administration’s position.
Last week, I reached out to press office staffers in order to find out if the administration’s position is the same as in June, and have not yet received a response.
If Obama’s position on the Fairness Doctrine is the same as during the campaign — and I have no reason to believe it isn’t — stating such clearly would quickly silence a lot of conservative critics who assume the Democratic president is going to try and reinstate the defunct policy. Otherwise, the Fairness Doctrine chatter on the airwaves isn’t likely to die down.
It’s an easy question. Does this administration believe in free speech or government censorship? Their sudden inability to provide a clear answer, when they had no problem giving such assurances eight months ago, does not bode well for the answer.
I’d like to say I told you so to all of those who accused us of paranoia, but the window on that ability to do so on the airwaves looks like it’s about to expire — like all of Obama’s campaign promises.
The American media should be ashamed of themselves on this issue. They pose as the defenders of the First Amendment and free speech. Why are Chris Wallace and Michael Calderone the only MSM people pursuing this?
Blowback
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No, this is the sort of stuff I hear from lefty friends who want to urge me that tripe like The Nation and Mother Jones or the writings of Chomsky are what are in more accord with reality.
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:15 PM
If a plaintiff files a lawsuit against a defendant for defamation of character, slander, or libel supposedly in a court of law if the basis for the suit was absolutely true the plaintiff will not win his case.
As to fearmongering and paranoia, the voices in the wilderness that promulgate these viewpoints that invoke either one of these attitudes are often condemned by the MSM out of habit and self-interest but let us remind ourselves when the facts behind the fearmongering or paranoia are real and true the criticism and attacks against perceived crackpots have no merit and thus should be thrown out in the court of public opinion.
With respect to the Fairness Doctrine and the Democrats’ burning desire to bring it back to shut off the voices of right-wing talk radio, let us remind ourselves the ultimate truth trumps perceived lunacy and instead transforms irrational lunatics into prescient prophets.
technopeasant on February 15, 2009 at 1:17 PM
When I had a job I worked with a Chinise woman and all she kept say was that her and her husband worked hard to get out of the hellhole that was China and the f-ing liberal morons wanted to turn this place communist. Liberals are truly useful idiots and know not what they do. They have the mentality of small children and think communism will get them that new washer, SUV or toy they want. In a way I don’t blame them. I blame the adults that let the children get away with anything. The problem is that those children have just shut and locked the door on the adults.
jmarcure on February 15, 2009 at 1:17 PM
How do you know the fairness doctrine isn’t hidden somewhere in the 1000+ page stimulus bill
agmartin on February 15, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Call it what it is “The Hush Rush Doctrine of Liberal Censorship”
ExTex on February 15, 2009 at 1:18 PM
from Headlines: Obama returns Churchill bust to England
OT, but not so much.
Sadly, the British probably don’t want it either.
Disturb the Universe on February 15, 2009 at 1:18 PM
jmarcure on February 15, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Exactly, the storms clouds have already gathered and are moving our way. Watch for the call to withdraw most of our ground based forces from overseas to help reduce costs and domestic hardships in these difficult economic times. Butman Frank is already starting to squeal about slashing the DoD budget. The wheels are already in motion.
All Hail!
dmann on February 15, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Only conservatives are “extreme”, since those to the left of the spectrum are just varying shades of “truth”. Dontcha know.
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Why are so many of Obambi’s people so weasly and shifty eyed looking?
sheriff246 on February 15, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Would you say the same about the people behind the Daily Kos? I think it’s a matter of what YOU think is the center of the country. I think that Limbaugh et al tapped the end stages of a backlash against progressivism that really began with the Nixon, Law and Order era, reached it’s zenith under Reagan and since has been in a reactionary position as people realized that Reagan was a once in a lifetime kind of moment. Their “audiences” are large and significant, but I do not believe they are anywhere near the center of the country anymore. “Extremist” is a strong word and I don’t want to get into semantics games. But nothing about what Levin/Limbaugh/Savage put forth these days is a viable electoral strategy on a national basis.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 15, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Disturb the Universe on February 15, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Have to make room for Stalin’s
dmann on February 15, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Lower taxes, less govt intrusion into our lives, a stong military.
That’s your definition of extremist?
angryed on February 15, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Ask yourself why “progressives” have to use such euphemistic camouflage. They’re certainly not the “center”, either.
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:22 PM
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/obama_approval_index_history
Highest “srong disapprove” to date for THE ONE.
I think the lemmings are starting to slowly, ever so slowly wake up.
angryed on February 15, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Well, I assume that Republican staffers read the bill. Or divided it up among themselves.
And that any reinstitution of the act would have been found.
Who knows?
SteveMG on February 15, 2009 at 1:22 PM
And, in this country, it’s not only a “viable” platform. It wins. That’s why proponents have to be labeled “extremists” and “kooks” by the, um, “progressives”.
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Yes, I am afraid you are right. I have friends and relatives who would support a “fairness” doctrine without question, because to them “fair” simply equates to “something that I do not find troubling”. To them even an angry tone disqualifies an argument, thus right-wing talkshow hosts are “unfair” no matter what the content of their ideas, because the meme of their anger has been planted by the MSM.
On the other hand the anger of left-wingers is acceptable because in that case it is in support of “agreeable” ideas, and also because it is hidden away from the average non-politcally active liberal, rather than continually being trotted out by the MSM for scorn.
These people are simply not intellectually curious enough to recognize their own cognitive dissonance, as they lecture others about being “narrow-minded”.
I was recently asked if I ever wondered if maybe I am wrong in my coservative opinions, to which I responded “Of course, everyone who fancies that their beliefs are logical must consider that from time to time.” In return I asked my interlocutor “Do you ever wonder if maybe you are wrong?” The answer was instructive… “Of course not.”
When I asked why, I was told, without a trace of irony “Because most people agree with me.”
Thus the simple popularity of an idea is its own proof of validity, and of course an illusion of popularity ginned up in the media works just fine for these purposes too.
I am almost wishing for Obama and the Dems to come out for this benighted idea, because it would draw a line that many of even the most “moderate” would not cross, and expose the hypocrisy of “inclusiveness” for the sham that it is. Unfortunately, they are more than likely to advance the Fairness doctrine under a false flag that will combine elements of various popular injustices that liberals will find irresistable.
It should not go unmentioned that for those of us who are insightful enough to recognize it for what it is, it will draw another line that many of us will reluctantly cross, and that is civil disobediance.
drunyan8315 on February 15, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Oh yeah. You and Obama are just geniuses and he orchestrated the whole last two weeks of the Talk Radio content.
If liberals like you think the FD is actually fair, if you think it’s going to actually make this country better by silencing voices, then you really the monsters, (Yes, monsters) that we think you are. You will deserve whatever response that manifests itself.
This is Bunker Hill stuff buddy. You think I and people like me are going to have sacrificed big chunks of our lives defending even the lefts right to free speech only to have it taken away from us?
You arrogant ass-wipes are going to wake up one day and say OMG, we’ve pushed this to far.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:24 PM
I work with a basketball team and talk to refs all the time. One of the more thoughtful ones remarked one day in response to the common complaint by fans whose team is losing, the phrase “Call it both ways” is not in the rule book. All that is required of refs is to enforce the rules, not to make it fair or give the weaker team a break. It’s the same way in the war of ideas. If people aren’t interested in what you say, they won’t listen. When the government quit forcing diversity, “a thousand poppies bloomed” – to steal Mao’s phrase. When the government forces the radio stations to quit giving people what they want to hear, radio will die out again.
billhedrick on February 15, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Pelosi-Reid are weak willed corporatist hacks, if they were socialist extremist the bill wouldn’t have so many corporate subsidies, there’d be no tax cuts, the fairness doctrine would already be enacted into law, iraq war funding would end immediately, all fossil fuel subsidies would end, freedom of choice act would have come up for a vote and on and on and on.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 15, 2009 at 1:25 PM
really “are”
“too” far…
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Hack: You putz! I live in the center of the country and so does my very, very large family. You don’t know what “center of the country” is! We are not bumpkins and we are what makes this country great.
Limbaugh speaks to my beliefs, you don’t even come close!
Vince on February 15, 2009 at 1:26 PM
I have said this before….fairness doctrine will have the unitendend consequence of moving talk radio online overnight. And I would love to see OMAMBI try to regulate that. If you think it can be regulated, look at the success of regulating online gambling.
All Limbaugh, Savage, Hannity, et al would have to do is get a couple of servers broadcasting from The Bahamas and there wouldn’t be a damn thing OBAMBI and his thugs could do about it.
angryed on February 15, 2009 at 1:26 PM
HA HA HA. Oh man, Hackster is dumber than I thought. He thinks giving tax cuts to be people who pay no taxes is a real tax cut.
Dude, I swear you have to be making this up. Nobody can be as gullible as you portray yourself. Is this really AP in disguise?
angryed on February 15, 2009 at 1:28 PM
something is going to tip the boat and start a backlash of historic proportions.
This could be it.
notagool on February 15, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Why are you always intimating some kind of violent response from the right. I thought you guys were against terrorism, not in favor of it. Or are you suddenly conceiving were acts of violence could be part of a legit political greivance? Odd.
To answer your question directly, I don’t think the FD as currently conceived will make the country substantively better. I also don’t think that speech will be limited. Whenever people get this histrionic it’s not over their speech being limited, it’s inevitably over their profits being limited, which I guess is what’s really at stake here. Is profit free speech?
DeathToMediaHacks on February 15, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Lordy, everyone is a corporate hack.
We just had the most massive government intervention in our economy since the New Deal and the “corporate media” rolled over and essentially played dead.
Where’s those damned corporate-controlled reporters when we need them?
SteveMG on February 15, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Ohhhhh, I know lots of people like DTMH. People like Pelosi and Reid and Obama simply aren’t left-wing enough. DTMH, you are the extremist.
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:30 PM
If they push it too far, maybe they won’t wake up at all.
LimeyGeek on February 15, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Pelosi – corporate hack
Obama – corporate hack
Limbaugh – corporate hack
Fred Flinstone – corporate hack
rinse
repeat
angryed on February 15, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I’m going to guess that when he was 15, his father failed to pay the bills and they repossessed his playstation?
Ever since, he’s been after the “corporate hacks” wherever he can find them.
Revenge, baby, revenge…
SteveMG on February 15, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Yeah, and if we’re so “corporatist”, why haven’t the Republicans done better the past couple of election cycles?
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Which is why GOP lawmakers appeared on cable news 2:1 over Dems? When will your side ever learn. The corporatist media doesn’t care about your political philosophy, they care about RATINGS. The sensational coverage around pork wasn’t the most salient parts of the GOPs critiques against the bill, but those critiques dominated the airwaves because they were “controversial” and made good headlines. They didn’t care either way if the bill passed or not. Indeed, angry upset GOPers drives ratings if only because it gets your side whipped into a frenzy. Please learn their games. They aren’t on your side OR my side. They are on their own side. Death to Corporate Media Hacks.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 15, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Patience, DTMH, patience. “Extreme” isn’t in the means only. Cut your party some slack.
Weight of Glory on February 15, 2009 at 1:33 PM
What we need is Workers’ Daily Radio. I know the audience will probably only be 700 or so, but since profit won’t be a motive, who cares?
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Frailty, thy name is AprilOrit. Apparently, the poor dear is so weak of body, mind, and spirit that she has been unable to summon the strength to change the flipping channel.
Not to worry – we’re perfectly capable of multi-tasking, and are particularly vigilant when the First Amendment is being threatened under the guise of “fairness”.
Buy Danish on February 15, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Why didn’t the “corporatist media” back McCain-Palin?
ddrintn on February 15, 2009 at 1:35 PM
deathtomediahacks has got to be a plant. No one is really that dense.
Freedom of choice would come up for a vote?? What does that even mean?
If you want socialism, go to Venezuela. There elPresidente will be putting more money up his nose in the form of cocaine than the average peasant lives on in a year.
Terrye on February 15, 2009 at 1:36 PM
You propagandist! You know very well the point in giving money to the corporations was to control them. 500,000K caps to everyone in the final analysis regardless of whether they took money or not. Remember that?
Reid, Pelosi and Obama are Socialists and you know it or you’re so party loyal you’re blind. You bastards. If when the Republicans were in power they even hinted at censoring the media even though the media told lies daily and painted the war in the worst possible light, I would have walked away from the party. I defend those rights for all Americans, even the left.
Damn that interview pissed me off. This is serious stuff buddy. Your guns are next. Don’t think it possible? Who would have thought that this party actually had the balls to seriously consider the Fairness Doctrine.
It needs a different name. In my book it is forever to be called the Conservative Censorship Doctrine.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:36 PM
The revolution
will behas been televised… but no radio to tell the masses that they have been enslaved…Soon the Obama Youth will assuring us that dissent is no longer patriotic…
Do not look behind the curtain…
phreshone on February 15, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Sure, Obama believes in free speech. Just like he believes in bipartisan legislation. Just ask Nancy Pelosi.
That a clean enough answer?
GarandFan on February 15, 2009 at 1:39 PM
These ass-wipes will never wake up because they think they are superior to all whom do not subscribe to secular humanist, moral relativist tenets. They have no idea what the Fear of God is and have never found themselves in an environment where the belief in a Supreme Being puts things into a proper perspective that allows one to overcome and prevail.
dmann on February 15, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Pelosi, Reid and Obama are socialist extremist although that’s not what I said.
They are not stupid enough to try and push FOCA, the “fairness” doctrine, end WOT funding, give no tax breaks, etc. etc….. at this time but they will someday. Egotistical, narcissistic, power hungry politicians always overstep sooner or later.
Vince on February 15, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Can’t wait to hear the Counter-NPR Conservative station.
profitsbeard on February 15, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Are you serious?
You guys go to the street and violently protest for peace and against organized world economics and don’t understand someone like wanting to fight for their God given freedoms?
I will fight to the death for the right to speak my mind and own a weapon. Try to take either.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Believe it or not, I had a moonbat defending the Fairness Doctrine yesterday because, otherwise without it, the Right is imposing more of its fascism over the airwaves.
onlineanalyst on February 15, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Let’s see:
(1) The corporate media is all about ratings (fair point).
(2) The public overwhelmingly supported the bill.
(3) The corporate media gave excessive coverage (two-to-one allegedly) to those against the bill?
1+2 does not equal 3.
SteveMG on February 15, 2009 at 1:49 PM
I think we’re moving in to thought crime territory here. Until The One decides to pursue this sort of regulation, there’s nothing to see.
Trent1289 on February 15, 2009 at 1:49 PM
The reinstatement of the anything but “Fairness Doctrine” or any attempt to restrict my 2nd Amendment rights will put our household into DEFCON 1. One good thing about my 25 years in the Air Force as a SAC aircrew member I learned how to survive and throw a few spit balls into the gears of the enemies war machine while acting as an evader behind enemy lines. I never thought the training would come in handy for use in my own country.
Retired USAF on February 15, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Obama’s cutting defense spending (a very ready source of worthwhile “shovel-ready” projects we’ve heard so much about), and he dismantling our intelligence capability (how about that crack CIA director?).
Obama and his acoytes ain’t interested in defending anything but their current positions.
BuckeyeSam on February 15, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Oh my! Was that a thread killah for you Hack? Surprised? Sorry! I guess you needed to hear it from somebody.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Wonder how many of the imbeciles in Nevada who voted for OBAMBI are starting to have buyer’s remorse:
http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9831778
Channel 13 better start watching out. With the Fainess Doctrine, stories like these will be VERBOTTEN.
“Some locals who depend on conventions to survive say they can’t afford the war of words going on between President Obama and Mayor Oscar Goodman.
Last week, both Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs canceled corporate junkets scheduled to take place here in Las Vegas.
They were trying to get away from the perception that they are taking the money given to them in these bailout packages and using it to treat their CEO’s to lavish vacations.”
angryed on February 15, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Bears repeating.
It’s really quite simple. Free speech, the right to bear arms, freedom of religion – things like that are what matter.
Those are the things worth dying for, to preserve them for our children.
Alana on February 15, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Obama and the Dems intend to impose their Leftist agenda via federal agencies, not through legislation. These agencies are non-elected entities, thus not answerable to the voters.
onlineanalyst on February 15, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Amen brother, I’m with you.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Axelrod on Sunday news show duty:
Don’t you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you’d want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don’t bother, they’re here.
Isn’t it rich?
Isn’t it queer,
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year.
Sondheim
Speakup on February 15, 2009 at 1:54 PM
At least we will still be able to communicate via HAM radio….at least until the Government triangulates our positions.
After that, smoke signals.
Bishop on February 15, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Actually violent demonstration is something your side organized long ago:
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6967
Check it out.
No, that’s private property. It was once understood to be a self evident truth but now is seen simply as a means to legally steal and redistribute.
True_King on February 15, 2009 at 1:55 PM
The Visigoths have sacked the capitol and have extracted their tribute… and the media shall tell the masses there was much rejoicing…
Let the dark ages begin…
phreshone on February 15, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Oh c’mon, they haven’t defended free speech in eons, so let’s stop being surprised by it. They are all competing for an invite to the first Presidential circle jerk.
CarolynM on February 15, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Do you guys realy want a WAR then try to bring back the fairness doctrine.Like Rush said last week this door swings both ways.You try to do this and you will see a march on D.C. the likes of nothing you libs have ever seen.Go ahead make my day.
thmcbb on February 15, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Liar, liar!
Johan Klaus on February 15, 2009 at 1:56 PM
The EPA will file a injunction on your a$$ so fast it will make George Orwell’s head spin…
phreshone on February 15, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Bishop, there are so many Conservatives in the military, the majority will either refuse to carry out orders to spy on fellow Americans or outright walk away from the military.
My God, the left was scared of us listening to a few phone calls of potential terrorists but are completely down with silencing a full half of this country.
This is madness!
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
The EPA will file a injunction on your a$$ so fast it will make George Orwell’s head spin…
phreshone on February 15, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Frack…you’re right.
Ok then, signal mirrors, though cloudy days and nightfall will make for some difficulties.
Bishop on February 15, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Your guy lost so the 1st amendment can go to hell? That’s contemptible. You’re no better than Obama.
FloatingRock on February 15, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Just an observation re Axelrod: When I look at him, he suggests to me what an owner of a porn shop or a director of stag films must look like.
onlineanalyst on February 15, 2009 at 2:00 PM
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I have confidence that there will not only be unending lawsuits, but that the silent majority would be willing to gather before the doors of the threatened radio outlets and take one for the team.
How bad would the dems look if literally thousands of people were being arrested and dragged away as they peacefully gathered to show support for free speech?
Bishop on February 15, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Who said : ” “You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept Communism outright; but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of Socialism until you will finally wake up and find that you already have Communism. We won’t have to fight you; we’ll so weaken your economy, until you fall like overripe fruit into our hands”
runner on February 15, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Generalization. We all, to include the Limbaughs, Hannities, Bruces et al, defended McCain and got behind his campaign. They certainly gave him more support than you can ever except from a left dominated media.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 2:02 PM
The average citizen has an amazing number of options to choose from to get information and opinion about current events. When I was growing up we had three national networks and the local newspaper and nothing else to get news and opinion from. To claim that the problem is a lack of options is a statement of the most profound ignorance on your part. Your very post and this very discussion puts a lie to attempt at spinning this proposal into something positive.
Besides, the FD is not about providing options, its about the government evaluating the content of speech and forcing changes onto the market based on that evaluation. If the government were composed only of angels, that might be tolerable (well, not really), but you and I both know that the government will make such evaluation on the basis of the self interest of the party in power and not the interest of the people.
The government has no business evaluating speech as being “improperly diverse” or “lacking in options” and anyone who tries to argue otherwise, even obliquely as you are doing here, is a fascist.
PackerBronco on February 15, 2009 at 2:03 PM
there is a time in a third world country where the people’s best hope would be for the military to stage a coupe… Maybe it was the right time for Cruise to bring out Valkyrie…
phreshone on February 15, 2009 at 2:04 PM
They would love it because we’re evil.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Your guy lost so the 1st amendment can go to hell? That’s contemptible. You’re no better than Obama.
FloatingRock on February 15, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Yep, pretty damn sad, especially when you consider that such an affront to our Constitutional rights would affect all of us, not just the “radio folks.”
I’d be defending Air America itself if the government decided to try and shut them down or control their programming; this is bigger than who won the last election.
Bishop on February 15, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Don’t listen to it then. Just don’t tell me I can’t listen to it, Comrade Troll.
eyedoc on February 15, 2009 at 2:07 PM
They would love it because we’re evil.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 2:04 PM
They think we’re evil anyway, might as well take a stand.
Bishop on February 15, 2009 at 2:07 PM
a junta ? No thanks !
runner on February 15, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I’m guessing that DeathToMediaHacks is a Rousseau fan.
Who said, “We must force me to be free by freeing the mind of error.”
And we must free those minds with a government controlled press.
No thanks. As much as the modern American press angers me, I’ll still take them over the alternative (to paraphrase Jefferson).
SteveMG on February 15, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Let’s not be so surprised about this or any other “change” from The One. He threw red meat to the lefties to beat Hillary by a nose, then sprinted to the center to clinch the general election.
Now, aside from a few Bush-era policy holdovers–which he’s kept very quiet–he’s reverting to his true colors.
redfoxbluestate on February 15, 2009 at 2:09 PM
I’m sorry but the garbage that comes out of Michael Savage’s mouth is like on big one air personal atack against everyone, including Rush Limbaugh, Hannity and Bill O’Reilly.
Similar to Ogabe attacking Rush and Hannity. Let’s censor him too, because I’m offended. See how that works?
Bishop on February 15, 2009 at 2:09 PM
America is a country that is obviously in a transition from a free republic to a socialist state. You can deny it all you want but that’s the truth. The idea that some Americans will not respond to this with violence is utterly stupid. If the new socialist government continues on its communist path, violence is inevitable. Only someone who doesn’t know what the American spirit is would think that everyone one of us in this country are sheep. JFK was supposedly killed by a man over his treatment of Cuba. If you can believe that, how can you not realize that this president is pissing off a lot more people than a nutjob worried about Cuba? Obama has said himself that he is going to “RE-MAKE” America. Ok, into what? A man who has been a Marxist all his life becomes president and IMMEDIATELY starts taking the country down the path to communism and you reeeallllyy don’t see that this could be a violent situation in the making? Please understand, I am not making any threats, I’m just saying, I have eyes. You may not percieve the situation that way, but I’ll guarantee you that a whole lot of people do.
One of two paths are going to be taken here, either Obambi is going to realize that this country just will not accept the change to socialism and mellow out and veer off the socialism path or he is going to try to ram it down our throats one little piece at a time in which case a violent reaction from somebody is a certainty. America will not go down without a fight.
DTMH, you are a useful idiot.
Bikerken on February 15, 2009 at 2:14 PM
By a man’s finger-nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boots, by his trouser-knees, by his expression, by his shirt-cuff – By each of these things a man’s calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to enlighten the competent inquirer in any case is almost inconceivable.
semloh on February 15, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Dems target right-wing talk radio</strong>
Add Bill Clinton to this call from liberals to use the government to attack free speech.
This is a prime example of why mediahacks coming here acting like some grand wizard of knowledge gets more and more hilarious.
Trying to paint the concern over democrats shutting down any voice of the opposition as a “paranoid rant to whip up the base” by Republicans when democratic representatives are actually calling for it to be done shows just how ignorant libearls are.
They have to totally ignore the facts on the ground to come up with their “expert” conclustions.
media hacks seems to think Obama going after Rush is some kind of incredible show of genius by sighting polls taken right after an election won by democrats shows more support for democrats.
Wow!! we are all so impressed by this incredible insight.
What Obama and his sheep like media hacks here want to do is insist that America forget the 8 years of democrats yelling “dissent is patriotic”,”truth to power”,and constantly reminding everybody how the constitution supports checks and balances and the efforts of the minority party.
Now when democrats totally shut out the Republicans from writing the bill and shut them out of conference but give them face time for the cameras,it is supposed to be bi-partisanship.
What a joke.
The Republicans made a smart move in opposing this bill and coming up with a smarter alternative.Many leading economist and many American citizens see this pork bill of “pay to play” for what it is,a rip off of the American public.
They are also starting to see media hacks Messiah for what he really is also.Nothing but another lying politician out for his own gain.
Obama’s support for rendition,harsh interrogations,NSA wiretapping,keeping troops in Iraq,state secrets privilege,enemy combatants being held indefinitely have him in the same “war criminal” position that the liberals constantly called Bush for enacting these same policies.
Obama is breaking promises left and right at such an incredible rate it is hard to keep track of them day to day:
lobbyist in the administration,limiting federal contracts that shut out small business,campaign finance reform,transparency of legislation,
“what I’ve done throughout this campaign is to propose a net spending cut…. What I want to emphasize … is that I have been a strong proponent of pay-as-you-go. Every dollar that I’ve proposed, I’ve proposed an additional cut so that it matches.”
Obama
Third Presidential Debate
Just to name a few.
Yea,this is the sign of a real genius.
Democrats are in up to their necks in corruption with Blago,Dodd,Jefferson(out but still will go to trial as a corrupt democrat),Richardson,Rangel,Murtha,Daschel,Geithner,
combined with other democratic mayors that are going to take their toll on the democratic party and Obama’s polls as the messiah worship starts to die down and more journalist have to get off their knees.
Internationally Obama looks and acts naive.He spent the primaries and election railing about sending more troops to Afghanistan because it was the “important war” but now has no idea what he wants to do there.A successful Iraq was handed to him so if it starts to go down the tubes, it is on him.Iran is playing him like a fiddle and will soon have the bomb on his watch.Combined with them being the leading nation to support terrorism and groups like Hezbollah/Hamas,this is going to take a lot more than paparazzi speeches and spin from the networks to cover for him if they act on their desire to blow Israel off the map.
N. Korea,Russia,and Pakistan (thanks for blowing our cover
(D) Feinstein) are reeving up their rhetoric and looking to test Obama.
democrats have the White House,Senate,and the House.
They have the majority of the MSM on there side but now have to go after talk radio because any facts and information about the failures of their policies is not permitted by the “champions of free speech”.
media hacks liberal drivel is needed much more in defense of the “smart ones” that are gutting our country and sending messages of appeasement abroad then coming here and making a
fool out of herself with this cut-and-paste analysis.
Baxter Greene on February 15, 2009 at 2:15 PM
The difference between you and (most of) the rest of us posting here is that we don’t want to shut down Air America, or Kos or HuffPoo, reprehensible as some of their blatherings are.
I may not listen to/read them, but hey, if people want to, that is their right as Americans.
You might ask why so many of us want to dismantle NPR. It’s not because of the people who populate it per se; rather it is the use of our money to favor a protected class (liberal whiners) over all others. If they could find homes in the competitive market, that’s be perfectly fine.
In fact, if Bill Press could out-draw Rash Fatblob and earn himself an equally fat pay packet, I’d cheer him on. Why not? I can’t stand either of them (for different reasons), but if they can sell their products (in this case, themselves) that’s the American way.
Osama Obama and the lefty losers in congress are afraid of truth, terrified that they might have to justify their treacherous actions. They know what they are doing is imbecilic, but since they can get away with those actions and benefit from them, it’s all okay.
Obama wouldn’t have been able to retain his senate seat, much less be anointed president, if the media had scrutinized him with one-tenth of the fervor they expended on Sarah Palin.
Knowing that their whole vision of government is built on shifting sands, and is antithetical to what most Americans believe, Obama and his cronies need to silence dissent. If they do not, it will consume them.
MrScribbler on February 15, 2009 at 2:15 PM
In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.
attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller
Red State State of Mind on February 15, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Big surprise, the first amendment is under attack by the left. They want to stifle debate and dissent, it is clear.
2nd amendment is up next.
Those of you that jumped up and down, calling people ignorant, paranoid hicks for worrying about the wholesale banning of firearms by the leftist hoplophobic administration can go ETADIK.
cryptojunkie on February 15, 2009 at 2:19 PM
This comment wins the Dan Quayle award for the day at the very least, maybe well for the month, could well be for the whole year, maybe even for all time.
What a terrible thing to have lost one’s mind. Or not to have a mind at all. How true that is.
- Dan Quayle
MB4 on February 15, 2009 at 2:21 PM
My thoughts exactly….Ron Jeremy’s first cousin?
uhsooner on February 15, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Mediahack is threatening to take away our right to self-defense if we get too uppity.
Confirms our suspicions about him and his ilk.
jeff_from_mpls on February 15, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Here in the DC area, an owner had 2 stations and set up one for conservative talk and one for liberal talk. Guess which one succeeded? and guess which one failed and generated talk from ‘progressives’ about the need for ‘diversity on the airwaves’? Weren’t all these liberals in DC listening to that liberal oriented station?
Red State State of Mind on February 15, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Great post Baxter!
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Like I said, let him try.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 2:29 PM
It may be slipped in under another guise
But to this action most foul we will still be wise
In spite of all the Houdini lies
Dancing in their Mussolini eyes
MB4 on February 15, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Corrections provided. Revisions suggested. Questions raised.
Consider it an application of the Fairness Doctrine to DTMH’s half-ass thinking and writing.
By the way, wasn’t it DTMH who accused Ed of misrepresenting the recent CBO report about the long-term effect of Obama’s bill? My impression is that Ed’s reporting was correct. Am I wrong about that? If I’m not wrong and Ed reported accurately, have we heard an apology from DTMH yet?
BuckeyeSam on February 15, 2009 at 2:32 PM
How about an example or two (or more) of those nonviable national strategies?
onlineanalyst on February 15, 2009 at 2:33 PM
He looks more like a dangerous Howard Sprague from the Andy Griffith Show.
hawkdriver on February 15, 2009 at 2:34 PM
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