Alert the Media: Mike Gallagher, Fairness Doctrine
posted at 10:05 am on February 16, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
I’ll be making my first appearance on the Mike Gallagher Show this morning at around 10:30 am ET. Mike wants to talk about the Fairness Doctrine and the sudden lack of clarity coming from Barack Obama. Both Allahpundit and I have kept a close eye on the subject, which has suddenly become popular among Democrats this month:
- Obama administration no longer issuing denials on Fairness Doctrine
- Audio: Camille Paglia rips the Fairness Doctrine to shreds
- Bill Clinton: Hey, you know what we need? The Fairness Doctrine
- Jeff Sessions to Mark Levin: Darned right we’ll filibuster the Fairness Doctrine
- Harkin: We need the Fairness Doctrine
- Stabenow: Hey, let’s hold hearings on bringing back the Fairness Doctrine
Don’t miss this appearance — I’ve met Mike a few times at events, but never got a chance to talk with him on air before now. If you don’t have Mike live in your market, our local station streams him live on the Internet.
Blowback
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press the issue, Democrats will try and restore it by claiming its merely a return to rules that already existed so its nothing to worry about.
rob verdi on February 16, 2009 at 10:08 AM
My idea of the Fairness Doctrine is forcing politicians on the air explaining why they shouldn’t be tarred and feathered.
ignorantapathy on February 16, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Mike, face it – you’re bald – ok?
Wander on February 16, 2009 at 10:13 AM
mike gallahger is an embarrassing doofus. i don’t just mean to refer to his looks – his face is the encyclopedia illustration of a doofus. i mean his whole way of being.
i was listening once with my jaw on the floor as he recounted a “disturbing incident” in which he somehow found himself at a massage parlor. in this story, he was shocked – shocked! – to flip over only to discover that the male masseuse he had requested had undressed!
this was contemporary with the larry craig and mark foley scandals. given that context and being who he was – a b-lister brought on to the salem roster to fill the airtime between prager/medved/hewwitt – i was convinced that he was an arch mobey.
eh on February 16, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Megyn Kelly is on right now taking apart Bill Press and the Fairness Doctrine. She’s my hero. I hope someone captures this.
lexicon31 on February 16, 2009 at 10:19 AM
So, will NPR have to run half a day of conservative talk, if the fairness doctrine is reimposed?
K2 on February 16, 2009 at 10:19 AM
he was shocked – shocked! – to flip over only to discover that the male masseuse he had requested had undressed!
Getalife is a masseur?
Bishop on February 16, 2009 at 10:22 AM
IF we must have the Fairness Doctrine, maybe Republicans can at least slip in network television. Would LOVE to see RUSH on prime time..: o)
(If they get a foot in the door)
christene on February 16, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I wonder if we can apply the fairness doctrine to , college professors, the msm, the presidential press pool, …….
MDWNJ on February 16, 2009 at 10:22 AM
More liberal fascism coming down the pike … but only after they lied their azzes off about it during the campaign and are now safely ensconsed in the halls of power.
The left are nothing but utterly despicable morons.
progressoverpeace on February 16, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Bring this up Ed :
The Fairness Doctrine: Welfare for Sub-Prime Liberal Broadcasters
http://fromthepen.com/the-fairness-doctrine-welfare-for-sub-prime-liberal-broadcasters/
Buck
bucktowndusty on February 16, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Lack of clarity from Obama? NOOOOO!!!! Who woulda thunk it??
SassyDarlin on February 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM
At first I didn’t think the left would put the header out as being the “fairness doctrine,” but hearing a group of these people come out saying it needs to be reinstated I’m not sure anymore. For a while now I haven’t been trusting of most of these dolts. It’s nice to know that I’m not crazy, but I’d rather be a little of that then scared…or “super paranoid” as someone here put it.
roopster217 on February 16, 2009 at 10:24 AM
So, will NPR have to run half a day of conservative talk, if the fairness doctrine is reimposed?
K2 on February 16, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I don’t think you understand. The “fair” part of liberal media outlets will consist of one guy saying conservatives are demons while the opposing view says conservatives are merely serious aholes.
Bishop on February 16, 2009 at 10:25 AM
I want the Fairness doctrine for Public Radio and TV along with ALL of the network broadcasts AND all of the print media.
Think that would work?
When Gore gets a brain.
woodswalking1 on February 16, 2009 at 10:26 AM
WE know Democrats are trying to shut down conservative talk radio, Democrats know they are trying to shut down conservative talk radio, but their blatantly dishonest claim that they only want equal time is much easier for a sound-bite driven populace to understand than the laws of supply and demand conservatives must explain in order to make their case.
Conservatives need to find more allies on the left like Camille Paglia — and bigger names than hers — to go to bat for them, or they are likely to lose this battle.
The one poll I have seen (a few months back) showed most Americans fall for the Democrats lies.
American Elephant on February 16, 2009 at 10:26 AM
do government offices have to obey labor regulations? do the kennedys have to pay estate taxes?
leftwing biases are neutral because leftism is what one arrives at through a disinterested pursuit of the truth of a given set of facts. they’ll easily get a thousand j-school professors to sign a document asserting so.
prepare your counter-arguments.
eh on February 16, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Fairness? Did anyone see “Family Guy” last night?
Alan Colmes = Droopy Dog
Heh.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 16, 2009 at 10:28 AM
HA! If you think Democrats would even come close to allowing that, I have a Senate seat to sell you. It wouldnt even be allowed to come to a vote!
American Elephant on February 16, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Don’t know if its true, but i think i read somewhere that Alan Colmes was born on the day of the Roswell crash. If its true, it would explain a lot.
MDWNJ on February 16, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Perhaps our Congress could apply the “Fairness Doctrine” to our taxes. Is it fair to give money to people who don’t work or don’t pay taxes in the first place? Is it fair that we just passed the largest spending bill in history with little to no debate on it? Is it fair that a party that only won 54% of the vote cut out the other 46% in the discussion of this bill? Where’s the fairness in things that actually matter?
CDR M on February 16, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Ed is up!
carbon_footprint on February 16, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Here comes Cap’n Ed!!!!
Make us proud, man!
ladyingray on February 16, 2009 at 10:35 AM
so, how will they monitor liberal stations? Will Rush, etc get a spot on Air-American?
Actually I can’t wait for the hellfire & brimstone that will be rained down on this admin if they start this back up.
Like slick Dick Morris said – it will never stand up in court.
poppieseeds on February 16, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Damn technology! Hope they can get the Axelrod quote from yesterday up. Obama about to do another flip-flop.
taney71 on February 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I cant believe these commies want the fairness doctrine in the USA.
saiga on February 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Test, test.
CDR M on February 16, 2009 at 10:40 AM
/waves
hi ed i hear you :)
trailortrash on February 16, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Oh man, is the fairness doctrine already in effect? My posts are disappearing!!
CDR M on February 16, 2009 at 10:41 AM
All The Fairness Doctrine Means is more socialism coming your way America! Everyone better go check their terrorists survival kit and see if they have enough duct tape in there and plastic to cover your EARS for the next 4 YEARS.
buyamericanjobs on February 16, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Let me see the first administration to violate this was FDR, it was his administration that implemented the “Fairness Doctrine”
This administration just wants to emulate what FDR did. Just look at the crapsandwich that was passed last Friday.
DevilDoc77 on February 16, 2009 at 10:42 AM
lol, I’m sure you’re a fine physical specimen aren’t you. Must be nice to be perfect and odor free.
hawkdriver on February 16, 2009 at 10:42 AM
i don’t know who getalife is, but it was the weirdest thing i’d ever heard on talk radio. it was like he lost a bet with a dkos poster and was forced to read from a script which framed him as a closet case trying to cover his ass before the news gets out. it was like that old onion bit(link: language)
but long prior to that, i had decided that he was such a doofus that he had to be faking it. or at least that to him conservative commentary was a mere racket; a “form” to work in.
for a moment, i felt perhaps i was misjudging him, considering that he was the only big broadcast personality to head down to texas with maf to stand with camp qualls.
then it occurred to me that he did this in a bus plastered with a thirteen foot tall decal of his face and his name on each side.
eh on February 16, 2009 at 10:44 AM
It’s only Monday, don’t take a girls dream so soon. After November 4th, I’m taking anything I can get..: o)
christene on February 16, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I can’t wait for the Auto Fairness Doctrine. One GM car must be purchased by every family. Unless you have a union-member in the household. Then it’s not a question.
ProCannonFodder on February 16, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Gallagher is very entertaining and seems like a great guy. I’m happy for his new success.
marklmail on February 16, 2009 at 10:48 AM
From the Encarta Dictionary.
Fair: reasonable or unbiased.
I know liberals don’t know what unbiased means, but after reading the definition on reasonable I’m laughing.
Reasonable: 1. capable of making rational judgments 2. being in accordance with common sense 3. not expecting or demanding more than is possible 4. fairly good 5. fairly large 6. not exorbitant.
That’s rich isn’t it? I have no faith in these people whatsoever. Hasn’t been a month and every day we’re getting closer to 1984.
roopster217 on February 16, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Mike just read your comment on air.
carbon_footprint on February 16, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Fairness= let companies and people find success on their own. If conservative talk happens to draw all the listeners and viewers which equal sponsors and the Libs are stuck MS N BS C. I believe that is called capitalism and hey look it is working so maybe everything else should be left alone. Instead it is working so well they think the government needs to get in there and mess it up a little.
These people that pay taxes are crazy, haha making businesses that are successful.
Tremmy on February 16, 2009 at 10:52 AM
If they bring it back it applies to all stations – across the board.
Alan Colmes will have to have a dissenting bloviator sitting next to him hanging on his every word….and debating him throughout his show; the reason he is opposed, the reason Air America is completely opposed.
No one wants the responsibility of standing on their word and being Fair & Balanced, that would be especially hard in their world on both sides of the political spectrum.
Imagine that – they would actually have to tell the truth and not take anything out of context or make it up as they go along.
AprilOrit on February 16, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Mike, face it – you’re bald – ok?
Wander on February 16, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Typical liberal comment. Focus on appearance and “style” and offer nothing of substance.
Talking to anyone on the left is the beginning and the end of any intell9gent dialogue.
What’s the difference between a slab of formica and a liberal? NOTHING!
journeyman on February 16, 2009 at 10:53 AM
lol!
eh on February 16, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Actually formica is useful.
carbon_footprint on February 16, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I like Mike. I don’t agree with everything he says but I like the discussion. He appears to the guy next door. (I also think he is a hottie.)
Sweetness0726 on February 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Fairness Doctrine should be for Democrats as follows: as soon as one of the lying, bloviating, liberal buffoons rambles on about the latest BS trying to shove down our throats, we need to present an honest person to present the other side, called the truth.
Vic
Los Angeles
JustAsking on February 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
The “Fairness Doctrine” should also apply to the late night stand-up funny men. I’m still waiting for Letterman to do a “Great Moments in Speaker of the House Speeches” segment. There’s a TON of material out there…..
StimulateTHIS on February 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Fairness Doctrine should be for Democrats as follows: as soon as one of the lying, bloviating, liberal buffoons rambles on about the latest BS trying to shove down our throats, we need to present an honest person to present the other side, called the truth.
Vic
Los Angeles
JustAsking on February 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Mike, I think you are adorable. And I love listening to your show.
melaniekg1 on February 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Great job Ed. He had you on for a very long segment.
carbon_footprint on February 16, 2009 at 10:57 AM
LOL! And certainly more accurate. Thanks.
journeyman on February 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Megyn Kelley took Bill Press to the mat on the un-Fairness Doctrine. When she asked him about applying it to NPR, he gave some lame response about the “public” airwaves. Hmm…Doesn’t “public” money finance operations at NPR? Press also whined about the fact that there were over 2000 stations carrying conservative talk and only a handful with liberal commentators. If they’re all as whiny as Press, no wonder there are only a handful. If listeners wanted to hear commentators whining about fairness, there would be liberal talk blanketing the airwaves. Instead, we get the pathetic and predictable liberal response about fairness. This is the same mindset that gives trophies to all the kids on the losing team.
College Prof on February 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Mike,
I have been listening to your program since I was a little girl. I am 16years old now and I still turn on your show every day on the way to school. When I hear the information that you have to give I know that it is the truth. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in. God bless and Mary keep.Your Fan and Friend,
Mary-Frances H. Gilsdorf.
mikesfan on February 16, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I wonder where the Dems are going to get all the money to bail out all the radio stations once they force this into law.
kbass on February 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM
This is another pathetic example of the left’s inability to compete. My Cuban-born wife who fled her native country at age 6 with one bag of clothes and a doll has been warning me about what an Obama administration might bring. I thought she was overreacting…….now I am not so sure!
tonyfromnj on February 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM
They all lie – have you listened to Michael Savage lately?
It would stop the olies and garbage on all levels – all sides.
AprilOrit on February 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
They will not be bailing out the radio stations. Prompterbama will shut them down and sell the frequencies to Verizon Wireless. Can you hear me now? NOOOOOOOOOT!
Atlanta Media Guy on February 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Does anybody else wonder if the Libs are floating the Fairness Doctrine crap just so we’ll be so incensed about it that we’ll stop noticing what a crappy job Barry is doing?
anniekc on February 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM
I love your show Mike, love talk radio. I’m praying it’s never taken away. It’s the only place I can find any sane people.
salley on February 16, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Ya gotta luv it!
If Ed doffs his clothes and shakes his foo-foo at us, that’s free speech.
If Allah demonstrates the best way to make love to a horse, that’s free speech.
But if Michelle says she’s a conservative, that’s hate speech.
Welcome to the world of Orwell!
Perhaps what is needed is a new bumper sticker: “FREE SPEECH/IMPEACH OBAMA.”
Or, perhaps it’s just Obama’s birth certificate.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on February 16, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Fairness Doctrine= censorship doctrine
Another example of 1984 on display.
We must not cede to the left the manipulation of the English language and the use of vocabulary.
technopeasant on February 16, 2009 at 11:42 AM
There is nothing fair about the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE. As a Democrat, I have never believed in suppression of opposing views. As I have listened to both sides concerning the stimulus, I find myself coming down on the side of Republicans. I am truly proud of the Democrats who voted against the Generational Theft Act. Democrats have made a huge mistake electing Obama, a HUUUUUGE mistake!!
elclynn on February 16, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Ed, what you need is to find some liberal host, maybe on morning drive-time radio, who is properly angry about the Fairness doctrine, and get him to have you on. Or better yet, to have Michelle on.
njcommuter on February 16, 2009 at 11:54 AM
A Democrat I can respect. Very much as a matter of fact.
hawkdriver on February 16, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Could you be any more naive?
Disturb the Universe on February 16, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Mike’s conservative views are presented in an ethical, intelligent manner without abusive or insulting responses. He is “top-of-the-line”!
cbaber on February 16, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Emperor Lovebama will just issue an executive order just like he has done on all his other power grabs.
Amazed on February 16, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Jeez, Rush just mentioned Ed too!
marklmail on February 16, 2009 at 12:22 PM
The Fairness Doctrine will be reinstated. Ogabe cannot tolerate dissent and will silence opposition by any means necessary. The only questions I have are whether this is reviewable by SCOTUS and are there enough gardening and lawn care shows to take up the slack?
SKYFOX on February 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM
My Two Cents
franksalterego on February 16, 2009 at 12:28 PM
remember kids,
its only impeding free speech if conservatives do it.
Yngmarine on February 16, 2009 at 12:33 PM
If Ed doffs his clothes and shakes his foo-foo at us, that’s free speech.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh
I hope you’re an opthamologist, cause that mental image just rendered me blind.
SKYFOX on February 16, 2009 at 12:34 PM
As a life long conservative – I have to say I view Mike Gallagher as a babbling buffoon.
I apologize to everyone who listens and enjoys his show – I just cannot handle the guy.
jake-the-goose on February 16, 2009 at 12:54 PM
It should apply to all of it, radio and cable news – except the internet – that should remain free.
Rupert Murdoch has already instituted it at Fox News – they are Fair & Balanced, the others should be made to comply as well.
What is everyone afraid of? The Truth….they can’t handle The Truth, their careers are based on partisan sh*t & giggles, that’s how they make their living.
The Fairness Doctrine could be their pink slip….can you imagine Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews being told they must comply?
And if anyone opposes it – they obviously do not want to hold these loon’s feet to the fire to stop spreading partisan propaganda across the airwaves.
It’s not about censorship – it’s about holding people accountable for some truth in what they are saying, i.e to primarily stop people from telling delusional tall tales and stretching the truth.
The Far Left & The Far Right get away with far too much needless drivel – they need to have their feet held to the fire for a change.
AprilOrit on February 16, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Keep the issue front and center and be loud and proud about your opposition. It’s the only way to keep our 1st Amendment rights. Else they might just do it in the dead of night when nobody is watching… like maybe slip it into some OTHER porkulous bill.
ExSubNuke on February 17, 2009 at 1:18 AM