Freedom of speech coming to an end, will you be next?

[Fishin' Dave]

Kuhner: Liberal totalitarianism
Commentary by Jeffrey T. Kuhner



Liberal Democrats are attempting to muzzle conservative talk radio: they are assaulting free speech. Like the communists in the former Soviet Union, America’s liberals seek to crush dissent by consolidating control over the media—especially talk radio, which has emerged as the dominant medium for conservative opinion.



Allies close to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are promoting legislation, which if passed, will take off the air prominent conservative radio hosts such as Michael Savage, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly—along with thousands of smaller conservative broadcasters. The bill, entitled the "Media Ownership Reform Act," is sponsored by Rep. Maurice Hinchey, a leftist Democrat from New York. The legislation aims to revive the so-called “Fairness Doctrineâ€

[Dan McKenzie]

It's too bad that most of the people who cut and paste posts from another author, really know very little about the author or their work. Jeffery T. Kuhner- First are you aware who he actually works for? This guy is a total piece of crap and in my book doesn't speak for real conservatives, he is a smear campaign artist and a liar at the very least. This peckerwood works for none other than Unification Church led by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Oh yea, now there is someone I really can get behind.

[Fishin' Dave]

Yep we are all IDIOTS!

Who cares who said it, it matters more what was said.

Who are "Real Conservatives"? It sure isn't this President, and it sure is not most of the talking heads screaming on TV that they are the "real conservatives". The term has lost its value in the same death "liberal" died. They are hollow words; over used by the masses.

As far as this issue goes, I am against government regulation on speech and enterprise which is the issue here. Radio companies want to turn a profit so they put on air what listeners want and the commentators should be free to voice their opinion.

To finish, I appreciate your reply as you are the only reply to anything on this forum in weeks. No one really cares about politics anymore or any less. They are too busy trying to figure out how to pay for $3.60/gal gas, along with a mortgage on a house that they owe more than it is worth, get the kids to school, insurance, taxes, more taxes, and life.

Who has time for politics? People with money. Sadly Mr. Washington, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Franklin, the Unites States Government is only accessible if you have money and those with money benefit greatly.

[Vince E]

I agree it doesn't matter who said it but weather it's true or not. Time will tell weather this becomes a bill presented to Congress.
If so I can only hope our elected officials will recognize that "Fair Speech" is not Free Speech.
I don't think all of the left leaning politicians are actively engaged in a plot to destroy freedom as we know it. They are just misguided in they're attempts to "fix" what they see as problems. It's human nature to try to fix something that seems faulty.
I'll say it again.
It's every man, woman, and child's responsibility to ask themselves:
How might the decision I'm about to make effect my freedom both now and down the road? It should be the single most important consideration in any decision we make.
I think too many on the left ask themselves:
How will this effect my security both now and down the road?
Without freedom your only as secure as the powers that be allow you to be, not that anyone is ever really secure in the first place.

In regard's to author's who's life history I'm not up to speed on, I read a column by Thomas Sowell the other day that I think has some relavence here. I think it's safe to say that Sowell is a "real conservative".
Here's the link:
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Thom ... f_the_left

[leatherneck77]

I have to agree with you guys regarding liberal/conservative. The line between the 2 has become so blurred that there is no telling who is who anymore. This is why there should be a true term limit for elected office. We have one for the presidency, why not for Senators and Congressman. They all spend so much time in Washington, they forget about the people that elected tehm and start serving their own self interests.

[Fishin' Dave]

The President should be elected for ONE - 6 year term. No more time wasted on reelection!!

[leatherneck77]

You're preaching to the choir...

[Vince E]

At the end of which shall be a vote taken by the people (no campaigning allowed) to determine whether he or she be granted a pension or thrown in prison.

[Fishin' Dave]

How about a vote to be exiled to North Korea, Iran, or Somolia? That would be sweet.

[Jeff C.]

I agree that freedom of speech should be sacred and the government should let the free market decide. However many of the conservatives raising a stink over this particular issue of censorship are acting like hypocrites. Where were they when the likes of Howard Stern were being chased off of the airwaves by an out of control FCC?

Conservatives like Sam Brownback lead the charge to impose their brand of morality in the place of the free market economy. These conservatives have even gone as far as to suggest that programs on cable TV like the Sopranos should be censored under FCC rules. In the meantime, conservative talk radio spews a daily dose of hatred onto the public airwaves. You tell me... what's more harmful for children to listen to, Howard Stern telling a fart joke or a conservative like Michael Savage insinuating that all followers of Islam are terrorists?

[Fishin' Dave]

Fart Joke.

I used to listen to Savage on my commute for 7 years; from 99 on to 2006. I have never seen some so misquoted and taken out of context. I am not here to be the Savage defender, I put the time in to listen to the whole show so I knew when people were misquoting him. At least on his show you can learn something. I learned about cooking, history, cars, boats, San Francisco, Queens NY in the 50s, and more. I also liked the fact he did not support anyone because of their political affliation. He supported who he thought was right. His books are really good too. The newest "Healing Children Naturally" is a great book about vitimins and nutrition. Another plus, he is not owned by a big conglorominite. Look what happened to Howard. His show did not match with the owners moral compas.

Again in answer to your question, between the two I think it's worse for kids to listen to Howard. We have too many smart *** dummies out there; do we need every kid to be a Howard? At least with Savage, kids might learn something. I have listened to both. My only problem with Howard is when he had the kid with a mental problem on and was making a spectacle of him. I don't think anyone should fool with the sick, mentally challenged, eldery, or young kids.

[Jeff C.]

Dave I agree with you about Stern's content that is demeaning and even cruel, but the fact of the matter is that conservative talk show hosts routinely get away with stuff that is just as bad if not worse. Like the time Rush Limbaugh publically ridiculed the Parkinson's symptoms of Michael J. Fox.

While Stern gets his ratings by focusing on crude and tasteless humor, people like Savage are the real "shock jocks". Faced with an increasing number of competitors they're forced to become more and more extreme and hateful in order to attract new listeners. Take for example the time Savage said that the civil rights movement was primarily a "racket" designed to steal from white men, or the time he said that Muslims should be prohibited from immigrating into the U.S. and the construction of new Mosques should be banned.

I have a three year old daughter and if given a choice I would rather her listen to Stern promote "Dan the Farter" than the hateful speech and outright bigotry found on many conservative talk shows. In the end, however, I think the free market should decide what is available on the airwaves, and I think it's my responsibility not the government to regulate what my daughter listens to. The hypocracy lies with conservative politicians like Brownback who go after one brand of distasteful speech while ignoring the other.

[leatherneck77]

Jeff,

I have to disagree with your post. I listened to Rush Limbaugh's show on the day you mentioned and you have the facts wrong. Rush did not ridicule the Parkinson's disease itself, but he did bring into question why Michael J. Fox stopped his medication prior to his testimony in front of congress.

Secondly, Savage said we (U.S.) should ban immigration from Islamic countries until there is a better way to perform a background investigation on the people who are requesting a visa. Travel to this or any other country is not a right, it is a privelege granted to us by the government of the country and until there is a better vetting process i have to agree with him.

While I agree that it is a parents responsibility to monitor their childs TV and radio listening, many parents use the TV as a baby sitter and the FCC is there to watch out for them.

[Jeff C.]

Actually Rush did ridicule Fox. To see for yourself you can go to this link and play the clip. Limbaugh clearly mocks Fox by imitating Fox's uncontrollable movements of for the camera. Then Limbaugh goes on to suggest that Fox's behavior was an act.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/2 ... ael-j-fox/


The Savage comment about Muslim immigration can be found on this link. There's clearly nothing in the comment about eliminating Muslim immigration until security is tightened.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200611290005

[Fishin' Dave]

Again, with Savage you MUST listen to the whole show. I agree he uses "shock" to get his ideas out there. If you took what I say on a daily basis and post it on the internet, I'd be arrested! You need to hear my whole conversation. It also helps to know me.

As far as the "racket" part, I may not 100% agree with him, but I felt social engeneering when applying to collage. I felt like I had to be a black woman lesbian transvestite single parent from another country to qualify. I refused to state my gender, age, race, and religion on any application. To me, it doesn't matter. If you get more of one type vs another type then that was just life. Who ever qualifies and is the best of the best should win. No one should be favored or discriminated against because of something they can't help. I've never heard of someone getting the choice when the sperm goes in to the empryo; "so mr/ms fetus, what race do you want to be?" After we are old enough, what you do is a measure of who you are.

As far as Rush goes, I am not a fan. I did however have a problem with J. Fox and his ad. If for no reason one day Rush said what the hell lets cap on Mike, then I'd lead the charge calling him a SOB. BUT, Mike J. Fox opened himself up and went out in public, and shouted from the air waves, "look at me" so we did. We are also free to comment.

[DeltaDan]

Just listen to KNBR 680 ........... The Bayarea sports are disapointing -- But at least the host and the callers are entertaining.