Comments on: Rep. Anna Eshoo (D! D! D! CA-14) is an idiot.

By: Flagstaff

Flagstaff — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:36:21 +0000

I was looking for help when I noticed the broken link.

By: Streiff

Streiff — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:05:41 +0000

but I think you’re wrong on the issue of satellite transmission. They use FCC licensed frequency spectrum for their terrestrial repeater stations.

By: kneejerklefty2

kneejerklefty2 — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:56:38 +0000

I will use it when I and my fellow lefties (snooze!) get together.

What do you think of the argument that “news” broadcasts adhere to consistent journalistic standards (fact-checking, and all that), otherwise they are committing fraud or misrepresentation? (I’m not sure if the argument says it would be a criminal or civil violation, or who would enforce it.)

This could be applied to broadcast, cable or satellite, no matter what the alleged left/right affiliation.

By: ladyofcarlisle

ladyofcarlisle — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:52:15 +0000

There has been plenty of disrespect, disdain and complete disregard by many “on the right” toward Ron Paul (as well as toward Huckabee of course) and ironically these are two politicians who stood up from the get-go and said that these bailouts are wrong! I lean toward Congressman Paul for his economic views and libertarian principles. I voted for him in the primary; KY’s was not until May 20th. I’ve see up close and personal what government is capable of and the costs involved. I regret that he didn’t stay more active in the GOP and come to the convention. I’m telling you, Paul speaks for many very solid red state people on a lot of issues. I voted for McCain/Palin, and there was no joy involved. Third party was not an option this year. I still have warm feeling towards the President and Mrs. Bush. I like him on a personal level and always pulled for him to prevail. There has been a lot of heartache and turmoil since Nov. 2000. However at this point, I would rather go libertarian that support Obama-lite or another big government sanctimonious politician (won’t name any names) who cares about getting the respect of say Chris Matthews and the NYTs more than the grassroots. We need to get back to first principles before it’s too late.

By: JDidSaint

JDidSaint — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:29:44 +0000

I was a big Ron Paul supporter. I think he’s a very bright man with solid ideas about how to lead this country. I was frustrated that he wasn’t given more air time by the major media outlets. Still, despite any frustration I felt or any suspicions I have about the media guiding how people vote I would NEVER support a “Fairness Doctrine.”

Life isn’t fair. Conservatives accept this, liberals can’t.

By: RetNAV

RetNAV — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:04:45 +0000

Maxine Waters – dumb, dumb, dumb. And a socialist.

By: hunter

hunter — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:53:52 +0000

Although often the two are difficult to discern between.

By: hunter

hunter — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:51:23 +0000

It is no more Constitutional to censor content on airwaves than it is to censor content on media transported by highways and streets.
The ONLY legitimate regulation of airwaves is technical, like roads.
What transports and distributes on government owned roads is not subject to censorship.
Only the quality of the roads and vehicles on the roads.
The airwaves are no different.
That lawyers and congressman cannot see this, and that the major fossil media does not realize the implications of this, only shows how far we have fallen.

By: hunter

hunter — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:47:51 +0000

*Anything*.
There was no legal argument for the “Fairness Doctrine” era of censorship and state content control.
There were only legal rationalizations to justify it.
The so-called ‘ownership’ of the airwaves no more justifies censorship of what is on the air, than public ownership of roads justifies censorship of what is distributed by the public roads.
That any congressional member, judge, or President thinks that something like a ‘fairness’ doctrine is appropriate should be grounds for their removal from office.
That this latest attempt in state censorship is being made for transparently political reasons by those seeking to end the free speech rights of conservatives is frankly something I am willing to fight with all means available.
One very good measure of how corrupt the allegedly free press really is how they cover this important story.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:45:21 +0000

“For the benefit of any other idiots that might have wandered in, confused: cable and satellite television are privately owned entertainment/information networks. Congress is explicitly forbidden to interfere with them.”

Since when has the Constitution stopped our elected elitists from interfering with privately owned enterprise?

By: peg_c

peg_c — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:45:42 +0000

is hands down the dumbest Democrat in the country. Looking forward to Rudy’s run.

There is something about Democrats wanting to control every business and industry that is successful or has the potential to be successful, and every information medium, and all of our hard-earned money, that is just so…hmmm…what’s the word…COMMUNIST. This is way beyond socialism, folks.

By: kneejerklefty2

kneejerklefty2 — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:31:21 +0000

it can be argued that since they are essentially owned by the people and licensed by the government, then the government can put conditions on their use.

And I guess one COULD argue the same for cable (licensed rights of way, etc).

But it is TOTALLY idiotic for satellite. They don’t use public airwaves – it is completely a private.

However, even as a liberal, I think the so-called Fairness Doctrine is a dumb idea. The reason the Right dominates talk radio is because Rush, et al., took the time to build their listener base.

But there are a lot of entertaining, PROFITABLE liberal talk radio shows out there – Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, Young Turks, etc. All of their market shares are growing because they are ENTERTAINING.

Fortunately, most of them are NOT a part of Air America, which is primarily made up of pedantic snoozers. The best thing to happen to Randi Rhodes was to get fired from the network after dissing Hillary Clinton.

One of the new owners, Mark Rich (Mr. Tan-Tastic) explained that she was let go because there was no room for that kind of “anger” on Air America. Idiot.

The last thing I want is the government to award him (a multi-, muti-millionaire) special consideration because he allegedly represents the Left. If he wants to compete with Rush the Comedian or Hannity the Manatee, then he needs to hire hosts who are both smart AND entertaining. ‘Nuff said.

By: Neil Stevens

Neil Stevens — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:15:04 +0000

By: Flagstaff

Flagstaff — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:52:41 +0000

is “not found.”

By: Neil Stevens

Neil Stevens — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:48:53 +0000

These are the really special ones. My goodness, heh.

By: GuyInSD

GuyInSD — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:03:14 +0000

would be the not-so-dumb Ds.

Sadly, a fair share of Rs would be on your list as well…

By: Erick Brockway

Erick Brockway — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:59:18 +0000

Karen Bass, Darrell Steinburg tying to ram thru that tax increase today.

http://bit.ly/14WWx

By: E Pluribus Unum

E Pluribus Unum — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:46:47 +0000

Does that mean we can run 30 minutes of ~~patriotic~~ conservative nightly news on ABC, NBC , and CBS, for every 30 minutes of their left-wing nightly screeching?

Bring it on.

By: Neil Stevens

Neil Stevens — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:40:19 +0000

Eshoo now joins the list that includes Boxer and Pelosi…

By: Erick Brockway

Erick Brockway — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:26:04 +0000

At least with regard to (D) representitives.