Today Rush Limbaugh poo-pooed the idea of "the public airwaves." He said that the idea of public ownership of the airwaves is "poppycock." Then he went on to defend the FCC's fines of Howard Stern because of Stern's supposed violation of "decency statutes."
It's so typical of the dittohead mindset that Rush could simultaneously pronounce the public ownership of the airwaves to be null and void while at the same time upholding the right of the trustees of those airwaves to selectively enforce decency standards. What Rush is basically saying is that the airwaves are subject to market forces like any other commodity and that he and his blathering brethren have sewn up the market and the FCC should exist to intimidate and fine their competitors off the dial.
The idea that the airwaves should be subject to market forces culminated in the 1987 repeal of the "Fairness Doctrine" by Reagan FCC appointees. Of course, this paved the way for the rise of right-wing radio, discussed here with some good links.
It seems to me that Rush and his hateful, anti-American breed are guilty of the ultimate act of indecency themselves--promoting the pursuit of profit at any cost over the security and well-being of the majority of the American public. They're in favor of "free trade," "tort reform," "family values," etc.--anything that has a pleasant-sounding name but actually serves to diminish the rights and well-being of individuals while strengthening the military-industrial stranglehold on our culture. Oh yeah, and "deregulation" above all else. You know what a good synonym for their definition of "deregulation" is? Feudalism.
These guys try to serve up a big, steaming plate of horseshit to their mostly white, working-class, religious listeners while telling them it's filet mignon. If only these listeners would say "there is some shit I will not eat..."
I thought this story on self-made millionaires dovetailed nicely with this discussion...
LETTERS
By the by, my letter to the editor regarding "Fahrenheit 9/11" was printed in the Hattiesburg American along with another letter in favor of the movie. We both got taken to task by another letter writer. I present all the letters for your amusement below...
We're victims of mind control
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LETTERS
Greetings from the mind-controlled state of Mississippi. Michael Moore's politically incorrect movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," opened on 1,000 screens nationwide to rave reviews - only one of which was in Mississippi (the Malco Cinema 10 in Tupelo). If people in South Mississippi want to see the film, they can go to Mobile or New Orleans.
It's interesting to note that the equally controversial "The Passion of the Christ" was shown everywhere in Mississippi; it was thought by many to be anti-Semitic.
"Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself," said Potter Stewart, former associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Robert R. Regl,
Hattiesburg
Originally published Tuesday, June 29, 2004
OK, then my letter again...
No need to fear 'Fahrenheit 9/11'
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LETTERS
Michael Moore's new movie "Fahrenheit 9/11" should be seen by every voter before the election in November, as it is a brilliant synopsis of what should have been in the major news media since 2000.
Unfortunately, Tupelo is currently the only city in Mississippi where the movie is playing, so I went to see it in New Orleans with my wife and some friends. Why any theater owner or distributor in this area would not want to make some money from this movie is beyond me - the showings in New Orleans were sold out Friday and Saturday (the night we went), and reports are much the same across the country.
The movie is as "fair and balanced" as any Rush Limbaugh broadcast, and it shows the ill effects the Iraq war has had on the Iraqi people as well as the toll it has taken on our country and our brave soldiers.
There is no need to fear "Fahrenheit 9/11" - unless your name is George W. Bush.
Clinton Kirby,
Hattiesburg
Originally published Tuesday, June 29, 2004
And then the brilliant response to both of these letters...
'Fahrenheit' twists truth
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LETTERS
It astounds me to think that anyone ("We're victims of mind control," June 29) would find it hard to believe that people are as interested in a far left movie created by Michael Moore as they would be about Jesus Christ and his sacrifice.
Please understand that many people are aware of Michael Moore's poor credibility based on his past. He stated that his` movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," is based on facts, while time after time over the last several days, both liberal and conservative broadcasts have shown how statements and news were taken out of text to present a one-sided documentary.
For example, in the movie, Mr. Moore only inserted a portion of the president's response to a question about terrorism in Israel. Mr. Moore made it appear that the president was talking about Iraq instead of Israel, which completely changed the reasoning of his response.
The only reason Mr. Moore does this is to mislead those who are not educated on current affairs in hopes they will believe this garbage. He hopes to persuade people and turn votes towards the more liberal ticket.
In respect to Mr. Kirby's statement ("No need to fear 'Fahrenheit 9/11'" June 29) about how the movie shows the ill effects the war has taken on Iraq, I just saw the latest poll taken in Iraq that shows 95 percent of the people support the overthrow of the horrible regime.
Mr. Kirby also said the movie was fair and balanced. This movie has already been proven to be so unbalanced that it wobbles.
Please keep in mind that Mr. Moore makes a living by focusing on people who either don't know the facts or would rather ignore them. Don't fall into his trap and let Mr. Moore laugh all the way to the bank with your money.
God bless America and our leaders.
Gary Jackson, Poplarville
Originally published Friday, July 2, 2004
Oh, and one last thing...this blog is now located by Google...if you type in "lefthandedleftist" rather than "left-handed leftist"...
And a fellow blogger has taken notice of the Left-Handed Leftist...
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