Even Paranoids Have Enemies, Part II

February 6, 2009   •  By IFS staff
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In this post, we noted that liberal bloggers and columnists have taken to poo-poohing the idea of reinstatement of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," but also noted that whatever their words, in fact their is strong pressure to from the left wing of the party to use the "Fairness Doctrine" to limit conservative talk radio.

On February 5th Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow voiced her interest in silencing conservative talk radio through a reinstatement of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," telling television commentator and long-time Democratic strategist Bill Press, "it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else [perhaps the "Censorship Doctrine?" -ed.] — I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves."  Press made no doubt about his support for regulating conservative radio, and asked Stabenow if Congress would be having hearings on the matter, and if she would "push" for such hearings.  Stabenow replied, "I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that’s gonna happen. Yep."

As we noted before, sometimes even paranoids have enemies.

A juicy footnote to this: Senator Stabenow is married to Tom Athans, a long time Democratic activist who co-founded the left-wing Democracy Radio and served as Vice President for the now bankrupt liberal talk radio network Air America.  After Air America went under, he helped launch another liberal talk network, TalkUSA Radio.  So this is a twofer in how government can be counted on to enforce control of political speech – Stabenow has a political interest in silencing conservative voices, and a family economic interest in enacting an "Fairness Doctrine" that will have the effect of forcing stations to carry more liberal programming, such as that of Talk USA Radio and Air America. 

We’ve heard rumors that the campaign finance "reform" community is cranking up the press machines over this abuse of government power for pecuniary gain… LOL.  Yeah, that’ll be the day.

IFS staff

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