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February 12, 2009
Oppose 'un-American' speech limits!
Oppose 'un-American' speech limits!
petition opposing so-called 'Fairness Doctrine'
WND is announcing the launch of an online petition to oppose the "un-American" speech limits that Rush Limbaugh and other commentators could face should some interests in Congress succeed in re-adopting the so-called "Fairness Doctrine."
The petition calls on all three branches of government to protect the speech freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.
It urges Congress to "immediately drop all legislative efforts to re-impose the so-called 'Fairness Doctrine' and that the president of the United States veto any so-called 'Fairness Doctrine' legislation approved by Congress and that the U.S. Supreme Court overturn as unconstitutional any so-called 'Fairness Doctrine' legislation approved by Congress and signed by the president."
"The notion of a so-called 'Fairness Doctrine' for the media, mandated by government and policed by a system devised by government, should be anathema to every American who understands liberty and the First Amendment," said Joseph Farah, founder, editor and chief executive officer of the leading independent online news source. "This is not just a threat to broadcasters. It's a threat to the Constitution and every American. This should not even be a matter of controversy – but, unfortunately, it is. We've lived through shameful period in which government regulated broadcast content. When it ended in 1987, we witnessed an explosion of new voices and lively debate. It's time for the American people to show we don't want to go backward."
PETITION TO BLOCK CONGRESSIONAL
ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS
To: U.S. Congress, President of the United States, Supreme Court of the United States
* Whereas, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states: "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";
* Whereas, members of Congress are recently on record saying they want to re-impose the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" on U.S. broadcasters, or else accomplish the same goal of censoring talk radio by other means, and thereby establish government and quasi-government watchdogs as the arbiters of "fairness" rather than the free and open marketplace of ideas;
* Whereas, the U.S. experimented with the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" for 38 years - from 1949 through 1987 - during which time it was repeatedly used by presidents and other political leaders to muzzle dissent and criticism;
* Whereas, the abandonment of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" in 1987, thanks to President Ronald Reagan, resulted in an unprecedented explosion of new and diverse voices and political speech - starting with Rush Limbaugh - that revitalized the AM radio band and provided Americans with a multitude of alternative viewpoints;
* Whereas, talk radio is one of the most crucial components of the free press in America, and is single-handedly responsible for informing tens of millions of Americans about what their government leaders are doing;
* Whereas, it is a wholly un-American idea that government should be the watchdog of the press and a policeman of speech, as opposed to the uniquely American ideal of a free people and a free press being the vigilant watchdogs of government;
* Whereas, the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" - either under that name, or using a new name and even more devious methods - represents a frontal assault on the First Amendment, and its re-imposition would constitute nothing more nor less than the crippling of America's robust, unfettered, free press:
Wild Thing's comment..........
I signed it and so did Nick. There is no way I will just sit back and watch the left mess with this too. So many times a petition will ask for a donation and I just can't do it. But this one only asked for your name, email address and zip code.
....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at February 12, 2009 04:47 AM
Comments
Thanks for the heads up on this Chrissie...Liz and I signed.
Posted by: James M at February 12, 2009 06:11 AM
Thanks for this link Chrissie and Mark. I signed it and will be sending it out all my friends.....as well as some Dems too..starting with Senator Bayh (IN-D)!!!! LOL
I was thinking about this same thing on my drive into work this morning. How can the Liberals say they aren't getting fair time to respond when they own the drive-by media?!?!?! What a bunch of flipping idiots!!!
Posted by: John at February 12, 2009 07:03 AM
One of the very first things that Hitler's Third Reich did when they came to power was take over and CONTROL THE MEDIA...
Sound familiar Barackshevik Comrades in Washington DC CCCP?
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at February 12, 2009 08:55 AM
I just signed and will have Terry sign as well.
Posted by: cuchieddie at February 12, 2009 10:39 AM
It's a done deal and the link is outbound, thank you Chrissie and Mark.
Posted by: Jack at February 12, 2009 01:31 PM
I am sure that the dems think had it not been for Rush Limbaugh the Porkulus behemouth would have sailed through. Yet so far only 3 RINOs have voted for it.
Stabbinow has back up on this her Husband, who goes by another name, has been involved in the failed lefty network. So it appears she has a conflict of interest ?...Naw, I wonder if she pays her taxes too.
Posted by: Mark at February 12, 2009 05:04 PM
I sure hope our voice is heard. Thank you all so much.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 12, 2009 07:57 PM
