Freedom of speech means not having to listen to Howard Stern

"Isn't "free speech" in the eye of the beholder -- or rather the ear of the beholder?"

I don't think so. An individual can exercise his right to free speech regardless of whether or not anyone listens. For instance, does anyone really listen to the annoying street corner preacher? I think not, however the self styled evangelist has every right to spout off.

The FCC and other industries have regs. Just because they failed to properly enforce them yesterday is no reason NOT to enforce them today.

A fair argument. I think we can bot agree that the FCC like most government regulatory agencies, applies it's influence less than consistently. What is suspect in this situation is the action of Clear Channel (who is a very loyal supporter of the president) and congress. If this were a simple matter of some word not getting bleeped in time, there would be a fine imposed. Instead the congress changes the rules and and the cost, and before a single complaint is levied by the FCC, Howard's show is silenced in 6 markets. Would it be ok for the IRS to be used as a political weapon against an opposing viewpoint? I believe that is exactly what is going on here.

It's a "living, breathing Constitution."

Again, I think we both agree this concept is a pant-load.

Regarding Amsterdam, I really think it's disingenuous to compare The United States of America to Amsterdam.

Is this what you would really consider "freedom"? At the price of moral and societal anarchy and chaos? Is this the end game that really engages "common sense"?

Anarchy and chaos? I think that's a slight exaggeration, don't you? I've not advocated any such thing. I have, on the other hand, advocated respecting the limits on government as detailed by our constitution.

Let address common sense, A logical individual would be forced to examine the big picture of the Stern issue. None of this would have happened had Howard not changed his mind about an across the board position of support for president bush. As soon as a very high profile and influential (yet controversial) entertainer makes it OK to NOT support the president, the wrath of election-year politics is unleashed.

Your thoughts?

"Let address common sense, A logical individual would be forced to examine the big picture of the Stern issue. None of this would have happened had Howard not changed his mind about an across the board position of support for president bush."

Honestly, IMO this is NOT political. Stern is gnat; He's just a casualty of the inevitable sh*t hitting the fan on the heels of the Janet Jackson flap -- which was merely the straw that broke the camel's back. Let's face it, Stern made himself an easy target -- especially when he actually relishes goading the FCC or ANY authority. That's his schtick, ain't it? And now he's shocked??

"I really think it's disingenuous to compare The United States of America to Amsterdam.... Anarchy and chaos? I think that's a slight exaggeration, don't you? I've not advocated any such thing. I have, on the other hand, advocated respecting the limits on government as detailed by our constitution."

Isn't "freedom" a delicate balance between laws and personal liberties?

It may seem like hyperbole, but anarchy and chaos is the direct projected result of unregulated and totally unrestricted morals-based law. America IS devolving towards an Amsterdam if left unchecked. Amsterdam may be freer, but does that necessarily make it more "civilized?" Wouldn't you agree the degree of "civilization" is based in large part upon definitive parameters of behavior?

Our difference of opinion may well be a matter of whether those "parameters" are blurred ever increasingly to the detriment of America's future culture and society.

"Between CFR and the AWB I am highly disappointed in President Bush."

On these points you and I are in 100% full agreement. While I also agree that Bush recognizes the danger posed by radical Islam, I wish he'd do something about the radicals that are already in our nation, the mosques here in the US that teach hatred of Christians and Jews, and of the American way of life, and most of all I wish he'd get a freakin' clue about the critical danger posed by our wide open borders. He says over and over that he have to fight terrorism overseas so we don't have to face it here at home, yet he leaves the doors wide open for those Muslim radical SOBs to sneak right in with the invading illegal scumbag aliens (yes, the First Amendment is a great thing). For these and several other reasons, he's gotten my last vote. I'm voting my conscience this year, so it's Tom Tancredo on a write-in. I'm sick of Coke and Pepsi, so this year, it's iced tea for me.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

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