Posted on 09/08/2006 10:27:17 AM PDT by technomage
I am not sure if the general public truly understands the enormity of the events surrounding the upcoming docu-drama "Pathway to 9-11".
The Democratic party reaction reeks of censorship, it reeks of absolute government control of the media, ala the Soviet Union or Red China.
During the reign of the Soviet Union, how many people can remember when the news reported how television stations and networks were shut down only because someone dare criticize the government? Even recently, under Putin, stations and channels have been taken off the air for only one reason: they criticized the government or aired something critical of the government.
Many people in the USA could not believe that was happening. Free speech being squelched by a government.
Of course, this could never happen in the United States.
Until now.
The Senate Democrats have threatened a United States television network with revoking their license if they air a show that portrays Democrats in a bad light. Never mind that it also takes shots at the Bush administration. It shows Democrats in a negative way and they just cannot allow that.
Can we all see the enormity of this? A political party threatening to shut down an entire television network unless they present their shows according to how that political party thinks they should present it?
The Senate Democrats are using the excuse that this docu-drama is not historically accurate. Well, just how many docu-dramas, mini series, made for TV movies are not historically accurate? You can count dozens or more each year. Yet, we did not have any political party threatening to revoke the licenses of these various networks for those shows.
What is the difference now?
The only difference now is that this one portrays Democrats in a bad light and the Democrats are having a temper tantrum. The problem with this tantrum is they are our lawmakers and are using the full force of the government to have the show changed to their liking, or pulled completely. This is not only unheard of and unbelievable in the United States, it is extraordinarily dangerous to the freedom of speech to all Americans. It is blatant censorship!
What is next? Think about that. What is next? Who will they go after next just because someone says, publishes or produces something that they do not agree with?
Let's take a look at something else. There is another docu-drama out there. It is called 'Death Of A President'. In this docu-drama we are shown the assassination of President Bush. This is a docu-drama just like 'Pathway To 9-11'. Look at the difference in reaction. The Bush administration did not demand that Canada not allow this to be shown. They did not threaten any type of retaliation. They did what mature adults would do: They basically kept quiet about it even though this movie could possible push some crazy over the edge to attempt the assassination of President Bush! If ever a political party had reason to demand something be pulled, that would be it.
But the Republican party did not do that.
What we have here is one docu-drama that shows some Democrats in a bad light and another docu-drama that shows the MURDER OF PRESIDENT BUSH. In the first, the Democrats feelings are hurt, in the other it is shown just how to KILL President Bush.
Yet, looking at the reactions of each, you would think it was the other way around.
Remember Farenheit 9-11? The Bush administration disputed supposed facts in this movie, but they never threatened anyone with retaliation like the Democrats are doing. Regarding Farenheit 9-11, conservatives nationwide disputed the historical accuracy of the film. In Pathway To 9-11, liberals nationwide are disputing the historical accuracy.
The Senate Democrats are telling the country that anyone can say anything about conservatives. They can lie, mis-represent, twist and spin facts any way they want when it comes to conservatives. But, don't you DARE do the same to liberals or they will ruin you!!
These are the same Democrats that during the 1990's were complaining loudly that the so-called 'religious right' was trying to snuff out freedom of speech by organizing letter campaigns against certain shows that were deemed immoral in their eyes. At that time these same Democrats strongly defended the networks freedom of speech. Now, they are the ones that are organizing letter campaigns. The hypocrisy is deafening.
Why are the Democrats abusing their power over this docu-drama? Why are they acting like rabid dogs over this? Why are they frothing at the mouth? Is it possible that some things in this docu-drama hit too close to the truth? Or is it more basic? Is it just politics? Is it something as simple as the Democrats worrying that this docu-drama might affect the November elections?
If it is just politics, this is again extremely disturbing and dangerous. A political party threating freedom of speech just for votes?
What we are seeing here folks is a defining moment in our ability to hold onto our constitutional right to freedom of speech. Whether the facts are true or not, whether the historical accuracy is 100% or 50%, no political party should be allowed to threaten, intimidate or abuse their law making power over any individual or company, merely because something said, printed or aired hurts their feelings or may cost them votes.
Sadly, it appears that ABC is bending to the threats of the Senate Democrats and are editing the docu-drama. Again I ask, what is next? Who will they go after next?
It should be obvious to anyone of any political persuasion that according to Senate Democrats, freedom of speech means speech that they deem okay. They are now the Bureau of Censorship and Propoganda.
This is a very dangerous situation. Liberals and conservatives alike should be very concerned, at least those that truly believe in our right to freedom of speech.
Call Disney at 1-818-560-1000 or 1-818-460-7477.
Call ABC at 1-212-456-7777 or 1-818-560-1000.
Already done.
People won't care about the threat unless it comes true. We have ALL been waiting for the third season of Lost. /s
APf
Thanks for the phone numbers. It is one thing for normal citizens to get outraged at something and threaten not to watch a show, buy advertised products, etc.
It is something else entirely when there are government officials saying that something should not be shown. Especially if they are threatening actions like pulling ABS's license!
The dems did the same thing to Sinclair Media during the Kerry campaign.
It worked then, why not try it again?
Like I said a week ago, if it's being shown on ABC the final product will be either modified to conform to the wishes of the democrats or won't be shown at all.
I think that the best thing that could happen with "The Path to 9/11" is for it to be either shown on cable with not changes or for another network (are you listening FOX?) to buy it from ABC and show the entire film with no changes.
I haven't heard that. Got a link?
I can imagine the outcry by conservatives if something like this were done to a Republican President (so many examples to choose from here...), but I never would expect the Republicans in Congress to unleash such a threat. They never did, as far as I can remember, over many such falacious TV shows and movies.
All I can say is that, though I still believe ALL politics to be a dirty game between two teams of whores, there is CLEARLY one that is worse than the other. CLEARLY. I don't know about you all, but the "broken glass Republican" in me has risen again!
Regardless of Who does/says What,
that movie in its uncut version is
headed for a private sale and will
resurface later. The Dems have merely
escalated the going price. Besides,
with all the detailed hoopla about
what scenes are being cut to salve
the egos of Clintonista aides/cronies,
what voting citizen, even a Democrat,
is going to see the edited version and
not be able to phantasize the original
statements?
What surprises me is the fact NO ONE
as yet has cited Hillary's run for
the Oval Office as the real reason
behind the MAKING of this movie as
well as the OBJECTIONS to it! Maybe
that's election food fare for later
in 2007?
Just take a look at my tagline.
This will be a monumental event. I don't think it's exagerration to say this could swing the November election, because, let's face it, most voters are not news junkies like we are, and it's been shown that most get their 'news" from Leno and John Stewart--infotainment, not hard news sources. People who want to get up to speed on 9/11 facts but don't want to read books will watch this and feel they know a lot about what led to 9/11.
That's why this is so very important. If Bush comes off looking derelect in his duty, we could be in some trouble, but it's possible the Bush-hatred has reached a saturation point. The Dems, and Clinton, have been riding a wave of ignorance and MSM covering-up of the Clinton Administration's total lack of effort to prevent Al Qaeda's rise. And this could shift things just enough--a few thousand votes here and there--to spell catastrophe for the Dems.
It could do nothing, or it could affect the election. But there is more danger here for the Dems than for the Republicans.
no different than the outcry from repulicans over "The Reagans" a few years back
Good idea. I don't think it's possible to get the genie back into the bottle. I presume there are uncut/unedited versions out there.
This is actually great news in the long run....the Dems unwillingness/inability to constructively participate in the greatest debate of the new century effectively ends their political leadership...probably permanently...probably even as a functional party. Watching the Dems atrophy under Clinton leadership through the '90's, I nevere figured he'd completely kill it off...but he/she finally have. The treasonous and cowardly among us are labeled and identified.
Done!
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