LIMBAUGH WARNS OF DANGER TO FREE SPEECH

Drudge ^ | 2/26/04 | Drudge/Limbaugh

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

LIMBAUGH WARNS OF DANGER TO FREE SPEECH THU FEB 26 2004 12:28:21 ET

THE NATION'S TOP RADIO HOST RUSH LIMBAUGH WARNED OF GROWING GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN BROADCASTING CONTENT.

LIMBAUGH MADE THE COMMENTS AFTER HIS PARENT COMPANY CLEAR CHANNEL DROPPED VIACOM'S HOWARD STERN FROM ITS STATIONS.

'SMUT ON TV GETS PRAISED. SMUT ON TV WINS EMMYS. ON RADIO, THERE SEEMS TO BE DIFFERENT STANDARDS,' LIMBAUGH EXPLAINED.

'I'VE NEVER HEARD HOWARD STERN. BUT WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED IN THIS, I GET A LITTLE FRIGHTENED.

'IF WE ARE GOING TO SIT BY AND LET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED IN THIS, IF THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO 'CENSOR' WHAT THEY THINK IS RIGHT AND WRONG... WHAT HAPPENS IF A WHOLE BUNCH OF JOHN KERRYS, OR TERRY MCAULIFFES START RUNNING THIS COUNTRY. AND DECIDE CONSERVATIVE VIEWS ARE LEADING TO VIOLENCE?

'I AM IN THE FREE SPEECH BUSINESS. ITS ONE THING FOR A COMPANY TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE PARTY TO IT. ITS ANOTHER THING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO IT.'

MORE

[Diddle E. Squat]

The existing decency standards do not restrict political speech. Enforcing these standards is not a slippery slope, because they were previously enforced before without a restriction on political speech. We've survived quite fine with the 'Can't shout fire in a crowded theater' restriction.

The founding fathers declared that we have the freedom to pursue happiness, but are you(or rather those who think the decency standards are unconstitutional restrictions on free speech) going to argue that outlawing beastiality is too great a restriction on that freedom?

[dead]

I don't recall ever voting for Michael Powell. He was appointed to the job because he has a powerful father. Now, because his daddy was successful, he's going to decide what I'm allowed to hear.

We, the people, can regulate our airwaves the old fashioned way - via the marketplace.

If you don't like what you hear you can change the station. But the marketplace is a far far more efficient and freer way for "we the people" to regulate content than the heavy hand of the government could ever be.

[Keeper of the Turf]

Rush has never been a moralist, let alone religious, and he certainly does not like women in general, so why am I not surprised about his rant today....

You better explain yourself real quick.

[gdani]

So I guess that means you don't have a problem with Stern describing on air, in detail what a couple of midgets are doing to strippers??

If I DID/DO have a problem with it I would change the channel.

I would certainly not go running to mommy & daddy govt crying that they need to protect me from his show's content because I haven't figured out that my radio comes with an on/off button.

[Sabertooth]

If government regulation of radio content is good, why shouldn't Free Republic be licensed by a government agency?

Because it's longstanding legal doctrine that the airwaves are a public resource.

Google search: "airwaves are a public resource"

The same is not true of the internet.

[unspun]

Relax, Rush.
It's about decency, not politics.
There is a difference.
Even the folks in Rio Linda know that.

[cyncooper]

So, if the American people went mad tomorrow and decided that Limbaugh or any conservative radio show had to go, you'd be ok with that, right?

Stern had specific antics and content being broadcast that crossed normal standards of decency. People can pretend the standard is arbitrary, but it is not.

Limbaugh and other conservatives would have to say and advocate offensive things to be threatened with removal from the airwaves, and contrary to the fears here, the government does not operate king-like, even with the unthinkable circumstance of a dem appointed FCC head who would decree they don't like conservative thought. And no, I don't think for one minute the "American people" will turn and decide Limbaugh has to go.

Absurd.

[unspun]

American standards of decency. You know....

[Sabertooth]

I don't recall ever voting for Michael Powell. He was appointed to the job because he has a powerful father. Now, because his daddy was successful, he's going to decide what I'm allowed to hear.

The man who appointed him was elected President in 2000.

The FCC is the regulatory arem of the people's interest in establishing broadcast standards. This has been established since about 1920.

We, the people, can regulate our airwaves the old fashioned way - via the marketplace.

If you don't like what you hear you can change the station. But the marketplace is a far far more efficient and freer way for "we the people" to regulate content than the heavy hand of the government could ever be.

No kids either, right?

[babbabooeyToYall]

Hank's dead.
Well being dead certainly is being "vertically challenged." (Unless you are a mummy)

LOL. OK, I concede the point. Anyway, I miss the poor little bugger. I'd love to see what he'd be doing now amidst this mess.

[cyncooper]

It's the same argument on BOTH sides: My speech is ok and protected. Yours is not.

No. Actually that's not "the argument".

[Bella_Bru]

The poster said the decision is up to the American people. They can come up with any damn reason they want. The difference will be in the reaction on both sides.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Actually it is you who are ignorant of history. The line of decency has been defined tighter before, by pressure from the fed govt that was in reaction to the will of the populace(isn't that what democracy is about?). Back in the 20's and 30's it was the movie industry that was under fire. Standards were imposed, yet somehow political free speech survived and thrived.

Its about where to draw the line, not if a line should be drawn. Read Strauss & Howe's book "Generations" which explains how what we are seeing fits right in with the cycles of American history that have taken place before.

[gdani]

Let me guess: no kids.

After all, it takes a village to raise a child.........

[cyncooper]

Good post, Mo.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Google search: "internet is a public resource"

Others seem to disagree with your claims.

[dead]

No kids either, right?

Try again, Kreskin. I have three.

And I, not the government, will decide what they can listen to on the radio or watch on television.

That's my job. Not yours. Not Michael Powell's.

[dead]

So I guess that means you don't have a problem with Stern describing on air, in detail what a couple of midgets are doing to strippers??

So you want the government to kick him off the air for that.

Well, I guess Limbaugh’s also going to have to go. I hard him describe, in detail, what Monica did sexually to Bill when he got ahold of her testimony.

How offensive! Mama Government is going to make all those offensive things go away so I don't have to turn the dial anymore.

Sunshine and roses from the government radio. No talk of icky sex or evil guns or anything controversial. Just the pablum I crave.

[Mo1]

I would certainly not go running to mommy & daddy govt crying that they need to protect me from his show's content because I haven't figured out that my radio comes with an on/off button.

I didn't go running to the Gov. and I did stop listening to him because he was going way over board

But it didn't seem to stop him from being a pervert who likes to get his jollies off when getting a lapdance on air now did it?

Stern was the one who pushed the envelope to shock people .. but yet it is everyone else's fault but his own

Go Figure

[Sabertooth]

Hogwash.

Long established legal doctrine.

"We the people" can decide what we want to listen to by tuning or not tuning into particular TV shows or radio programs.

You sure can... within broadcast standards established by the FCC.

If those options are insufficient, there is cable, which is not a public resource, and not subject to the same regs as broadcast.

Or, vote for someone who will either abolish the FCC, or construct it the way you prefer.

I, for one, don't need & never asked for the FCC & our nanny state's guidance in helping me determine my viewing & listening habits.

If it weren't for the FCC, a few conglomerates could build a few dozen million-watt transmitters that would control the entire broadcast dial, and broadcast hardcore porn 24/7, if they so chose.