Posted on 02/16/2009 7:34:37 AM PST by Roos_Girl
st augustine here, let me know on what is going on please
We formerly thought South east.
Can Florida accept Georgia if they want to come.
There can then be another for NC, SC, Va Tn
here in st johns county it seems the GOP takes our red county for granted as I can never get through hardly and when I do they are not interested in pushing a conservative agenda
We’d be happy to include anyone from Georgia if they want to make the trip down. Would you like to be the Georgia liason? We’ll need some coordination with getting info to people up there and knowing how many would be coming down.
Add this to my previous post above:
Obama: FCC Policies Must Encourage Media Ownership Diversity
obama.senate.gov ^ | Monday, October 22, 2007 | Obama
Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 5:34:55 PM by Nachum
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2188635/posts
Obama: FCC Policies Must Encourage Media Ownership Diversity Monday, October 22, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Amy Brundage, 202 228 5511
FCC Rule Changes Must First Assess and Address Minority Media Ownership
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent the following letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin J. Martin, calling on him to launch an independent review panel to develop proposals to further promote media ownership diversity. According to press accounts, following an insufficient 30-day review, the FCC intends to modify existing ownership rules by allowing greater media market consolidation. This would allow large media outlets to become larger, potentially cutting out small business, women and minority-owned firms. Minority owned and operated newspapers and radio stations play an important role in the African American and Latino communities and help bring minority issues to the forefront of our national dialogue. However, the Commission has failed to recognize the vital role these outlets play in our democracy and has not done enough to further the goals of diversity in the media.
In the letter, Obama also asks for the FCC to reconsider the Chairman’s proposed consolidation timeline and start a public review of any specific proposed rule modifications. He also asks Martin to complete a study of the responsibilities that broadcasters have to the communities in which they operate.
Obama and Senator John Kerry have previously written to Kevin Martin asking him to address the issue of minority media ownership, and the impact that new rules would have on opportunities for minority, small business, and women owned firms.
The text of the letter is below:
Dear Chairman Martin:
I am writing regarding your proposal to move forward aggressively with modifications to existing media ownership rules. According to press accounts, you intend to present specific changes to existing rules in November with a Commission vote on that proposal – whatever it may be – on December 18, 2007. I believe both the proposed timeline and process are irresponsible.
Minority owned and operated newspapers and radio stations play a critical role in the African American and Latino communities and bring minority issues to the forefront of our national discussion. However, the Commission has failed to further the goals of diversity in the media and promote localism, and as a result, it is in no position to justify allowing for increased consolidation of the market. Moreover, 30 days of public review of a specific proposed change is insufficient to assess the effect that change would have on the media marketplace or the rationale on which any such proposal is based.
While the FCC did commission two studies on minority ownership in the round of 10 studies it ordered at the beginning of 2007, both suffered from the same problem – inadequate data from which to make determinations on the status of minority media ownership or the causes for that status and ways to increase representation.
It is time to put together an independent panel, as Commissioner Adelstein has recommended, to issue a specific proposal for furthering the goal of diversity in media ownership. I object to the agency moving forward to allow greater consolidation in the media market without first fully understanding how that would limit opportunities for minority, small business, and women owned firms.
I also object to the Commission’s propensity to vet proposals through leaks to the press and lobbyists. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report in September 2007 titled, “The FCC Should Take Steps to Ensure Equal Access to Rulemaking Information.” In that report, GAO found that: “Situations where some, but not all, stakeholders know what the FCC is considering for an upcoming vote undermine fairness and transparency of the process and constitute a violation of the FCC’s rules.” The report went on to state: “This imbalance of information is not the intended result of the Communications Act and it runs contrary to the principles of transparency and equal opportunity for participation established by law and to the FCC’s own rules that govern rulemaking.”
In the wake of that report, I find it disturbing that, according to the New York Times, the Commission is considering repealing the newspaper and television cross ownership rules. It is unclear what your intent is on the rest of the media ownership regulations. Repealing the cross ownership rules and retaining the rest of our existing regulations is not a proposal that has been put out for public comment; the proper process for vetting it is not in closed door meetings with lobbyists or in selective leaks to the New York Times.
Although such a proposal may pass the muster of a federal court, Congress and the public have the right to review any specific proposal and decide whether or not it constitutes sound policy. And the Commission has the responsibility to defend any new proposal in public discourse and debate.
This is not the first time I have communicated with the agency on this matter. Senator Kerry and I wrote to you on July 20, 2006, stating that the Commission needed to address and complete a proceeding on issues of minority and small business media ownership before taking up the wider media ownership rules. Our request echoed an amendment adopted by the Senate Commerce Committee in June 2006. And last month, at an FCC hearing on media ownership held in Chicago, I requested that the FCC put out any specific changes that would be voted on in a new notice of proposed rulemaking so that the American people have an opportunity to review it.
In closing, I ask you to reconsider your proposed timeline, put out any specific change to the rules for public comment and review, move to establish an independent panel on minority and small business media ownership, and complete a proceeding on the responsibilities that broadcasters have to the communities in which they operate.
Sincerely,
Senator Barack Obama
Here’s my topic list:
(1) Possible allies in Florida, both organizational and individual.
(2) Preparations for 2010 elections.
(3) Development of a vetted list of Florida Free Republic activists, with areas of interest and expertise.
I’m working with others to meet in Tennessee or maybe NC.
To include Ga moves the geographic center way to the south andincreasesthemilestraveled.
BTW, A few of us are trying to start a Federated Republican Women's group in Columbia County. Please let me know if you want any info about it.
We have been discussing it in the GA Area of the locals, we do have a few who want to. I Guess I could do the inbetweening if you like, I’ll go post the dates up in the ga area also, but I’m in NGA and it might just be easier to go north.
Hi Roos,
Where is the convention planned to be?
Fun fact - it was I who organized the first Florida Freeper convention...which was held at the Marriott hotel on Sand Lake Road in Orlando. That must have been around 1997-1998, and was before state Chapters started to form.
Hey Duke,
The only location we know right now is Orlando. We’re checking in to prices on some specific locations and once we’ve got some of that info together I’ll post more. Hope to meet you there.
Are you interested/able to give us a hand with some of the planning this go around? I haven’t had any nibbles on someone who would be willing to compile the topic lists..... are you taking the hint yet?? :)
Freepmail your list of the Top 5 topics you think should be discussed at the convention to seekthetruth. Please keep each topic to 5 words or less.
Also, if you'd be willing to lead the discussion on one of the topics on your list, please indicate that as well.
Your list of topics should be to seekthetruth by March 1.
Again, if you'd like off the Florida Freeper Convention ping list let me know!
Freepmail your list of the Top 5 topics you think should be discussed at the convention to seekthetruth. Please keep each topic to 5 words or less.
Also, if you'd be willing to lead the discussion on one of the topics on your list, please indicate that as well.
Your list of topics should be to seekthetruth by March 1.
Again, if you'd like off the Florida Freeper Convention ping list let me know!
Sorry, maybe someday I’ll get the hang of this computering thing. :)
I would LOVE to go.. but I am currently on Active Duty getting ready to deploy to Iraq again.
David
God Bless you David, and thank you for your service! Will be honored to meet you some day.
David,
Thank you for your service to our country! We know you’ll be with us in spirit and we’ll be praying for your safe return. If you work hard over there to keep us safe, we’ll work hard to have a free country for you to return home to.
God bless,
Marci
RG,
I don’t have 5 topics to suggest. My number 1 is getting Conservative candidates for all Florida elective offices. Number 2 is getting the local GOP good ole boys to do something, anything positive.
I’ll get back to you later.
I recorded your two topics, and thanks! If you come up with some more just freepmail me or post and ping me. I am compiling the list with replies from everyone and it is fine if you think of less than five topics to add to the list.
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