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Talk Shows Influence Immigration Debate
Immigration has supplanted Iraq as the leading issue on television and radio talk shows, complicating the prospects of a Senate bill desperately wanted by President Bush.
Horrors! Is someone losing their base-chatter issues, drowned out in the noise from other issues? Are the people actually getting involved, and putting pressure on their Congresscritters? Heavens. Well, that's a free society in action, right?
Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., told reporters last week, "Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem."
And all this time we thought it was Congress running the country! But don't worry, Senator. Help is on the way, just right across the aisle....
Feinstein might push for fairness doctrine
U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., said Sunday she is "looking at" the possibility of reviving the fairness doctrine for U.S. broadcasters.
Feinstein, speaking on "Fox News Sunday" with Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said talk radio in particular has presented a one-sided view of immigration reform legislation being considered by the Senate.
...Feinstein said the measure before the Senate "fixes those flaws" but that doesn't get presented on talk radio, which she said "pushes people to ... extreme views without a lot of information."
Asked if she would revive the fairness doctrine, which used to require broadcasters to present competing sides of controversial issues, Feinstein said she was "looking at it."*
[*--Exact quotation from the transcript: Well, I'm looking at it, as a matter of fact, Chris, because I think there ought to be an opportunity to present the other side. And unfortunately, talk radio is overwhelmingly one way.]
You poor saps, all strung out on Hugh Hewitt and Neal Boortz. We know you can't defend yourself from that insidious right-wing mind control. No one can. After all, there are no other media channels or outlets other than talk radio in the entire nation. No opportunity for opposing viewpoints to be heard, except in every newpaper and on the entire remainder of the electromagnetic spectrum and on the internet and cable and satellite media broadcasts.. But don't worry, Feinstein will help fix it! She'll help adjust the radio wave content so you can think properly, in a rational and balanced fashion. Or something like that. With Trent Lott by her side, how can she fail?
Previous. Politicians do hate noisy constituents.
UPDATE (Tangential): Glenn Reynolds comment: The leaders of Incumbistan would rather not even have to answer the phone. Unless, you know, it's somebody offering them money who's calling. If you want to annoy any Senators, here's the contact list.
I forgive him everything.
The irony
of making their suggestion on FOX NEWS is not lost. I read last week a propaganda piece by Hamas in the New York Times. I didn't see as large a rebuttal. I listen as the networks spin selective news items to project a disturbing view of American policy v underreporting the startling behavior of numerous nations and violent groups. I have heard Chavez speak with little outraged counterpoint. (see comment below)
Lou Dobbs has been ranting about illegals and the plight of the Middle Class for years, despite the fact that the Middle Class derives cheap construction, services and produce on the backs of exploited Mexicans and Chinese. His views on immigration fuel outsourcing which he also blasts as well as hemispheric trade agreements he considers capitulation to the enemy.. CBS leads evening news with predictions that Iraqi insurgents are unbeatable having survived the best we can give them and ties future terrorist attacks here with mistakes made in Iraq. No wonder You Tube rules.
Perhaps Lott and Feinstein can answer whether "fairness" should next spread to classrooms where Intelligent Design can offer a fair rebuttal to Darwin. Maybe we can delegate different months for different foreign and domestic policies in order to be fair to everyone. Now I see why so many illiberal Liberals didn't shout when Chavez shut down private stations. The stations weren't being fair to Chavez while using public airways. There is an unspoken supreme standard for journalism beyond the actual law. I didn't know that Trent.
I wonder if these two will first take on Shock Jocks, Rappers and Howard Stern, or maybe South Park. Then a panel could declare that for every ex military officer given airtime, a Muslim cleric can rebut. I would love to see some balance at PBS and MSNBC, but I don't think that is what either of these Representatives have in mind. One reason why there hasn't been more media fire on the Pro-Amnesty side is that the Left doesn't think the present package is Liberal or security-foolish enough. They hardly want Bush to pass anything for credit or require anything like a National ID card to make Amnesty work.. Where are all those actors and entertainments types pushing for Amnesty? Nope, there is far more going on than Lott or Feinstein care to discuss. Talk of fairness is a major misdirection when a missing President and Democratic leadership fail to push for compromise and reform.
Resist assimilation! This ?fairness? stuff is another example of illiberal Liberalism contemplating shooting itself in the foot with the help, this time, of a Republican Conservative.
Yeah, I caught that irony.
Yeah, I caught that irony. "No opportunity to present the other side"...when she's talking on Fox. If she'd said it on Olbermann it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun.
rotfl
..incumbistan...now that's funny. I look forward to using that.