I'm sure Rush Limbaugh, ensconced in his villa on the beach, will set aside the pills and steak slabs for a few moments to weigh in for all the little people so disaffected by Pelosi's squandering lifestyle.

Holy creeping fascism, Batman! The Patriot Act still in full force, talks of renewed gun bans, regulating political speech, talk of nationalizing banks... My, what fun!

Pocket Ninja: I'm sure Rush Limbaugh, ensconced in his villa on the beach, will set aside the pills and steak slabs for a few moments to weigh in for all the little people so disaffected by Pelosi's squandering lifestyle.

I agree. No more public financing of Rush's lavish lifestyle!

/but meh, the Speaker of the House probably deserves a plane.

STFU nancy. Obama's plan *depends* on Limbaugh's unregulated ever flowing commentary. Shutting him down undermines that plan. Even SUGGESTING shutting him down is a bad idea.

Pantsy Fuloshi ...t

Oh, shut the hell up. You know damn well Dennis Hastert did the same effing thing, you duplicitous tools.

I'm so goddamned tired of the abject, base hypocrisy of the GOP.

She's just a low-grade Hillary Clinton: Someone with a thirst for power and aversion to any real job due to a lack of any real skills in anything meaningful. I think she embodies exactly what I hate about the Congress, regardless of party affiliation.

MaxxLarge: You know damn well Dennis Hastert did the same effing thing, you duplicitous tools.

Well that makes it OK!

Weaver95: STFU nancy. Obama's plan *depends* on Limbaugh's unregulated ever flowing commentary. Shutting him down undermines that plan. Even SUGGESTING shutting him down is a bad idea.

You know that's not why they want to do it. It's not that Rush is too loud, it's that they can't get break into the market talk radio market. The Dems are stupid enough to wish that they, too, had someone like Rush Limbaugh doing exactly what Rush does, simply because they think that they could do it better. But, since they can't have it, NO ONE CAN (sort of like your savings account)

El Chode: It's not that Rush is too loud, it's that they can't get break into the market talk radio market.

Everyone wants a market talk radio market. I don't know how that got in there.

Dancin_In_Anson: Well that makes it OK!

That's not the point. The point is, it's apparently only worth biatching about when someone who disagrees with your ideology does it. When it's an (R), he gets a free pass.

This bill is really only going to affect terrestrial radio, which unfortunately is on its way out. Podcasts, satellite radio, "HD radio," streaming, and other means will still be unregulated.

I still don't like it. It doesn't matter what side of the political fence you're on. Forced diversity is not real diversity. And who says they'll stop with just talk radio?

I wouldn't have liked this idea no matter whose administration backed it.

El Chode: Everyone wants a market talk radio market. I don't know how that got in there.

You're hurting my head.

MaxxLarge: That's not the point. The point is, it's apparently only worth biatching about when someone who disagrees with your ideology does it. When it's an (R), he gets a free pass.

I remember this debate raging all throughout the Bush years, for the same reason I mentioned earlier - they feared a liberal talk radio force and wanted to prevent it.

I understand your rage, but don't worry, there was a lot of whining about it back then too. It's just that we were told it was to keep us from having another 9/11, and people are cool with anything if it prevents 9/11.

El Chode: I remember this debate raging all throughout the Bush years, for the same reason I mentioned earlier - they feared a liberal talk radio force and wanted to prevent it.

Really? I'm going to need a citation on that. All I recall was howls of derisive laughter, and it wasn't the "laughing with them" kind. And as for regulation of political speech on the radio, I don't care who is proposing it - it's a violation of free speech.

She's making me agree with Sen. Mike Pence on something. Dammit, Nancy, do you know how that makes me feel?!?

Nabb1: Really? I'm going to need a citation on that. All I recall was howls of derisive laughter, and it wasn't the "laughing with them" kind. And as for regulation of political speech on the radio, I don't care who is proposing it - it's a violation of free speech.

I'm not researching it. I was running my campus radio station at the time and followed it because I was worried they might use it to take away our free-format status since we had a mix of music and politics

Nabb1: Holy creeping fascism, Batman! The Patriot Act still in full force, talks of renewed gun bans, regulating political speech, talk of nationalizing banks... My, what fun!

Bank nationalization is fascist? Are you Jonah Goldberg?

Lionel Mandrake: Nabb1: Holy creeping fascism, Batman! The Patriot Act still in full force, talks of renewed gun bans, regulating political speech, talk of nationalizing banks... My, what fun!

Bank nationalization is fascist? Are you Jonah Goldberg?

Alone? Perhaps not. As part of a rather troubling pattern? I don't like it.

MaxxLarge: That's not the point. The point is, it's apparently only worth biatching about when someone who disagrees with your ideology does it. When it's an (R), he gets a free pass.

It's been a few years since there was an (R) "doing it." I thought we were due something different...I mean other than a $4 Trillion more debt.

Nabb1: Lionel Mandrake: Nabb1: Holy creeping fascism, Batman! The Patriot Act still in full force, talks of renewed gun bans, regulating political speech, talk of nationalizing banks... My, what fun!

Bank nationalization is fascist? Are you Jonah Goldberg?

Alone? Perhaps not. As part of a rather troubling pattern? I don't like it.

I don't either. But fascists generally promoted oligarchies and monopolies (headed by friends of the regime of course), not actual nationalization. You better damn well do what they want though, so the difference is somewhat negligible...

Dear California's 8th Congressional District,

If you promise not to reelect her, we'll do the same for Lieberman.

Love,
Connecticut.

Dancin_In_Anson: MaxxLarge: You know damn well Dennis Hastert did the same effing thing, you duplicitous tools.

Well that makes it OK!

Aarontology: Dear California's 8th Congressional District,

If you promise not to reelect her, we'll do the same for Lieberman.

Love,
Connecticut.

This, that, and the other.

I would comment on the article, but CNSNews has their goddam IIS misconfigured and I can't load a single goddam page from their goddammed site.

Where is Corvus to defend this? Or whitbey? I am looking forward to their opinions.

Aarontology: Dear California's 8th Congressional District,

If you promise not to reelect her, we'll do the same for Lieberman.

Love,
Connecticut.

I'm willing to throw in Dodd with that agreement, in exchange for California making no more goddamn "unfunny black guy in a fat suit" movies.

Seriously.. what the hell kind of retard keeps paying to see those?

OK, they've got their right-wing "news" site running again.

Durbin's amendment:

SEC. 9. FCC AUTHORITIES.

(a) Clarification of General Powers.--Title III of the Communications Act of 1934 is amended by inserting after section 303 (47 U.S.C. 303) the following new section:

``SEC. 303B. CLARIFICATION OF GENERAL POWERS.

``(a) Certain Affirmative Actions Required.--The Commission shall take actions to encourage and promote diversity in communication media ownership and to ensure that broadcast station licenses are used in the public interest.

``(b) Construction.--Nothing in section 303A shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission regarding matters unrelated to a requirement that broadcasters present or ascertain opposing viewpoints on issues of public importance.'.

(b) Severability.--Notwithstanding section 7(a), if any provision of section 2(a)(1), 2(b)(1), or 3 or any amendment made by those sections is declared or held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the amendment made by subsection (a) and the application of such amendment to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected by such holding.

(relevant part of) DeMint's counteramendment:

SEC. 9. FAIRNESS DOCTRINE PROHIBITED.

(a) Limitation on General Powers: Fairness Doctrine.--Title III of the Communications Act of 1934 is amended by inserting after section 303 (47 U.S.C. 303) the following new section:

``SEC. 303A. LIMITATION ON GENERAL POWERS: FAIRNESS DOCTRINE.

``Notwithstanding section 303 or any other provision of this Act or any other Act authorizing the Commission to prescribe rules, regulations, policies, doctrines, standards, guidelines, or other requirements, the Commission shall not have the authority to prescribe any rule, regulation, policy, doctrine, standard, guideline, or other requirement that has the purpose or effect of reinstating or repromulgating (in whole or in part)--

``(1) the requirement that broadcasters present or ascertain opposing viewpoints on issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the `Fairness Doctrine', as repealed in In re Complaint of Syracuse Peace Council against Television Station WTVH, Syracuse New York, 2 FCC Rcd. 5043 (1987); or

``(2) any similar requirement that broadcasters meet programming quotas or guidelines for issues of public importance.'.

Both passed.

I saw nothing in the article about her travel plans or use of Hastert's hand-me-down jet.

From the actual bill"take actions to encourage and promote diversity in communication media ownership and to ensure that broadcast station licenses are used in the public interest."

They're going after Clear Channel, you dimwits. Your beloved Rush will be fine.

BuckTurgidson

Translation:

DeMint's amendment specifically banned the 'opposing viewpoints' part of the fairness doctrine. However, the Fairness Doctrine included many other regulations on broadcast media besides the opposing viewpoints part.

Durbin's amendment was designed to make sure the courts didn't interpret DeMint's amendment as a blanket prohibition of all the regulations contained in the original fairness doctrine.

I believe they specifically want to bring back the media ownership parts of the fairness doctrine such that mega-conglomerate station owners like Clear Channel wouldn't be allowed. This is good, lack of diversity in media ownership is a big problem.

Seabon: I believe they specifically want to bring back the media ownership parts of the fairness doctrine such that mega-conglomerate station owners like Clear Channel wouldn't be allowed. This is good, lack of diversity in media ownership is a big problem.

Definitely.

Dancin_In_Anson: MaxxLarge: You know damn well Dennis Hastert did the same effing thing, you duplicitous tools.

Well that makes it OK!

No, but it makes you a hypocrite. Really, how many times do we have to go over this?

Snarfangel: Pocket Ninja: I'm sure Rush Limbaugh, ensconced in his villa on the beach, will set aside the pills and steak slabs for a few moments to weigh in for all the little people so disaffected by Pelosi's squandering lifestyle.

I agree. No more public financing of Rush's lavish lifestyle!

/but meh, the Speaker of the House probably deserves a plane.


Bullshiat....she works for us.

/She should fly Southwest.

Weaver95: STFU nancy. Obama's plan *depends* on Limbaugh's unregulated ever flowing commentary. Shutting him down undermines that plan. Even SUGGESTING shutting him down is a bad idea.

No kidding. Get back on the bench Nancy, the game's almost over.

Bush Derangement Syndrome... Then Palin... Now Rush...

Seriously, must there always be a villain for the democrats. It's becoming almost a parody.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. blah blah blah.

The Fairness Doctrine is a right-wing boogeyman.

That is all.

*facepalm*

The whole Rush Limbaugh gambit REQUIRES that you don't do the dumbass shiat Rush Limbaugh is screaming about you doing!

Fail, Nancy Pelosi, fail fail fail!

I'm so glad that our economy is doing so well that our biggest concern is Rush Limbaugh.

illegal.tender: The Fairness Doctrine is a right-wing boogeyman.

That is all.

This. In fact, I'd be willing to wager that the Democrats only have been bringing it up to stoke the flames of the war with Rush.

The Libs are overreaching big time and it's gonna bite 'em in the ass. This ain't cool.

MyRandomName: Bush Derangement Syndrome... Then Palin... Now Rush...

Seriously, must there always be a villain for the democrats. It's becoming almost a parody.

The Bush Administration was a villain, and frankly what we've learned since they left just makes them seem even more villainous. Rush is a method to bring the ugly part of the Republican base into the light and disgust moderates, like sending good looking white kids to civil rights protest in the south. Focus light on the slime and it dries up.

Aarontology: If you promise not to reelect her, we'll do the same for Lieberman.

You are a little bit too late with that non-electing Lieberman thing, besides, Lieberman has zero trade value now as Lieberman is toast in 2012.

Wasn't the Fairness Doctrine in effect back in the 80's, the times we now refer to as the good old days?

This kind of crap is what keeps me an independent (no not that kind).

MONOPOLIES ARE GOOD!!!

ONLY COMMIES DON'T LIKE MONOPOLIES!!!11!

Seabon: From the actual bill"take actions to encourage and promote diversity in communication media ownership and to ensure that broadcast station licenses are used in the public interest."

They're going after Clear Channel, you dimwits. Your beloved Rush will be fine.

Hey, never try to take away the desire to see past the obvious for something sinister.


BuckTurgidson: I saw nothing in the article about her travel plans or use of Hastert's hand-me-down jet.

Subby is trollin', don't be hatin'.

The_Sponge: I'm so glad that our economy is doing so well that our biggest concern is Rush Limbaugh.

You're not very bright.

Snarfangel: Pocket Ninja: I'm sure Rush Limbaugh, ensconced in his villa on the beach, will set aside the pills and steak slabs for a few moments to weigh in for all the little people so disaffected by Pelosi's squandering lifestyle.

I agree. No more public financing of Rush's lavish lifestyle!

/but meh, the Speaker of the House probably deserves a plane.

Just one plane? She should have a helicopter too; Obama has one.

And, Obama doesn't even need those; he can fly.