Clear Channel Broadcasting in the USA needs a lesson in the US Constitution.
The First Amendment States:
“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”.
It is these words amongst others, which comprise the US Constitution and the American Bill of Rights, which make the United States of America the greatest country on earth.
Yet; it seems that the people who pretend to be the most passionate about the USA, are very often the ones who are most likely to violate the freedoms which are found in the Constitution.
During the past half dozen years, I’ve spent a great deal of time reading, listening and watching Conservatives deal with issues ranging from government waste, fraud and corruption. I’ve listened to Conservative talk-shows that hammer away at Liberal judges. And I’ve read a great deal about Liberal conspiracies put forward by Conservative writers.
I’ve invested this time in understanding the Conservative point of view, because I too share some values and beliefs supported by the Conservative mainstream. Also; like many people in North America (Canada and the USA), I too am fed up with the way our societies have been governed under Liberal leaders.
In the last dozen years, the pendulum had swung too far to the Left. But now I see the pendulum swinging too far to the Right.
This past week, Clear Channel dropped the Howard Stern Show and another racy broadcast called Bubba The Love Sponge from its radio network; not because people didn’t listen, and not because advertisers didn’t buy spots on these shows. But rather, because Clear Channel knuckled-under to Right-wing Conservative pressures exerted on the FCC.
I think Howard Stern’s Show is crap. The few times I caught a minute of it here and there, it offended me. I don’t know anything about The Love Sponge, but I’m certain that would have offended me as well. I don’t like sleaze. I don’t like misogyny. I don’t like gratuitously vulgar situations. I don’t like that brand of broadcasting.
But because I don’t like it; it does not give me the right to tell anyone else what they should or shouldn’t like?
I also don’t like the Right-wing blowhard Rush Limbaugh. I think he’s offensive. I hate when he calls independent minded women “feminazis”. That’s vulgar. I hate when he makes wild accusations against people based on his contrived what-if scenarios, and then he turns them into perceived fact.
For my money, a Rush Limbaugh is far more offensive and a threat to the moral fibre of society, than people like Howard Stern who talk about “tits and ass”.
I also believe that lying by omission, or slanting the news, such as the news media does on a regular basis is vulgar, and also more than just a little bit harmful.
And then there are the reality shows which are demeaning to the participants and the viewers alike. I hate these too.
So what? It’s only my opinion.
There was a time not that long ago when certain books such as Lady Chaterly’s Lover were banned in the USA. And magazines like Playboy could only be sold in a plain brown wrapper. These issue were dealt with in the 1950’s.
And now they’re back.
The Conservative Right-wing in the USA and Canada has a real problem dealing with issues that are not the nation’s business.
If you don’t like what is written in a book – don’t read it.
IF you don’t like what is said on a particular radio show – don’t listen.
If you’re offended by television reality shows – turn the channel.
If you feel that a news broadcasts lies and distorts – tune into another news show.
The beauty of the US Constitution, is that it places the concept of freedom in the hands of the people, and away from the government. And when the government forgets about the First Amendment, they should not forget about the Second Amendment.
The Second Amendment empowers the American people to bear arms against the government in the circumstance that the government violates the US Constitution.
The Second Amendment States:
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed”.
It is indeed a very slippery slope one begins to slide upon, when a minority of people decide to regulate what other people should hear, see and read. And it is indeed even more slippery when the pressure emanates from the offices of government.
The people in the USA who think that censorship is a great policy should also think why America went to war so many times, and why the Moslem/Arab fundamentalists hate the USA as much as they do.
Freedom of Speech is America. America is Freedom of Speech. One does not exist without the other. Clear Channel and the Conservative Right-wing should not be able to destroy the foundation of the world’s greatest democracy.
Howard Stern should have the right to talk about tits and ass on the air. And Rush Limbaugh should have the right to condemn him and the “feminazis” for doing so.
And whether I like it or not . . . That’s America!
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One Comment
Howard: The only way we’ll be able to save our freedom in the U.S. is for the Republicans to maintain control of the HOUSE and to REGAIN control of the SENATE. Yes, ignoring the FIRST Amendment is a PLOY which is being used against the PEOPLE. We are seeing this abuse in our own little City and State right now, as those who SPEAK OUT are being accused of “either not having the proper information or being negative”. If VOTER FRAUD can be prevented this year, the Republicans WILL take over!
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