“Poisonous” Politics?
To honor July 4th, I take issue with Sunday’s front-page story in The News & Observer: “Attacks replace issues; politics turns poisonous.”
Excuse me, but have they heard of the 1984 Hunt-Helms race? Or the 1950 Smith-Graham race?
There is nothing new here. The only thing new, really, is cable TV, the Internet and talk radio. And there, I suspect, lies the reason for the article.
Some journalists secretly feel that any information that goes directly to voters – not through the journalistic “filter” – is inherently evil. TV ads, direct mail, blogs, talk radio – all of it.
It’s no stretch to suspect that some people would like to restrict that free-for-all.
I even heard Trent Lott complain during the immigration-bill controversy that “something” should be done about talk radio.
Like what? Bring back the “fairness doctrine?”
Liberal that I am, I like one ruling by the Roberts Supreme Court: striking down restrictions on campaign speech.
The First Amendment is absolute. Government shall put no restriction on freedom of speech.
No. Restriction. On freedom of speech. Period.
So eat a hot dog or drink a cold one in honor of the First Amendment on the Fourth. Enjoy.
Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.
“Poisonous” Politics?
To honor July 4th, I take issue with Sunday’s front-page story in The News & Observer: “Attacks replace issues; politics turns poisonous.”
Excuse me, but have they heard of the 1984 Hunt-Helms race? Or the 1950 Smith-Graham race?
There is nothing new here. The only thing new, really, is cable TV, the Internet and talk radio. And there, I suspect, lies the reason for the article.
Some journalists secretly feel that any information that goes directly to voters – not through the journalistic “filter” – is inherently evil. TV ads, direct mail, blogs, talk radio – all of it.
It’s no stretch to suspect that some people would like to restrict that free-for-all.
I even heard Trent Lott complain during the immigration-bill controversy that “something” should be done about talk radio.
Like what? Bring back the “fairness doctrine?”
Liberal that I am, I like one ruling by the Roberts Supreme Court: striking down restrictions on campaign speech.
The First Amendment is absolute. Government shall put no restriction on freedom of speech.
No. Restriction. On freedom of speech. Period.
So eat a hot dog or drink a cold one in honor of the First Amendment on the Fourth. Enjoy.
Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.