Is Obama's New FCC Transition Head Talk Radio's 'Executioner'?

[TheSarge]

Brian Maloney at Radio Equalizer warns that Barack Obama is signaling his designs on conservative talk radio with the rumored appointment of former FCC Commissioner Henry Rivera as the head of his FCC transition team:

Henry Rivera, a longtime radical leftist, lawyer and former FCC commissioner, is expected to lead the push to dismantle commercial talk radio that is favored by a number of Democratic Party senators. Rivera will play a pivotal role in preventing critics from having a public voice during Obama's tenure in office.

Rivera, who resigned from the FCC nearly a quarter-century ago during the Reagan years, believes in a doctrine of "communications policy as a civil rights issue".

His exit during the Reagan Administration paved the way for the Fairness Doctrine's repeal when the late president appointed Patricia Diaz Dennis in 1986 to fill out the rest of Rivera's term. Had this not occurred, talk radio as we know it today would not exist.

That gives Rivera's new task a great deal of personal urgency: it's a late-career, second chance opportunity to shut down opposition voices that have been allowed to flourish since his depature from the commission.

In particular, Rivera is known for his push for more minority broadcasting ownership, but this issue has largely been rendered obsolete as former commercial broadcasting empires teeter on the brink of bankruptcy.



http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2008/11/06/obamas-new-fcc-transition-head-talk-radios-executioner

[USA4ME]

Between Limbaugh and Hannity alone, that's roughly 30 million people who would probably have something to say about that.  I'm betting there's even some libs who aren't too crazy about limiting free speech, and that would be what it is despite their insistence otherwise.  The gov't starts limiting free speech on the radio, where does it end?  End free speech on the internet?  Sure they would eventually.  The far left kooks are crazy, they would be next in line.

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[TheSarge]

Between Limbaugh and Hannity alone, that's roughly 30 million people who would probably have something to say about that.   I'm betting there's even some libs who aren't too crazy about limiting free speech, and that would be what it is despite their insistence otherwise.  The gov't starts limiting free speech on the radio, where does it end?  End free speech on the internet?  Sure they would eventually.  The far left kooks are crazy, they would be next in line.

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I honestly don't believe that The Rookie gives a rats @ss about "the people".

There are a LOT of things he wants to do to us that "the people" will object to and probably raise enough stink with their Congress Critters to have blocked by normal means.

But there are certain issues that The Rookie will want to ram through so badly..."the people" be dammed...that I believe personally he will pull a page from Bill Clinton's playbook...and just make it happen via Executive Order.

[Chris_]

Between Limbaugh and Hannity alone, that's roughly 30 million people who would probably have something to say about that.  I'm betting there's even some libs who aren't too crazy about limiting free speech, and that would be what it is despite their insistence otherwise.  The gov't starts limiting free speech on the radio, where does it end?  End free speech on the internet?  Sure they would eventually.  The far left kooks are crazy, they would be next in line.

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You think the fuhrer cares about the people who voted against him?  That 30 million figure is just a list of names to be rounded up when he establishes the new Domestic Corps.

[Thor]

Limbaugh has already thrown the gauntlet, so to say. He promises that he will file suit and take it all they way to the USSC, if need be.

[Chris_]

Limbaugh has already thrown the gauntlet, so to say. He promises that he will file suit and take it all they way to the USSC, if need be.

Rather than throwing the gauntlet, I'd prefer he just Bitch-slap The Annointed One with it.

[Splashdown]

I think the conservatives would welcome this. On O'Reilly's show, Laura Ingraham said she'd love to testify about this in front of Congress.

Btw. Anyone remeber the ration of negative McCain to negative Messiah stories in the MSM? Wasn't it like 8-1? 

[USA4ME]

I honestly don't believe that The Rookie gives a rats @ss about "the people".

There are a LOT of things he wants to do to us that "the people" will object to and probably raise enough stink with their Congress Critters to have blocked by normal means.

But there are certain issues that The Rookie will want to ram through so badly..."the people" be dammed...that I believe personally he will pull a page from Bill Clinton's playbook...and just make it happen via Executive Order.

You think the fuhrer cares about the people who voted against him?  That 30 million figure is just a list of names to be rounded up when he establishes the new Domestic Corps.

I understand the sentiment, but this is a little much.  I know he'd like to be king, but there's a few of us who'd have a lot to say (and possibly do) about that.  Silencing voices who disagree is a major overreach.  I can't stand the idiot as much as anyone, but I'm just not of the opinion that most Americans will approve freedom of speech being impeded, which is what this wouild be.  I'll put it this way, if we've reached that point, then better sooner than later so the whole house of cards formerly known as the USA can fold up and be carted off to the dust-bin of history.  Yeah, it would suck for us now, but if we're there already, then bring it on.  I can't think of a group of conservative Americans any more ready to shoot first and ask questions later.

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[TheSarge]

I understand the sentiment, but this is a little much.  I know he'd like to be king, but there's a few of us who'd have a lot to say (and possibly do) about that.  Silencing voices who disagree is a major overreach.  I can't stand the idiot as much as anyone, but I'm just not of the opinion that most Americans will approve freedom of speech being impeded, which is what this wouild be.  I'll put it this way, if we've reached that point, then better sooner than later so the whole house of cards formerly known as the USA can fold up and be carted off to the dust-bin of history.  Yeah, it would suck for us now, but if we're there already, then bring it on.  I can't think of a group of conservative Americans any more ready to shoot first and ask questions later.

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I just base it on recent history and the condescending attitude of the Democrat party towards the people they claim to champion.

There's a lot of arrogance and feeling of entitlement to power.

And they damn sure don't like anyone...ANYONE who would provide even a speed bump in their plans.

The Dems are well aware of what happened to them the last time they elected a quasi-Socialist and her Husband to the White House.

Rush led the charge and they didn't get control of the House and Senate back for 12 years.

I seriously doubt they will make that mistake again.

The best way to prevent people from being informed of the truth and to counter the spin they sell to the masses...is to silence their source of information.

And face it...Rush could fight it in court...but considering how many judicial vacancies there are thanks to the stonewalling...and how many of the other judges are Clinton/Carter appointees.

He can fight it...he's got the money....but he'll be off the air under a temporary injunction until it makes it's way through the system.

and this potential head of the FCC will ensure it takes at least 8 years to get heard by the USSC if Barak has his way and reinstates the Fairness Doctrine.

[Jim]

Say good bye to AM radio, 

Rush etal will retire or just take it to the internet driven airwaves (look to Rush to lead the charge to radio via mobile phone).

[Chris_]

First they came after the 2nd Amendment but I did not do anything because I don't own a gun.

Then they came after the 1st Amendment but I did not do anything because I don't listen to Rush.

Then they came afyet the 4th Amendment but I did not.....

[Jim]

First they came after the 2nd Amendment but I did not do anything because I don't own a gun.

Then they came after the 1st Amendment but I did not do anything because I don't listen to Rush.

Then they came afyet the 4th Amendment but I did not.....

Obama has to do SOMETHING with his civilian paramilitaries

[Chris_]

Obama has to do SOMETHING with his civilian paramilitaries

I need to get the exact term he used and update my sig accordingly.

[Chris_]

IHe can fight it...he's got the money....but he'll be off the air under a temporary injunction until it makes it's way through the system.

Actually under communications regulations, before a rule change the FCC is required by their charter to hold at least a 6-month open public commentary.....can you imagine how that would go....

They may to pass legislation, but I doubt that they will attempt it through FCC rules changes.......

doc

[TheSarge]

Actually under communications regulations, before a rule change the FCC is required by their charter to hold at least a 6-month open public commentary.....can you imagine how that would go....

They may to pass legislation, but I doubt that they will attempt it through FCC rules changes.......

doc

Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid here...so be patient...but I see The Rookie using Executive Orders more than Clinton did to put into law what he couldn't get done through Congress.

[Chris_]

Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid here...so be patient...but I see The Rookie using Executive Orders more than Clinton did to put into law what he couldn't get done through Congress.

Unfortunately, you can't change FCC rules with an executive order as their system presently exists......Obama can try to load the commission with his hand-picked clones as the present members terms expire, but the comission makes the rules, unless congress passes legislation.  The present comission will allow him to replace perhaps two members during his first term, so he can't change things at that level very quickly.

doc

[AllosaursRus]

I understand the sentiment, but this is a little much.  I know he'd like to be king, but there's a few of us who'd have a lot to say (and possibly do) about that.  Silencing voices who disagree is a major overreach.  I can't stand the idiot as much as anyone, but I'm just not of the opinion that most Americans will approve freedom of speech being impeded, which is what this wouild be.  I'll put it this way, if we've reached that point, then better sooner than later so the whole house of cards formerly known as the USA can fold up and be carted off to the dust-bin of history.  Yeah, it would suck for us now, but if we're there already, then bring it on.  I can't think of a group of conservative Americans any more ready to shoot first and ask questions later.

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Unfortunately, I think there are 62 million people, at last count, that believe this will be a good idea!

How else do you explain the Obama's election?

I kept thinking, "there's no way America will elect a Marxist".

Guess what? They did!!!!!!!  AND WE"RE SCREWED!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheSarge]

For those who might think I was over reacting in predicting that The Rookie would use Executive Orders to get done what he can't get pushed through congress...Podesta on Fox saying how *O*, to quicken things up, will use “executive orders’.