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Like most of my fellow Americans I do not believe that we need government censorship. The recent interest in "The Fairness Doctrine" has thrown some of the local right wing talk show hosts into a state of screechy fear.

The righties are always blathering about the Liberal bias of "the mainstream media." So when they (quite accurately) observe that the major outlets of news and entertainment tend to slant liberal, they are always full of righteous (and somewhat pompous) indignation. In other words, they see a vast left wing conspiracy.

But if the majority of the most-watched news networks and programming are aimed at the vast (Liberal) majority of viewers, it would seem that the benefactors of the Fairness Doctrine would be the under-represented Conservatives. How is my logic flawed?

Despite the constant and eternal drumbeat of negativity towards anything not-conservative (ie, America hating Democrats), these pompous pundits worry that the fairness doctrine will put them out of business. Supporters hurry to defend the one-sided rants of these talk show hosts by citing the ubiquity of the mainstream. Note that Limbaugh and Savage and lessor known imitators seldom have guests - especially not anyone who can present an intellectual defense of an opposing position. Instead they entertain the loyal listeners with soundbites clipped out-of-context to which they mount their mocking attacks.

The public does not need the government to tell us what to listen to on the radio or TV. The FCC certainly has a legitimate role to ensure that the airwaves are not being used to promote illegal activities or to incite the public to acts of violence. But I do not want the government shutting-down Rush Limbaugh or Michael Savage in the name of the fairness doctrine.


Air America the anti- right wing network failed because it didn't attract enough listeners/sponsors. That is the American way - we abandon those who fail to entertain us.

My personal vote has been registered via my radio dial. I no longer listen to the local talk shows. The traditional role of talk radio as a place where one might hear a balanced perspective has been replaced by ego-maniacs on a mission. Not entertaining.

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