I really don’t think I’m making too much of this issue. How can I? It is about one of our fundamental rights, and one we have spent money and lives trying to bring to others in the world.
But greater minds than mine seem to believe we need to sit back and accept what is now being done in Congress as a solution.
It isn’t. I feel I must reiterate that this issue is older than our Constitution. And it gets to the heart of all those things conservatives and liberals alike claim to support. Our Federal Government–the politicians in particular–feel the need to regulate as much as they possibly can. I’m sure most don’t view it in those terms. And our Constitution was written to not give them authority to regulate anything except in several very specific cases.
Unfortunately, most Americans have something in mind they want to see regulated. We have a habit of insisting on some kind of regulation when it would be in our personal interest, yet decry regulation which affects us adversely. This one affects all of us adversely because of its core assumption. And people need to pay attention.
With the outcry regarding the FEC’s intent to answer the question of whether the internet should be regulated or not, several Congressmen have decided to propose legislation which exempts the internet from BCRA oversight. Folks, that is treating the symptom.
If Congress and the FEC feel like they have the authority to exempt, they believe they also have the authority to restrict!
That is the disease which must be cured.
Fortunately, as UML Guy pointed out, I’m not the only one in the blogosphere concerned with this approach.
Yes, we are a form of media. No, we do not need a media exemption. Neither do other media outlets. And that, my friends, is the real issue. How can Government determine whether or not the First Amendment is valid when the only authority they’ve been given is that which is contained in the Constitution? We have more than a little circular reasoning going on in DC. The Constitution does not give them authority to limit free speech. As emphasis, James Madison insisted on an Amendment which stated that in very clear terms.
I’m amazed at how quiet the blogosphere is on this issue.
Unfortunately, it all comes down to two words, Mike, power and money. If this issue didn’t threaten the money, or the power, of the body politic, there’d be no hue and cry to restrict the first amendment rights of bloggers.
The rich and powerful are so accustomed to having their cake and being able to eat it as well, they absolutely hate the idea that someone might take them to task over their misdeeds someday. Remember how the powerful CBS reacted to the exposure of “Rathergate” by the blogosphere. I’m pretty sure ABC and NBC and the major print media also sat up and took notice at that. It is only in the aftermath of the 2004 elections that we see this trend. I wonder how much lobby pressure is being applied by the major mainstream media, behind the scenes in an attempt to muzzle the PJ brigade.
Tin foil hats, anyone?
Comment by john — April 16, 2005 @ 8:56 am
I’m sure there’s plenty of pressure. I’m simply flabergasted that the blogosphere has grown so quiet.
Comment by Bunker — April 16, 2005 @ 12:47 pm