Give FCC Control of Cable & Truth Will Be Their Target Not Obscenity

[McCamy Taylor]

They are acting like the part about cable is just a a second thought that doesnt really matter but do not be fooled. Al Gore's youth oriented network and Goerge Soros's alternative news network are due to start broadcasting on cable soon. The MSM and the WH are both shitting bricks at the thought of the American public hearing something beside the carefully crafted web of lies which they have woven.

Sure, there will be some fines launched at the Chappelle Show and the Daily Show, but the real targets will be news programs. The right wing pundits will then seize upon these as "proof" that the independent news networks are hacks that can not be trusted. The Republicans in Congress will launch investigations. Frivilous civil suits will be filed. Gonzales may even launch criminal investigations based in the FCC filings.

I say nip this in the bud now. Tell Congress you dont want the FCC interfering with your cable. Dont bother telling them why. Let them assume you want your smut. They will understand and respect that more than they will respect you wanting to know the truth.

[RoyGBiv]

1. Here's the problem ...

...or one of the problems anyway.

A lot of people on the left *want* the cable industry to fall under the FCC's umbrella. The reasons are different, of course, but this creates a painful dilemma for those who want the cable industry to exist essentially as a public utility yet don't want the idiots in charge now setting the guidelines of how it opertates.

I'll probably get static for saying this, but I've seen up close the broader effects of the regulations the cable industry is currently forced to follow. In the end, it makes the price higher, the service poorer, choices less available, bills more confusing, and those who rely on cable generally unhappy. The idea of the FCC getting its hooks into the cable industry just chills me down to my bones, for the reasons you mention and many others. If you think getting and keeping cable is complicated and too expensive now, just imagine the complications (and fees) associated with your phone service being applied to cable and then at least doubled.

And, for those that think satellite will be the way out of this mess, think again. Rupert Murdoch is getting himself into a position from which he'll pretty much control that part of the industry. And, the effects on the stations themselves will be the same regardless of the delivery system.