The Republican response to the State of the Union Address

Senators Bond and McCain that insecure in their views?

When did we stop all being Americans?

When did we stop all wanting to improve America?

I submit it was with the end of the "Fairness Doctrine" in our media, when the right-wing and Republicans did away with it. It coincided with the rise of the religious right wing and religion in government, to make things worse.

That created the rise in shows like Bill O'Reilly's and Glenn Beck's, etc., where we can just trash any other opposing views, ad infinitum--and ad nauseum.

Instead of pointing out a problem--and then a solution--now these shows just bash the opposing party or parties and, as I said, any opposing views.

It's just become a rant.

What was really galling was that, during George W. Bush's administration, from 2000 to 2008, the President's handlers would hand pick audiences for town hall meetings and television broadcasts.

Are we not all Americans? Can we not all go see and speak to our President?

At that time, clearly, the answer was no.

Fortunately, during President Obama's administration, we've gotten back to letting evryone in these meetings.

Hold a different view? No problem--you're an American, step right in.

And that is very refreshing.

Now the opposing side, however, wants to show their disapproval--and ignorance, to put it plainly--by showing up at these meetings with the President armed with weapons.

Insane. That's truly crazy. And patently irresponsible.

And yet they do it.

So, now, what's happening, here in Missouri?

In a blatant return to past, ugly, Republican practices, Senators Bond and McCain are going to speak here in Kansas City on health care but they're going to only allow supporters in the audience.

They're going to pick and pack their audience.

That's pathetic.

I ask again--are we not all Americans?

Are these men so insecure in their beliefs and policies that they cannot and will not allow opposing views within the room?

The answer appears, really, absolutely, to be yes.

Link to story:
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1411818.html

The Fairness Doctrine: it's time has come--back

Let's be clear about the Fairness Doctrine.

We simply need it.

Beyond needing it, the whole idea that voices will be silenced if/when it's brought back is nonsense, purely and simply.

The Fairness Doctrine, after all, only says that, if one viewpoint is given time--5 minutes, 15, a half hour, hour, whatever--the same amount must, then, be given to an opposing viewpoint on our radio and television airwaves.

It was initially put into place to be certain we'd stay a level-headed, more informed, hopefully, and civil society, I should think.

But the Republicans came into some power and took it out of our laws.

Foolish.

Now, we have people like Rush Limbaugh, in the worst example, spewing all kinds of vitriol, one-sided viewpoints and out-and-out lies, with no answers from any other side or viewpoint--Liberal, Libertarian, or whatever.

Hopefully, the Democrats coming into power now will bring back this law into our broadcasting, laws, society and airwaves.

Hopefully these Democrats will have the fortitude, intelligence and courage to do this and to do what's right for the country.

Rush Limbaugh could still be his same blowhard self, as could, of course, anyone else.

They'd just have to be answered with opposing views for the same amount ot time.

Anyone of intellgence with their own courage of convictions wouldn't be afraid of such a thing.