Monica Crowley

It Was Only A Matter Of Time...

...before San Fran Nan said "aye" to applying the Fairness Doctrine to talk radio.

Here's a late-day posting from the liberal blog www.seeingtheforest.com

"I was on a conference call with Speaker Pelosi that just ended.

Taylor Marsh http://www.taylormarsh.com asked about the Fairness Doctrine and Rep. Spence's amendment to prohibit enforcement of the fairness doctrine on conservative talk radio. Speaker Pelosi said this will not come to the floor, that she is solidly behind bringing back the Fairness Doctrine. Update - correction The wording was along the lines of Rep. Slaughter has made this her work to restore it (Fairness Doctrine), Pence's bill won't make it to the floor; they won't be able to stop the Fairness Doctrine through his bill."

Senators Kerry, Clinton, Boxer, Feinstein. Now the Speaker of the House. All in favor of reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine to restrict your First Amendment rights. And there will be other top Democrats who will come out in favor of it, because there is political safety in numbers. The more who are for it, the easier it is for all of them to be for it.

Of course, this is the cowards' way out: they know they can't compete in the marketplace of ideas, so they have to try to dilute the other side of the debate.

Putting it out there in their rhetoric is their first move. The more they talk about it, the more "mainstream" an idea it looks. Once it's been "mainstreamed," then it's easier to make happen. Don't think it will happen? Think it's only election-year talk? Think that at your peril.

Watch What You Say

A few times after September 11, the Bush administration warned liberals to watch what they said.  The administration said this, not because it were trying to restrict their freedom of speech, but because our terrorist enemies were listening to their arguments and using them for propaganda and recruitment purposes. In other words, dissent all you'd like, but just be aware that your words were being used by the enemy.

The president's critics screamed about this, of course.  They claimed that all of the president's men were trying to silence them, whip them into submission, kill the First Amendment.  They knew that wasn't true, but when did the truth ever stop them?  In fact, they learned a lesson, and are now cleverly turning the tables.

Senator John Kerry (D-People's Republic of Massachusetts) was quoted as saying that he would like to ressurrect the Fairness Doctrine for talk radio to "correct" the "imbalance."  Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Liberalville) also said this weekend that she'd be interested in "looking at" renewing the Fairness Doctrine for talk radio.  These comments come on the heels of Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) saying that he heard Senators Hillary Clinton (D-Radicaland) and Barbara Boxer (D-Liberalville) say three years ago that they would like to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine, as a "legislative fix" for talk radio.  Clinton and Boxer denied it, of course.  Of course.

The liberals in the Congress are DEAD SET on trying to restrict your freedom of speech.  Clinton is smart enough not to take this on in a full frontal way heading into the election.  She will let others do it for her:  Kerry, Feinstein, et al. And although they talk about doing it out in the open by debating and passing legislation, they will actually try to do it in much more sneaky ways.  They will lean on companies not to advertise on talk radio shows; they will arouse Hollywood and "publications" like the New York Times to begin applying subtle pressure; they'll toss it in answers to questions about something else entirely.  And slowly but surely, they will squeeze your right to free speech like a vise.

Beware.  They are bringing the fight.  Watch what they say.

National Manias

The country hasn't been this transfixed since Bill said, "I did not have sex with that woman."  Between Paris Hilton being released from jail and Apple releasing its new iPhone, Americans are going through media whiplash.  Which story to watch?!  Paris or iPhone?  Time for a split-screen!

You don't really have a choice as to which media stampede to join, because you will be relentlessly subjected to both of them.  Against your will.  Turn on any of the cable news networks to get the latest on Iraq and you will get assaulted with images of Ms. Hilton's first steps of freedom.  Turn on the network news looking for the report that Iranian forces have "crossed the Iraqi border," and you will hear about the crazies waiting for days on the street for a new cell phone. (Are these the same people who wait all night to get into "Star Wars?")

You've got to give the devils their due: both Ms. Hilton and Apple's Mr. Jobs are geniuses of self-promotion.  It takes a Mensa-like cunning to figure out how to play the media to stoke these kinds of frenzies.  Over nothing.

If Paris Hilton or a new cell phone is your guilty (or not-so-guilty) pleasure, enjoy.  It just would be nice to see our national gushing directed to things that really matter---say, the daily sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.  Ironically, they're on the front lines fighting for the American way of life, which includes---I hate to admit it---the freedom to perpetuate an heirhead and buy a phone that plays your Grateful Dead collection.  Maybe this is what Thomas Jefferson meant by "the pursuit of happiness."  One thing's for sure: it's the pursuit, all right.

Subway Series, Talk Radio Under Assault and Closing Gitmo?

This weekend on the radio: Bloomberg, Hillary, and Rudy: It's Enough New York to Make You Gag! NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg: will he or won't he? And whom should worry more: Hillary or Rudy? First Trent Lott, Now Hillary Clinton: Talk Radio Under Assault. It's Time to Man The Barricades! Plus, out of control prosecutor Mike Nifong: pure Hillary-like ambition or mental illness? Guest: Nader Baydoun, author of Rush to Injustice. Closing Gitmo?! What the !@#$*? And what's the read deal from Iraq right now? Guest: Fouad Ajami, author of The Foreigner's Gift; he just returned from Iraq and from the White House, where he advised the President.

Drag Update - Part Deux

So now Senator Inhofe says he stands by his account but that he overheard Sens. Clinton and Boxer say it three years ago. He couldn't have told us this YESTERDAY?  Or all day today?!   

Here's the point:  Inhofe may have been a space cadet in last night's radio interview. But that doesn't change the fact that since they took control in January,  members of the Democratic leadership in Congress have resurrected the idea of applying the Fairness Doctine to talk radio. They have started a movement within their liberal base to support it, which would have the effect of limiting conservative voices on radio. The Democrats would like nothing more. It would be manna from political heaven for them.

Some Republicans are just as bad. Senator Trent Lott last week called conservative talk radio "a problem" to be "dealt with." (He's steamed over talk radio's mobilization against the amnesty immigration bill).  President Bush's top aide, Karl Rove, warned Congressman Tom Tancredo (also mobilized by talk radio) not to "darken the door of the White House" because of his opposition to amnesty. They want to limit some conservative voices too. 

It's all disgraceful. I don't care if the conversation Inhofe said he heard happened three years ago. The impulse to restrict conservative viewpoints is fresher than ever--and it's coming from all sides. Gird for battle, because it's not just coming.  It's here. 

Drag Update

Well this is as predictable as the sun rising every morning: Hillary Clinton is backing away from any suggestion that she wants a "legislative fix" for talk radio. (See my blog yesterday for details). Her press secretary, Phillipe Reines, said, "Jim Inhofe is wrong. This supposed conversation never happened. " Barbara Boxer's spokespeople used almost the exact same language: the conversation, they said, "never happened." Which means that when the uproar over this began last night, Clinton and Boxer got on the same page fast. Inhofe, meanwhile, stands by his account.

So whom are you going to believe?

Of course Hillary's denying it. That's what the Clintons do. Deny, deny, deny. Then go try to do it anyway. Usually in a clandestine, subversive, sneaky way. The Clinton Ladies Intervention Team has perfected this to a high art. She may deny wanting to destroy conservative talk radio, but that's her way of throwing us off the scent of what she's really doing--or at least wants to do. If we've learned anything since 1991, it's this: watch what the Clintons DO, not what they say.

Hillary Clinton: Vladimir Putin in Drag

The former head of the KGB and current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, recently made it illegal to engage in so-called "extremist" talk and activity.  In Russia today, you can get arrested and silenced---and often, killed---for publicly criticizing the government.  Over 1000 Russian journalists have been murdered since last year---all for speaking out against the corruption, cronyism, and tyrannical oppression of the Putin regime.

If Hillary Clinton gets her way, you may not be killed for speaking out, but you may otherwise be silenced.

Tonight on John Ziegler's radio show on KFI in Los Angeles, Senator James Inhofe said that he overheard Senators Clinton and Barbara Boxer saying they want a "legislative fix" for talk radio. (Hear it here:  http://www.breitbart.tv/html/2042.html). They want to apply the Fairness Doctrine (which requires equal air time for all sides in political campaigns) to the radio airwaves.  This is their attempt to muzzle me and all of my conservative talk radio colleagues----and you.

The Clinton machine has tried---and in many cases, succeeded---in kneecapping its competition.  Now Madame Defarge wants to kneecap an entire industry protected by the First Amendment----because it is dominated by those who oppose and criticize her and just about everything for which she stands.  Something tells me she would find a way to exempt Air America.

Be careful what you wish for, Senator.  If you want to apply this to talk radio, then we will demand equal time in the REST of the media:  ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, every local newspaper, Time, Newsweek, the list is endless.  MSNBC.com reported TODAY that over 90% of all journalists who gave campaign cash gave to Democrats.  Polls of White House and Washington correspondents show that over 90% of them vote Democrat---and that's been true for decades.  Let's see the Fairness Doctrine applied to THEM---and the outlets for which they work.  Can you imagine The New York Times having to devote 50% of its pages to the fair presentation of conservative points of view?!  Armageddon!

It'll never happen, because liberals will stand up and fight for their rights of free speech.  Conservatives had better be ready to do the same, because Hillary is bringing the fight.

Presidential Polls, Ask the Candidate and Two Blondes

A busy show planned for this weekend, beginning with new polls in the race for president.  These ones are full of surprises no one is telling you about.  I'll talk about the latest numbers with Dick Morris, author of Outrage.  CLICK HERE for more information on his new book and visit Dick's website at DICKMORRIS.COM.

Then, Ask The Candidate:  Congressman Tom Tancredo, candidate for the Republican nomination for president, joins us LIVE to take your phone calls on illegal immigration, Iraq, Iran, taxes, and anything else you want to ask him!  Beginning at 1:15pm et on Saturday, call 1-800-323-4454 to ask your questions on the air!

And two blondes:  Hillary and Diana-- one of them is a feminist icon: guess which one.  My guest will be Tina Brown, author of The Diana Chronicles.  CLICK HERE for more information on Tina's great new book.

This Weekend: Ask The Candidate

SPECIAL GUEST: Congressman TOM TANCREDO

(R-CO), Candidate for the Republican Nomination for President

TAKING YOUR CALLS AND QUESTIONS!

Starting at 1:15pm Eastern Time on Saturday, June 16th.  Call LIVE 1-800-323-4454. This is YOUR chance to talk to the candidate directly!

For more information about Rep. Tancredo, please visit: Teamtancredo.com.

Gore in '92: Bush 41 Ignored Iraq Terror Ties