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Originally posted by Cynthetiq
you and i have had this debate before. There are no clear exact word for word guidelines, but there are guidelines even though they exist as ambiguous as they are.
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We have but I didn't have such a great quote from Michael Powell. Doesn't this trend towards applying ambiguous rules on free speech disturb you? Do you honestly trust the decision makers in the FCC to do what's best for us? You get into
cases where
one party is favored while
other parties are not. The present FCC guidelines allow for favoritism. As long as there is a grey area and artists venture into it: then they can fine whoever they want for whatever they want.
Of course, there's already a discussion thread about this too.
http://tfproject.org/tfp/showthread....0&pagenumber=1
I guess my question is: "Aren't you disturbed by this?" Even if you like the current trend by the present FCC to arbitrarily determine what is allowable... Don't you see that when the lines are indistinct and blurred they will allow the FCC to make decisions based on favoritism. Whether or not the FCC rules "Ebb and Flow" -I believe that the rule of law states:
Quote:
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Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
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And that abridging this right -even allowing a loophole (by not specifically stating what is allowed) is a kind of
coercive hand. Even if one trusts the present Government to make the right decisions for us. How can one trust that the next administration or the one's after that will be as fair?