roundtable: Re: SEN. ROBERT DOLE, SPEAKI

roundtable: Re: SEN. ROBERT DOLE, SPEAKI

Re: SEN. ROBERT DOLE, SPEAKI

Vigdor Schreibman - FINS (fins@access.digex.net)
Fri, 9 Jun 1995 13:07:00 -0400 (EDT) 

Date: Fri, 9 Jun 1995 13:07:00 -0400 (EDT)
From: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
To: roundtable@cni.org
Subject: Re: SEN. ROBERT DOLE, SPEAKI
In-Reply-To: <9506060822.0BRGX0M@his.com>
Message-Id: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950609124815.1374B-100000@access4.digex.net>


On Fri, 9 Jun 1995 jack@his.com wrote:
> 
> Vigdor, I was surprised and a little disappointed by your FINS roundup 
> of Dole's remarks.  I usually find your comments quite trenchant and 
> skeptical of the "pols" who are liable to say anything for a vote.  

  As you know, I am wary of doublespeak whenever I see it, but public
officials ought not be dissuaded from doing good by news columns that
read everything they say in the most negative terms possible.  There 
is logical ideological reason for Sen. Dole's statement opposing the 
entertainment industry's use of gratuitous violence and exploitive sex.
This kind of leadership is greatly needed.  Thus, until Dole shows that 
he wants to toss a curve ball, I think my job is to discuss his position
in supportive forms


> Dole's diatribe against the Hollywood degenerates - while laudable in 
> its public affirmation that "a line has been crossed" (one can't help 
> but wonder what held his tongue for the last 30 years) - clearly speaks 
> for the censors and thought police who have always equated political 
> ideas of the "left" with libertinism and licentiousness.             

  The time may come when Dole begins to speak in censorial terms.  He 
has not done so as yet.  Two things should be considered.

  First, as Dole stated, he has a First Amendment right to speak out 
also.  And he can use his access to the mass media to highlight the 
evil conduct that he desires to correct.  The public exposure of such 
conduct by a national leader takes the legitimacy out of the corporate 
violence, and is a proper form [Aof political action that does not 
involve censorship of any nature.  Secondly, you will notice that I 
limited my commentary to the abuse of the mega-corporate broadcasters 
of their control over the public spectrum in advancement of their 
profits.  The great broadcast spectrum is owned by the American people.  
Far from interfering with any broadcasters cannot claim any The time 
may come when Dole begins to speak in censorial terms.  Two things 
should be considered.  First, as Dole stated, he has a First Amendment 
right to speak out also.  And he can use his access to the mass media 
to highlight the evil conduct that he desires to correct.  The public 
exposure of such conduct by a national leader takes the legitimacy out 
of the corporate violence, and is a proper form of political action 
that does not involve censorship of any nature.

  Secondly, you will notice that I limited my commentary to the abuse 
by the broadcasters of their control over the public spectrum in 
advancement of their profits rather than their responsibility to 
advance the "public interest."  The great broadcast spectrum is owned 
by the American people.  Broadcasters cannot claim any rights under 
the Constitution or laws, to exercise control over the spectrum.  The 
FCC has clear authority to refuse renewal of a broadcast license unless 
that licensee follows the standard set by Congress.  There is no 
censorship issue here. 


> These folk may speak of degeneracy in the media, but their actions 
> consist of de-funding public media, turning the NII over to the same 
> large corporations that control the "entertainment industry", and 
> backing legislation to "control" the exchange of ideas in cyperspace...

  There is hypocracy in this situation, I would be the last to deny 
that.  But I think the better way to go is to give credence where it 
is plausible and keep close watch over the issue to see if the politifal 
wind blows in a different direction later on.  If that occurs in this 
issue you can be certain I will be covering that story vigorously.

  Vigdor Schreibman
  <fins@access.digex.net>

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