First Amendment fun fact

Because of decisions made by the Federal Trade Commission, radio and television are the only areas of American life not protected by the First Amendment.

I’ll repeat that, because (in the words of George Carlin), that sounds vaguely important:

Radio and television are the only areas of American life not protected by the First Amendment.

The FTC, a group appointed by the executive branch and answerable only the White House, made the unilateral decision that audio and video on the airwaves was not subject to freedom of speech.

This spoke volumes to me about the content and quality of U.S. radio and TV.

(Thank you, Mr. Carlin, for bringing this additional chipping away of American freedoms to my attention. I really miss you.)
Published in: on 11 November 2009 at 13:58  Leave a Comment  

A fable

Once upon a time, man did not ride horse.

Horse was a proud, fleet creature who shunned all but his own kind. Man was a tool-builder who had made weapons and fire.

Man and horse were both plagued by predators, particularly the wolf. Man had spears and arrowheads, but could not outrun the wolf. The horse had speed and could avoid the wolf, but had no weapons with which to defend its young.

One day horse came up to man and said, “Let us cooperate. I will lend you my speed by allowing you to ride on my back. You will wield your weapons and vanquish our enemy the wolf. Together we will make a safer world to live in.”

Man agreed. He jumped onto horse’s back, spear and bow in hand, and together they easily killed the wolf.

Horse sighed a happy sigh and said, “We have done well! You may climb off of me now.”

Man grabbed the reins, applied spurs to horse’s flank, and said, “The hell you say. Giddyup, dobbin.“

(I think I first read this in a Bob Heinlein novel, but I can’t remember. In any event, I can’t take credit for it.)
Published in: on 11 November 2009 at 10:04  Comments (1)