Al Sharpton told MSNBC’s Ed Schultz he has scheduled “a series of meetings next week” with federal officials to discuss kicking Rush Limbaugh off the airwaves. Rush’s rhetoric, Sharpton claims, is racist. However, this time the FCC is headed by an Obama appointee equally committed to removing conservative ideas from the airwaves.
The good reverend said he has been “talking with all the civil rights groups” about joiningthe anti-Limbaugh purge, saying, “We’re not going to stand by and let publicly regulated radio and television just go for marketing and promoting this kind of racism.” As examples of Limbaugh’s alleged racism, Sharpton cited Paul Shanklin’s satirical song “Barack the Magic Negro” (a term first coined by the Los Angeles Times) and his use of the phrase “Driving Miss Nancy” (which Limbaugh uttered while bashing “the white racist leadership of the Democratic Party”).
When asked how he would “monitor” this “racist-type talk,” Sharpton replied the FCC should “establish what is the guidelines [sic.] where you go over the top, and clearly I think Rush Limbaugh’s statements would be over the top.” Of course, Sharpton’s over-the-top remarks about “white interlopers” at Harlem’s Freddy’s Fashion Mart in 1995 stoked racial resentments that culminated in the deaths of eight people. Now he presents himself as the quintessence of ethnic comity.
How far would Sharpton go toward suspending the First Amendment? He believes no one should be offended by speech on the airwaves:
Rush Limbaugh has the right to say whatever he wants to say. He does not have the right, though, to do it on publicly regulated airwaves. The FCC has the responsibility to set standards — to say the public cannot be offended based on their race or their gender in this country.
He concluded, “We’re not telling Rush don’t say what you want to say. Say it at home!”
When asked if he were serious, he cited his involvement in opposing Limbaugh’s bid to become a partial owner in an NFL franchise. “We stopped that, and that was the private sector,” Sharpton gloated. “I think the public sector has to be at least as accountable as the NFL and private owners were.” Limbaugh’s bid to own the St. Louis Rams was denied on the basis of specious quotations.
By all accounts, Sharpton has a willing partner at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps gave a speech last Thursday at Columbia University reaffirming his belief that minorities are “stereotyped and caricatured” because too few of them own television stations — and he aims to correct this through federal force.
Copps told the Columbia audience democracy itself was under siege, because television stations employ fewer reporters. Copps suggested the FCC should conduct a “Public Value Test of every broadcast station at relicensing time,” which should be held more frequently. Stations would be graded on the Obama administration’s criteria of how much “value” they contribute in terms of news, “educational and governmental programming,” and an Affirmative Action review of its accomplishments at “Reflecting Diversity.”
He bemoaned the fact that “people of color” (white is not a color?) “own only about 3.6 percent of full-power commercial television stations.” He added, “The FCC’s Diversity Advisory Committee has spent years providing us with specific targeted recommendations to correct this injustice,” he said, adding it was “sad” no one had addressed this “awful wrong.”
Republicans have only themselves to thank for this. The Diversity Advisory Committee was created by Republicans in 2003.
Copps mentioned another “sad reality”: he believes Americans are undertaxed to pay for public broadcasting. Each American pays only $1.42 a year for left-wing, government propaganda, Copps stated. “In other democracies,” he said, “citizens happily pay up to hundreds of dollars more than that.”
Defund CPB, the FCC’s Diversity Cops, and the Czars
A better number suggests itself: zero. If Republicans had any courage, they would take a page from former Congressman Phil Crane and zero-fund the Diversity Advisory Board, every Obama Czar, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. That is, Republicans should propose no money for these entities in the forthcoming budget. Since all spending bills must originate in the House of Representatives, the body Republicans will control in 2011, this is an achievable goal.
The Republican leadership would enjoy tremendous political cover for taking this action at this time. In addition to NPR’s firing of Juan Williams, the president’s deficit commission proposed eliminating funding for this unnecessary, unconstitutional outlet for far-Left views.
The twin moves of defunding public broadcasting and abolishing Obama’s diversity police (and all his czars, as well) would tell the president the people mean business: keep your hands off our radio dials.
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Maybe I'm missing something here but I didn't hear Rush say a thing about racism. Aside from the fact that Sharpton is an idiot I find it incomprehensiable that people would take this moron seriously. Does this make me a racist because I think this way? Or does it make me an American who is fed up with anybody who disagrees with what is taking place within our government and the policies being fronted by the administration being tagged as a racist?
Ed, get a real life and quit thinking that you are the savior of Political Correctness.
Al Sharpton is a race-baiting, lying dirtbag who would LOVE to shut down Conservative Talk Radio. This BOOB will not succeed, nor should he. The man lost any credibility he MAY have had years ago. He has been involved in too many bogus stunts involving race and has relegated himself to the "eye rolling" category every time he opens his mouth.
WHAT WOULD BE BEST IS TO KICK THE BUFFOON AL SHARPTON OFF CABLE NEWS AND RADIO. HE IS A RACIST IDIOT SUCKING OFF BLACKS FOR HIS BS
The sword of 'Justice' is double-edged, WE should demand that Sharpton (and Jackson) be removed from the airways as traitors to OUR country and inciting blacks to unite with muslims in an attempt to bring down OUR country, to their level, as they have other foreign countries and as they have been trying to do, here, for many years! They're getting too close as it is and there are way too many in this country just waiting for their cues! All they need is the help of these uneducated, unemployed, unemployable malcontents to seal OUR fate! WE have to get rid of them before they can mount their attacks, or attack first!
Where is OUR Homeland Security and OUR Dept of Justice when WE need them? They need to be watched very closely and every second.
I was so mad when I listened to Sharpton – talk about the pot calling the kettle black. And why should he have the title of Reverend. I am sick and tired of all this political correctness, this gives people the license to rant. What about the Black Miss America? What would happen if we had a White Miss America? and the Mexican Chamber of Commerce – think about it – all the jokes are about white people, yet nothing is done about that? I have worked hard all my life to have what I have and it's not much so even though I am retired I am still working to make ends meet. I wonder if Sharpton ever worked in his life?
JUST WHOS IS THE RACIST HERE AND IS HE REALLY A REVEREND…..WHERE DID HE ATTEND SEMINARY SCHOOL…….ON LINE, THE ONLY ONE THAT NEED TO GO IS SHARPTON……HE IS SO AFRAID OF CONSERVATIVES THAT HE ATTACKS EVERY CHANCE HE GETS
Al Sharpton is the biggest racist I've ever seen, along with Jackson. I agree, it wouldn't bother me one bit to never see his stupid face and hateful mouth on television.
Sharpton you are the most racist lying individual I have ever had to hear bloviate his hatred in all the years (73) I have been alive and I hope you no good luck in a life
Well folks, here we go AGAIN!!! Al Sharpton, the REVEREND of HATE!!!! AL, next time you wanna BLAME somebody for RACIST S*IT STIRRING, JUST LOOK in YOUR MIRROR!!!! You're the BIGGEST(and UGLIEST) RACIST in AMERICA!!!!!!
Al Sharpton the unmagic negroe should be excommunicated to Siberia and take Jesse Jackson,Maxine Waters,Sheila Jackson,Conyers,George(Schwartz)Soros and a few others and then racism would have a chance to stop.Without these people always bringing race into the picture we could have real discussions on subjects.God bless Rush and if that twit Al is a reverend he should be stripped of the title.
Al Sharpton is a disgrace to America. These liberals would like to ban everything that they don't like. That concept would land us in the middle of a dictatorship with these Washington "Elites" in charge of every aspect of our lives.
If a conservative doesn't like smoking, he won't smoke.
If a liberal doesn't like smoking, he wants to ban it.
If a conservative doesn't like to listen to a particular radio station, he changes the station.
If a liberal doesn't like to listen to a particular radio station, he wants it shut down.
The liberals are trying to change or outlaw everything that is distasteful to them. No more freedom if they get their way. Al Sharpton and all those who would trample on our Constitution should be rounded up and put in prison or shot.
Just how long does it take you to approve and post a comment?
it depends on whether or not they approve of your comment..
So where is the one i submitted 10 minutes ago RE Rush and M L King etc.?
Usually it's instant…
OBAMA, WRIGHT, JARRETT, JACKSON,SHARPTON and A HOST of MANY I cannot recall at this time..THESE are the ROOT CAUSE of RACISM in AMERICA!!! You get RID of these TROUBLE MAKING, AMERICA HATING NO-BODYS, and YOU'LL SEE RACISM DISAPPEAR ALL TOGETHER!!!
I've got NEWS for you REVEREND HATE….You CANNOT STOP FREE SPEECH or FREEDOM of the PRESS just because you cannot handle the truth!!!
tell sharpton to stick his head back up his ass (where it usually is)
We need to get al off the air . all he talks is hate . If this man hates it here so much leave . we are getting tired off here his hate.