Daschle [finally] calls for Rollbacks on Media Ownership FCC Rules!

[KoKo]

Apparently the Super Bowl Half Time and Howard Stern have at least accomplished something that those of us who faxed/phoned/e-mailed and the NRA couldn't achieve. Sex did it! Well, we have to be thankful for small favors.

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Daschle Calls for Rollback of Cross-Ownership Rules
Sen. Tom Daschle

by Jonathan D. Salant, Associated Press Writer

Published: March 02, 2004 5:05 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) Senate Democrats will try to impose more restrictive rules on how many TV stations a company can own. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said Tuesday that his party would try to add a provision that would limit companies to owning TV stations that reach 35% of the viewing public, down from the 39% cap in the giant spending bill that Congress approved in January.

Daschle, in a speech to the annual legislative conference of the National Association of Broadcasters, said Senate Democrats would try to amend some unspecified piece of legislation to roll back the cap. He said he also would try to roll back other media ownership rules adopted last year by the Federal Communications Commission, including a provision allowing companies to own newspapers and broadcast stations in the same community. "We have to reduce the concentration of ownership," he said.

The move comes at a time when lawmakers have criticized what they say is an increased amount of indecency on the airwaves. The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday is expected to raise the maximum fine for indecency from $27,500 to $275,000.

The Republican-controlled FCC adopted the rules on a 3-2 party-line vote. They were challenged in court and have put on hold to wait for a decision from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. Oral arguments were heard last month.

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[Jacobin]

1. Momentary lapse, or start of something new?

I refuse to get my hopes up until I see the fire in their eyes.

[Melodybe]

2. About freaking time! We should send Daschle some nice letters

better late than never.

[KoKo]

5. I don't know.....I don't think Daschle deserves "nice letters"....YET!

Everytime I thought he stiffened his spine...he then caved. Let's wait and see on this one to make sure it isn't an "empty gesture," okay. :shrug:

[madfloridian]

3. Oops. Now they have to kill him.

When Dean did that on Hardball, the media turned....right then.

Good for Daschle...I will drop him a note for that. That is called spine.

[David Zephyr]

4. Gag Me With a Shovel.

Tom Daschle has hurt the Democratic Party more than Ralph Nader ever could.

[hang a left]

6. Either put up or shut up!

Facist enabler

[Zinfandel]

7. Bullshit! Daschle will take it nowhere...Daschle has sold the Democrats

out so many times, I've lost count...being from a red state, South Dakota, he's so afraid of losing his job he does just as the Republicans demand or else.

The republicans are so happy with Daschle as their "Democratic" front man, they couldn't do better if they had a reincarnation of Jesse Helms as the "Democratic leader"

Daschle sold his soul to the Republicans, knowing they have the money and power to pull him from office at any time. So he smiles, bends over and shuts his mouth when told to.

So fucking pathetic for true Democrats who are trying in vain to make real changes in the FCC.

A weak leader is far too weak of a term to discribe Daschle...he makes big statements and announcements after he gets the Republican approval and then slithers back under the carpet and says "the votes aren't there" Good dog Tom!

[KoKo]

8. I wonder though since he's been calculating enough to keep his job if

he can sense that he could get Repug RW support to fracture the Powell, jr. lock on the FCC? He does have trouble in the Senate with Senators who got all our wrath about this with Fax/e-mail and he knows the House really got the mail from "US" and the NRA.

Daschle (ever the opportunist) may suddenly see this as a wonderful opportuntiy to "satisfy both sides." The issue has now angered the RWingers....and the Left is angry because Senate Caved on limiting Media Ownership...and in an election year, "Little Tommy" is caught between the "rock and hard place" and also an Election to continue his place in the Senate....and so he "gets on Board" the very issue he was "supposed" to be "onboard" on and comes out like a hero...

I don't care what his motivations are or if it was Janet's Boob that did it...we need to limit "Media Control of our Print Pathways and Airwaves."

However they do it, will be okay with me. IF ...they do it!