One of my daily pleasures is listening to Glenn Beck on my morning drive to work. This morning, Beck was talking about the Don Imus controversy and mentioned that the insufferable Keith Olbermann finally broke his silence on the matter yesterday evening. According to Beck, Olbermann was distraught that similar consequences had not befallen a number of right-wing talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh, Neal Boortz, Bill O'Reilly, and Beck himself. Beck denounced this as neo-McCarthyite blacklisting, agreeing with Rosie O'Donnell's belief that what happened to Imus is indicative of a growing anti-free speech trend in American politics and media.Beck and O'Donnell may have a point. My most recent post at The Festering Swamp was about how pro-open borders rabble-rousers rudely shouted down a speech given by Chris Simcox of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I noted how the far-left protesters in question didn't seem very concerned with Mr. Simcox's free speech rights, just their own. It's a trend that has become increasingly visible across the American political landscape - some examples being the passage of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, attempts by leftist congressmen to renew the Fairness Doctrine, and Herr Olbermeister's increasingly hysterical bromides against conservative politicians and media figures.
Most readers are familiar with the following quote attributed to Voltaire: “I may disagree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it." Has that principle disappeared from America's political landscape and will blacklisting become the order of the day? As Clint Eastwood's iconic "Dirty Harry" pointed out in The Dead Pool, such lists can work both ways:
Harry Callahan: I don't like your game. In fact, I don't like it at all.
Peter Swan: Look, the dead pool is a very harmless game. We just pick who's going to die, because they are either old, have medical problems, are a drug addict, and...
Harry Callahan: Maybe I'll start my own "dead pool" and put your name on it.
7 comments:
Reall good post, Mike in S.A.
I hate to agree with Rosie, but it seems to be so re anti-free speech trend. I guess what's more troubling is the direction of what speech is acceptable and what isn't. Why is Imus evil and Ludacris, etc., arent'? Why the double standard regarding acceptable standards?
"I noted how the far-left protestors in question didn't seem very concerned with Mr. Simcox's free speech rights, just their own."
And this is the heart and soul hypocrisy of the anti-free speech movement - its conditional depending on one's political leanings, and its a moving target. Olbermann proves this regularly.
Thanks, Dana. This whole uproar has reminded me of Jonah Goldberg's upcoming Liberal Fascism. An aptly titled book, I'd say.
I've had the book on order forever...look forward to its actual publication! When JG was out here for a party at Rob Long's in September 2005 he was busy on that project. One time I ever met Jonah, a real pleasure. Such a smart, funny guy.
Honestly, Gary, you do mix and mingle and martini with the gods, don't you? First Lionel Chetwynd (whose very name befits one who must certainly have impeccable manners but be the quintessential gentleman, erudite and befittingly snooty...and if he's not, don't let me have the illusion...) and Goldberg who is soooo witty and really sharp to boot. Sigh.
According to Amazon, the book is to be released on December 26, 2007. I would think a pre-Christmas release would be better, to maximize sales.
Gary, do you know John Milius? I saw that he was one of the producers of HBO's "Rome" and was wondering if he's involved with any other projects at present.
The Imus episode is a Tom Wolfe novel writing itself more every day. Talk about Bonfire of the Vanities--Jesse "Hymietown" Jackson, The "Reverend" Al Tawana Brawley Sharpton; the picketing of NBC. It's the theatre of the absurd.
I don't know Milius, who was a favorite Cathy Seipp interview (did you know ol' blood and guts drives a Volvo? What's next, Al Gore in a Dodge Daytona?).
Lionel Chetwynd is in fact one of the most polished, erudite gentlemen one could hope to meet. He didn't want to speak at the Cathy tribute but a few friends and a few drinks loosened him up; he was one of the most eloquent speakers there and can bring laughter or tears on a moment's notice. BTW, he'd adore you folks. (and who wouldn't?)
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