A Free Press Dream
Dear Readers:
Daddy (who can be considered part of the "media") has had an intense
interest in what are commonly called "free speech " issues. A number of
cases have finally wound their way up to the Supreme Court, and Daddy has
learned (through his reliable sources, who must remain anonymous, of course)
of a blockbuster decision that will be announced soon.
The continual and pervasive abuse of our Constitutional freedoms--by the
press, has led the Court to redefine just what the terms "free," "speech" and
even "press" mean. Recognizing that this is a country that has trouble
understanding what "is" is, clarification may indeed be overdue.
The Court has handed down decades of rulings that actions such as publicly
burning flags, exhibiting crosses dipped in urine, nude dancing and even
smearing feces on one's body while dancing nude were all somehow protected
under a "freedom of expression" interpretation. While speech had somehow
mutated into being expression, they had failed to similarly interpret the
idea of "free." In a rare unanimous decision, they have now done so.
The justices have ruled that, by golly, free really means....free ! The
nation is best served by a free press, with no restrictions on it that could
impinge on the public's "right to know." The public, however, has other
interests that must also be addressed, and one of these has been the
universal clamor for what is commonly called "campaign finance reform."
In
one fell swoop, the Court has taken care of the issue, reducing by about 90%
the cost of a typical state or federal level election campaign, since there
will now be no charges for press coverage (commonly seen as "purchasing media
time"). The court has said there is nothing distinctively different between
commercials for candidates and the biased "news" coverage that tends to
promote one candidate or party or philosophy over another. So, now, we will
have.. FREE press!
The court also wanted to prevent control of media outlets by major
political parties or candidates. In the interest of fairness to all of the
wonderful diversity of the country, the justices ruled that each particular
news event can only be covered once under the Free Press ruling. Any more
than that will be seen as going outside the protections of the Free Press
doctrine.
Like many other freedoms in our nation, these actions will be seen
as coverable by a new Federal Excise Tax, which Congress has waiting in the
wings...More than one printing, televising, radio or webcasting of a
particular item of news constitutes either "business" or "entertainment" uses
of information, and will be rightly subjected to the tax.
"Do it once, and do it well," one member of the court was heard to say.
The Court saw no problem in the law of the land concerning this, citing
what was clearly an unconstitutional action when it was first announced in
1935: the 11% excise taxes on arms and ammunition, through the
Pittman-Robertson Act. This tax has gone unchallenged, yet it abrogates the
2nd Amendment. Congress has been waiting for its chance to cash in on the
multi-trillion dollar "Free Press" industry. Now the Supremes have given them
the go ahead!
The aforementioned items like nude dancing will be unaffected by these
taxes, providing that they do indeed remain under the cover of "free
expression" -- meaning no charging for viewing.
Sounds fair to me!
This is rather breathtaking news, readers, and it may take a while for it
to sink in as the nation and industry sort out the impact....but Daddy
promises to get back to you soon with some of the first interviews and
reactions of the public and the industry leaders!
"Free." It's a word whose time has come! .....or might have...if all this
hadn't just been one of Daddy's dreams...
Daddy
Past Issues of 'Dear Daddy'
What is Gunophobia?
Reclaiming Freedom
Loving Correction
Throw Off the Shackles
Death Penalty 'Balance'
Keep Christ in Christmas
Ten Commandment in Schools
The Never-Born and Heaven
Who Do You Serve?
Separation of Church and State
Flag Football
A Letter to Major League Baseball
Diversity of Guilt
Anti-Gun or Anti-Sanity?
Real Creationists
What an Example!
A Jealous Nanny-State
"Feed My Sheep"
Conditioned Response
Allegiance to Pagan Spirits
'Dangerous' Goods?
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