Libertarians for a free media
This lengthy (but worthwhile) post has been making the rounds on the blogs this morning. Written by a libertarian, Arthur Silber, it makes the case for a free press. Something you wouldn't think we'd find ourselves fighting for in the 21st century. From the piece:
"Censorship is what they're after, and don't let them tell you otherwise. They announced this goal unmistakably at least a year ago. (Here's the classic, regret-filled formulation: "And here's a question: Freedom of the press, as it exists today (and didn't exist, really, until the 1960s) is unlikely to survive if a majority--or even a large and angry minority--of Americans comes to conclude that the press is untrustworthy and unpatriotic. How far are we from that point?") Of course, they "regret" that censorship might be necessary. It's a terrible shame and all that. But damn it, if magazines like Newsweek ARE GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED...well, what can we do? We obviously have to shut them up. They brought it on themselves. It's their own damned fault. Of course, we'd like to have a free press, but THEY'RE GETTING PEOPLE KILLED!"
Indeed, this is what it's all about. The right-wing blogosphere is going bananas over a Newsweek story that they say is "getting people killed." Even though it's been demonstrated time and again that the administration lied to get those solidiers to Iraq in the first place. That's the thing about Bush supporters-- they pride themselves on their flag-waving loyalty to a conservative party that doesn't enact conservative policies.
"Censorship is what they're after, and don't let them tell you otherwise. They announced this goal unmistakably at least a year ago. (Here's the classic, regret-filled formulation: "And here's a question: Freedom of the press, as it exists today (and didn't exist, really, until the 1960s) is unlikely to survive if a majority--or even a large and angry minority--of Americans comes to conclude that the press is untrustworthy and unpatriotic. How far are we from that point?") Of course, they "regret" that censorship might be necessary. It's a terrible shame and all that. But damn it, if magazines like Newsweek ARE GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED...well, what can we do? We obviously have to shut them up. They brought it on themselves. It's their own damned fault. Of course, we'd like to have a free press, but THEY'RE GETTING PEOPLE KILLED!"
Indeed, this is what it's all about. The right-wing blogosphere is going bananas over a Newsweek story that they say is "getting people killed." Even though it's been demonstrated time and again that the administration lied to get those solidiers to Iraq in the first place. That's the thing about Bush supporters-- they pride themselves on their flag-waving loyalty to a conservative party that doesn't enact conservative policies.
posted by Matt Sandwich | 9:38 AM
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