Freedom of the Press? Not in an Obama World … The FCC Wants to Grill Reporters, Editors & News Station Owners About How They Decide Which Stories to Run

WHEN WILL THE TYRANNY STOP WITH THIS OUT OF CONTROL IMPERIALISTIC PRESIDENT?

It would appear that Barack Obama wants to put government FCC monitors in America’s news rooms to determine why media outlets cover certain stories. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!  So now we are going to have government lackeys in news rooms to monitor and make sure that the media is covering the stories they want them to? Could Barack Obama and the Obama administration possible trample on the United States Constitution and Freedom of Speech any more?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

As reported at Mediaite, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal bringing people’s attention to this study, saying “the government has no place pressuring media organizations into covering certain stories.” And while participation is technically voluntary, ignoring them would not be a wise decision for any news outlet that wants an FCC license. We all know that the MSM is bias and pretty much in lockstep leans to the left, but it is not the governments job to interfere with what they report or how they report .  “Participation is voluntary—in theory,” supposedly; however, the FCC’s questions, queries and interrogations may be hard for the broadcasters to ignore as it is this very government agency that could put a media outlet out of business if they spitefully withhold an FCC license. But of course the Obama administration has never gone after or targeted a specific group of people who opposed him, have they … IRS-GATE!

AMERICA, THIS IS WHAT TYRANNY LOOKS LIKE! LET’S JUST COME OUT AND SAY IT … THIS IS ANTI-AMERICAN. WELCOME TO OBAMA’S USSRA.

click on pic to watch VIDEO, via Mediaite

An Obama administration plan that would get researchers into newsrooms across the country is sparking concern among congressional Republicans and conservative groups.

The purpose of the proposed Federal Communications Commission study is to “identify and understand the critical information needs of the American public, with special emphasis on vulnerable-disadvantaged populations,” according to the agency.

However, one agency commissioner, Ajit Pai, said in a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece Wednesday that the May 2013 proposal would allow researchers to “grill reporters, editors and station owners about how they decide which stories to run.”

He also said he feared the study might stifle the freedom of the press.

Who is Obama kidding?

This is just heinous as Obama uses the death of Daniel Pearl to make it appear that he is for Freedom of the Press

“Reminded us of how valuable a free press is.”

“reminded us that there are those who would go to any leangth in order to silence journalists …”

“A well informed citizenry that is able to make choices and hold governments accountable …”

Obama says, “Clear out the press so that we can take some questions”

FCC Research Study can be read HERE (pdf)

Questions that the FCC poses in the study to news managers and staffers, including the following. Honestly, what business is it of the federal government?

• What is the news philosophy of the station?
• How do you define critical information that the community needs?
• Who decides which stories are covered?
• Have you ever suggested coverage of what you consider a story with critical information for your customers (viewers, listeners, readers) that was rejected by management?

Do we really wonder why, as opined by The Lonely Conservative, that the US has dropped to #46, just above Haiti, in press freedom in the world. Way to go Barack Obama!

Liberal & Obama Supporter Attorney Jonathan Turley Says Expansion of Barack Obama’s Presidential Powers Threatens Liberty

WOW, IF THIS DOES NOT WAKE PEOPLE UP, NOTHING WILL … LIB ATTY AND OBAMA SUPPORTER BLASTS OBAMA’S ACTIONS

Last night on ‘The Kelly Files,’ Jonathan Turley, a liberal Constitutional attorney and Obama supporter said a mouthful last night with regards to the imperial president, Barack Obama’s “unilateral” and Unconstitutional actions.  Turley stated, “I’m afraid this is beginning to border on a cult of personality for people on the left” and Well, you know, a system in which a single individual is allowed to rewrite legislation or ignore legislation is a system that borders on authoritarianism.”

This is a must watch interview and remember, this is coming from a lib. Turley is basically describing … “TYRANNY”.

Transcript from Real Clear Politics:

KELLY: Let me ask you about this because in that soundbite we played before we went to commercial, you said the framers would be horrified because everything they did was to create balance between the branches of government and we’ve lost that.

TURLEY: Well, I’m afraid it’s quite serious because the framers created a system that was designed to avoid one principle thing, the concentration of power in any one branch. Because that balancing between these branches in this fixed orbit is what not only gives stability to our system but it protects us against authoritarian power, it protects civil liberties from abuse.

And what we’ve been seeing is the shift of gravity within that system in a very dangerous way that makes it unstable, and I think that’s what the president is doing. I think that we’ve become a nation of enablers. We are turning a blind eye to a fundamental change in our system. I think many people will come to loathe that they remained silent during this period.

KELLY: We heard a lot of objections when President Bush expanded the powers of the presidency from the left and from the media. They haven’t been raising the same objections now that we have a Democrat in The White House. And you say they do so at their own peril.

TURLEY: I’m afraid this is beginning to border on a cult of personality for people on the left. I happen to agree with many of President Obama’s policies, but in our system it is often as important how you do something as what you do.

And I think that many people will look back at this period in history and see nothing but confusion as to why people remained so silent when the president asserted these types of unilateral actions. You have a president who is claiming the right to basically rewrite or ignore or negate federal laws. That is a dangerous thing. It has nothing to do with the policies; it has to do with politics.

KELLY: Why is it so dangerous? What’ so bad that will come of this?

TURLEY: Well, you know, a system in which a single individual is allowed to rewrite legislation or ignore legislation is a system that borders on authoritarianism. I don’t believe that we are that system yet. But we cannot ignore that we’re beginning to ignore a system that is a pretense of democracy if a president is allowed to take a law and just simply say, ‘I’m going to ignore this,’ or, ‘I’m going to shift funds that weren’t appropriated by Congress into this area.’

The president’s State of the Union indicated this type of unilateralism that he has adopted as a policy. Now, many people view that as somehow empowering. In my view, it’s dangerous, that is what he is suggesting is to essentially put our system off line. This is not the first time that convenience has become the enemy of principle. But we’ve never seen it to this extent.

KELLY: What is supposed to be done about it? You know, I know in your testimony before Congress you cited Ben Franklin who believed that the other branches would work in their own self interest to try to reign in a president who got drunk on his own power, or however you want to put it. You know, Congress doesn’t have — they can withdrawal money, they can move to impeach, they can file lawsuits –which they’ve done — I mean, what are they supposed to do?

TURLEY: Part of the problem really rests with the federal courts. For the last two decades, federal courts have been engaged in a policy of avoidance. They are not getting involved when the executive branch exceeds its powers, they’re just leaving it up to the branches. And often they say Congress has the power of the purse, Congress can simply restrict funds.

But one of the complaints against President Obama is that very clearly dedicated funds in areas like healthcare, have been just shifted by the White House unilaterally to different areas. And the courts have adopted this avoidance policy.

I am astonished by the degree of passivity in Congress, particularly by Democrats. You know, I first came to Congress when I was a young page and there were people that fiercely believed in the institution. It didn’t matter what party held the White House. But what we’re seeing now is the usurpation of authority that’s unprecedented in this country.

Barack Obama Shakes Hands with Cuban President Raul Castro … What’s a Hand Shake Among Commie Friends?

NOTHING SURPRISES ME ANY MORE FROM THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE YURI OBAMA …

This morning in Soweto, Johannesburg President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban leader Raúl Castro at the memorial for the late President Nelson Mandel. Hmm, I am not quite sure why anyone is surprised, this is the man who has embraced America’ enemies and made deals with them, bowed to Saudi princes and other foreign leaders, while treating our closest allies like dirt. What’s in a hand shake? A lot.

But like I said, what is a handshake among communist comrades, water does seek its own level now, doesn’t it? It would appear that Hot Air agrees as they opine, “One’s a communist who’s reduced his country to ruins, the other’s Raul Castro”.

VIDEO – CNN

But of course CNN was quick to defend and make excuses for Ovama’s actions. Hmm, guess it was a good thing Adolf Hitler was not attending.

Obama knew, of course, that Castro would be on stage. But refusing to shake Castro’s hand would not have been in keeping with Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation. And it was not the first handshake between American-Cuban leaders. In 2000, at the United Nations, then-President Bill Clinton shook hands with Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban Revolution, its first revolutionary president, and Raul’s brother.

Obama says he wants to improve relations with Cuba, but disagreements over human rights violations and other issues continue to keep the countries apart.

The handshake came before Obama’s speech, in which he made remarks about reconciliation.

“It took a man like Madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailer as well – (applause) – to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you; to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion and generosity and truth,” Obama said.

The President also made sure to include a comment about freedom, which seemed directly aimed at dictatorial regimes.

Ukraine Protesters Tear Down Commie Lenin’s Statue in Kiev … #ukraine

TEAR DOWN THAT COMMIE STATUE …

Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Ukraine took to the streets in another mass demonstration of anger against President Viktor F. Yanukovich’s decision to break off negotiations with the European Union. They toppled the statue of Communist leader Lenin in a symbolic demonstration and then took a sledgehammer to it.

#Ukraine.

From The New York Times:

Public protests thundered into a full-throttle civil uprising in Ukraine on Sunday, as hundreds of thousands of protesters answered President Viktor F. Yanukovich’s dismissiveness with their biggest rally so far, demanding that he and his government resign.

At the height of the unrest on Sunday night, a seething crowd toppled and smashed a statue of Lenin, the most prominent monument to the Communist leader in Kiev. The act was heavy with symbolism, underscoring the protesters’ rage at Russia over its role in the events that first prompted the protests: Mr. Yanukovich’s abrupt refusal to sign sweeping political and free-trade agreements with the European Union.

After an electrifying assembly in Independence Square in the center of Kiev, the main focus of the protests, the huge crowd surged across the capital, erecting barriers to block the streets around the presidential headquarters and pitching huge tents in strategic intersections. They were not challenged by the police, who have largely disengaged since their bloody crackdown on a group of protesters on Nov. 30 sharply increased outrage at the government.

Radio Free Europe was Live blogging the event.

Interestingly enough, as those in the Ukraine tear down the statue of Lenin, many think that US President Barack Obama is looking to erect it.

Barack Obama Compares Nelson Mandela To America’s First President George Washington, Who Knew the Father of Our Country was an America-bashing Communist?

As Barack Obama was on his $100 million vacation in South Africa, Obama compared former South African President Nelson Mandela to America’s first President George Washington. Hmm. I realize that Obama is trying to say something nice about a dying man, but to compare to George Washington, really? I guess the president just over looks that little fact that Mandela is a Communist. I do not remember George Washington being one. But then again, in Obama’s world, who knows. And then there was that little thing of Mandela bashing America. But I guess when Obama feels the need to apologize for America all the time, maybe he relates? Once again, Obama lives up to his moniker, “Divider in Chief” and a community agitator. Via ABC News, via Free Republic:

Although President Obama will not get a chance to see Nelson Mandela on his trip to South Africa, he is using his historic visit to pay tribute to the man he calls a hero to the world and will meet today with the Mandela family.

At a joint press conference with South African President Jacob Zuma this morning, President Obama spoke extensively about Mandela’s legacy.

“Our thoughts and those of Americans and people all around the world are with Nelson Mandela and his family and all of South Africans,” Obama said. “The struggle here for freedom, Madiba’s moral courage, this country’s historic transition to a free nation has been a personal inspiration to me, an inspiration to the world, and it continues to be.”

“Mandela shows what was possible when a priority is placed on human dignity, respect for law, that all people are treated equally,” Obama said.

“And what Nelson Mandela also stood for is that the well-being of the country is more important than the interests of any one person,” Obama continued. “George Washington is admired because after two terms he said enough, I’m going back to being a citizen. There were no term limits, but he said I’m a citizen. I served my time. And it’s time for the next person, because that’s what democracy is about. And Mandela similarly was able to recognize that, despite how revered he was, that part of this transition process was greater than one person.”

Or as Weasel Zippers opines, “Except for the fact that Mandela is an America-bashing Communist who once said, “If there is a country in the world that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America.”