May. 29, 2003 - 21:04 MDT

THE WONDERING JEW

SOS Again

He talks to the newspapers, but does he hold an open forum of any kind ?

In an article by David Ho of the Associated Press, May 28, in our Rocky Mountain News -- Headlined, (Hah Hah -- hoo boy) "FCC split over changes in media ownership rules." Further in the article he reports that, "Keeping current media ownership rules in place could squeeze the broadcast networks and drive them to end free TV," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said Tuesday, campaigning for the changes he favors." Powell said, "Adjustments are needed to reflect a market changed by Cable TV, satellite broadcasts and the internet." He also said, "If the FCC fails to act, outdated rules will be swept away by court challenges. What I worry about is that all of the rules will be eliminated -- not by us, but a judicial regime," he said, If you don't do surgery on this patient, it is going to die. Free over-the-air TV is going to die, the rules are going to die."

Mr Ho goes on, "With the FCC set to vote Monday on sweeping change to the regulations, Powell conducted a series of one-on-one interviews with the Associated Press and other media."

Mr. Ho goes on, "Powell agreed that some limits are needed. He said the FCC's new rules will protect competition and diverse and local viewpoints while permitting beneficial mergers. He said the changes also are needed to protect media sources people take for granted." So much for what is in the paper.

From my point of view Powell offered nothing but barnyard excreta. No facts, no figures, just scare tactics and obfuscation. Yeah right, beneficial to who ? ? ? ? ? Somewhere in there he stated something about, "competition and diverse and local viewpoints while permitting beneficial mergers." Sounds like a total oxymoron to me. Maybe I could be convinced if said Powell would come out with some viable facts and figures but doubt if he will. Where have I recently heard this type of logic over and over again ?

There are many who disagree with him, but it appears that he wields the power as I think more of the Comission are on his side. I very much fear he will throw the public to the dogs. "But," as Tevye said, "on the other hand." Maybe the dogs won't have a thing to do with it.

So much of this governmental smog has proliferated that is the SOS again . . . . . . . . . .

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