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Cirsium

(3,813 posts)
127. I do
Sat May 17, 2025, 03:36 PM
May 2025

I think Fox should be forced to close, as well as other media outlets. The purpose of the First Amendment is to protect the public's right of access to information, not to protect the interests of billionaire monopolists.

Wealthy people do not need protection, working class people need protection from the wealthy, which is something that seems lost on too may modern Democrats.

"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread." ― Anatole France

FDR understood this:

Acceptance Speech for the Renomination for the Presidency
Philadelphia, Pa.
June 27, 1936

That very word freedom, in itself and of necessity, suggests freedom from some restraining power. In 1776 we sought freedom from the tyranny of a political autocracy—from the eighteenth century royalists who held special privileges from the crown. It was to perpetuate their privilege that they governed without the consent of the governed; that they denied the right of free assembly and free speech; that they restricted the worship of God; that they put the average man's property and the average man's life in pawn to the mercenaries of dynastic power; that they regimented the people.

And so it was to win freedom from the tyranny of political autocracy that the American Revolution was fought. That victory gave the business of governing into the hands of the average man, who won the right with his neighbors to make and order his own destiny through his own Government. Political tyranny was wiped out at Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.

Since that struggle, however, man's inventive genius released new forces in our land which reordered the lives of our people.. The age of machinery, of railroads; of steam and electricity; the telegraph and the radio; mass production, mass distribution—all of these combined to bring forward a new civilization and with it a new problem for those who sought to remain free.

For out of this modern civilization economic royalists carved new dynasties. New kingdoms were built upon concentration of control over material things. Through new uses of corporations, banks and securities, new machinery of industry and agriculture, of labor and capital—all undreamed of by the fathers—the whole structure of modern life was impressed into this royal service.

There was no place among this royalty for our many thousands of small business men and merchants who sought to make a worthy use of the American system of initiative and profit. They were no more free than the worker or the farmer. Even honest and progressive-minded men of wealth, aware of their obligation to their generation, could never know just where they fitted into this dynastic scheme of things.

...

An old English judge once said: "Necessitous men are not free men." Liberty requires opportunity to make a living—a living decent according to the standard of the time, a living which gives man not only enough to live by, but something to live for.

For too many of us the political equality we once had won was meaningless in the face of economic inequality. A small group had concentrated into their own hands an almost complete control over other people's property, other people's money, other people's labor—other people's lives. For too many of us life was no longer free; liberty no longer real; men could no longer follow the pursuit of happiness.

Against economic tyranny such as this, the American citizen could appeal only to the organized power of Government. The collapse of 1929 showed up the despotism for what it was. The election of 1932 was the people's mandate to end it. Under that mandate it is being ended.

The royalists of the economic order have conceded that political freedom was the business of the Government, but they have maintained that economic slavery was nobody's business. They granted that the Government could protect the citizen in his right to vote, but they denied that the Government could do anything to protect the citizen in his right to work and his right to live.

Today we stand committed to the proposition that freedom is no half-and-half affair. If the average citizen is guaranteed equal opportunity in the polling place, he must have equal opportunity in the market place.

These economic royalists complain that we seek to overthrow the institutions of America. What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power. Our allegiance to American institutions requires the overthrow of this kind of power. In vain they seek to hide behind the Flag and the Constitution. In their blindness they forget what the Flag and the Constitution stand for. Now, as always, they stand for democracy, not tyranny; for freedom, not subjection; and against a dictatorship by mob rule and the over-privileged alike.

The brave and clear platform adopted by this Convention, to which I heartily subscribe, sets forth that Government in a modern civilization has certain inescapable obligations to its citizens, among which are protection of the family and the home, the establishment of a democracy of opportunity, and aid to those overtaken by disaster.

But the resolute enemy within our gates is ever ready to beat down our words unless in greater courage we will fight for them.

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/acceptance-speech-for-the-renomination-for-the-presidency-philadelphia-pa

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

FoxNews has to be dismantled [View all] clevergrrrl May 2025 OP
"I'll bet you that a good 90% of these people that supposedly voted for him couldn't actually tell you a policy position Demovictory9 May 2025 #1
I Lay It All On The Doorstep of FOXNEWS Mr.Bee May 2025 #79
Can Ya Hear Me Now damifino10 May 2025 #83
Joe Rogan was mocking Biden for talking about airports in the revolutionary war. Gary 50 May 2025 #84
Right there was a turning point Envirogal May 2025 #102
Thats how it goes with them. Hypocrisy is staggering Demovictory9 May 2025 #151
Hypocrisy is one of their entitlements. dchill May 2025 #152
The person they voted for can't explain policy either. yonder May 2025 #103
.... MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #104
Cause bdamomma May 2025 #141
And newsmax, oan, RT and ....... Clouds Passing May 2025 #2
Let's not forget JMCKUSICK May 2025 #22
Heinous they are..... Clouds Passing May 2025 #42
Hi Clouds Passing JMCKUSICK May 2025 #43
They are the masters of social engineering. Gum Logger May 2025 #138
There's been no real anti-fox movement. No protests, no political boycott. tman May 2025 #3
You're correct clevergrrrl May 2025 #5
Yep! There needs to be ReRe May 2025 #20
Forget protests Hieronymus Phact May 2025 #31
excellent point. None. Or 40 years of Limbaugh. Evolve Dammit May 2025 #33
Because there are consequences for that speech in the UK LittleGirl May 2025 #87
Exactly!!! MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #89
anti-trust laws? Cirsium May 2025 #106
"Musk stole the election" The prevailing theory I saw here was that he used Starlink Bonx May 2025 #4
Then why skydive forever May 2025 #11
And you know this... how? Mr. Evil May 2025 #19
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" Bonx May 2025 #34
Insufficient evidence is available when... Chemical Bill May 2025 #46
How does one go about dismantling a media outlet? MichMan May 2025 #6
You start by burning the Constitution onenote May 2025 #9
That is incorrect, we are talking about the free market here clevergrrrl May 2025 #13
You said they shouldn't be "allowed" onenote May 2025 #15
the people can allow or disallow clevergrrrl May 2025 #17
The right wing dominates Cirsium May 2025 #28
Oh, good, just like reproductive rights. mahatmakanejeeves May 2025 #30
I'll say it Cirsium May 2025 #26
So newspapers shouldn't be protected? onenote May 2025 #58
Huh? Cirsium May 2025 #99
You couldn't be more wrong about Douglas onenote May 2025 #122
Not germane Cirsium May 2025 #124
And your claim means what? MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #126
Politics Cirsium May 2025 #139
I'm interested in hearing what anticompetitive behavior FoxNews is engaging in onenote May 2025 #148
I can't help you Cirsium May 2025 #149
I don't like Fox News. But I'm not the one onenote May 2025 #150
Nice to hear Cirsium May 2025 #159
Umm, what broadcasting license would you be talking about? MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #47
Could Vladimir come here and spin up a new channel called VladTV and that would be perfectly legal oldmanlynn May 2025 #76
If it's on cable, internet or satellite, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #77
That is Libertarian doctrine Cirsium May 2025 #108
Libertarian doctrine? MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #113
Can he start a broadcast channel? No. Could he start a satellite delivered network? Probably. onenote May 2025 #90
Thank you. MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #91
Yeah, but there was Republicans who stepped up and said that's enough. You can't obstruct justice oldmanlynn May 2025 #75
It's actually pretty easy... AnAccidentalActivist May 2025 #35
Cable channels don't need broadcast licenses Sympthsical May 2025 #36
Thank You!!! MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #49
This is not about the First Amendment Cirsium May 2025 #109
Are you a US citizen? MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #115
Is anyone? Cirsium May 2025 #143
Ok, ya got me there. MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #144
Thanks Cirsium May 2025 #146
Fair enough. MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #147
FCC broadcast licenses do not apply to cable outlets MichMan May 2025 #37
That was my entire point which everyone seemed to miss AnAccidentalActivist May 2025 #63
Your point wasn't missed, it was factually false MichMan May 2025 #65
Right out the gate this is what you said... MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #66
Well, bye. stumpysbear May 2025 #67
I think the regulations should apply to satellite and cable as well if they don't Meowmee May 2025 #140
By shredding the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #50
They are shredding it anyway LS0999 May 2025 #70
Ok, so Faux gets banned, not going to happen, but just for shits and giggles, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #71
William O. Douglas disagrees Cirsium May 2025 #114
Yes, but what you seem to be missing is that in '69, cable, internet and satellite were non existent, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #116
Whatever Cirsium May 2025 #123
It is entirely relevant to the thread, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #125
Yes Cirsium May 2025 #129
You don't know that's what she meant, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #131
I know what I meant Cirsium May 2025 #137
anti-trust law Cirsium May 2025 #107
The trouble is that any restriction markodochartaigh May 2025 #7
The answer... Hieronymus Phact May 2025 #32
Not much of an answer. Mosby May 2025 #59
What's your answer? Hieronymus Phact May 2025 #61
It's Supreme Court doctrine onenote May 2025 #68
False equivalency Cirsium May 2025 #145
Amen hurple May 2025 #8
100% vapor2 May 2025 #10
Yes Iamscrewed May 2025 #12
I agree we might win in 2026 and 2028 and then the cyle continues Tribetime May 2025 #14
Yes, fascism is taking over in increments clevergrrrl May 2025 #16
We need more education on what Fascism is: ReRe May 2025 #25
I imagine dismantling media outlets that disagree with the state would fit the definition MichMan May 2025 #40
Yep, that sounds like an act of fascism for sure. eom ReRe May 2025 #57
Monopolies Cirsium May 2025 #112
You're preaching to the choir, unfortunately. Wednesdays May 2025 #60
Oh really? ReRe May 2025 #62
Absolutely agree with this statement: slightlv May 2025 #18
Meaning (I trust) 'dismantled' via B.See May 2025 #21
Clevergrrrl, Mr. Evil May 2025 #23
I agree with everything you said. ReRe May 2025 #29
Yup. Throw those fucks out. Joinfortmill May 2025 #24
LOL DENVERPOPS May 2025 #27
Hear, hear! defacto7 May 2025 #38
Good luck Meowmee May 2025 #39
clever Skittles May 2025 #41
Any entity powerful enough to shut down Fox... WarGamer May 2025 #44
Never gonna happen Greg_In_SF May 2025 #45
Relatively few adults watch Fox News Kaleva May 2025 #56
If it's that inconsequential because so few people watch, why all the angst here and elsewhere then? MichMan May 2025 #64
It's a convenient bogeyman Kaleva May 2025 #86
Yeah, start holding your breath on that suggestion now and if wishes were horses, elocs May 2025 #48
Maybe occupy it? StopTheFARCE.051625 May 2025 #51
Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote May 2025 #111
Welcome to DU pdxflyboy May 2025 #52
Dismantled? MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #53
If the problem is "the feeble minds of Middle America and Rural America" then the larger problem is democracy. Jim__ May 2025 #54
It would be nice if we had a reasonable media that accurately labeled right wing propaganda as such. unblock May 2025 #55
Of course Nixon and Reagan were elected long before there was a Fox News. onenote May 2025 #69
Nixon and Reagan were, in their own ways, both quite adept politicians unblock May 2025 #97
Absolutely spot on. Nothing will change until Fox is dismantled or the total collapse of our society. Pepsidog May 2025 #72
Since the OP hasn't replied to my question, I'll ask you, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #73
Agreed, how do we let an Australian oligarch oldmanlynn May 2025 #74
100+!! InAbLuEsTaTe May 2025 #78
We have nothing like... Mike Nelson May 2025 #80
Which is their absolute right under our 1A, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #81
Thank you. If people would pay attention to what the Trump FCC is doing they might think twice onenote May 2025 #92
The question is how? JustAnotherGen May 2025 #82
How do you defeat the incomprehensible? How do people not choose democracy? How do you fix stupid? NowsTheTime May 2025 #85
Ron White said it best. MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #88
90 percent of Krasnov's campaign ads in my red district were about one policy position. GoodRaisin May 2025 #93
Those ads ran incessantly in my area harping on two things, VP Harris supporting surgery for trans inmates and when Silent Type May 2025 #96
Thing is, we handled that very poorly. The campaign never pushed back on the ad GoodRaisin May 2025 #105
No question. We didn't respond quickly or effectively in 2016 either. Silent Type May 2025 #110
Don't watch or care for FOX, but I'd oppose dismantling FOX as unconstitutional and we might be next. Silent Type May 2025 #94
That's what those advocates of this crap don't seem to grasp, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #95
Some folks really do love their dictator porn. tritsofme May 2025 #98
I'll actively oppose dismantling FOX SCantiGOP May 2025 #100
.... MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #101
I don't think Fox should be forced to close. creeksneakers2 May 2025 #117
When I took Journalism looking at it as a possible career.... mdbl May 2025 #119
They don't even try to be accurate creeksneakers2 May 2025 #121
I do Cirsium May 2025 #127
.... MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #128
Pretty condescending Cirsium May 2025 #132
I couldn't care less if you advocate this, that's the great thing about our Constitution. MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #134
It rights don't belong to everybody creeksneakers2 May 2025 #156
Correct Cirsium May 2025 #158
Also, freedom of the press must belong to everybody. creeksneakers2 May 2025 #161
Absurd Cirsium May 2025 #162
Then we have a way to fight back creeksneakers2 May 2025 #163
Oh, I agree Cirsium May 2025 #164
:) creeksneakers2 May 2025 #165
Didn't FDR also put Japanese Americans in internment camps ? MichMan May 2025 #157
Oh, I see Cirsium May 2025 #160
Protesters bdamomma May 2025 #118
Yep, they should be out in force in front of their NY offices, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #120
+1000 hadEnuf May 2025 #130
We will never get our country back bdamomma May 2025 #133
Anything else you'd like to see banned because you don't like it? flvegan May 2025 #135
.... MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #136
No thank you. Everyone has the right to watch what they want, and no voices should be shut down. Groundhawg May 2025 #142
Rupert Murdoch ruined American media Funtatlaguy May 2025 #153
How would you propose we dismantle Fox News within the parameters of the 1st Amendment and kelly1mm May 2025 #154
*ALL* corporatized media k_buddy762 May 2025 #155
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