Fairness Doctrine by another name

Well,

The DC Voting Rights bill is working its way through the sausage factory. Short of a Constitutional Amendment, I don't see how this is legitimate in any way. That is a discussion for another time though.

The Fairness Doctrine was officially "Disapproved" as an amendment to S.160 so everybody could be on record as opposing it. Cool. OK So far.

Then (drum roll please) this piece of steaming dog-doo was agreed to on a party line vote:

S.AMDT.591
Amends: S.160
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (submitted 2/26/2009) (proposed 2/26/2009)

AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To encourage and promote diversity in communication media ownership, and to ensure that the public airwaves are used in the public interest.

TEXT OF AMENDMENT AS SUBMITTED: CR S2574

STATUS:

2/26/2009:

Amendment SA 591 proposed by Senator Durbin.

2/26/2009:

Amendment SA 591 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 - 41. Record Vote Number: 70.

Don't get me wrong here. I am all for diversity. I think everybody who wants a piece of the pie and is willing to work for it should get it.

That said, I also recognize that the only way that Government can enforce diversity is through various forms of coercion. And, since the person doing the promoting is "Tricky Dicky" Durbin-that squeaky-clean Illinois politician, I expect that "Diversity" in this sense means Liberal Minority ownership for politically-connected recipients.

Or, to put another way, The Fairness Doctrine-repackaged and marketed with a different wrapper but with the same tired goals.

Pax,

Newbius