Fairness Doctrine’s end brought Trump
Lately I have noticed with the Biden victory that Trumpism may not die a quiet death.
The pro-Trump, inflammatory demonizing of liberalism exhibited by a half dozen or more local radio stations in my area have for years existed for several reasons. The Rush Limbaugh era of right-wing attack journalism began in 1987 when the Fairness Doctrine of the FCC was repealed under the Ronald Reagan administration. This opened up the floodgates for talk radio to spew its brand of hate, racism, bigotry, pro-gun anti-intellectualism. And, above all, false and misleading disinformation.
The Fairness Doctrine, established by the FCC in 1949, essentially required radio and TV to allow equal time for challenging viewpoints. Thus, if a right-wing commentator were allowed to broadcast, then stations must allow equal time for alternative viewpoints.
The ruling also issued in the concept of news as entertainment. This allowed Donald J. Trump to get airtime every morning on Fox and Friends.
Today, one’s political stripes mostly coincide with what station you get your news from. Add this to exponentially expanding technology of the internet, such as Facebook and Twitter, then you have what Aldous Huxley described as “Brave New World.”
Mike Bodine
East Ridge
Seeking more money for child care relief
As a Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) advocate and a child care provider, I’m frustrated with our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to child care. While the media is finally highlighting the child care industry’s plight and policymakers are taking note of its importance, Congress has yet to pass a stimulus package with sufficient funding.
The child care industry is indispensable to millions of American families, and to America’s workforce and economy. Child care is a bipartisan issue, with overwhelming support from voters and policymakers alike. Recently, the House of Representatives passed the Child Care is Essential Act with support from both Democrats and Republicans – including $50 billion for the child care industry – while the Senate included $15 billion for child care in its recovery package. So, there is consensus that the child care industry is important.
I urge Sens. Blackburn and Alexander to act now and pass a stimulus package that includes robust funding for the child care industry. The time for talk is over. Our workforce, economy and future promise of America’s children depend on it.
Leslie Morris
Director, Northside Learning Center
Rethink how death penalty is based
I am against how the death penalty is currently invoked; it is not the death penalty that is the problem.
Mistakes happen, and there are wrong convictions. That is a very real reason why a death penalty should not be based upon single criminal convictions.
Besides mistakes, current laws, for example, give greater value to some victims over others instead of equal treatment. For example, there is no politician whose murder should matter more than a fast food worker, no matter what the office.
But, there are multiple repeat career criminals who have voluntarily forfeited their right to equal treatment with non-criminals. It is the continuous criminal actions which warrant a death penalty.
If you want to stop crime, stop criminals. If they have proven, repeated violent crimes, after three separate convictions, they should be eligible for the death penalty. A new jury should evaluate the whole of the criminal history for possible death penalty.
To stop crime, stop criminals.
Jim Hill
Harrison