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Suppression of Dissenting Views

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Ronorama Posted: Fri, May 29 2009 12:02 PM

Anybody seen this?

It's a petition, being sent to NBC, to attempt to suppress the airing of a documentary on nationalized vs. private health care. It was posted by a friend on his FaceBook page. I posted the following comment in response:

"You mean I could have circulated a petition to suppress the airing of "An Inconvenient Truth", citing all the misinformation and falsehoods contained therein, and packaged it all up ad hominem? Damn...late to the party again!"

His answer was:

"Sure you could have."

I'm saddened that so many feel that they are justified in suppressing opposing views. It's irrational on my part, but somehow it seems worse that my friend advocated my "right" to suppress views that my friend supports as well. But that's what Democracy is all about. Everything is up for a vote, including the rights of everyone else. Granted, the petition is an appeal to get NBC to voluntarily suppress the documentary, but the implications are saddening, nonetheless.

From the link...

"This Sunday, following Meet the Press, a 30-minute “infomercial” attacking a public healthcare option is set to air on NBC. The ad is created by disgraced former hospital CEO Rick Scott and his group "Conservatives for Patients' Rights."

Rick Scott has a track record of deceit.

Scott's previous ads contained blatantly false statements and misleading excerpts of interviews with healthcare professionals. If Scott's 30-minute "documentary" contains falsehoods, NBC could be liable for an FCC violation and serious fines. Furthermore, Meet the Press needs to know that their credibility is being used by Rick Scott, and will be tarnished by the association to these swiftboat style attacks.

Lawyers from the Service Employee International Union have sent a letter to NBC demanding they don’t run the ad. It is up to us to back them up with the voices of thousands of viewers demanding action.

DEMAND NBC AND MEET THE PRESS STOP SWIFTBOATING OBAMA’S HEALTHCARE REFORM"

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Danno replied on Sun, May 31 2009 1:20 PM

No, I hadn't seen it - thanks for the pointer.

Not having watched television in 8 years, I can't say that I much care - but I will be sending a note to NBC encouraging them to show both sides of the question.  I think I'll remain quiet on my viewing habits. 

Danno, thinkin' that consistency is probably the hobgoblin of small minds.

The avatar graphic text:

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