August 23, 2003
Unfair and Unbalanced
Gail Appleson writes in a Reuters story about the dismissal of Fox News’ suit to prevent the sale and dissemination of Al Franken’s book, “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them”. Fox News sought to abridge Franken’s 1st Amendment rights to speech in using the courts to stop the sale of his book by stating that Franken’s use of the phrase “fair and balanced” on the cover of his book, violated Fox News’ trademark of those same words. The U.S. District Judge Denny Chin said, “This case is wholly without merit both factually and legally.”
The religious right is attempting to take control of censoring text books for Texas and many other states through the state Board of Education. The Administration has diligently pursued to keep secret all information from the public which may be injurious to its reelection bid in 2004. And now, Fox News has attempted to ascribe virtuous words to itself via trademark and defend itself from criticism based on that trademark. It is truly a gift to be born in America where the Constitution and rule of law, not of men-women, ultimately dooms such authoritarian tactics to failure.
Posted by David R. Remer at August 23, 2003 11:47 AMI’ve always thought the Fox case was counterproductive. Franken was overjoyed to get the free publicity. Far more disturbing was some dirt (unearthed undoubtedly by Fox) that he used Harvard School of Government stationary to write bogus letters to public officials. What was Harvard thinking when they gave him a fellowship?
Posted by: Robert Nagle at August 23, 2003 11:12 PMIf that is true, I have no reason to doubt it, except that it came from Fox News, it would appear Nixon’s team tactics are back in play.
What is Harvard’s criteria for a fellowship - should they have a crystal ball and look into the future of prospective candidates to determine if they might, at some point in the future, do something unethical, but, common practice in politics?
Posted by: DRRemer at August 24, 2003 03:55 PMand it doesn’t bug you that our president is using the Constitution as toilet paper?
Posted by: rob at August 24, 2003 07:32 PMIt bothers me tremendously, that Bush, Ashcroft, and committee chairs in congress are all abusing the Constitution, the parliamentary rules as set down by Jefferson, and international agreements and treaties.
To grant the executive the power to wage war anywhere, on anyone, and at anytime, at the sole discretion of the executive is a serious breach by the congress in its representation of the people.
To abridge the minority party’s right to have a bill read and deny them the opportunity to peruse and understand what is in a bill before it is called to a vote, is a serious breach of Jefferson’s rules.
And granting the Attorney General the power to investigate, surveil, and collect information on American citizens without court review, and probable cause having been established, is a serious breach of American civil liberties.
To preemptively strike another nation without the evidenced premise of imminent danger and threat, is a serious breach of international law. Many believe we have no obligation to national law. Yet, they believe we should lead the rest of the world. This flaw of hypocrisy shall prove fatal to Americans one day when we call on other nations for assistance, and they turn their backs. In fact, it appears to be happening now.
As cumbersome as it is, I do however, believe I need to talk in specific terms rather than colorful aphorisms and metaphors. This is too weighty an issue with potential consequences of a dire nature to our democracy, to be bantered about in such light and casual terms.
Posted by: DRRemer at August 24, 2003 10:12 PMmy apologies DRRemer….my attempt at humor was not in any way meant to belittle or trivialize the important and dangerous events that are taking place in our current administration. i was merely amused at the comments regarding Franken’s use of Harvard letterhead.
“To grant the executive the power to wage war anywhere, on anyone, and at anytime, at the sole discretion of the executive is a serious breach by the congress in its representation of the people.”
May I remind you Dave, This president got the FULL approval of congress to wage this war. It was voted on and was voted forward. To say it wasn’t shows the short memory of the left.
Posted by: pete at August 25, 2003 12:48 AMPete, read again my statement. I clearly state the breach was by Congress. No one here said it wasn’t.
If you want to criticize the left, at least accurately read and criticize what was written.
Posted by: DRRemer at August 25, 2003 09:19 AM
