Skip to main content

A Patch Of Blue Sky In The Restricted Speech Maelstrom

Hey Soul Mates,
lovers of Free Speech rejoice. Haters of nepotism shout "Amen!"

Colin Powell's kid is leaving the FCC. And not a moment too soon. Michael Powell has been as bigger embarrassment to America than Janet Jackson's titty (and without the charm). As humorless as his old man, Powell is the most public FCC chairman in American history and he won't be remembered kindly by me. He has been the typical reactionary during the current administration, tryin-a take us back to the 1950's or worse.


When Powell was appointed he said he would support Free Speech and fight the old indecency codes, but he sold out. Ever since, he has wielded his authority like a spoiled child; insistent on imposing his own free will (and the Conservative agenda) on the Public's airwaves. His fascist enforcement of indecency laws has made America a stranger place. Are people doing and saying things on the air that are inappropriate? Probably. But is it killing people and leaving bodies strewn about the streets? No. Arbitrarily calling something indecent and lobbing gigantic fines like grenades is a curb on free speech... dammit. It's rule by fear.

And this fool wanted to allow anyone to own as many TV stations or networks as they could. Huh? Putting all the power in a few hands is not good for art, commerce or the People. It's called monopoly and it's illegal. Thank the Lord, the Senate and the judicial system overturned his ruling. Tell me he wasn't being paid off to make that decision.

Michael Powell's work has been a diversion to help blind us to the real events of the real world. He wanted you to focus on that titty so you wouldn't care that the networks were under singular ownership. These are dark times for lovers of Free Speech. There's a reason why Free Speech is in the first amendment. It's in the very first code of our law. The Founders wanted us to have freedom of expression. But some people want to pervert it for ideological ends that are more violating than those who curse on TV after their team loses a close call or wins an award. Let's hope Powell's successor is better grounded in reality and in the knowledge of the Constitution.

Regardless, this rabble can't be quieted. This is still America. And you can't put a 5 second delay on life.

Love, Power, Peace

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Being There [Grammy Recap]

Hey Soul Mates, Check out your boy. Yes, I did look that damn suave at the Grammys last night. Look, the tickets very clearly said "black tie." What could be less rock and roll than black tie? Not wearing "black tie." Frankly, the hipsters and the club girls just looked silly. Maybe I'm getting sartorially conservative, but you must be clean for the Grammys. We arrived early in the afternoon. A beautifully mild afternoon in downtown L.A. and not a sign of the predicted rain. I wanted to experience the whole nine, so we got there in time for the "Pre-telecast" ceremony. This is where 97 of the 108 gramophone statuettes are awarded. It was much more entertaining and endearing than the actual broadcast. The winners were genuinely moved, were not limited in their speech time and came in all stripes. Now, very few of the acts I voted for won. But the day did start off with a bang as OK Go won best short form video for the treadmill hopping video for Here...

John Lennon 40 Years On

Remembering John Lennon today. Forty years have flashed by. I can still hear my clock radio turning on to the incongruent sound of the Beatles on Dec. 9, 1980 and wondering why? I think about John every day. I am fortunate to have been able to make pilgrimage to Mendips, Abbey Road and Strawberry Fields, NY; to play on stages like the Cavern, the Jacaranda and the Troubadour where he performed or made trouble, or both. Here’s a quick playlist for you and me. (Just Like) Starting Over I Should Have Known Better Bless You Nobody Told Me Strawberry Fields Forever Nowhere Man Enjoy the day. Fill it with peace. Fill it with music. #JohnLennon #Liverpool

Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air - Book Review

“The Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air” is a trippy new mystery novel from Phillip Mottaz. It captures the grit and gilt of the City of Angels with the flair of a contemporary Raymond Chandler. The brisk pace and wit are reminiscent of Douglas Adams’s entries in the detective game. Flourishes of  Fletch  and “Medium” also spring to mind. However, Mottaz has added a psychic/mutant/superhuman touch and his own comedic voice, structure and internal monologues to the proceedings that help the author announce his own style and the arrival of a literary heroine for a new generation. Hairstylist and budding private investigator, Danica Luman is the perfect character to convey the irony, angst and sarcasm needed to tell a 21st century L.A. crime story. Danica also represents anyone who thought it would be neat to get tangled up in a mystery and the darkly comic cautionary tale that follows. The genre is recognizable, but Mottaz offers a fresh take on the not-ready-for-prime-ti...