John McCain: First Amendment Control Commissar
By Christopher G. Adamo
Every decent American ought to be thoroughly outraged by what has transpired in response to the ads being run by those Swift Boat veterans contesting John Kerry's accounts of his heroics during Vietnam. Rather than merely refute their claims, dark forces are working to suppress their efforts to speak out on this subject.
Unfortunately, with too few Americans understanding the threat posed by those who would forcibly subdue others with whom they disagree, the reaction to this infuriating episode has been minimal.
A previous assault on the rights of citizens, perpetrated last summer on the Senate floor, set the stage for the present, detestable situation. In the wake of "Dixie Chicks" singer Natalie Maines' derisive comments regarding President Bush, major radio markets, responding to an enormous outcry from their listeners, were dropping "Dixie Chicks" songs from their rosters. Caterwauling that this somehow constituted "censorship" by station owners, a Congressional hearing was convened, during which Senator John McCain (R-AZ), among others, excoriated the management of Cumulus Media, Cox Radio, and Clear Channel Radio for the "Dixie Chicks" boycott.
The radio executives should have informed McCain, after a brief civics lesson explaining the realities of the First Amendment, that if their listeners prefer to be inspired by Lee Greenwood rather than being insulted by the "Dixie Chicks," it was the broadcasters' right to give them what they wanted. Furthermore, they should have asserted in no uncertain terms that it was none other than McCain who, by invoking the monstrous power of the Federal government against them, violated the integrity of the First Amendment and thus proved himself a danger to the Republic.
In light of McCain's deference to the "rights" of leftist bimbos to have their music played for an affronted audience, it might seem reasonable to presume that he would now likewise insist that the Swift Boat veterans be allowed to speak their piece. But instead, he has been almost obsessive in his efforts to see them silenced, based on what he asserts to be the inappropriate nature of the ads. Clearly, a much more sinister purpose is motivating McCain.
When was the notion established that free speech must pass some government test for accuracy in order to be permissible? Is it John McCain alone who should have the final say as to who can speak in public and who cannot, based solely on his arrogant assessment of the worthiness or accuracy of their statements?
McCain's vindictiveness towards the veterans, based not on their real credibility but instead on their previous association with others who had worked to thwart his political ambitions, is indicative of the very seed of tyranny that the founders most feared. Clearly, the framers of the First Amendment crafted it in such a manner as to ensure that individuals such as John McCain would never have the prerogative to use the laws of an out-of-control government to subdue their opposition.
During recent months, Americans have had their sensibilities assaulted by the despicable fabrications of Michael Moore in his perversely prejudicial movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11." While many have expressed anger at the fraudulent nature of his work, nobody on the "right" ever suggested for a moment that Moore be prevented from producing his propaganda.
Those who operate in the realm of truth readily comprehend its ability to overcome any amount of lies, as long as their side can be heard. Conversely, individuals who aspire to unaccountable power recognize their inherent vulnerability to an informed public. It is for this very reason that printing presses have always been classified as illegal contraband within tyrannical states.
From the manner in which Senator McCain has invoked its premises in this present situation, and contrary to its initially stated purpose of reducing corruption in government, McCain-Feingold, the ostensible campaign finance "reform" law, is plainly not intended to clean up politics. Rather, its purpose is to stifle the efforts of those McCain and his elitist cohorts in the United States Senate find objectionable. The "ruling class" we should realize, is above criticism.
If anything, these senators, drunk with power, seek to use the premises of campaign "reform" to silence those courageous veterans who have gone out on a limb to draw attention to disreputable behavior in a major political player. In short, McCain-Feingold protects the ability of corrupt and deceitful politicians to perpetrate their fraud. As a result, and with John McCain's blessings, such corruption in the political system will only get worse.
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