March 4, 2004 6:06 AM

At least rats and cockroaches scatter when you turn on the lights

DeLay threatens broadcasters with Congress sanctions

It's about money, but make no mistake: If decision makers at studios, networks and affiliates fail to appreciate the sensitivity of the post-Super Bowl environment, the consequences will not be merely economic. My message to you and everyone in your industry is this: The status quo will not stand.

- Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX)

No, it's not about money. It's about politicians trolling for a no-brainer issue that they can flog for votes until it is long past dead. It's about being able to pontificate about the pervasive "decline of Western civilization" so that they can paint themselves as the only viable alternative to inevitable collapse. House Jackass-in-Chief Tom DeLay, who puts the "Guhhh!" in "demagogue", has decided to hop on the gravy train. There goes any hope of rational, reasoned discussion, eh?

WASHINGTON -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay warned broadcasters Tuesday of possible congressional sanctions if they "cannot stay in the boundaries of decency" and avoid incidents similar to Janet Jackson's breast-baring performance at the Super Bowl.

At a meeting of the National Association of Broadcasters, DeLay accused industry officials of surrendering decency in programming to their desire to boost profits.

On the surface, there may well be some merit to DeLay's argument tht broadcasters are surrending decency in pursuit of the almight buck. Call me cyncial (and some of you no doubt will), but this is such an easy issue to jump on that it is difficult not to imagine that this is all about DeLay's own self-aggrandizement. How could ANYONE be against decency, right?? Especially those good, God-fearing Christians who are DeLay's base?

If DeLay had ever engaged in anything resembling reasoned political rhetoric, I might be able to take him seriously on this issue. Given his predilection for slash-and-burn, take-no-prisoners, kill-them-all-let-God-sort-them-out politics, this would be appear to be just another blatant DeLay exercise in shameless self-promotion.

Can we PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE vote DeLay out of office and back to his extermination business? The ignorance, demagoguery, and fear-mongering have long since worn out their welcome. Of course, the fact that he keeps getting re-elected would seem to indicate that ignorance, demagoguery, and fear-mongering are cherished values in the Congressional district (Yes, DeLay is my Congressman. Feel free to decry my fate as the spirit moves you.)

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on March 4, 2004 6:06 AM.

Fine. Be that way. I'll just order two large fries and get the same effect. was the previous entry in this blog.

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