Latest (NRA) path around soft-money ban: Buy a TV station

What does the NRA have in common with NBC? Not much so far, but the National Rifle Association has been talking in recent days like a media conglomerate.

Last week, NRA president Wayne LaPierre hinted that the group for gun owners would consider buying a TV or radio station to get its messages across if the Supreme Court upheld new federal restrictions on the financing of political campaigns. A few days later, the justices did just that, supporting regulations that, among other things, forbid last-minute political ads from independent groups like the NRA.

The building of TV network that makes Mr. LaPierre as recognizable as Tom Brokaw remains a long way off - and the path could be fraught with financial and regulatory challenges. But experts say the campaign finance ruling creates a very real impetus for lobbying groups to find new, still-legal ways to communicate politically. Even in a media environment already saturated with opinions and polemics from Bill O'Reilly to Michael Moore, this represents a shot heard round the nation.

To some, the prospect of networks run by the NRA - or Al Gore for that matter - raises worries about a growing injection of bias into the reports that Americans rely on to make judgments about government and public affairs.


http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1217/p02s02-uspo.html

To all Americans.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Guess the bill of rights doesn't mean anything these days. Oh well, was nice to know you, I'll be missin ya in Gitmo~