The FCC is a perfect example of what is wrong with American politics

The FCC is made up of 5 members- 2 GOP, 2 Dems, 1 member from the Presidents party (a puke, of course).

The 3 GOP members defend the rights of media corporations.
The 2 Dem (both soon to be gone. I think one is already gone.) members advocate for the rights of individual investors investing in these media corporations.
(IMHO)There are 0 members looking out for the consumers.

Poll question - Which group do you belong to?

PBS. After that it's independent media thru the internet thank you. Particularily Democracy Now. You'd be better off to watch the CBC should you live near the Canadian border.

I am secretly shamed by my love of (FOX NEWS CORPS) The Simpsons.

The Simpsons do more making fun of Fox than their mainstream competitors. And it's not just gentle stabs either. They pointed out recently how can Fox entertainment put on shows that conflict so completely with it's Fox 'News' division's purported ethics? Good question.

Bill O'Reilly's is not normally a voice over for the Simpsons, so it's cool.

I don't get either of those channels my friend.

That was the year that probably sealed our fate in terms of media accountability. The year that gave us the Telecommunications Act. The biggest destruction of media accountability to the people in the modern era. And now, they're doing it again. Earlier this month a town hall meeting was held in Seattle, only because it was forced on the FCC by the courts, they actually wanted to do this new loosening without ANY pesky public intrusion. Even then they only gave one week notice which limited the participation and is a tactic to minimize opposition. Still, our friends in Seattle are savvy and committed, about 750 showed up.

"People booed and interrupted commission Chairman Kevin Marin, particularly about the timing of the hearing notice, which came one week before the meeting."

"Among those testifying were directors of several cable-access channels in smaller markets, such as South King County, Olympia and Salem, Ore. Local news and issues from these communities are rarely mentioned on TV news channels based in Seattle, Portland or Eugene."

"The FCC adopted looser ownership rules in 2003, prompting widespread protests. A federal appeals court struck down the changes, ruling the commission had not adequately justified them.

Last year, the commission announced it would take up the issue again and the FCC chairman has said he wants a vote next month."

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003671062

Of course, like in 1996, no major media outlet covered this story. Like the old Pravda, it doesn't exist. If they do hold a vote next month, and this passes, any Dems that don't block it or stop it (looking at you Lieberman) are in on it. Guaranteed.

:cry:

FCC Commissioners serve five year terms. After their terms expire, they continue to serve until a successor is confirmed and sworn in, except that if no successor is sworn in by the end of the session of Congress following the expiration of the 5 year term, they must leave office.

The current Commisssion and their term expirations are as follows:

Chairman Kevin Martin (R): June 30, 2011
Commissioner Michael Copps (D): June 30, 2010
Commissioner Robert McDowell (R): June 30, 2009
Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein (D): June 30, 2008
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate (R): June 30, 2007

If not reconfirmed Tate can continue to serve until the end of the second session of the 108th Congress (approx December 31, 2008). Adelstein (if not renominated and reconfirmed) can continue to serve until the end of the first session of the 109th Congress (approx Dec. 31, 2009).

Since Copps' term runs until june 2010,neither Democrat is in danger of having to step down any time soon. Depending on the outcome of the presidential election in 2008, Adelstein may or may not be renominated. On the repub side, Tate hasn't been renominated even though her term has expired and its unlikely that she would be confirmed anyway. In all likelihood, her term will run through the end of 2008 unless she decides to leave on her own before then. If she leaves prior to the election, her seat will be left unfilled until after the election, which will effectively stalemate the FCC on a number of issues. As a result, she's under a lot of pressure to stick around.