Excellent thought, Willy.

Let me echo the words of this letter by saying the same thing about radio.

If you don't like Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Dr. Laura, Savage, Medved or even Doug Wright, here's an idea - USE THE OFF BUTTON.

What's good for T.V. is just as good for the radio.

Given the fact that a lot of people take the bullcrap Limbaugh, et al., spew as fact, there needs to be some way to ensure that they also get the truth to counter said crap.

Hey, it works for reading newspaper articles, as well. I get tired of people complaining about DN articles that contain news about Mormons, American Idol, or other things they aren't interested in. Just don't read them! That's what headlines are for. They let you know what it's about, so you can decide if you're interested enough to read the whole article.

Buy Cable. There are about 72 religous channels you can choos from.

To "A problem with Clar(k)'s suggestion - 8:20"

I know where you're going with this. The so-called "Fairness Doctrine." The idea that somehow, if one person presents a specific point of view on the air, there must be the opposite point of view presented also. But here are just a few problems with the "Fairness Doctrine."

1 - Who gets to decide what is the proper, exact balance of airtime between the conservative and the liberal point of view?

2 - What about liberatarian, Green Party or other three-party ideas? How do we include them in the "Fairness Doctrine?"

3 - If a radio commentator speaks openly against a communist dictator, does that mean the same radio station has to bring on someone who openly supports that communist dictator? What about if a radio commentator speaks out against the oppression of women in third world countries? Should the same radio have to then bring in someone who supports oppresion of women in third world countries?

4 - Should the "Fairness Doctrine" cover all forms of media, including newspapers, television, political books and political documentaries? Or should it just cover the radio?

Why are we revisiting this comment? It was over about a week ago, and all the comments qwere pretty much the same. Nothing new here.

I agree with MR Bauter. If you don`t like whats on change channels or turn it off.

I agree with Ummmmm..... the comments section of the last article had many suggestions to turn it off.

Anybody, and I do mean anybody, who disagrees with Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity or anyone else that they hear on the radio has the same rights as Mr. Limbaugh or Mr. Hannity. They can line up sponsors, buy air time, and do whatever they want or say whatever they believe - as long as they're willing to either pay the bill themselves or find others who are willing to pay that bill for them.

That is what America is all about. The liberals would have us think that we should be able to spout off about anything - and that some magic fairy will pay the bill for us. In their dreams.

America was built on hard work and determination. People largely get what they are willing to work for. Liberals don't want to work, but they want the rewards of hard work. History is full of lazy, indolent people who wanted the same. Fortunately, America was not built by those lazy, slothful people - nor were the radio and TV stations.

In the lines of the Fairness Doctrine, there should be something for moderate, mainstream America.

I'm a "lazy liberal" who will put my work ethic up against yours any day. Nobody's questioning anybody's rights here. I personally listen hard to people like Limbaugh because of a historical interest in--and also a deep fear of--demagoguery. It's very difficult for a liberal to become a demagogue because he tends to use reason rather than emotional appeals to persuade people. For some reason, rationality doesn't sell well among the semi-educated people who feel victimized and can't articulate the reasons for it. That's why they listen to a Limbaugh; they're looking for the people who are responsible for their misery--of course, it couldn't be themselves. Limbaugh would be just another historical curiosity, like Goebbels and McCarthy, if such people weren't so dangerous.

The argument that "if we don't like the garbage on TV, turn it off!" is exactly the same argument--"If you don't like Utah, move." The problem is that I have a right to turn on the TV and not be offended by sexual content, foul language, and other insidious things. It's like the ban on smoking in public places. Sure, people have the right to smoke, but I have the right to breath clean-smelling air, without the risk of cancer due to second-hand smoke. So, who's rights supercede others' rights? Who is free to watch garbage on TV, or have decent programming? Freedom of speech, and press are delicate issues.

You have the right not to watch sexual garbage on TV, you have the right NOT to BUY cable tv. PBS is family programming all the time. You can also have a TV which allows you to BLOCK programming you don't' like. So your rights aren't being trampled on at all.
It's a capitalist society. So you are free to make a TV station and run programming on it. As are others. fact is if it sells its on TV. So deal with life.

To "To Mike Richards - 11:14" Everyone should know by now, no political party or political group in this country has a monopoly on hard work, strong education and ethics. Not only that, no political party or group in this country has a monopoly on demagoguery, victimization and emotionalism either.

To "Bear-Rug - 11:24" Yes, it is harder and harder to find quality, non-offensive entertainment, but it is out there. I don't know if you are LDS, but whether you are or not, always remember the final words in the LDS Church's Articles of Faith.

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we SEEK AFTER these things."

To 11:14 a.m.,

Thank you for putting aside your pride long enough to address us "semi-educated" people.

Your liberal "platitudes" might mean something to you, but to us "semi-educated" people, you come across as a bag of hot air.

What jobs have you personally created? How many people have you ever personally helped through college - by that, I mean, have you ever paid the tuition for anyone except yourself or members of your immediate family? As far as that goes, have you personally andowed a wing of a local hospital? Have you endowed a library? Have you done anything but sit on your throne and pontificate?

Liberals who do nothing but take pot-shots at the producers in this nation would like us to believe that they have actually contributed to society. What total nonsense. To a liberal, success is taking from someone who has actually accomplished something and then claiming that accomplishment as his own.

The simpletons are on the comment sections today. don't like it, turn it off! How quaint and a great sound bite.

Too bad there are much deeper societal effects of the issue that liberals won't want to deal with.

11:14 says conservatives are emotional and not rational and are uneducated. Actually, surveys by Pew Research have shown that listeners of Rush's program are some of the most wealthy and educated listeners/viewers of any program, including NPR.

You actually have it backwards. Liberals are all about emotion and feel good. That's why you are excited about Obama, who says nothing, but makes you feel good. There is no substance on anything.

I'm glad to see that Chris Plummer will be against the Fairness Doctrine when Pelosi brings it up for a vote. He is finally seeing the error of his ways and realizing that people will support things with their dollars. That's why Air America and other liberal talk shows are all bankrupt and off the air; people don't want to listen to their hatred all day long.

And all people have the ability to work so there should be no welfare lines and their rights aren't being trampled on either.

Bear-Rug: No, no, no, sir! You do NOT have a "right" to television content. It is a private source of entertainment owned and operated by private businesses. Only the airwaves are subject to regulation by the FCC.

You have a right to turn it off in your home. You do NOT have a right to control the content.

What those concerned about content need to understand is that even if you filter the content, by still watching or buying it you are supporting it the same as anybody else. If you really want things to change then the "Off" button is the only real way to hit the companies where it hurts.

But please, don't try to garner support by saying you have a "right" to control the creative efforts of private entities.

It seems today that everything that people "want" is now being referred to as a "right". Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

RE CHARLES:
I'm continually seeing the error of my ways and seek to improve myself daily. I keep an open mind and look at the facts. Sometime I get them wrong first and right later. I only hope others do the same.

Study George Carlin. So called foul language is a myth. Who was the schmuck who wrote these words and then said "Don't ever say them"?
Or, turn the thing off and hide.

Jeffrey - 11:56 said, "...please, don't try to garner support by saying you have a "right" to control the creative efforts of private entities."

Tell that to the liberals in Congress who want to censor any talk radio host, cable news channel and newspaper they disagree with.

Jeffrey also said, "It seems today that everything that people "want" is now being referred to as a "right". Sorry, but it doesn't work that way."

This is off subject, but tell that to everyone who thinks driving is a "right" and that forcing other people to pay for the health care of those who keep smoking, drinking and eating fat, is somehow a "right."

Pot to Kettle:

1) Irrelevant to this discussion. For the record, though, that would be unjustified, too. But a bit more on topic, are you attempting to say that the liberals' desire to censor things they don't agree with justify your, and other conservatives', desire to censor creative content? If so, you have a fitting name.

2) Again, irrelevant. But no, driving is not a "right", and neither is health care. However, I don't see how those two things not being rights make creative content control a right, either.

So basically, what's your point?

Jeffrey,

I don't know "Pot to Kettle" but let me see if I can attempt to understand his or her point.

1. People who say, "If you don't like what's on TV or the radio, turn the channel," need to follow their own advice. You may not like conservative talk radio, but Rush Limbaugh's first amendment rights are just the same as those who produce shows like "Desperate Housewives."

2. Sounds like you and "Pot to Kettle" are actually in agreement. Too often in society, we equate everything with rights. Some people think driving is a right, or that health care is a right. Some people argue that smoking inside a building is a right or that coming into the country illegally is a right.

But when it comes to specific rights, guaranteed in the First amendment, specifically, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, no one group in this country has a monopoly on it. And even if we don't like what someone else says, they still have the right to say it.

Noam Chomsky said, "If you're in favor of freedom of speech, that means you're in favor of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise."

Clark:

I agree with you. I don't support silencing Rush. I think he, and others like him, should shut up because they are damaging and dividing the country, but I also support their freedom of speech.

I take that same approach to what many are saying here, and in general, which is that if you don't like something you should turn it off. It really is that simple.

There is nothing wrong with speaking up asking that people create better content, but there IS a problem with advocating forcing your own morals and beliefs on others. We all have freedom, and we all should have those freedoms respected.

Rush has Freedom of Speech, and so does Howard Stern, ABC, NBC, etc.

It cuts both ways.

Silence Rush Limbaugh?
You gotta be kidding!
Let the blowhard spout his hatred all he wants.
It makes it easier for the middle of the road people to vote their conscience come November.
The counterrevolutionary right-wing is all but dead and all but Limbaugh's loyal fans know it.

I don't want anyone silenced. Play it all on the TV.

jeffrey and 5:26...please provide examples of this hatred that Rush supposedly says. And also examples of how he is dividing and damaging the country....

I'd love to see what you consider to back up your claims. However, I'm pretty positive that neither of you will be able to provide anything...