Obama FCC transition guy is no radical: he's a Reaganite!

Right-wingers are laughably predicting the end of talk radio as we know it with the expected Obama appointment of Henry Rivera to head the FCC transition team.

Radio Equalizer Brian Maloney's hair's on fire, and is pushing the panic buttons and leading the hand-wringing for their favorite new bogey-policy: the Fairness Doctrine.

Henry Rivera, a longtime radical leftist, lawyer and former FCC commissioner, is expected to lead the push to dismantle commercial talk radio that is favored by a number of Democratic Party senators. Rivera will play a pivotal role in preventing critics from having a public voice during Obama's tenure in office.

Rivera was appointed to the FCC in 1981 by Ronald Reagan!

Democrat?  yes. Liberal? hell yes. "Radical leftist?" Please.

Rivera has long advocated for minority ownership of broadcast stations but has worked at the highest level of the private and public sectors in communication as a highly-regarded attorney in a gnarly Washington law firm specializing in communications business.

(Photo: Comrade Rivera)

(You can read his resume here, if you like, but let us warn you: it's really boring...)

The right just has to suck it up --the election is over -- screaming extremist every time you see a Democrat taking over your favorite agency is going to get pretty tedious for everyone.

(The Fairness Doctrine is not going to be re-instated, no matter what Chuck Schumer says to get a rise out of the hysterical right.  Obama is opposed to it, and it ain't going to happen!

Comments

[joanie]

I read both links on this and so far I think it's much ado about noting.

I'll wait and see.

[Duffman]

I must say, in terms of his 'transition team', I do like the choice of Rohm Emanuel as Chief of Staff.
This is a tough 'take no sh**' dude who can dish it out. I doubt we'll see any 'Monica's' delivering pizza to the oval office with him in charge.
I don't believe he is too fond of either Nancy Pelosi and/or Harry Reid and I hear they're afraid of him. Hopefully he'll have the influence and clout within the Party to get them both out of their positions.

[Squire Trelane]

While I agree that as a conservative, shouting "EXTREMIST!!!" every time you find a liberal around a corner is stupid and childish; I have to take issue with the idea that conservatives should simply "suck it up". Yes, Democrats won this round. Yes, we screwed ourselves by picking a "maverick" who had no idea how to truly espouse our ideas. But to suggest that we should simply bend over and take it is at least as silly as telling that to any liberal after the re-election of Bush four years ago. They didn't take it lying down, and neither should we. These things are always cyclical, and we'll be back. Hopefully with better people.

[howie in seattle]

Nobody is talking asking you to "bend over and take it." How about just responding to proposals and appointments based on facts, not your oversized fears and alarms.

[rozskat]

Squire – I recall that the Republicans were toast in 1974 after Watergate and six years later made tremendous comeback under Reagan and took back the Senate too! Current conditions as well as incompetence of the Bush administration in governance have forced the pendulum to swing the other way as it did with Carter in 1980.

From my perspective, foot soldiers from the so-called culture wars carried out a coup and banished the intellectuals from the conservative movement. These foot soldiers include the religious right and the pro gun crowd a.k.a God, Guns and Gays. The result was George W. Bush and then Sarah Palin. If the last campaign was of any indication, conservatives and Republicans have run out of ideas.

[chucks]

I am just trying to keep up with the new chimps appointments here.
Is Rohm Emanuel part of the hopey or changey part?
Wasn't he part of the Clinton administration? Also, isn't he a part of the Chicago machine? I thought so, so ok, he must be hopey 'cause he sure isn't changey.

[Duffman]

...wait a bit and then ask Pelosi and/or Reid about 'changey'...hehe

[chucks]

Oh good grief, Wasn't Emanuel on the Board of Directors of Freddie Mac? Is this the same guy?
Is not F-M a huge part of the financial mess our nation is in at this moment? Didn't we just give them something like $200,000,000.00to bail them out.I wonder if ol' Jug Ears Hussain really meant the changey part. I'm
kind of concerned about the hopey part, but am willing to give it a chance.

[Joanie]

And lets be clear about the 2008 election. Unlike the frauds of 2000, 2002, and 2004, this election was relatively clean. I think we can all see by the results. The people have spoken.
The educated shall lead the way.

Let the Obasms continue to 2012!

[Duffman]

So joanie do you think Obama will appoint your boyfriend Wes Clark to some post?...may be you should contact them and suggest it?

[AuthenticAndrew]

So begins what we can expect from talk radio for the next four to eight years. Myron is feigning outrage over Obama's hillarious and factual quip about Nancy Reagan and her superstitious leanings. We have a president elect with a sense of humor and already conservatives are taking thier U pipes and turning every little thing around.

[Duffman]

Yeah AA, a total Dori fan I couldn't understand that either. I heard Obama's press conference in IMO it was better than ANY of POTUS Bush's heretofore. He comes across as friendly, secure, humorous and gives off a feeling of confidence and reassurance and just generally makes one feel 'comfortable'. For Dori to have JUMPED on him like that for not being specific enough - when the guy was just declared the winner and when (like he said there's only one USPOTUS at a time) I thought was totally ridiculous. Dori - you totally BLEW IT on that, and if you persist in doing this I fear you will turn of many..who will in turn - TURN YOU OFF. Just a word to the wise, my friend.

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

Duff
I see that Pudge has yet to come on my Blatherwatch site to congratulate Obama on his victory.
Anyone catch what Malloy had to say today? Good stuff.

[Duffman]

Now, lets see joanie you posted at 01:47 and 2:12...are you out of school, on your break or what.
With Obama/Gregoire/Dorn team you're time will be more strictly monitored.
What 'bout Wes Clark...have you now discarded him in favor of Gay Gary?

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

Andrew
You're starting to sound a lot smarter these days. Are you listening to Malloy and Randi?

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

Duff
Stop monitoring me!
I took the day off. My god I was up posting last night until after 3 am.

[Duffman]

...yeah, like THAT'S the prerequisite for being smarter...haha, what a joke

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

Duff
Why won't Pudge come over to this website and admit that Obama was the better candidate and that the American People have spoken with a Clean Election (unlike 2000 and 2004).

[Duffman]

...sorry, we just have HAVE TO start DEMANDING MORE for our tax dollars...you'll see. Enjoy your day off...they'll become ever-more precious.

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

Oh Duff
Why can't you just admit it.
Dem's are better educated and exhibit more class. You really need to learn a lesson from Andrew. He has come a long way.

[Duffman]

joanie...as you might likely imagine...the mood is not good over at SP. Pudge could be into a heavy duty blues song writing mode?

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

Duff
You speak just like a capitalist.
I am a servant of the people.
Without me, you wouldn't be able to survive.
Go to France. Now that's a country!!

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

He may be in a songwriting mood but he better not even think of writing one about me.

[Duffman]

Yeah...well I know my degree is in business with no 'special emphasis' on economics or computer science...and I'm just a lowly independent; can all Dems say that? (especially one I'm thinking of)...ha

[Joanie Kicking Rethug Tail]

Duff
You should read up on France.
They have a booming economy (no war machine to support); great benefits for the people; and they have a real handle on immigration. It's a fairly seamless transition into mainstream culture.

[Duffman]

'Go to France. Now that's a country!!'

Yep, it's an independent country all right...and are you aware why and who is responsible for that?

btw: I'll pass on my French visit, if you don't mind..

[Duffman]

...AND, read a little deeper to discover the discontent within it's Muslim community and the rampant 8%+ unemployment....tst tsk, you should know better...we'll be calling you Sarah

[Joanie]

Duff
Then go to Denmark.
They also have a wonderful economy and a big supporter of the UN; strong social programs (they believe in a real safety net none of this welfare to work sleight of hand crap); a superb arts community (have you seen the Van Gogh exhibits) and also have little in the way of immigration problems.
Minorities quickly learn to adapt to the mores of Denmark. Too bad we couldn't have been so wise in the US over the last 8 years, hmmm?

BTW, isn't the idea of Caroline Kennedy for UN Secretary wonderful? She has the right background and temperment for the position. Not like that awful John Bolton.

[Joanie]

Not true Duff.Don't lecture me.
I hear the 'real facts' on Randi and Malloy.
Try reading a newspaper.

[AuthenticAndrew]

I don't listen to Air America but I might give it a shot since it will no longer be wall to wall Bush hate speach.

The post inauguration news cycle is so much slower than the year before that that I can never get the current events fix I seek. I'll have to go looking around.

[biracial_bigot]

If they pursue the fairness doctrine, it will be the first sign of grand stupidity in the Democratic leadership, since talk radio is already in sharp decline.

Current talkers are headed for retirement, and when was the last time any fresh new talent emerged?

[Ryder]

Currently being in a room being bombarded by the idiots I find myself hoping for the Fairness Doctrine in order that R & D be balanced with sanity.

[sparky]

Ok Duffman, joanie and I will send you the bill for the hours we work where we don't get paid.

[sparky]

So, Ryder, are they inviting a 50-50 representation over on FreeRepublic or Sound Politics for balance?

[joanie]

SP and FreeRepublic are not radio.

And I sure enjoyed the conversation between Duffman and Joanie. It was cute and clever and sounded very seventeen-year-old-ish - well, sort of. But I did enjoy it.

Had a GREAT day at school. My first graders got lessons in origami, team building and robotics.

Don't you wish you were back in first grade?

Talk radio is alive and well. Will be for a long, long time. The right will always be stupid because to be obsessed with money is always stupid.

But, heck, when we little folk run out of money we'll just play the internet lottery. I'm sure we'll all win lots of money and then tell everyone we earned it and then gloat about how smart we are.

[KS]

"(The Fairness Doctrine is not going to be re-instated, no matter what Chuck Schumer says to get a rise out of the hysterical right. Obama is opposed to it, and it ain't going to happen!"

Hah ! Pelosi, Schumer, Reid and number of high ranking Dems are all for reinstatement of it and why wouldn't BO sign it - if and when it is passed ? It is probable that the Supreme Court would declare it unconstitutional though if it were volleyed over to them. This would go away if the Dems departed from crusading against the right-wing and decided not to push forward with their old Soviet style of politicking, but I wouldn't bet for that happening because I know that cast of characters too well.

In the meantime, since everyone is taking a wait and see attitude - we'll see what happens about this in the next 6 months.

[KS]

"Talk radio is alive and well. Will be for a long, long time. The right will always be stupid because to be obsessed with money is always stupid."

Spoken like the progressive kool-aid drinker and disingenuous quasi-intellectual that we all know you to be. And Hollywood and mainstream media aren't obsessed with money ? I won't ask what your point is because quite frankly, I don't give a dam.

BTW - Oprah created and elevated the president-elect - if it weren't for her, he would not have been a candidate this year. She has amazing power - she also elevated soccer moms back in the 90's.

[dana]

Speaking of the Wee One, Dori--despite his faux outrage--is absolutely deliriously happy that Obama got elected. It's employment security for the next 4, and possibly 8 years, for him and all the other right-wing bloviators.

On another note, Obama and my hubby have the same first name. Barack means "blessing" as does my hubbie's Hebrew first name, Baruch. So I'm doubly blessed :-)

Happy Days Are Here Again, Myron!

[sparky]

dana, please stick around and join in more often!

[sparky]

Yes, Joanie, I know they are not radio. I meant are the people who post there suggesting that radio be 50/50 to establish balance and sanity, as Ryer suggested to THIS blog.

[Duffman]

'Ok Duffman, joanie and I will send you the bill for the hours we work where we don't get paid.

Posted by: sparky | November 07, 2008 at 05:18 PM'

Know what? In my case and the way I feel about teacher's pay, were I of sufficient means and money was no object...I'd pay those bills. :)

[KS]

No argument from about the Un-fairness doctrine from the peanut gallery - hmmm... Time for a new conspiracy theory - hey I have one that you will want to call a conspiracy theory. Check this out -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgA_Bxi2tXw&feature=related

This one may well have legs, the court decision is being appealed - maybe it will go to the Supreme Court. There's this thing called the Constitution.
Stay tuned.

[Joanie]

Klueless
The Fairness Doctrine, what part don't you understand.
By having a level playing field so that the progressive voice is heard to balance out the hate is the only solution to conservative talk radio. I am very comfortable with the Obama administration being in charge of what goes over the public airwaves.
Haven't you read Orwell.
Don't you know that only by monitoring the talk can we ensure free talk.

[Joanie]

That was someone posting as me Sparky. I thought you would see through it.
Heck, at my age I can't be staying up until 3:30 am and working the next day. Much less doing origami :)

[Joanie]

Andrew
Listen to Rachel Maddow. She is a great balance to Keith Olberman.
That way you'll get both sides of the issue.

[Joanie]

I would like to say something positive:
As of this election, I am no longer ashamed to be an American.
The last eight years have been very difficult.
But in the spirit of democracy the people have spoken.
We will soon be starting the investigations with Waxman, Shumer, and the rest looking into the shady deals of the Bush Administration. Blackwater, WMDs, and the illegal firing of the Attorney Generals will be a good start. And we bring America together. We know how to stop partisan bickering. First we shut down the hate talk. Next we close Gitmo and bring those alleged terrorist prisoners to America. Let them experiance real justice with the American Court System. I hope we can put these trials on TV so everyone can watch throughout the world fair and impartial justice. Let's hear what they have to say when they take the stand.
We negotiate in good faith with North Korea and Iran. We will get them to sign binding agreements in which they promise to comply with the UN. If you don't show and demonstrate trust you won't get trust in return. It works on the playground and should work in the real world.
Anyone take issue with that? Oh yeah, Pudge if you can break away from the breakfast table why don't you come on over and say something nice about Obama.

[chucks]

Speaking of The Constitution....
Rumors are starting to run arround this ol' innernet thing that Justice Souter has ordered Obama to produce the vault copy of his birth cert by December 1.
I thought that issue was settled. Could it be true?
Oh gawd, the race riots if it turns out that he was born in Kenya and can not be POTUS. You know that as guardians of The Constitution, the most libral of justices will rule in favor of The Constitution even at the risk of igniting riots.
Clean your rifles and butter the pop corn.
Coward that I am, I would rather Obama be POTUS at this time in history than have to defend my home and family during a civil war.

[sparky]

I wondered about that....

I heard a guy on Ed's show talk about how the Fairness Doctrine sounds nice, but that Obama won without it.
People got real tired, real fast, of all the negative stuff, and the more McCain ramped it up, the more disgusted people got, and the numbers prove that.

[KS]

Ph(Jo)anie, Your argument about the un-Fairness Doctrine is baseless and ridiculous. Next !

[KS]

"Oh yeah, Pudge if you can break away from the breakfast table why don't you come on over and say something nice about Obama."

Huh ? He has not done anything yet except appoint Emanuel as COS, which wasn't a bad move, but that's only the tip of the iceberg - 71 days until he is POTUS.

Why don't you go over to SP and say something nice about BHO to Pudge if it matters that much to you ? This blog is significantly smaller than SP and stop saying it is your blog - Ph(Jo)anie -that is a lie.. Speaking of matters, I hear that there is a class action lawsuit coming up against Media Matters from five men from the conservative media - should be interesting...