The Sunday Conservative - 08/17/2008
A Conservative look at the Sunday editorial page:
There are several pieces today from, among others, Susan Estrich, that decry China’s use of media control during these olympics. Of course, there is a lot of talk about Yang Peiyi, the little 7-year-old with the crooked teeth hidden from public view for the good of the State. She mentions the fireworks that were faked for the television audiences in order to hid the smog so prevelant in the city. Like all Americans, she finds these things unacceptable, even relating a childhood story of her own very similar to Yang’s.
Contrast that with the fact that many liberals, who count Estrich among their fold, are behind the idea of restoring the “fairness doctrine” in America. If you don’t know, the fairness doctrine was implemented in 1949 to force radio broadcasters to present controversial issues to its listeners and to do so in a, to steal a modern tagline, fair and balanced way. After 30+ years or so of applying this doctrine (and the Supreme Court upholding it), the FCC abolished it, with the backing of President Reagan, who vetoed a Congressional attempt to reinstate it.
Fast forward 20 years and the liberals in Congress want to re-establish this “fairness” (they tried last year and lost by the way) and with the “president-in-waiting” on their side, they feel like they have a shot to succeed.
So, what does that have to do with poor little Yang Peiyi? Well, I am certain that the Chinese government thinks its “fair” to keep her off the television. I mean, it wouldn’t be fair to embarass her by showing her crooked teeth to the world. It wouldn’t be fair to the rest of China to make the world think that Chinese dental hygiene is sub-par. In China, the Politburo has complete control of the media. Why would we, as Americans, do anything to give our government more control over our media?