Free speech is under heavy fire again, and this time it’s not from the so-called “fairness doctrine.”
The latest opponent to question the validity of that archaic and annoying 1st Amendment is none other than the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama. For Mr. Obama, a few words—just words—uttered by his critics in a new TV ad are all that was needed to trigger this latest blitzkrieg against one of our most precious constitutional rights.
What makes the situation all the more precarious for Mr. Obama is that all of these words—again, just words—are utterly and undeniably 100 percent the truth. And, as the phrase goes, nothing hurts like the truth.
So what exactly does the ad-heard-round-the-world entail? The minute-long clip, as seen here, tells the story of the unrepentant 60s terrorist Bill Ayers and outlines his relationship with Barack Obama. As the ad’s straightforward, but poignant, concluding remarks inquire:
“But Barack Obama is friends with Ayers, defending him as quote ‘respectable’ and ‘mainstream.’ Obama’s political career was launched in Ayers’ home and the two served together on a left wing board. Why would Barack Obama be friends with someone who bombed the capitol and is proud of it? Do you know enough to elect Barack Obama?”
The organization behind the ad is the conservative nonprofit group, American Issues Project, which has no ties to any political candidate.
It is clear enough that Barack Obama desperately does not want this damaging story to become a major campaign issue. He’d prefer if no one even knew who Bill Ayers was in the first place. And, up until recently—when journalists finally caught wind of this dastardly figure—no one did.
ALG New Bureau brought this issue to light last week, urging readers to probe deeper into the relationship between these two men. It is reassuring that the issue now has come to such prominence via other outlets as well, including talk radio and YouTube (where much needed dialogue regarding the subject has exploded on the virtual forum).
If the ad is “false, despicable, and outrageous,” as Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor claims or “malicious falsity” as Obama campaign lawyer Robert Bauer proclaims, why waste the time, energy, and money to combat it? Certainly the American people are smart enough to see through baseless lies and preposterous smears, right?
Nevertheless, since Obama cannot effectively counter the content of the ad—which is all verifiably true—he has upped the ante and gone straight for the source of all such open political discourse—free speech. As Breitbart.com details:
“Obama not only aired a response ad to the spot linking him to William Ayers, but he sought to block stations the commercial by warning station managers and asking the Justice Department to intervene. The campaign also planned to compel advertisers to pressure stations that continue to air the anti-Obama commercial.”
Besides the response ad, which misleadingly argues McCain—who had nothing to do with the ad—is talking about the 60s and trying to link Obama to Ayers, the Obama campaign has turned to bullying tactics in a ham-fisted attempt to manhandle media outlets into censoring the ad. And it is has partially worked.
Both Fox News and CNN have opted not to run the ad. The video has, however, received some playtime in local media markets in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Michigan. But, Obama supporters acting on his behalf have personally threatened one such owner of a number of these TV stations to the tune of some 93,000 emails. More are purportedly on the way.
Regardless of Mr. Obama’s frenzied efforts to leave the skeletons in his closet, they have gotten out and are parading right into the American people’s living rooms, onto their TV sets, and onto their computer screens. Americans are slowly finding out the truth, whether Obama wants them to, or not.
Overall, this brazen attempt to muzzle free speech is insidious, and Barack Obama has shown his true unsavory intentions by placing the most basic Constitutional right far behind his own political ambitions. Whenever a candidate attempts to shut off dialogue in any way, form, or fashion, responsible citizens ought to be outraged. However, they likely should not be surprised.
The Democratic Party has already exhibited its disdain for free speech via such measures as the Fairness Doctrine. Mr. Obama’s latest ploy is just one more tawdry example in a long line of politicians who believe the American people have no right to work out issues on their own in the open and unrestricted forum of free speech.
Should we be surprised? No. Should we be outraged? Yes. Should we do something about it? Absolutely.
The 1st Amendment hangs in the balance. And if Mr. Obama succeeds in undercutting it as a candidate, what can we expect when he wields the full power of the Oval Office?
