Obama Administration Asks FCC to Fine Fox News

FOX Facing Nearly $30 Million in Indecency Fines
Charles Glass
Huffington Post
October 20, 2009

President Barack Obama's Administration has declared from the beginning that one of its key goals is to return civility to the political arena. Over the course of nine months in office, the Obama White House has spoken to famed conservatives such as George Will and William Kristol and has displayed a new sense of openness with the White House Press Corps.

However, there have been increasing vitriolic attacks made on the White House by some in the broadcast media, especially FOXNews and other right-wing arms of the Republican Party. Some of the worst attacks come from Glenn Beck, the weepy radio host who regularly calls President Obama a "Kenyan" and once referred to former green jobs administrator Van Jones as a "monkey."

Other examples litter the FOX landscape. Bill O'Reilly's Factor is infamous for accusing the Administration of freeing pedophiles while regularly praising former President George Bush. Sean Hannity shows "government waste" on his show, often not totaling a million dollars, but is yet to criticize the $3 trillion waste better known as the Iraq War.

For all of these rabid right-wing attacks, the White House has become more cognizant of the American people. Recognizing that the American people are firmly against FOX's racist and bigoted attacks, the Administration is now directly challenging the "news" organization.

In a press release given to the Huffington Post and other press outlets this morning, White House Communications Director Anita Dunn stated that the Federal Communications Commission was asked to fine the FOX Corporation for violations of the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005. This came after repeated racist and derogatory attacks made on FOXNews over the last two years.

In accordance with the 2005 law, every time the network featured a "particularly offensive" or "flagrantly untruthful" segment, a fine is levied. White House officials estimate the 2008-2009 fine to be nearing $29 million.

While FOX, owned by NewsCorp, is likely not to go into bankruptcy over the fines, it is called a "lesson in decency" by Ms. Dunn.

Dunn stated that the White House is considering asking the FCC to revoke or suspend FOX's privilege to broadcast on cable television. This appears unlikely at the moment, due to a lack of precedent.

"We cannot allow lies so flagrantly over the airwaves." Dunn stated in the release. "It is just like the propaganda that is used by foreign dictatorships. It is bordering on un-American."

EDIT: 12:50 pm: HuffPo link down. Hmm....

Obama's New Plan for Iraq: Release the Terrorists and Hope that They Don't Go on a Killing Spree

First, let me preface this with a statement. I understand the importance in counter-insurgency warfare to appear to be both merciful and tough. I understand that sometimes you have to release people who may have attacked you and re-integrate them back into a peaceful, productive society.

But still, everyone has their limits.

And today, when savage terrorists massacred at least 70 Iraqis, 300 veteran terrorists are set to be released. So are these simply poor farmers who were arrested wrongly? No. Were they people who just launched a rocket or placed a roadside bomb because they needed to feed their family? Probably not.

Instead, they are members of the Iranian-funded Asaib al Haq, who not only have launched attacks on Allied and Iraqi forces, but who led uprisings last year. Fortunately their group was almost annihilated by Maliki's swift offensives.

So all's well with the decision? Not exactly:

"The last thing the Iraqis need right now is for the wholesale release of members of this group just when the Iraqi security forces are trying to learn to walk," one official told The Long War Journal. "I see no indication the Asaib al Haq [League of the Righteous] is sincere about reconciliation; US troops are still being attacked by these Iranian surrogates."

Also released are members of the Iranian Qods Force, who have been coordinating attacks in Iraq for years. For example, Mahmoud Farhadi is one of the three leaders of the Qods Force in Iraq. ... And he's being released.

And this is in conjunction with another decision made by the White House to not bomb terrorists when they are in the Air Force's sights. Great.