In spite of the comments by Senator Dianne Feinstein on Fox News Sunday about looking at the fairness doctrine again, it appears that Democrats are not going to go after talk radio at the moment. Senator Durbin, on the Senate floor this past week, told Rush Limbaugh to go right on talking.

Ever since talk radio came into being, Democrats have flirted with the idea of trying to reinstate the fairness doctrine. They attributed their losses from 1994 until 2006 to right wing talk radio.  However, their fortunes have now changed, and talk radio is going after Republicans and the President.  Rush and other talk radio hosts have now targeted several Senators from the "gang of 14," along with Senator Lott for defeat in 2008.

Ironically, these very Senators would defend talk radio’s right to continue broadcasting without government regulations.  So, until Rush and others get their wish and these Republicans are defeated at the polls, talk radio will probably remain safe.

Dianne and Trent - comments on the fairness doctrine

Sandra Lea Wise

This morning Laura Ingraham placed a call to Senator Norm Coleman’s office and vowed to stay on hold until she could talk to him or someone from his office. She did this while on the air. She also encouraged people in her audience to do the same thing and gave out the names of all the Senators who were planning to vote for cloture on the immigration bill that was on the floor of the Senate today. This she calls "Power to the People."

As I stated in my piece "Shut up and Talk," Rush, Hannity and other radio talk show hosts are doing the same thing.

In my opinion, this is not "power to the people." This is the misuse of the public airwaves to promote their own agenda, which is to shut down the immigration bill. Let’s look at this in another way.  Suppose the Sunday T.V. talk show hosts appeared each week and talked only about the immigration bill and the need to get it passed. In the process they gave out misleading information about the bill and then gave a list of Senators who were opposed to it and urged the audience to call them.

This would never be allowed. Why then, should this kind of advocacy be allowed on our public radio airwaves? Conservatives are for it because they say that talk radio provides balance to the biased MSM. However, if the tables were turned and Michael Moore, Barbra Streisand and George Clooney had control of talk radio and were abusing their power by lobbying the Congress for the passage of a bill to nationalize health care and claiming to represent "the people," conservatives would be screaming to high heaven.

Talking about politics on talk radio is a form of entertainment. When the hosts begin to cross over into political advocacy or political lobbying on a particular bill before the Senate, they have gone too far. Yes, the people should speak, but freely and not under the influence of powerful people who have the ability to manipulate facts and then encourage action.

Another thing.  I believe strongly in the freedom of speech.  But I also believe that it applies to everyone, including Trent Lott and even the President himself.

Sandra Lea Wise

America is witnessing an epic battle that is paralyzing our government. The "left" and the "right" have always been in this fight, but now both sides have powerful allies with "loud voices," to quote Trent Lott.

The other day on "Special Report with Brit Hume," the panel discussed the new phenomenon of the left wing blogs and right wing talk radio and their influence in Washington.  Brit’s news cast had presented a story about the "Take back America" conference, sponsored by the left wing bloggers, where the Democrat candidates had dutifully appeared, making their rounds and speeches, each trying to appear more anti war than the other.

As to right wing talk radio, their power has been demonstrated by their successful blows to the Bush administration, starting with the Harriet Miers nomination. 

Most Americans are caught in the middle of this battle to control America's agenda.  They are not "far right" nor "far left."  Toby Keith has a new CD out called "Big Dog Daddy," in which his song "Love me if you can," addresses this dilemma. Lyrics

Keith was on the Glen Beck radio talk show this past week and discussed the frustrating situation that he had gone through after the popularity of his 9/11 song, "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue."  Both sides used his song to advance their agendas, and he had been caught in the middle.  Keith 

I believe that most Americans can identify with Toby Keith and are completely frustrated by the situation in Washington.  Our Senators and Congressmen are now catering to the "loud voices" and can't seem to get anything done.

Has the time come when a multi millionaire "middle of the road" independent candidate, could run and actually win?

Sandra Lea Wise

I am in academia and I know not to open my mouth there.  Anyone who supports President Bush and the WOT or is conservative would be foolish to speak out, especially in the classroom.  I've been told by fellow teachers to watch what I say, anytime political discussions come up.

I do want to thank Townhall for giving me a voice on many issues.  And yes, I do support President Bush and the GOP.  We've had many arguments here, but I am allowed to post and no one threatens to revoke my privileges.  

That isn’t the case at a site where I have been blogging for about three weeks now.  The rules for posting clearly indicate that “no personal attacks are allowed.” 

Here are just a few examples of comments that were made to me or about me:

“Sandra is a kook.  She has no argument, only loyalty.

“The woman is incapable of making a rational argument or of prioritizing policy issues or of understanding that policy decisions have consequences. She is a complete waste of time.”

“Your posts make you sound more and more like a clown from the left painting a caricature of a naive conservative here."

"I think you're pompous and I think you don't know a thing about real world politics."

“ It’s not blind trust.  Rather, it's complete oblivian combined with an inability to analyze issues and understand the results of policy decisions.”

“You are obviously willing to accept small offerings to offset major policy flaws and a total unwillingness to stand and fight for the major issues.  Just pathetic.”

Those were some of the nicer ones...Finally there was a blogger, who disagreed with me on the issues, but stepped in on my behalf:

“*My other concern has to do with the number of insults and personal attacks that have been tossed your way, which are clearly in violation of RS posting rules, yet they have gone on without a word from the mods. Weird!)”

Then the warning finally came.  But it was to me, not to the bloggers who had been on the attack.  We were discussing the '06 losses, and the moderator stepped in and called one of my statements “asinine and dumb and not worthy of a response.”

After several comments between me and other posters he came back with this:

“Don’t do that again or you’re gone!  You need to step away from the keyboard and use your mouse only for a couple days. Go through the archives of every one of these people you are so ignorantly saying such things to.

You appear to have a serious problem comprehending any issue or position which requires more complex thought and discussion than a nice, easy, one-line slogan.

This isn't a joke; I'm very serious about the need for you to go take the time, make the effort, and actually expend the energy to peruse the archived writings of the folks you're talking to in such a way.

He gave me eight links to his own blogs and then said,  "Let me know if you have any questions.”

I asked him when and where I had attacked him or others.  His answer: “Sandra, here we prefer thinkers to sycophants. “The world of RedState and its members did not begin the day that Sandra Lea Wise showed up here.

Unlike your safehaven in the blogs at Townhall, we actually read what our members write; unlike there (where I can virtually guarantee that not one single employee even knows your blog exists), every post you have made here has been read by Directors and Contributors alike.

Our diarists and commentariat will dissect a poorly made argument, and will make you much smarter if you actually allow yourself to think and grow, rather than just to be a mind-numbed sycophant.  RedState can help you greatly, but you have to be willing to learn to think for yourself.”    See entire exchage here:  Here

These are the same tactics that liberals have always used.  When they can't argue the facts, they attack you personally and then try to silence you or make it appear that you have no independent thought.  They don't realize that what they are criticizing is your independent thought.  One thing that was repeated quite often was "don't you see that you are wrong because out of 150 + comments, no one here agrees with you!"    

I'm sorry to see conservatives who have always been free speech advocates, turn into the moderators of what can be said and what can't. 

Thankfully, I can be proud of the fact that I never resorted to personal attacks, here or at Red State.  

http://www.redstate.com/blogs/sandra_lea_wise

Sandra Lea Wise

The stage has been set.  Michael Moore/Hollywood/MSM on the left, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, on the right.

These two influential groups joined forces in the battle over immigration, for different reasons, and apparently have won.  The people have spoken.  There probably will be no immigration reform bill.  

Now the stage is set for 2008.  Michael Moore just released his movie “Sicko.”  Unlike Fahrenheit 911, this movie will have a giant impact on the upcoming elections.  I saw excerpts from it last night.  Everyone can sympathize with a woman being left to die on a hospital emergency room floor, because she didn’t have insurance.  I imagine that Hillary is bowing down to Michael Moore right now!

Laura is coming out with her new book, “The Power of the People.”  Hannity is going around America with his concerts and Rush doesn’t have to do anything but open his mouth and talk.  We don’t know which candidate will be bowing down to them.  One thing is for sure, President Bush and Trent Lott should have never tried to defend the immigration bill by suggesting that “Rush and company” don’t understand the complexities of the illegal immigration situation!      

Both sides have proven their great impact on what the American people think, especially when they join forces.  Now the two sides will battle it out once they’ve gone back to their respective corners.

It appears that America is now governed by public opinion polls. Which side will prove to have the biggest influence over the Polls, i.e. the American People?

Sandra Lea Wise

Dear Laura, Rush, etc....

I am like thousands of conservative Americans who still believe in our Representative Republic.  We go to the polls and vote for our representatives and then trust them to make the important decisions on our behalf.

We are not involved in political activism.  We work to support our families, go to church and we love our country just as much as you do.  We don’t have time to write blogs or wait for hours, holding on the phone to talk to you for a few seconds or a minute if we are lucky.  

Who elected you to represent us?  We support our President.  Where is our voice?  We never get polled, yet we read everyday that our president’s polls are in the low 30's.

We sent President Bush to Washington to get things done.  Many of us are baby boomers who will soon be retiring.  We wanted to have social security reform, medicare reform, and yes, even immigration reform.  Yet it seems that those are now the “third rail” that no one can touch.  By the way, when we all retire at once, people will be wondering why our government didn’t do something while there was still time.    

You could have helped the President get some of these things done, but you were too busy screaming about the Harriet Miers nomination, Du Bais Ports, and immigration reform.  You have declared war on our President and our representatives who were elected in their states to represent the people of their states.

Who are you to take away my vote because you have the power to get a few people riled up?
Who are you to threaten my elected Senators and Congressmen with defeat in the next election?  That is up to us in our states to make those decisions.  We express our voice on election day.  It is our system of government.  Elections  matter.  Our system does not allow a few people to overthrow their government, like in other countries.  If we want our representatives out of office we will vote them out.  My vote counts just as much as yours.

Yes, thousands of people are writing letters and blogs threatening our leaders.  We are a country of 300 million and a few thousand do not speak for all of us.  Are we now a country run by polls, the MSM, and the conservative media?  If that is the case then we are no longer a Representative Republic.            

So, to quote you, Laura Ingraham, shut up and talk!  Don’t try to become our leaders because no one elected you.

Sandra Lea Wise

Story from Special Report with Brit Hume, on Wednesday, June 13, 2007:

Immigration officials in Portland, OR arrested about 165 people on Tuesday, June 12.  Most of them illegal workers, along with managers who knowingly hired them and supplied them with false documents.  

Portland Mayor Tom Potter, a Democrat, is unhappy, not about the alleged crimes, but about the arrests.

 “I am angered about this morning’s arrests by Federal Officers of approximately 150 Portland residents who were working at a local produce company.  To go after local workers who are here to support their families while filling the demands of local businesses is bad policy... my heart goes out to families dealing with the aftermath of this morning.”  Mayor Tom Potter, Portland, OR, June 12, 2007.

My fellow conservatives, this is what the Bush Administration is up against when trying to enforce current law.  The attacks by the conservative media on the one administration that is trying to do something about the problem is completely misguided, in my opinion.  

We must focus on the Democrats who are opposing the enforcement of current laws and who want open borders. 

If nothing is done now, I ask, when will something be done?     

Sandra Lea Wise        

The only way I can see for the GOP to survive, now that the right wing has declared war on Bush, is for Bush to fight back against them as he now seems to be doing.  

When the President gave in to the conservative media’s attacks during the Miers nomination, it became clear that he was throwing a bone to a rabid dog.  Even though conservatives got two good nominations to the Supreme Court and a victory on partial birth abortion, their attacks became even more vicious.  As a result, the President has to deal with Democrat majorities in the Congress and the Senate.  Anyone who saw how Bush governed in Texas would know that he will work across the isle to get things done.    
 
President Bush is a man of integrity.  He has believed in immigration reform and a guest worker program since he was the Governor of Texas.  During every Presidential debate he made his opinion known.  Why is it a surprise to anyone that Bush would try to deliver what he had promised?  Most people complain that politicians go to Washington and never look back.  Bush should be admired for his resolve to accomplish the goals that he had set forth while campaigning for the Office. 

Some conservatives are now claiming that they have divorced their President.  So, now Bush needs to go on as a mature single parent and not give another inch to the cries and demands of the out of control ex-wife.

Unfortunately there are not many in the Republican leadership who will show backbone, so the louder voices will probably win the immigration battle.  However, if Bush stands strong he will be defending the Office of the Presidency. 

If the public at large sees that a Republican President can be controlled by the far right wing of his party, they will never vote Republican again.  All of those non decided votes will be decided.  They will go to Hillary who will be the beneficiary of the Republican Party’s very public and nasty divorce. 

Sandra Lea Wise    

 

I long to go back to the good ole days when the Democrats attacked our Party and our President.  How I long for “Iran Contra,” “Watergate,” “Borking,” “Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas,” and so on. 

The first time I remember the borking of one’s own President was the “read my lips, no new taxes” situation with Bush 41.  Rush Limbaugh had just come onto the scene and given conservatives a voice. 

The Democrats had orchestrated a way to bring Bush’s poll numbers down, after the Gulf War, when he stood at 80 - 90%.  In order to get one of his initiatives passed, Bush 41 made a deal with the Democrat controlled Congress, in which certain luxury taxes were increased.  The rest is history.

The Clinton years were great for the conservative media.  However, they never really borked Clinton since the MSM made sure that his poll numbers remained good.  When his personal ratings were down, they would publish his job ratings and vice versa.  Who could have imagined a President having oral sex in the Oval Office, lying about it, yet not having to resign?  

Enter Bush 43.  Like his father, his polls were extremely high after 9/11.  However, this time the Democrats didn’t have to do anything to bring his polls down.  The nomination of Harriet Miers started the ball rolling.  The conservative media has been borking the President and his Party ever since.

Oh, I long for the good ole days when we knew who the adversaries were and went after “them.”   

Sandra Lea Wise

 

 Rep. Chris Cannon wrote the following on a blog at Red State: 

"Immigration has become the new "third rail" of American politics, and as happened with social security, I fear that extremists and bumper sticker gurus will once again prevent us from achieving a reasonable solution.

What is truly unfortunate is that every legitimate poll and focus group done on immigration in the past five years has shown that the vast majority of citizens in this country agree on the basics: We must secure the borders; we must have a system of legal immigration that sustains a growing economy in a time of virtual full employment; and we probably cannot make 12-20 million illegal immigrants magically disappear, at least if we want to continue to eat and build houses.

If almost all Americans agree on those basics, why can't our great political and legislative processes come up with reasonable solutions? It is because we have allowed this issue to be hijacked by the loudest voices, and those voices are not crying for solutions. They are just crying."

http://www.redstate.com/blogs/rep_chris_cannon/

The many comments that followed his essay, prove the point that he is trying to make.  Extremists don't want a solution, they just want the fight.  Pretty amazing!

Sandra Lea Wise

Hillary has been claiming that the Bush administration is one of the most corrupt in history.  An amazing accusation coming from someone who is “honesty challenged.” 

It would take days to go through all of the Clinton scandals and corruption.  Books have been written detailing each one of them. 

Now it is revealed that since he left office in 2001, former president Bill Clinton has been paid millions by InfoUSA, an Omaha, Nebraska company that has been identified as a key provider of specially designed databases that are sold to criminals who use the detailed information to defraud the unsuspecting elderly.

In light of this new information, Hillary has apparently decided to postpone releasing her taxes.  

There they go again... !  Do we want these two back in the White House?

If Hil and Bill were Republicans they would have been thrown out of office during the first four years of their administration, nevertheless have any credibility to run again!

Does anyone even care, or are they too busy attacking Bush? 

See the rest of the story at:  http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/?p=88#more-88

Sandra Lea Wise
 

First, I would like to thank everyone who has stopped by to wish me well.  Some have said that they wish that I would reconsider leaving Town Hall. 

I have been blogging at Red State for about a week now, but I do miss Town Hall.  It feels more like home.  So, I'm sticking my toe back in the water.  

However, I am going to keep my blog going at Red State. http://www.redstate.com/blogs/sandra_lea_wise/
Several people blog at both places. 
 
I found this great article which I wanted to share with everyone who wakes up each day feeling betrayed by President Bush.

It is a must read! 

http://theanchoressonline.com/2007/06/06/part-ii-bush-betrayal-the-nations-soul/trackback/

Sandra Lea Wise