Last week, I was discussing the Media Shield Law with some friends. I argued that the provision would be used to silence new media. Sure it would protect the old news outlets like NBC, ABC, and the AP, but Congress despises the new world of bloggers and social media. They've been unable to control it, haven't figured out how to silence it, and have proven completely incapable of using it themselves.
They'd love nothing more than to crack down on pesky internet journalists who keep exposing their corruption. So, when they suggest they're going to "protect" our right to discuss their crooked behavior, it's a safe bet that they'll do exactly the opposite.
Enter Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, perhaps our nation's finest example of a far-left, statist, Democrat. He just can't bring himself to admit that the 1st Amendment applies to ALL citizens. Instead, he wonders if the Bill of Rights is outdated, and suggests that - perhaps - it doesn't apply to those who write for the internet.
Asked about the Media Shield Law on Fox News Sunday, Durbin offered the following gem:
"But here is the bottom line -- the media shield law, which I am prepared to support, and I know Sen. Graham supports, still leaves an unanswered question, which I have raised many times: What is a journalist today in 2013?We know it's someone that works for Fox or AP, but does it include a blogger? Does it include someone who is tweeting? Are these people journalists and entitled to constitutional protection.? We need to ask 21st century questions about a provision that was written over 200 years ago."
Ummmm.... EVERY US citizen is entitled to Constitutional protection, Senator. You should know that.
As always, the "200 years ago" argument is employed by those who think life would be so much easier if the ordinary, average, peons out in flyover country were stripped of those annoying "rights."
I'd suggest that Durbin should be ashamed, but shame can only exist when dignity and honor are present, so I'm guessing the concept is pretty foreign to him.
Here's the entire Fox segment, and be sure to "like" Robert Laurieover on Facebookand follow himon Twitter.
