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Accepting a little bit of socialism is the same as taking comfort in that you are a little bit pregnant.

George Rebane

Censorship The 21st century liberal cum progressive retains the same views and definitions of censorship that did their Bolshevik progenitors in the early 20th century.  Specifically, if the dissemination of their ideas are not supported by the public purse, then they consider themselves and their message to be victims of censorship.  Also if their message is not imposed by the government onto some media that broadcasts other political ideologues supported through private sponsorship, then they consider themselves to be censored.  As an example, the current issue of withdrawing government funding from NPR has set off all the usual leftwingers from here to Washington screaming that they are being “censored by the government”.

However, on the other side of their view of censorship, we hear them constantly calling for the silencing of conservative/libertarian voices that have followings which the liberals cannot hope to attract.  This occurs at all levels (e.g. even in Nevada County) where frustrated collectivists gather.  They do not see these calls for proscribing their opposition as censorship.  Instead, they wrap such proposed programming pogroms in notions such as ‘fairness’ and ‘balance’ – cf. the Fairness Act and Net Neutrality.  Since only the extreme few will voluntarily listen to their pap, they seek to impose it by the power of the bayonet.  If this means denying certain political free speech that the consumers want, so be it.  But in their minds, that is never seen as censorship.

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110 responses to “The Liberal Mind – Censorship”

  1. Jeff Peline Avatar
    Jeff Peline

    George,
    The issue is not one of censorship — and never has been. It is about providing a balance of views. You know, like providing Steve Frisch’s view on Prop. 23 to provide balance to yours. In that case, KVMR eventually got it right.

    Like

  2. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    It’s a lost cause, George. It looks like Jeff read about 2 words in your post and responded with a typically fact free response. The situation with KVMRs ongoing programming supporting the idea of the need for govt control of green house gas emission has been explained to Jeff. The one time they presented a contrary view was your editorial. It’s about a 10,000 to one ratio and that just isn’t fair in Jeff’s mind. Jeff’s statement about censorship never being an issue is as baffling as it is frightening. He is perfectly aware of the fact that there are voices calling for silencing those that express conservative views in this country and elsewhere and he doesn’t consider it to be censorship. The best I can say about his reply is that it actually validates your original post.

    Like

  3. Jeff Peline Avatar
    Jeff Peline

    Posting here is always a wast of time.

    Like

  4. Steven Frisch Avatar
    Steven Frisch

    Hey George how about giving back your social security, government pension, medicare and your senior discount?
    A little bit of socialism is tainting you as a credible voice of libertarianism.
    While you are at it you can stop posting your twisted neo-fascist point of view on KVMR since it is subsidized by the government.
    Complain, complain complain….

    Like

  5. Barry Pruett Avatar

    Turn on the light and the cockroaches scurry! Are Frisch and Pelline being defensive…I did not read their names in the blog post. LOL

    Like

  6. Bob Hobert Avatar
    Bob Hobert

    “Posting here is always a wast of time.”
    Maybe you need an editor?

    Like

  7. Jeff Peline Avatar
    Jeff Peline

    Lots of pent-up anger from the local “wingnut” contingent this morning. I merely pointed out the difference between censorship and balance.

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  8. Barry Pruett Avatar

    Thanksgiving is coming…you should let go of your anger and embrace your fellow man!

    Like

  9. Steven Frisch Avatar
    Steven Frisch

    I thought you guys wanted to make that illegal? while claiming to be the party of small government!
    Yet another example of the Baby State–people who are uncomfortable with other peoples love.

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  10. Barry Pruett Avatar

    Man…you and Pelline are angry today. LOL. Conservatives are not all of the same stripe like liberals. I was a competitive gymnast in college and have a ton of very good friends who are gay. I have no problem with gay relationships.

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  11. Barry Pruett Avatar

    To respond to your query George – it has always been about censorship. Liberals want to get rid of Rush and Foxnews. Liberals hate that The Union is not a liberal mouthpeice. Local liberlas attempt to bully the right to stop speech. To control the people…one must control the media – see Pravda.

    Like

  12. Larry Wirth Avatar
    Larry Wirth

    You’re right, Jeff! Your posts are a waste of our time…

    Like

  13. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    What I find fascinating about liberals is their denial of the truth. Of course they censor. Mao, Stalin, Cuba, North Korea, Albania (when it was the last coommie holdout in Europe) and the rest. Control the media and allow only left-think. Why did we have radio free Europe? Amazingly, Pelline and the cook/rent-seeker have brainwashed themselves in believing it is balance! No, when Jay Rockefeller says to the whole world last week that FOX and MSNBC should be zapped, you cannot deny the liberals want censorship. We on the right want more speech not less. Give the country more MSNBC’s not less. The left want’s more MSNBC’s and no FOX. That is the difference between the fascist left and the freedom loving right in America. George has hit the nail on the head.

    Like

  14. Mikey McD Avatar
    Mikey McD

    This post is dead on. If NPR provides a desired service then they will have no trouble securing private funding (via ads, sponsorships, etc). It has been years since I listened to radio, but, in other local media I give kudos to Jeff Ackerman at The Union for providing a top notch service without tax payer charity.

    Like

  15. Dixon Cruickshank Avatar
    Dixon Cruickshank

    George,
    The issue is not one of censorship — and never has been. It is about providing a balance of views. You know, like providing Steve Frisch’s view on Prop. 23 to provide balance to yours. – Jeff
    Is that why most people cannot post on your blog? because your so open minded to fair and balanced – pleeaasse
    you are such the hypocrit, but you right to a point, your posts are usually a waste of bandwidth

    Like

  16. Greg Goodknight Avatar
    Greg Goodknight

    It looks like Issa is gearing up for some oversight hearings on the subject.
    So Jeffie, Stevie… where do you think the missing warming-in-the-pipeline is hiding? It isn’t in the seas, it isn’t in the air, it isn’t on dry land. Think maybe the evil Lord Xenu’s Thetans have it?

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  17. Dixon Cruickshank Avatar
    Dixon Cruickshank

    I think its ” up somewhere”

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  18. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    You guys are great! Pelline and the cook remind me of Masters of the Universe. Skeletor and his minions. Some non college graduates beat them. Hardi har har! I bet those two think we think this is real. Just watch.

    Like

  19. Greg Goodknight Avatar
    Greg Goodknight

    It took a refinement of Anna Hayne’s pestering tactics, but on another blog Jeff finally revealed his BA from Cal was in Rhetoric. Yes, he has a BA in BS. Fits him well but it does mean his Master’s in Journalism just makes him more effective than most in spreading the BS far and wide.
    The cook has a BA from Cal in PoliSci. Given that he needed to make a living, cooking was probably a good idea until he figured out how to make money off of politics.

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  20. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    George
    Can you give me a few specific examples of local censorship that led to this statement.
    “silencing of conservative/libertarian voices that have followings which the liberals cannot hope to attract.”
    A half dozen will do.

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  21. Dixon Cruickshank Avatar
    Dixon Cruickshank

    Pelines Blog for starters

    Like

  22. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    That’s one, assuming he restricts access. Hardly a trend. I hate generalizations without specific examples. That leaves nothing to talk about

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  23. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    Mary D. Nichols…no questions please!

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  24. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    Central Valley Water.

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  25. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    Fish and Game……Prove the frog is not there ban on fish stocking.

    Like

  26. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    Opt out on the BID(how’s that working out?)

    Like

  27. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    Ban smoking in the park (those poor woodland creatures filling up on butts!)

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  28. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    What’s next…only the progressive mind knows!

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  29. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    I thought this was about local media censorship by the Liberal media. What do these examples have to do with it? George, please explain what you were trying to say.

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  30. George Rebane Avatar

    Paul, I did not specify local censoring other than the countless calls by liberals for the Union and KVMR to stop my commentaries. I for my part would encourage more leftwingers like Pelline to join in the fray of ideas rather than competing with the online Union on newslets and scooplets. Maybe Pelline or Frisch could also write a regular Union column in which they would not have to cloak progressive ideology and opinion behind their ‘middle of the road’ glasses, nose, and mustache. Therein you can see an application of the topic of my post.

    Like

  31. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    Forcing an action or an opt in, is censorship.

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  32. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    opt in…sorry…opt out.

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  33. Jeff Peline Avatar
    Jeff Peline

    If The Union or KVMR think they can grow their readership by running “fringe” commentary from George Rebane, more power to them. To date, his “causes” — Prop. 23, his political endorsements (from Barry Pruett to John Spencer) or bashing of the Sierra Business Council — aren’t getting much traction. Nobody cares what he thinks. What’s the value proposition? Alienating the majority at the expense of the minority? Why not run some commentary from the schools or a business person? It’s a business decision, not censorship. As for me, I’m just looking for some balance.

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  34. Barry Pruett Avatar

    For left leaning programming from KVMR (no offense Paul), George is the balance…and you wany him silenced. Look up censorship in the dictionary. LOL

    Like

  35. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    George
    Countless calls by Liberals to stop your commentaries on KVMR? I have had about three calls to date and not one has asked us to take you off the air. where did you get that information? Who are they calling? Not us.

    Like

  36. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Barry Was that me you referred to that wants George silenced?

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  37. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    When I had a call in show for four years on KNCO we always had sprited debate. The libs would call in and thank god for a five second delay. Just nasty trolls. I can’t tell you how many times they tried to get me booted. Same when I did op=eds and the TV show. The left is always trying to boot contra thought. They cannot compete head to head. As we can see Pelline and the Cook don’t add much to the conservative blogs except liberal vitriol.

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  38. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    Paul, the original post was clearly not limited to local media and yet you and Jeff are trying to make George defend his point based solely on your new made up criteria. You then deliberately mis-quote George and again demand proof of something he did not say. Jeff’s above postings are actually proving George’s point.
    Your posts are just sad. You know perfectly well that the overwhelming view at KVMR and the programs you run are left to far left. There is nothing wrong with that and you are entitled to your views. For Jeff to demand that every time George gets 5 minutes there has to be “balance” is laughable were it not so dangerous. Hows about we get the FCC to start making KVMR “balance” all the left wing blather with absolute equal time from George and Company? How would you like it? No better than Fox being threatened with “equal time” and “balance”. So please, lets all have more talk and more diversity of views not less. Balance is baloney, freedom of speech is paramount.

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  39. Barry Pruett Avatar

    Paul…no…of course not. I was writing to Jeff.

    Like

  40. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Scott Can you tell me how I misquoted George?
    “Paul, I did not specify local censoring other than the countless calls by liberals for the Union and KVMR to stop my commentaries”
    I only commented that there have been no calls to KVMR to stop his commentaries.
    Thanks for the clarification Barry

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  41. George Rebane Avatar

    Paul, the innumerable calls for my being silenced are found on the online Union, on RR (see above), and the local leftwing blogs. That you have had so few on KVMR (as you informed me before) is heartening. Nevertheless, the record stands as it stands here and across the land. It is the left attempting to silence the right in their search for “fairness” and “balance” (how many times have Pelline and company used that word?) that is constantly in the news and the topic of books. I am not aware of conservatives or libertarians attempting to silence the socialists, but look forward to being enlightened. Such asymmetry is a defining characteristic of the liberal mind.
    RR is now going into its fourth year while having been constantly hammered by the far left calling its content and author irrelevant (and worse) to their larger scheme of things. Yet somehow this content seems sufficiently timely, different (unique?), and interesting enough to give rise to some fairly erudite and engaging discussion threads.
    I am grateful for being able to provide a forum for a wide spectrum of ideas and counterpoints. I will be the first to admit that this blog is not, nor does it seek to be, a harbor for shallow draft vessels with short anchor chains. It simply gives them no comfort, and yet they return.

    Like

  42. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    George
    Can you direct me to any examples in the Union that called for you being “silenced” on KVMR? This is pretty close to home and I would like to know more. Also, even on this blog I recall no examples asking you be silenced or taken off the air. Some hefty critiques to be sure but and some requests for equal time to respond to your ideas but I don’t recall any calls for your removal from KVMR or the Union. I’d sure like to see some examples.
    This whole thing really puzzles me and generally reeks of self aggrandizement.

    Like

  43. George Rebane Avatar

    Paul, you can do your own research on the comment threads to my Union columns. From what has been forwarded to me, Pelline’s blog regularly recommends my replacement from the Union and KVMR.
    There are more instances on RR than I can recount. And even on this comment thread –
    “While you are at it you can stop posting your twisted neo-fascist point of view on KVMR since it is subsidized by the government.”
    If you are deaf to Pelline’s calling for my replacement on the public media over the last two years, then you clearly had more important things to do, or … . The evidence is in the record, and if you’re interested you will do your own research. I am amazed that you would find any of this to be either arcane or hard to fathom.
    Another good place to start would be to search on ‘George Rebane’ at either the online Union or Pelline’s blog (I have no idea how well their search functions work). But now that you’re interested, I will note and email you instances I come across in the future that may satisfy your curiosity.
    “self aggrandizement”??, that’s an impossibility on a blog that is pronounced “irrelevant” and one that even fewer people read.
    In sum, do I detect that you’re unfamiliar with or dispute the censorship calls from the left vs the right? Or is it just that you’re seeking local evidence? or both?

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  44. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    Reply to Paul’s request –
    George wrote “Paul, I did not specify local censoring other than the countless calls by liberals for the Union and KVMR to stop my commentaries.” Since there have apparently been few or no complaints that you are aware of at KVMR, you then changed the statement to only mention KVMR and you left out the Union. You are trying to argue against George’s main thesis in his original post by reducing the frame of reference down to a very limited set of circumstances. And I will ask you again – how would you like to have KVMR be made to submit it’s programming schedule to a govt agency for approval? How would you like to watch a Senator on national TV talk about how he would like to have the FCC take KVMR off the air?

    Like

  45. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    George
    It seems that your issue is with three or four critics that write often and may seem like a crowd. Your use of the word innumerable doesn’t take into account the rather small group that may be repeating themselves often enough that they seem like a mass movement. Understandably I am personally interested when you use your commentary KVMR as an example of the crusade against you by those who wish you removed from the air, In all of our conversations you have never mentioned to me that there is a movement to remove your commentary from the news as you imply in this blog. That’s why I was so surprised to see this in your posting. Pellines blog hardly represents the gathering hoards that you suggest.
    I will indeed search the Union site for Rebane-KVMR and let you know what I find.

    Like

  46. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Scott
    I cannot speak of the calls to remove George from the Union but I can speak of KVMR and the fact that there have been no calls to do so. I would know.

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  47. George Rebane Avatar

    “movement”?? I have no such knowledge or make such a claim. You are probably right that the local group recommending my removal is relatively small, I use ‘countless’ in describing the instances not the number of people. Although in the Union a lot of such exhortations have come from people using labels or internet names – hard to tell.
    But please don’t think that I feel beleagured by all this hew and cry from the left, I don’t. When an ideologue steps out and provides commentary on issues, s/he had better be prepared for some serious blowback. No matter the content of their counters, I am grateful that they spell my name correctly.
    This post is not a complaint about how I am treated, it is a cry against the visible forces that continue the attempt to silence their opposition through disingenuous calls for ‘balance’ and ‘fairness’ that blatantly attack the First Amendment. In this storm I am but a blade in the wind. If my thoughts have some moment that elicits thoughtful response, what more can I ask?

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  48. Dixon Cruickshank Avatar
    Dixon Cruickshank

    Paul without getting into the calls to your station about George I find it hard to believe as a media person you haven’t seen this. The calls from the local left – blogs and the union against George and Russ – not to mention – Beck, O’Rielly, Fox, Hannity, Palin and the FCC nationally – I give you much more credit than that, lets not get stupid on us – k

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  49. Steven Frisch Avatar
    Steven Frisch

    I have never called for silencing George’s comments, I have critiqued them as neofascist screeds that unfairly attack other people and ideas and imply that anyone who does not think like him is a communist, but I have never called for him to be silenced for his ideas…period. I think he should be removed because none of his main points have a factual basis, they inaccurate, divisive and hateful and don’t live up to the standards of KVMR…however I have never called the station and said this, and I have encouraged others to keep listening to KVMR regardless of George’s commentaries.
    By the way Greg, perhaps because of my defense of Berkeley when people are attacking Jeff’s education as a negative you got the impression I went there. I did not. I went to San Francisco State after moving to California from Chicago.

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