You assessment, of course, is correct. But your implied suggestion that viewers should simply accept this status quo — and decisions such as “disinvite” Kucinich — is unacceptable.

I’m a customer of the medium. Its product is unsatisfactory. So I (and many others) would rather bitch about broadcast news organizations’ failed product than simply roll over and accept it.

As Robert Heinlein wrote in ‘I Will Fear No Evil’:

“Much of what’s wrong in this world could be righted if the customer screamed every time he feels cheated.”

Decisions such as pushing Kucinich out of the debates cheats me. And remember, the b-cast nets are using the public’s airwaves. So this customer is screaming — and I encourage others to do so as well.

Plus, the more candidates who participate in the debate, the less each of them get to actually say. By keeping out the longshot candidates, NBC provides more airtime to those who are neck-and-neck in the campaign race.

As I said, I’d prefer if Kucinich were allowed to participate in this debate, but there isn’t any big military-industrial conspiracy to keep him out. It’s simply the logic of the medium.

Jeff

Another thing to keep in mind… GE->NBC->Hillary/Obama->still in Iraq in 10 years..

GE won’t let any candidates who “dig for the truth” or “look to stomp out the Military Industrial Complex” get the light of day.

I also watched the Faux Noise show try to accuse Dennis of only wanting to hit Hillary with his NH count (re- left off intentionally) request. Dennis has been for fixing these broken elections for YEARS, to say his wanting to audit/verify that the “fallible and hackable” machines worked properly isn’t about Hillary, but boy.. try telling that to a right-wing nutjob or most Hillary supporters..

Actually, congress doesn’t renew licenses, the FCC does. The renewals are rubber stapmed by the FCC anyways. The FCC is easing up on all of their regulations, in every area of the spectrum and all services. Personally speaking, I’ve been an amateur radio operator since I was a pimply high school kid, and have seen much easing in their licensing requirements in the amateur spectrum. They even did away with the Mose code requirement. As far as commercial licenses, the FCC did away with the First Class Phone ticket. The FCC is also making it very easy to get low powered station licenses these days provided you’re a non-profit org. As for complaints to the FCC, most get filed into the circular file. They simply don’t have the manpower to address all of the complaints over all of the broadcasting, interference, and illegal stations operating out there.

Jeff

https://www.parentstv.org/PTC/fcc/fcccomplaint.asp

http://ronpaulfan.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-file-fcc-complaint-against-fox.html

now the second link is one about fox news , but nbc or cbs or abc can all be subsituted , you just need to be specific in why you are complaining. like that they changed the rules i midstram against kucinich this showing extreme prejudice

The media blackout on all but the “anointed” candidates does indeed affect both sides of the aisle, as well as all independent and third-party candidates except in rare circumstances.

Kucinich should get his podium, much as Keyes should have gotten his.

Jeff

What a coincidence.

if you want to do something complain to NBC, MSNBC and anyone else you can…
i have used the debate question form at msnbc http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22574335 to ask that kucinich be reinvited…as well as emailing the ms/nbc muck-a-mucks…

This story has been submitted to Stirrdup. Your support can help it become hot….

NBC, in its infinite political wisdom, has declared that Democrat Dennis Kucinich should not be exposed to the public as a candidate for the presidency of the United States. While he may be qualified, he is not viable, NBC has summarily declared….