Earlier quoted context omitted.
After some thought, a better question could be: How might networks effectively satisfy this appeal from the FCC without drawing the ire of the current administration and its supporters?
Civil disobedience?
Silence?!
FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
141–150 of 196 posts
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#142Love of country should originate naturally from the daily experience of its citizens, not some mechanical pledge.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#143Earlier quoted context omitted.
By an earnest suggestion from an administration that respects the United States, our freedoms, and our institutions. Not an implicit threat from a wannabe dictator who hangs giant pictures of himself up on government buildings to glorify himself, throws vindictive hissy fits when he doesn't get his way, and rambles at length about how he hates most American values.
How could the current administration appropriately suggest—and how could any institution earnestly commemorate—a democracy with all things considered with respect to its present state?
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Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#144When I was in sixth grade I found out (I am not sure how actually) that I didn’t have to say the pledge if I didn’t want to. I didn’t (and don’t) believe in God, and I didn’t believe in the “under God” part of the pledge, so I decided that I wouldn’t stand for the pledge anymore. This was an extremely conservative area, and so my teachers were very upset. I told them I don’t have to say the pledge if I don't want (an…
To me it's not just the "under God" part, it's the fact that my kids (or I) have to pledge allegiance to a country at all, because how it intertwines with the government. It's not much different than pledging allegiance to kings back in the day (and comes from that).
I don't see what I should owe any country my "allegiance". If you interpret "the country" as being "the people in this country", then yes, I feel a responsibility towards their wellbeing, and I accept that as a form of allegiance. But in practice "the country" isn't really interpreted as "the people" but rather "the government", and is highly exclusive (us vs them). And if a government is largely contrary to my values, and isn't (in my view) helping me or the people of this country, then why should I owe it any particular allegiance? Allegiance shouldn't be automatic, but rather earned. And the recitation of the pledge in schools is part of trying to make it automatic.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#145Does the pledge of allegiance actually do anything? I can't even remember if I did it in school. I first thought "oh, my State must not have done the pledge in school", but after more reflection I think I did but just doing remember.
It reminds kids that they live in the United States, and that the country has values, and that they will be expected to defend the country as part of the social contract. I don't know if other countries have pledges like this but on the surface it seems OK to me. I think it also inspires worthwhile conversations about what we owe to the country (or not).
I'd rather they pledge allegiance to the values rather than to the country. I can see defending those values as part of the social contract, but not the country. If the country and the values are aligned, then sure. But if not, then it is no longer worthy of that allegiance. Otherwise, you can wind up with something like Nazi Germany where people have to go along with it because "my country".
If you think about it, the main reason for the Bill of Rights, and especially the 2A (I vehemently disagree with guns in today's world but I understand the original purpose of the 2A), is because they understood that governments can be subverted away from the country's values and citizens need protection from the government in such cases.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#146Let's start with some readings of the Declaration of Independence. They promised us another American Revolution. They neglected to mention that they were planning on taking the position of King George and the redcoats.
these truths ... all men* are created equal
*white male landowner
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#147How about forcing all stations to: 1. read from the bible between between 16:00 and 20:00 2. At 20:00 show Trump's picture for 5 minutes with people praising him 3. rest of the programming are shows based upon Leave it to Beaver and my 3 sons, make sure only WASPS are the actors and producers. That is what the US admin. really wants. If I see more than one of these "PSAs" in a 4 hour period, I will never watch that n…
It's coming sooner than you think:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-face-is-now-on-...
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#148How might this campaign appear under an administration ran by a Democrat?
Well it didn't, that's the point
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#149I hereby propose a more elegant version, with all the marketing fluff removed:
I pledge Allegiance
to Liberty and Justice
for all
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#150To be the contrarian, I actually don't mind a call for more patriotic programming to celebrate the USA's 250th. That makes sense. I definitely mind the slippery slope this precedent introduces. (Why not just keep doing this?) I'm also concerned that this letter is more of a "mandate" than a "call." Regardless, Carr's letter searches hard for nostalgia. "Schoolhouse Rock" not being in syndication is eroding our nation…
It is funny to hear them complain about a lack of educational children's programming while... destroying the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and regularly shitting on people from Mr Rogers to Miss Rachel on Fox News.
Agreed.