The ABCs Of Spinelessness: Path To 911

I feel the need to offer a different take on ABC's caving to the pressure from the Democratic Party to change/cancel its scheduled "Path To 9/11" docudrama. The right side of the blogosphere is too intent on crying "censorship" in this case, pointing out the hypocrisy of Liberalism. It's true that the Democratic Party itself is trying to censor the show, to conform to its "version" of the story, which indeed smacks of utter hypocrisy. This is important, I admit. However, conservative bloggers are overzealous in their complaints; as a staunch supporter of both free speech and a free market, I support the right of the people to use a strong collective voice to prevent something they oppose from seeing the light of day. When Michael Moore's appearance at Utah Valley State College was prevented through a community effort--major benefactors threatened to withdraw donations, individuals mounted protests and written campaigns--local and national Liberals shouted "censorship" and "fascism" and "totalitarianism" from the mountaintops. It was stupid back then, and it's stupid now. On the other hand, if it proves to be true that representatives of the US Government are threatening broadcast rights repercussions, that's another animal entirely. Then, it's a major, serious problem. As I understand it, the Bill of Rights should protect the people from government tyranny. When government begins to take on the role of information gatekeeper, the fundamental rights supposedly reserved to us are being forfeited. I recommend that we keep our eye on the real issue: government involvement. Sure, ABC is proving itself to be a big ol' pussy by backing down. Sure, it's another step in the direction of sweeps weeks full of potato salad how-to shows, but it certainly doesn't mean the Nazis are at our front door. Why not voice our displeasure to by alerting advertisers, avoiding Disneyland and skipping Miramax flicks? I say leave the mire-wallowing whining to the mire-wallowing whiners.