Will Rush Limbaugh sue Broward County? Where’s the ACLU when you need them?
Florida is reportedly the fourth largest state in the nation, ranked by population. We’re known for growing oranges, but right now, we’re seeing a bumper crop of fruitcake. Broward County Democrats are adept at politicizing the populace, but their latest move should make Americans who believe in freedom of speech (not to mention freedom of the press) quake in their flip flops. Because The Sun-Sentinel (Orlando) reports the Broward County Commission, 100% Democratic in membership, wants to cancel a deal with radio station WIOD, AM 610, the official channel for emergency information from Broward County government for the past year.
WIOD has committed the unthinkable crime of carrying conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh’s program.
One commissioner said she doesn’t want to support a station “out of step� with area politics.
God forbid those tender Broward ears should hear the comments Limbaugh makes. Think of the possible emotional damage that might wreak!
Here’s the rub. The Sentinel says WIOD broadcasts, “start to finish live from the county Emergency Operations Center in Plantation. Emergency managers became concerned during hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 that radio and television stations preempted their announcements in favor of news out of Miami.�
The county’s public communications director told the paper emergency planners like the deal they had with WIOD, “because of its signal strength, numerous FM sister stations and willingness to give Broward top play.�
But the Democrats who run the county do not like Rush Limbaugh, not one little bit. And having political power squarely in their corner, they figure this is one way to shut him up, at least if severe weather is in progress.
Citizens of Broward can take comfort their safety and security takes second place to political ideology—loyalty to to the Mother Party and all that.
So I’d like to start a fundraising drive. Please purchase and send a megaphone to each Broward County Commissioner. I’m sure during the next bout of severe weather like Hurricane Wilma in the video above, each of them will be willing to take to the flooded streets and risk life and limb to warn their constituents, “A hurricane is coming. Take cover!�
It’s a given the county commissioners have no idea what the Bill of Rights is. I can say they’d be very efficient, though, in helping the government of Iran run its official news service.
Meanwhile, have a piece of fruitcake. We got it growing on trees down here in The Sunshine State.
Word Press, Technorati, Tags, Democrats, Republicans, Rush Limbaugh, WIOD, Broward County commissioners, Florida hurricane, emergency preparedness, emergency broadcasts, political parties Florida, Freedom of the Press
June 14th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
From what I have read, no one is saying that they are doing away with weather bullitins, they are just wanting to make a deal with a different station. Thus the megaphones are a bit pointless.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Naw, I think they’re still gonna’ need those megaphones. Here’s a lift from the “More” section:
>>>>>The county’s public communications director told the paper emergency planners like the deal they had with WIOD, “because of its signal strength, numerous FM sister stations and willingness to give Broward top play.�>>>>
I see the Broward commissioners’ move as nothing more than gradeschool politics. Not in the best interests of the citizens, imo.
But I am glad you stopped by and voiced your opinion–best, Kay