On at least one issue, The Hound and the Libertarian Party are barking up the same tree. The Libertarians are hailing a new piece of legislation introduced by Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) that would protect the coterie of Internet "pajama journalists" known as "bloggers" from FEC restrictions. H.R. 5699, called the "Blogger Protection Act of 2008," would give bloggers permanent protection from FEC campaign laws when linking to campaign Web sites or editorializing about candidates.
"These guys really don't get the credit they deserve for all the work they've done to create accountability and transparency in American politics," says Andrew Davis, national media coordinator for the Libertarian Party. "Often, bloggers are the first to expose politicians for lying and corruption, and hold all politicians to a new level of accountability that would have been impossible only a few years ago. They fully deserve the same protection from government interference that is given to traditional media outlets."
Bloggers were granted protection two years ago from FEC regulations that would have potentially considered linking to a campaign Web site or editorializing about a candidate a contribution or expenditure when blogging. However, those protections were only regulatory, and could be changed without Congressional approval. H.R. 5699 seeks to make those protections a statute.
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Fox News 32 talked to Harry Caray's widow, Dutchie, on Tuesday night and found she did not authorize those bizarre and annoying AT&T radio and TV commercials that have been running with the impersonator of the late Cubs announcer. That certainly was shocking.
Turns out, according to Fox News, the manager of Caray's estate gave approval for the commercials with the understanding they would be "a tribute" to the late sports broadcaster. Guess he was, shall we say, mislead. Too, the Caray restaurant chain has been getting scores of calls complaining about the commercials and blaming them for the morbid ads.
However, AT&T says the ads are supposed to end on Sunday as the campaign apparently has run its course. Maybe they'll get Vince Lloyd or Jack Quinlan to be the telecommunications giant's next spokesmen.
As one acquaintance told The Hound that not only are the Harry commercials bad, but so is the impersonation. He noted that most guys, once they've had a few beers, can do a spot-on Harry Caray. Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball!
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The Hound normally doesn't listen to AM radio during work hours. While in the dog house, it's usually Lake County's best FM station on the dial, which would be WWDV/96.9 in Zion. But somebody alerted me to a poll on WKRS-AM that one just can't ignore because it's so lame. It had to do with the Kennedy clan endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president.
