NPR, Sesame St, 60 Minutes, Colbert, now Kimmel.
In the wake of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk’s murder, Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr took umbrage to Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue saying it was part of a “concerted effort to try to lie to the American people” and that the FCC was “going to have remedies that we can look at.”
“Frankly, when you see stuff like this, I mean look, we can do this
the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to
change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s
going to be additional work for the FCC ahead… ”There’s actions
we can take on licensed broadcasters. And frankly, I think that it’s
really sort of past time that a lot of these licensed broadcasters
themselves push back on Comcast and Disney and say…’We’re
not gonna run Kimmel anymore…because we licensed broadcasters are running the possibility of fines or license revocation from the FCC.’”
Aka state sanctioned censorship and the weaponization of regulatory powers. Here’s what Kimmel said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
True to form, Trump celebrated by threatening Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers with the same.
Within days of MAGA Fox “News” Host Brian Kilmade calling for killing ”homeless people with involuntary lethal injection” there were 2 mass shootings @ homeless camps in Minnesota. 30 people were injured. Granted, not by lethal injection but close enough. And no pushback from the FCC.
Even that little Fucker Carlson weighed in on the state repression of the 1st amendment. “If they can tell you what to say, they’re telling you what to think… A free man has a right to say what he believes.”
If you haven’t read it recently here’s the First Amendment:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
It’s been confirmed that multiple execs felt that Kimmel hadn’t said anything over the top but feared retaliation from Cheeto Benito. Pointing out fascism gets more dangerous by the day and if you’re looking for hateful rhetoric start at the White House. Point is, like what your hear or not, it’s protected. Comedy isn’t illegal (yet). If any one or thing deserves a medal of honor it’s free speech, not Kirk.
“This is beyond McCarthyism,” Christopher Anders, director of the Democracy and Technology Division at the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. “Trump officials are repeatedly abusing their
power to stop ideas they don’t like, deciding who can speak, write, and even joke. The Trump administration’s actions, paired with ABC’s capitulation, represent a grave threat to our First Amendment freedoms.”
Other freedoms are on the chopping block. Beware. Or better yet, be active. Be vocal and, be lawful and non-violent.
It’s harder to get them back than to lose them.
Chef/percussionist/writer/reprobate and lover of all things beautiful & delicious, Chef Alan Lake’s culinary career includes East Bank Club in Chicago; Sunset Marquis in W. Hollywood; Izakaya Hiwatta in Ichinomia Japan and legendary nightclub Purpur in Zurich, Switzerland. Working all around the world for over four decades, he's won numerous awards, professional competitions and distinctions. He’s the author of Home Cookin'- The Stories Behind The Food and The Garlic Manifesto- the history of garlic going back to 10,000-year-old Neolithic caves and contains facts, fiction, folklore, myths and legends (besides 100 recipes).
A lifelong musician that plays 70+ percussion instruments, he coined the term “Jazzfood” to describe his cooking style i.e. “solid technique coupled with tasteful improvisation.” He views his food as he does his music and writing and has been known to bust a pout if subpar in any way.