READERS WRITE: Fairness Doctrine

Responses to “As U.S. evolves, paranoia rises,” @issue, Nov. 24.

‘Localism’ would strangle talk radio

In his mad dash to tar and feather conservative talk radio, Jay Bookman once again fails to dig beneath the surface to get to the truth. I agree with him that there is no chance that Democrats will bring back the Fairness Doctrine, as it would be political suicide.

However, the FCC is considering a new “localism” initiative that would require each radio station to have a board consisting of local community activists, government officials, religious leaders and representatives of under-served minorities who would be empowered to help establish which programming would air on that station. President-elect Obama supports localism and we all know there is more than one way to accomplish one’s goals, which in this case means strangling conservative talk radio.

CHUCK SHIFLETT

Shiflett is owner of NewsTalk AM 1270 —- WYXC in Cartersville.

Conservatives’ paranoia a necessity

Yes, Mr. Bookman, we on the right are paranoid. Unlike many of you who have ushered into power the liberal left, we distinctly remember the Jimmy Carter presidency and the economy that resulted. We distinctly remember the utter failure of socialistic and Marxist economic policies in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and we understand the immutable laws of economic supply and demand.

We distinctly remember the attempts by the liberal left to deny us constitutional rights such as freedom of religion in the marketplace of ideas, and gun ownership. We are paranoid and justifiably so because we have already lived the political, social and economic ideas of the liberal left and we find them frighteningly harmful to the concept of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

BRIAN WILSON, Atlanta

‘Loony left’ more panicked than right-wing

Jay Bookman may be right about Fairness Doctrine paranoia among right-wing talk-show hosts. But at least they’re paranoid about an issue that won’t be decided until some time in the future.

Left-wingers, on the other hand, freak out about dangers that already have proved to be imaginary. Every time another state loosens its concealed-carry gun laws, our leftist media predict that the streets will run red with blood. They made the same prediction when the misnamed “assault weapon” ban was allowed to expire. So far, not a single one of these predictions has come true, but that doesn’t faze them in the least. They hit the panic button just as hard the next time around.

Right-wingers may be overly suspicious of their enemies from time to time; but when it comes to raving paranoia, Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz and company can’t hold a candle to the loony left.

JOE WILLIAMS, Douglasville

Bookman reminds us left radio unprofitable

Jay Bookman is the worst provocateur of paranoia I have encountered. His take on right-wing radio only reminds us that left-wing radio does not bring in the same amount of revenue. Why? No one listens to it. I’m sure he has a different answer.

JERE DEVORE, Sandy Springs

Lack of applause indicates poignancy

My interpretation of the audience’s meager applause following the masterful performance of John Adams’ “Dr. Atomic” presented by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, chorus and guest artists on Sunday was quite the opposite of the review (“Debuting opera fails to connect to audience,” Living, Nov. 24).

I believe the lack of strong applause and standing ovation that we almost always have following an ASO performance was the real measure of how much the audience did connect with the opera. I for one could hardly move from my deep feelings of sadness over such an historic event re-enacted through the arts. At the time we customarily clap and stand, I could not tear my heart and mind away from memories of the summer of 1945 and the opera’s significance for our future.

ELIZABETH S. SHARP, Atlanta