Is anyone asking WHY?

Why would the government want to make a study--even the revised one where they are just collecting data-- UNLESS they are proposing to use that data to circumvent the 1st Amendment?
If free speech really is free, then its no business of government to define/ analyze, or sort data about it.
Larry is correct--Many of you who want this would be loudly opposing it if the President were named, Nixon, Reagan, or Bush, or Cruze, or Limbaugh.
Its a bad idea, simply a bad idea.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Because they can?

If I can be sure that the data is only accessible to a perfectly impartial person. I'm good. Seating next to that person would be Tinkerbell and a unicorn. The question is what happens after they circumvent the 1st Amendment? I don't think I trust anyone but me with that kind of power.

That does beg the question. Why? Obama has but a couple of years left. Had he done it in the first term, it makes sense since he wants an easier 2nd term. Why now? Besides the fact he won't have to face re-election for another 4 years after his term ends. Makes me wonder what the end game really is.

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99 E300 Turbodiesel
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03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
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In the business world lying is fraud and you can suffer the weight of the law if you perpetrate it. Why can the media fraudulently call their programs "news"?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I won't argue with that statement, but the FCC determining which stories can or cannot be aired is not the solution. That was Hitler and Goebels solution, not what we would do in today's US,..... I hope.

When Walter Cronkite called the Vietnam war "Lost", was he reporting news or giving an opinion. Walter, as you know, was the most trusted voice in "Journalism" in those days. Should he have just reported the facts? Estimated enemy KIA's and US troop casualties and combat actions?
Calling the war "Lost" was clearly an opinion. Or do you see that episode differently?

I assume Crokinte wrote every word he spoke on TV. He wasn't merely reading the AP or UPI wire stories.

On the assumption this sort of program will be tried again, will they just drop the sneaking around and call these "inspectors" political officers?