JOLLY DAYS

Howard And George Again

It has been fascinating listening to Howard Stern transform himself into an anti-Bush free speech advocate.

The recent fines levied and the new law that is in the works have resulted in Stern saying that he is leaving radio if that law is passed — one that will fine him personally — for “offenses” in the past (and has already fined his bosses for actions far in the past). This seems clearly counter to our legal precedents — being tried for a “crime” that was committed before the law was passed; an undefined crime — what exactly is offensive? — that can be arbitrarily assessed.

But even given my enjoyment of Stern's show — he is a talented performer — and the unfairness of the above scenario — I still don't have much sympathy for Stern's paranoid (and/or manipulative) logic.

Stern has distorted the issue — the public reaction to the Janet Jackson episode was used by the afraid-of-the-modern-world coalition to force the government to do something to satisy their agenda. Bush wants to please a core constituency of his in this campaign season.

Stern had worked hard to put himself on the top of the pile of public offenders, so it was natural that Stern would be the target of a response. That is, the current FCC actions have nothing to do with Stern's politics but solely with Bush shoring up his support; no matter his claims, Stern had been critical of Bush all along (as he is of everyone), but Stern's politics really didn't change until after the new focus on him had become clear.

Stern understands that there will be little support for an abrasive rich guy who got in trouble with an out of control agency of the government. (Stern hasn't exactly been fair himself — using his public eyrie to viciously attack people who offended him — even if their only offense was not liking him.)

Stern is very clever in mobilizing his listeners with a compelling free speech argument; it just is not true. Stern's logic is simple: “Bush, you want me to lose my job? I am going to try and get you to lose your job.”