True, the doctrine went the way of the wind while Ronald Reagan was president, but its demise was solely attributed to the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC) and its realization that the Fairness Doctrine stifled free speech.

The FCC's decision to withdraw the Fairness Doctrine was upheld by the courts. It had never been a law passed by Congress. Ever!

Some Democrats say that the Fairness Doctrine needs to be reinstated because it's easier said than done for leftists to get their own programs. Left-wing radio has been tried on many occasions. Former Texas politician Jim Hightower and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo failed. Then the left came up with the idea of its own liberal network, Air America. It failed and went into bankruptcy.

If there were a market for left-wing talk radio, it would be alive and well.

The Fairness Doctrine is just another rallying point for the left to stifle speech with which it disagrees! If Democrats and others on the left really want fairness, let's be fair across the board. We can start with college and university campuses by replacing half of the faculty with right-leaning professors.

Same with television news. Left-wing anchors? Change them out. Newspapers? Ditto. Then there's PBS and National Public Radio. Pull their federal subsidies and let them thrive in the market on their own. My bet is that they wouldn't last without the government bailout.

If Democrats truly believe in fairness, they'd support an across-the-board cleansing of broadcast and print media. Snce they don't, their intentions and motivations are crystal clear. Liberals love free speech -- if they happen to agree with it.

And don't even go the 'Fox News Channel is right-wing' route with me. They give equal time to Republicans and Democrats alike. Their evening (prime time) hours feature Bill O'Reilly (a registered independent), Hannity & Colmes (a conservative and a liberal when Colmes was on there before leaving) and then Greta Van Sustern ( a liberal). Van Sustern's hubby even was a campaign donor to the John Kerry Campaign in 2004. So, don't even go there. Of course, if you're liberal, you will anyway. Facts mean nothing to the far left moonbats in America or across the world.