Bush Censorship Plan Frightens Broadcasters, Cable Companies

President Bush today formally requested that the United States Congress approve the Line Item TiVo.

The plan would allow the President to eliminate single shows, or even scenes from those shows, as a pre-emptive strike, rather than waiting to take legal action against companies after the fact.

Later, speaking to supporters in Midland, Texas, the President tried a pre-emptive strike against potential opponents of the move.

“Now, you and I know that liberals will say I’m violating on the First Amendment rights. But I’m not—‘cause it isn’t. What we’re saying is, the American people deserve the kind of hands-on leadership that prevents what’s been happening lately on television and in the internets.

“Many American television shows come to the White House weighed down with needless plotlines, jokes about livestock, news stories with “information,” and behavior that would outrage any normal American. I’m just offering myself as a normal American, to fight this content here in Washington, so you don’t have to fight it at home.”

Tonight, Democratic firebrand Joe Lieberman, speaking on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” leveled his fiercest attack so far on the Bush Administration. “Although I agree with the President that filth is deplorable, this was probably not the best way to go about this at this time.” The Connecticut senator joined with nine other prominent Democrats in their vow to vote against the bill, and if necessary, join together to send a polite but firm letter to the White House.