Days after Howard started criticizing the president (after years of applauding him) his show was pulled from all Clear Channel stations. This is no coincidence. Talk show hosts on Clear Channel stations report having been instructed not to criticize the president or large corporations anymore or risk being fired. Some of those who have been fired are finally coming forward.

Howard said on his show yesterday that he’s resisted concluding this is whole situation was caused by Bush’s thugs because on it’s face it sounds like wacked-out conspiracy theory. Stuff like this just doesn’t happen in a free country. The truth is, we’re no longer free. This administration has a strangle hold on the largest media companies- the moment someone steps out of line Colin Powell’s son will slow any paperwork at the FCC related to the company that’s acting up. This is how the game is played in 2004, government control over what we see and hear. The only way to be successful is bow to the president, cover him like he’s a God among men and hope your broadcast license isn’t suspended if you do a story on Halliburton.

Much like September 11th was used to justify invading Iraq, the Super Bowl half time show is being used to silence any opposition to the president. Just like 9/11 had nothing to do with Iraq, Janet Jackson’s boob has nothing to do with Howard Stern’s suspension, it’s just an excuse to kill free speech.

We all know Iraq was a mistake- it’s outrageous that it took thousands upon thousands of corpses to prove that point. Now we’re seeing the erosion of free speech in this country- if things continue the way they are we will have no way of knowing when we’ve started another unjust war. Call it paranoia if you will- Howard Stern used to think the same thing.