English-Only Bill Clears Ohio House: Do Backers Believe Rush Limbaugh Could Be Forced To Broadcast In Spanish?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- There's something new that is scaring the mierda out of the English First crowd. On the same day the Ohio House debated and approved a measure that makes English the state's official language, supporters issued a press release warning that right wing radio talkers Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Dr. James Dobson "could be forced off the air" by the FCC. English First -- an organization pushing English as an official language -- has apparently tuned in to another gathering threat to the Mother Tongue: A movement for greater cultural diversity on the nation's airwaves. And this time, it's not over proposals to restore the Fairness Doctrine:

"The FCC's proposed regulations claim that radio station programming -- particularly network programming -- often is not sufficiently culturally diverse and that the FCC seeks to ensure that broadcasters serve their communities, especially underserved audiences, such as non-English speakers, whether or not these people actually exist."

Caramba (good grief!) The proposed boards are intended to include people of different colors, nationalities, religions, genders, ages, sexual orientations and political persuasions. In other words, they would largely reflect America as it is populated today. The advisory boards would be spread across the cultural spectrum. Somehow, the English First crowd equates being inclusive and diverse as a threat to Rush Limbaugh and other right wing broadcasters:

"These advisory boards should include representatives of all segments of the community, a requirement which would empower self-appointed community leaders, such as representatives of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) or the Center of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), to discourage commercial radio stations from airing discussions of controversial matters such as the costs of illegal immigration or the meaning of jihad."

English First has even set up a Web site called Keep Rush On The Air to try and put the brakes on those cultural diversity fiends at the FCC. Check out the site to see the picture of Limbaugh with duct tape across his mouth. So not only are the advocates who favor official English protecting the Mother Tongue, they are also . . . what, trying to slow the sales of duct tape?