Comcast/NBC deal won't be blocked? Why the hell not???

A big test of the Obama administration is whether it has the gumption to block Comcast's purchase of the controlling shares of NBC (along with NBC's cable channels and movie studios).

Indeed, it's a big test of any recent administration. Of course, if Bush was still in power, we could just dismiss any chance that it might be blocked, because Bush represented everything corporate. But we have a right to expect better.

Now it's been reported that Comcast - the Wal-Mart of the cable TV industry - would have to accept stringent antitrust conditions if regulators approve its takeover of NBC. But, according to the AP, "federal regulators probably won't block a deal outright on anticompetitive grounds."

Why in the celery green fuckola not?

What's the purpose in having regulators if they're not going to block the deal?

We're not even allowed to buy Sudafed without signing a log, yet Comcast can buy NBC unimpeded?

Granted, the FCC is - by law - headed by a bipartisan group of commissioners. That's of little comfort when the only 2 parties represented are the Republicans and the Democrats, which have nearly merged in their support of corporatism. If the FCC is to represent the country's real partisan split, it should have a fair share of independents or Greens.

The FCC, the FTC, and the Justice Department need to block the Comcast/NBC deal completely. If they don't, the states should - perhaps by forcing Comcast to pull out of the cable business.

I wouldn't blame Channel 5 in the least bit if it cancels its NBC affiliation because of this. Let one of the LPTV stations pick up NBC. A station can probably get more viewers by showing old '70s reruns than by showing NBC.

A media that has a "diversity of voices" is vital to a democratic republic. Concentration of the media has been detrimental to the free flow of ideas.

(Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5icvi8L5K4PM31D5eF-DdXTJLfdzAD9CBH1781)