AOC CALLS FOR PRE-CENSORED LIVE TELEVISION

In a dazzling new chapter of American democracy, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged television networks to consider not airing Donald Trump’s upcoming speech on free and fair elections unless it meets the high journalistic standard of being rooted in evidence and fact, which is a little like demanding a smoke alarm wait for the fire department’s transcript. She said broadcasters have an “ethical obligation” not to help “platform” lies about the election and suggested they review the transcript in advance, because nothing says vibrant civic debate quite like pre-approved reality television, except perhaps the phrase “of course, it depends on the contents of his speech,” which is Washington’s version of “we’ll see if truth shows up to work today.” In other words, democracy is safe as long as the network censor, the speechwriter, and the fact-checker can all agree on the same version of what just happened, which should be easy, assuming the bureaucracy can locate the truth’s badge and fill out the proper forms.