Following MLB’s lead: putting an END to freeway chases

Decades ago, the owners of Major League Baseball franchises realized they had a problem: idiots seeking their “15 minutes of fame” were increasingly jumping onto the playing field during games.  To remedy the problem, the owners took aim at the television stations licensed to cover MLB games.  That is to say, MLB admonished TV stations that broadcasting the antics of these buffoons would result in cancellation of  their contracts.  As a result, field intrusions are rare.

In that context, one has to wonder WHY the FCC and the FAA do not act in a similar fashion to prevent  TV stations from broadcasting car chases.  CLEARLY, the creeps racing through the streets of LA and elsewhere KNOW they cannot escape a helicopter and radio cars — they rabbit nonetheless for the same reason jerks once ran rampantly across MLB’s playing fields: media attention

Yes, I am aware of the censorship argument.  However, the federal government’s authority to control speech on the airwaves is well established.  So, if DC can tell broadcasters what words can and cannot be broadcast, why doesn’t the FCC reign in LA TV stations? 

For that matter, why doesn’t the FAA clamp down on the news helicopters that feed the problem?  Those choppers routinely interfere with the police and CHP aircraft involved in these incidents…why do we tolerate such irresponsible behavior from federal licensees?

Ask any jail deputy or correctional officer and they will tell you: car chase suspects enter jails and prisons as heroes–It is a big game to them…a game FCC and FAA licensees actively play.

Its well past time to put an  end to the madness…PLAY BALL!