Equal Time for Thompson

by shamanic

In the cable television system, Law & Order is represented by two different but equally important cable stations, TNT and USA. Law & Order star Fred Thompson may run for president, triggering a good rule that will have bad effects on my viewing habits. Here is the story. DUN DUN

The 'Equal Time' rule is a good one. It says that a network that gives five minutes of time to candidate A has to also give five minutes of time to candidate B if candidate B requests it. (This is separate from "the fairness doctrine", which is no longer in effect.)

Apparently, Law & Order fans like myself will have to do without Thompson's gruff DA Arthur Branch, at least if Thompson jumps into the race. Given his sudden popularity among conservatives who hate their slate of candidates, we may not see Branch again until November 2008. But we would be seeing of plenty of Fred Thompson, so I guess it's a wash. DUN DUN