Points well taken, Reg (and Atrios via MJG). I was just turning the idea over in my head during the morning and that's the post that came out of it. I've thought through it some more this afternoon, and I think the fact that Sinclair is explicit in banning the episode on political grounds makes the ban indefensible. It is compounded even further when you consider how many viewers are affected by this decision. I think one telling report I read on this subject dealt with the actual ABC affiliates who are against this ban (urging viewers to email Sinclair and complain)....these are people closest to the audience. So, yeah...this does stink of political censorship in the worst way. Now, what can we make of the fact that Koppell appeared on Air America with Al Franken and critized the Bush admin? Shouldn't that be left to the "news men" from CNN or Fox?

Dan