I was heading to DC after a long hiatus in Manhattan about four years ago. I hit the beltway and started listening to what seemed to be a centrist station with relatively moderate views. I thought, wow, I get this station. Then, they started with some slightly radical divisive commentary. I continued to listen, and then there was a commercial. After their return, it said, your listening to Radio Sputnik. My heart nearly stopped, so I researched, and yes, it was a Russian government-backed radio station.
For anyone born before 1985, you know about the Russian satellite Sputnik. At the height of the cold war, it was one of the Soviet Union’s most prized accomplishments; it was seen in orbit continually. Of course, there were speculations about its spying capabilities. It fueled suspicion, and we were all on board with the idea that the Russians were up to no good! But it was okay because back then, our government was much less trusting and was ready to pounce if the Soviets or the Chinese made a move in our direction. So no worries, right? Wrong.
American Optimism is something I love about us! I remember hearing my grandfather say, “Inside every German, there’s an American waiting to come out.” A display of the eternal American optimism! It’s our way. We assume that if we share ourselves, our enemies will jump on board, and we can all be in love and live happily ever after. But not everyone wants to be like us. It’s a horse pill to swallow.
I’m not sure how many innocents Radio Sputnik touched, but there’s something wrong when we would permit our airwaves to be violated with foreign propaganda. Brainwashing our young people is just as dangerous as allowing foreign governments to contribute to campaigns. So why did the FCC permit it? As I question the damage done, I see Twitter posts that make me cringe and pray that the writers are not the birth children of the poor oversight of our government. Freedom of speech within our borders, I expect, but Radio Sputnick is not just yelling fire in a theater; it’s like yelling fire in the International Space Station. A total catastrophe. And we all know that is against the law. So, why did we permit it?