Soviet Style Tactics For The SEC

I've always thought the Southeastern Conference was about unabated capitalism. Turns out, there is some old fashioned Soviet-style oversight going on too.

The SEC is rolling in dough. More dough than it has ever had. Times are good. Chairman Slive wants to keep it that way and I can't blame him. 

Except for this-- in the effort to make more money, the SEC wants to limit, and in some cases prohibit, certain kinds of coverage of athletic events.

This is more about techology than ideology. But I need to justify a four-year degree with a minor in political science. Anytime I can work a loose Politburo reference into a blog, I feel better about all that tuition.

And for the record, I am a capitalist. Although an examination my most recent bank statement proves I am not a very good one.

This is about controlling the spread of information-- not for the sake of the Party, but for the sake of the party. The Southeastern Conference is living large and our smart phones aren't invited.

The conference office wants to set parameters on what can be phoned, texted, tweeted, photographed, or archived-- all to protect its new internet partner.

Violate the policy, and a newspaper or television reporter could be wisked away to some gulag under the cover of darkness. Hello Mr. Solzhenitsyn, funny seeing you here.  

There I go again.

Actually, it's likely some lawyer calls, makes threatening statements about violating copyright laws, and before I know it, there go my free meals before the SEC championship game. 

Uh, probably won't be hanging out there for a while anyway,

That's how they'll bust me. How will they bust you? 

Who knows.

Just don't speak too loudly my friend, they may be listening.