I think this overlooks just how locked-down things were back then. It may have all been federally regulated, but that doesn't do much in a media monoculture --

I think this overlooks just how locked-down things were back then. It may have all been federally regulated, but that doesn't do much in a media monoculture -- which makes it so much easier for well-connected elites to frame their own nuisances as public enemies. There was no viable venue for actual dissent.