Above: The wardrobe malfunction that made the FCC realize the danger that breasts pose to the American family.
Washington Post:
The maximum penalty for broadcasting indecent material on radio and television will increase tenfold to $325,000 under legislation passed by the House yesterday that awaits only a promised presidential signature.
The bill, called the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, was passed unanimously by the Senate last month and cleared the House by a vote of 379-35. President Bush has vowed to sign the bill into law; it would allow the Federal Communications Commission to powerfully punish over-the-air broadcasters for airing raunchy content. The bill keeps cable and satellite broadcasters outside of the government’s authority to police the airwaves.
Yesterday’s vote culminates a three-year culture clash among lawmakers, regulators, broadcasters, interest groups, lawyers and ordinary consumers about what can and can’t be said on radio and television, and how much authority the government should have over artistic expression and free speech.
By R. A. Earl, June 12, 2006 at 7:45 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Allowing politicians and government bureaucrats any authority over the arts and/or free speech is RIDICULOUS.
But in today’s USA, this is only one of a LONG LIST of idiotic notions being foisted upon the public.
I keep waiting for the “public” to become aroused from their stupor to recognize just how much they’re being taken as SUCKERS by their own “leaders.” Call me when that day comes.
By gradioc, June 12, 2006 at 1:55 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I do a show at a local college radio station and the fines approved here would shut down, not only the station, but the small liberal arts college that runs it. There is always a problem with leaving these things up to the discretion of the enforcers; they rarely display any discretion. That being said, the Janet Jackson incident took place at half time of the Super Bowl. Most of the children in America were watching. She might as well have whipped it out on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Totally inappropiate. Wish they had a way to penalize her.
By Falstaff, June 12, 2006 at 9:12 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Amazing how Congress wastes the public’s time with stuff like this when we have a war on terror, immigration problems, and a spiring national debt - to name just a few problems that they might want to consider.
Congress fails to understand that parents and individuals already have the TV ratings and content-blocking tools to make and enforce TV viewing decisions, both for their children and themselves. This makes government regulation of TV unnecessary and undesirable.
By locke, June 12, 2006 at 4:25 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Perfect, maybe with all the fine money extracted we’ll be able to put a dent in our national debt. Come on! Our populace goes bananas over a forty year old breast? No wonder the rest of the world thinks we’re prudes. MUST we be THAT ashamed of ourselves and our bodies? Does a decent dick joke have to equal the cost of a decently equipped Bentley? Try watching Canadian TV for a day. There’s an animated KID’S show called Yvon of the Yukon where the main character doesn’t wear pants, only tighty-whities, AND in one episode...his ass explodes. Is it tasteless? Of course, BUTT, (get it?) it’s also hilarious. We’ve seriously gotta lighten up in this country. Parents are tongue-tied ‘cause they’ve gotta explain to their eight year olds what a boob is? Please, as soon as our hungry are fed, homeless housed, and sick insured, THEN maybe we can take this kind of “problem” seriously. Until then, pick up Sirius satellite radio and laugh at Howard Stern, ‘cause THAT’S why he’s ON THE RADIO!
By Bobofish, June 12, 2006 at 1:18 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
It’s odd how the older you get, the more dangerous booby is to your mental well being.
That and of course swear words....they corrupt the soul and dull the mind. In fact, they aren’t even real words, right?
All hail the eternal wisdom of the FCC and our government, I for one will be vigilantly patrolling our airwaves for the slightest sign of booby, just in case it might damage somebody’s sanity.
Mistletoe Fun With Stephen Colbert and Martha Stewart
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Jump to Comments
By R. A. Earl, June 12, 2006 at 7:45 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Allowing politicians and government bureaucrats any authority over the arts and/or free speech is RIDICULOUS.
But in today’s USA, this is only one of a LONG LIST of idiotic notions being foisted upon the public.
I keep waiting for the “public” to become aroused from their stupor to recognize just how much they’re being taken as SUCKERS by their own “leaders.” Call me when that day comes.
Report thisBy gradioc, June 12, 2006 at 1:55 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I do a show at a local college radio station and the fines approved here would shut down, not only the station, but the small liberal arts college that runs it. There is always a problem with leaving these things up to the discretion of the enforcers; they rarely display any discretion. That being said, the Janet Jackson incident took place at half time of the Super Bowl. Most of the children in America were watching. She might as well have whipped it out on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Totally inappropiate. Wish they had a way to penalize her.
Report thisBy Falstaff, June 12, 2006 at 9:12 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Amazing how Congress wastes the public’s time with stuff like this when we have a war on terror, immigration problems, and a spiring national debt - to name just a few problems that they might want to consider.
Congress fails to understand that parents and individuals already have the TV ratings and content-blocking tools to make and enforce TV viewing decisions, both for their children and themselves. This makes government regulation of TV unnecessary and undesirable.
Check out TV Watch, at http://www.televisionwatch.org, for a common-sense voice of reason in this debate.
Report thisBy locke, June 12, 2006 at 4:25 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Perfect, maybe with all the fine money extracted we’ll be able to put a dent in our national debt. Come on! Our populace goes bananas over a forty year old breast? No wonder the rest of the world thinks we’re prudes. MUST we be THAT ashamed of ourselves and our bodies? Does a decent dick joke have to equal the cost of a decently equipped Bentley? Try watching Canadian TV for a day. There’s an animated KID’S show called Yvon of the Yukon where the main character doesn’t wear pants, only tighty-whities, AND in one episode...his ass explodes. Is it tasteless? Of course, BUTT, (get it?) it’s also hilarious. We’ve seriously gotta lighten up in this country. Parents are tongue-tied ‘cause they’ve gotta explain to their eight year olds what a boob is? Please, as soon as our hungry are fed, homeless housed, and sick insured, THEN maybe we can take this kind of “problem” seriously. Until then, pick up Sirius satellite radio and laugh at Howard Stern, ‘cause THAT’S why he’s ON THE RADIO!
Report thisBy Bobofish, June 12, 2006 at 1:18 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
It’s odd how the older you get, the more dangerous booby is to your mental well being.
That and of course swear words....they corrupt the soul and dull the mind. In fact, they aren’t even real words, right?
All hail the eternal wisdom of the FCC and our government, I for one will be vigilantly patrolling our airwaves for the slightest sign of booby, just in case it might damage somebody’s sanity.
Report this