WARNING: The content that follows uses extremely foul language. Every so often the United States Federal Communications Commission undusted their books of penalties and dreamt about the next big fine they would issue. Presenting two cases in point, I call them Seven Words and Boobgate. While this topic may not be directly related to the Internet, it is surely political. In 1973, George Carlin was threatened and in 1978 was fined for reciting the list of what he calls, "the seven dirty words the FCC won't let anyone say on radio or TV" on live television. The list has come back up time and time again for review by the FCC to see if any of the words could be permitted over the air. Carlin has actually built and modified the list and it has expanded beyond seven entries, as one would hear in Carlin's most recent version of the comedic act titled "Words." The word "*ss" used to be censored and was one of the more recently permitted foul words. "*ss" has a few stipulations to use however, this includes adding the word "hole" to the end. Over the airwaves people can say "*ss" and "hole", but never "*sshole" together. The words "sh*t, p*ss" and even "f*ck" are in consideration of becoming permissible. Again, the use of these words would require that they not added to certain other words and that these words could not have certain suffixes added if they were to be aired. So, what were Carlin's seven dirty words? Sh*t, p*ss, f*ck, c*nt, c*cksucker, motherf*cker and t*ts. While the last one is probably not considered bad by many of us, it is supposedly insulting to women of high statue. Take that Hillary! Super Bowl XXXVIII, another championship game between the American and National Football Leagues. Produced by MTV, the half-time show was promised to be bigger and better than ever with a huge surprise. In the midst of a song with Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson had the cup of her brazier torn off by Timberlake, thus revealing her right breast. Previous to the Super Bowl pre-game programming, Nickelodeon utilized the time to introduce children to the sport of football. Millions of children gathered around televisions for Nickelodeon's programming and many stayed for the Super Bowl. Many of the parents of these children were outraged and there was talk of a suit against those responsible for the nudity. The FCC had been throwing around numbers as high as six million dollars as a fine for CBS. Rumors have stated that Viacom was considering the sale of MTV as a result of recent compounded incidences. Viacom owns CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon as well as other related networks. I am a bit more aware of my language in my old age, perhaps it is because I am around children quite often. When I was a teenager I was as vulgar as the rest of the teenagers around me. I could make a sailor blush when my mood inspired me to do such. Now I find "doh!, fudge" and kid lingo, such as "tummy," as replacements for other words, obviously except in writing this story. The side effect, I have discovered, is a lack of tolerance for those who abuse language and get a bit too descriptive. I am all for good-natured ribbing, but sometimes it goes a little too far and gets a little too harsh. I have no real opinion on this matter, maybe I felt like writing some news? I think having "sh*t" and "f*ck" becoming permissible on television is bad. I can easily tolerate "p*ss." I guess this is my opinion, so I was wrong about not having an opinion. I think actually hearing the complete words without a beep would make them seem less crucial over time. When it comes to humor, they would just seem less funny and less taboo. As a great man once said, "Quit your f*ck*ng swearing, there are damned children about!" I also enjoy, "Shut your f*ck*ng mouth Uncle F*cker!" Take that Queen and I do not mean the band, those guys rock! The FCC is one of those groups which are delegated some legislative power to enact and enforce laws pertaining to airways. The problem is that while they seem to do a good job with the big offenders, they also go after the little guys as well. The nudity at the Super Bowl is a good reason for the FCC to act. Though, if CBS had not allowed Nickelodeon programming to promote a violent sports event such as the Super Bowl in the first place, six million children would not have gotten an eyeful of Jackson's right breast. Then again I am jealous seeing as how I missed it, damn Timon and Pumbaa marathon. Back in 1973, Carlin was a small-time comedian and unless I am mistaken, his comedic acts were shown hours after most children would be in bed. Dragging this man through courts, even up to today for something done when his name was unknown is stupid. This is the reason why Republicans hate government interference. The FCC does not know when to stop and when not to begin. Programming in this day and age has known to be fairly dirty and they get a bleep and a pat on their backs for good work. It is those who are alone who are slowly tortured. |
