Petition ABC Family to Cancel "Greek"

[macallan25]

Well....to be honest......that's there problem. People that take that kind of show for fact are also the type people that get legal advice from Law and Order and think that Dennis Leary is a real fire fighter.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

If you think that ratings = censorship, apparently you don't understand exactly what censorship is.

Assuming that this definition is correct, which I wouldn't (it's the last definition given at dictionary.com, and unlike with the other, more specific definitions, the source isn't even an actual, widely-relied on dictionary), what does it have to do with TV, movie or CD ratings? It was ratings, not deletions from performances, that you said were censorship.

Take a look at the primary definition of "censor" at your source, dictionary.com:

an official who examines books, plays, news reports, motion pictures, radio and television programs, letters, cablegrams, etc., for the purpose of suppressing parts deemed objectionable on moral, political, military, or other grounds.

Likewise, the definitions from the American Heritage Dictionary are:

A person authorized to examine books, films, or other material and to remove or suppress what is considered morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable.
An official, as in the armed forces, who examines personal mail and official dispatches to remove information considered secret or a risk to security.

Last time I checked, neither Walmart nor a movie theater are "officials," nor are the "authorized" by anyone to do anything. (And others are right -- Wal-Mart can't edit copyrighted CDs or DVDs. They can and do sell "cleaned-up" versions produced by the companies who make the CDs or DVDs.)

Even by the secondary definition you posted, in what way does Wal-Mart, a movie theater or a store have any power to "supervise" your manners or morality? They don't.

As a verb, it means:

to examine and act upon as a censor.
to delete (a word or passage of text) in one's capacity as a censor

Sorry, but ratings are not censorship. Calling them censorship doesn't change the fact that they're not.

Sorry, but I think they are--and of course, anyone is free to disagree. There are many definitions of what censorship is, which is what I am pointing out. Just because you don't agree with me doesn't mean that my point isn't valid, nor does my opinion negate yours. I'm done with this thread. Bye! Have fun arguing with yourselves.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Well....to be honest......that's there problem. People that take that kind of show for fact are also the type people that get legal advice from Law and Order and think that Dennis Leary is a real fire fighter.

OMG...I've got Typhoid Fever...I know because I saw it on Scrubs, which was then confirmed by ER.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

Sorry, but I think they are--and of course, anyone is free to disagree. There are many definitions of what censorship is, which is what I am pointing out. Just because you don't agree with me doesn't mean that my point isn't valid, nor does my opinion negate yours

I think a cat is a purple amphibian that lays eggs and then eats its young.

ITS TRUE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry, we won't let the facts interfere with your opinion.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

Sorry, but I think they are

Would that thinking so made it so.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by OTW

If people don't watch, they'll (hopefully) pull out, and no more TV show.

That's the way it really works.

Some things to note:

First, the "government," through The Federal Communications Commission cannot censor broadcast programming. The Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecom Act of 1996 does not allow censorship. What the Commission CAN do is punish broadcast stations for breaking rules pertaining to language and other social issues. Censorship (at least to me) implies stopping something BEFORE it is distributed. That's not the case in broadcasting.

Second, it's questionable whether the FCC (government) could do anything in this case anyway because ABC Family is NOT an on-air network. It is a cable channel and does not use the "public airwaves" and the FCC has considerably less power. Most of the Act(s) regarding cable pertain to franchise issues and how many public access channels a system must provide, etc.

Third, a quick word on "ratings." There is a big difference between a programs rating (PG, etc) and ratings as what affects whether a show survives. The first is something to supposedly give people an advance idea of whether the content of a program is something they want to watch. The second, and most important one in this situation, is a supposedly scientific measurement of how many people actually watched the show. That's the thing that advertisers and network executives look at when deciding whether a show survives or not.

Finally, regarding use of language in records (pertaining only to broadcast -- not sale in stores), a radio or TV station itself may choose to censor what is played on the air -- including the deletion of offending words, etc. In fact, it is in the stations best interest to do that or it's likely to lose it's license or face heavy fines -- the "punishment" I alluded to above.

In reality, though, OTW hit the nail on the proverbial head. If people don't watch, it will go away. If people do watch, it won't.

[dekeguy]

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

(Toga Parties were supposedly extremely rare pre-Animal House and everyone at my school has at least one a year)

========================

My Dad tells me that Toga Parties were a long established tradition with DKE when he was an undergrad in the 1960's. There were several other houses that had them as well during his time there. That suggests to me Toga Parties were a regular thing more than 40 years ago.
While negative stereotypes are annoying we do have to admit that Greek Life is not ALL about philanthropy and being ever so nice-nice. In all honesty while it is primarily about brotherhood and sisterhood not all brothers are valiant and not all sisters are virtuous, to use an old fashioned phrase. A house is an extended family and we all have some bad boy/bad girl members. Frankly, if we didn't we would be a pretty boring lot. We all have stories and memories of the things that we or our fellow members got up to. In large part these are the sources of our sometimes embarassing stereotypes. So long as certain obvious limits are not crossed I think its not such a bad thing to be a bit outrageous now and then. It was, afterall, our last chance before facing the real world. The transition to solid citizen is pretty much inevitable but not totally lacking in a few "last hurrahs", nor should it be.
My Grandmother says that in her day, in her house (Pi Phi) the "received wisdom" was that DEKEs made the worst boys but the best men. Depending on your house that could probably apply to many orgs. I don't think that is such a bad rep. Do you?

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

========================

My Dad tells me that Toga Parties were a long established tradition with DKE when he was an undergrad in the 1960's. There were several other houses that had them as well during his time there. That suggests to me Toga Parties were a regular thing more than 40 years ago.

That's true on many campuses. Where does everyone suppose that Animal House got the idea? It is allegedly based on a particular chapter of a national fraternity.

[minDyG]

Originally Posted by macallan25

So far in my quest for intellectual achievement in a Greek Life Thread........I have learned that:

A.) Puritans created censorship and are the reason why Americans censor material today.
B.) Wal Mart can freely edit copyrighted material as they see fit. Wal Mart = God?
C.) What the definition of "censor" and "censorship" are according to teh internets dictionary.

...Well....I'm ready for MENSA........

You should totally add this list to the "Things GC Has Taught Me" thread.

[mu_agd]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Well....to be honest......that's there problem. People that take that kind of show for fact are also the type people that get legal advice from Law and Order and think that Dennis Leary is a real fire fighter.

Wait, Denis isn't a real fire fighter? Damn, I always hope he's going to show up when some stupid person pulls the fire alarm in my building because they think they are still living in the dorms.

[AGDee]

From www.alphagammadelta.org. This is on our public portion of the website so feel free to go check it out if you're interested. If you're not, then ignore this Obviously, if you're not an Alpha Gam, you would want to remove the Alpha Gam logo!

Information Regarding ABC Television's Upcoming "Greek" Program
Attention Alpha Gamma Delta members:

This message is being sent to you regarding an upcoming television show that will be airing on ABC Family on July 9 titled “Greek.” Many concerns have been expressed by both collegiate and alumnae members from all National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities. As a result, NPC has prepared a letter for members to write to the president of ABC Family. The show negatively portrays Greek life. As a member of the Greek community, it is our duty to stand up to the untrue and negative stereotypes this show is portraying. I encourage you all to take an active role in this matter.

The following links are two form letters that should be directed to ABC. Make sure to fill in all personal information that pertains to you before sending. Feel free to personalize the letter as you see appropriate.

Form Letter from Alumnae
Form Letter from Collegians

For more information and to view a trailer of the upcoming television show, visit http://www.virtualrush.com/.

[AlexMack]

So I watched the first episode and laughed extremely hard. It's stupid to the point of the polar opposite of true greek life.

The men had a rho chi for fraternity rush and they visited every house. The women went to the ones they wanted and were competing to get a senator's daughter as a member which naturally meant bribery with no shame.

The sorority was doing a fake recruitment workshop that basically centered around (omg last season prada shoes, obviously borrowed from a friend she has no money cut her) designer clothes. Then the sorority president says 'you've all done well. Now how about we go do some philanthropy work down at the senior center. [pause]just kidding, get your ID or fake ID and meet me at [local college bar].'

This show is so dumb it's almost offensive but then you just have to laugh instead because it's so ridiculous. I actually encourage PNMs to watch this show, believe that this is all greek life is and come through recruitment. God knows we could all use the laugh.

[banditone]

'you've all done well. Now how about we go do some philanthropy work down at the senior center. [pause]just kidding, get your ID or fake ID and meet me at [local college bar].'

^^^ now, that's funny!

[kdonline]

I heard that there were some petitions to keep Greek off the air being circled around the KD Convention last week.

[tld221]

wouldnt it be more "effective" if there was an NPC-wide letter/petition to say "this is wrong, please take this off air?" i dont know if all 26 orgs have an official stance, but power in numbers is the best bet here. at least i think.