Killing my free speech

[Rudey]

Originally posted by swissmiss04
Do you guys think that this is just part of a natural cycle that we as Americans go through? It seems that throughout our history we waffle between extreme prudishness/conservatism and sexual openness/liberalism. Consider the 1890s and the "Gilded Age" only to be followed by the political, social, and economic reforms of the early 1900s (1906 Pure Food and Drug Act, anti-monopoly laws). Then we had the roaring 20s followed by the Great Depression. Then WWII was followed by the McCarthyist, "Father Knows Best" 50s. And so on. I'm sure that in a few years time we'll swing back to "indecency" and all these recent events will be laughable.

Discuss amongst yourselves...

No and this has nothing to do with the FCC or the Howard Stern show so do not hijack my thread!!! Get away!

-Rudey

[swissmiss04]

Actually, it has plenty to do w/ Howard Stern and the FCC. In a few years anything he says/does will pretty much be ok by the FCC again.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by swissmiss04
Actually, it has plenty to do w/ Howard Stern and the FCC. In a few years anything he says/does will pretty much be ok by the FCC again.

No it doesn't.

-Rudey

[Kevin]

Originally posted by swissmiss04
Actually, it has plenty to do w/ Howard Stern and the FCC. In a few years anything he says/does will pretty much be ok by the FCC again.

You never know. When a governmental body starts oppressing people based on what the "majority" (whatever that is) wants, you can get the ball rolling and end up with some nasty unintended consequences.

I don't like that the feds get a say in what's "decent" at all. I say let the free market decide. If something is too racey, it'll have a helluva time getting advertising $.

Apparently, due to what advertisers are willing to spend on Stern, he still has a huge audience that listens whether they like him or not.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Rudey
No it doesn't.

I see her point. I don't agree with the FCC part, but to the extent that morals change over the years, broadcasting follows those changes. The FCC changes a LOT slower.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I see her point. I don't agree with the FCC part, but to the extent that morals change over the years, broadcasting follows those changes. The FCC changes a LOT slower.

This isn't a discussion about cycling of values in general (in fact that's something that rarely follows a natural cycle anyway). It's a discussion about something different. She is welcome to create a thread about that honey!

As for the FCC, which regulated speech without providing trials, it is something that needs to be reviewed because of the political and business interests that have come to control it so strongly.

-Rudey

[justamom]

I always thought that one definition of "decency" stemmed from a reflection of the community in which it (entertainment) was available. As an example, more police enforcement of laws against prostitution around neighborhoods than around certain, decaying areas of a city. If you look at the airways, the "community" that is exposed, (which is anybody who finds the channel) may be a more conservative audience that doesn't appreciate Stern's form of humor.

Stern, some say, has huge numbers. Pit them against the total listening community and how huge are those numbers? I honestly do not know. As more and more people turn to and seek out "talk radio" as Arbitron Ratings suggests, what percentage does Stern appeal to?

I DO think that the moral climate of the country has reached a point where "content" matters very much. It's not new. Look back to Tipper Gore and her push for warnings on record labels. Not that it really changed anything in that venue...

[Rudey]

Originally posted by justamom
I always thought that one definition of "decency" stemmed from a reflection of the community in which it (entertainment) was available. As an example, more police enforcement of laws against prostitution around neighborhoods than around certain, decaying areas of a city. If you look at the airways, the "community" that is exposed, (which is anybody who finds the channel) may be a more conservative audience that doesn't appreciate Stern's form of humor.

Stern, some say, has huge numbers. Pit them against the total listening community and how huge are those numbers? I honestly do not know. As more and more people turn to and seek out "talk radio" as Arbitron Ratings suggests, what percentage does Stern appeal to?

I DO think that the moral climate of the country has reached a point where "content" matters very much. It's not new. Look back to Tipper Gore and her push for warnings on record labels. Not that it really changed anything in that venue...

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=4945807

Stern has no competition. You have to plug your radio in, move your hand to tune into his program, sit at the time of his program, and then (get this) listen. And by the way, the same thing with HBO and soap operas. If you feel your morality is being damaged by what I listen to...

As for standards, again look at my post from the Oprah show. There are no standards - just persecution.

-Rudey

[DeltAlum]

Heard this morning that the "Baby Bells" are calling for another re-write of "the Communications Act."

While this has noting to do, per se, with the topic at hand, it would open the entire Act up for re-write and intpretation -- including indecency and control of cable. That could be a real mess.

[justamom]

Rudey- If you feel your morality is being damaged by what I listen to...
MY morality damaged? Now don't be silly. I would toss that question up for discussion if it were to include 3rd 4th and 5th graders (little boys in particular) however.

Personal opinion here and slightly off topic. If I could list just ONE thing (though there are several) that I find utterly disgusting about Mr. Stern, it would be the way be devalues women to the point where they are nothing more than a body-an object. Little boys WILL seek out this kind of crap (tune in) if they hear about it. Stuff like this spreads faster than a wild fire AND, they all want to know what "everybody" else knows. (..and actually listen)

Rudey, I'm really sorry you feel your rights have been abused.
I would bet ALL of us have had experiences that we felt were governmental abuse.(TAXES for example.) The best thing you can do is work to change it. If enough people agree with you...who knows?

[Rudey]

So you're telling me American parents are incapable of talking with their children and discussing the simplest things that kids will take breaks in the middle of school (teachers willing to accept this and stand by with extra sets of headphones) and listen to Howard Stern? And I guess when kids are home from school and can watch Oprah talk about tossing a salad or can lay in bed at night when their parents are asleep and listen to sex radio, that's still OK because those "little boys" would not be seeking it out then.

I don't know why you think I'm not working to stop this ridiculousness. I vote. I talk about the issue with others. I pass the message to tons of people and figure that will all help. As for taxes, considering the fact that in my line of work, most compensation comes in the form of heavily taxes bonuses...well let's just say I feel much more violated than most of you could ever feel.

-Rudey

Originally posted by justamom
Rudey- If you feel your morality is being damaged by what I listen to...
MY morality damaged? Now don't be silly. I would toss that question up for discussion if it were to include 3rd 4th and 5th graders (little boys in particular) however.

Personal opinion here and slightly off topic. If I could list just ONE thing (though there are several) that I find utterly disgusting about Mr. Stern, it would be the way be devalues women to the point where they are nothing more than a body-an object. Little boys WILL seek out this kind of crap (tune in) if they hear about it. Stuff like this spreads faster than a wild fire AND, they all want to know what "everybody" else knows. (..and actually listen)

Rudey, I'm really sorry you feel your rights have been abused.
I would bet ALL of us have had experiences that we felt were governmental abuse.(TAXES for example.) The best thing you can do is work to change it. If enough people agree with you...who knows?

[justamom]

Rudey, I never said any of that-you took a comment and filled in the blanks.

And, I also said the best thing you can do IS try to change it.
Maybe you didn't recognize it as a sincere statement?

As far as Taxes go-I wouldn't count on it. It's kind of relative.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by justamom
Rudey, I never said any of that-you took a comment and filled in the blanks.

And, I also said the best thing you can do IS try to change it.
Maybe you didn't recognize it as a sincere statement?

As far as Taxes go-I wouldn't count on it. It's kind of relative.

You didn't say it, but if you're saying that "little boys" can do that you are saying:

1) This is important because parents can't talk to their kids nor have they responsibility.
2) "Little Boys" will turn on their radios in school to listen to Stern
3) Teachers won't care that kids have radios in school and are listening to Howard Stern.

And then you have to be willing to overlook:
1) Children can listen to the radio late at night when they're home.
2) This isn't just about Howard Stern and includes among others, HBO and Soap Operas.
3) There are no standards so "little boys" can watch Oprah talk about tossing a salad

-Rudey

[33girl]

Rudey, did you see this on TSG?

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0504044oprah1.html

[Rudey]

Originally posted by 33girl
Rudey, did you see this on TSG?

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0504044oprah1.html

If you look a couple posts ago you'll see the transcript from the Oprah show. The Fundamentalist Christian movement might be very well organized and led by stay-at-home wives/moms who have the freedom to write and call the FCC and legislators all day, but clearly we have the power too.

I definitely wrote in about that disgusting crud that Oprah Winfrey posted. I did not like the fact that my little sister could hear about stuff like that or see it and talk about it with her friends. It disgusted me.

-Rudey