WARNING: There is a considerable amount of profanity in this post. Skip this post if you don’t wish to read these words.
After reading this article from USA Today, I am so upset. Just because Bono says “fuck” on tv, that doesn’t mean “family rights” groups get to trample on the Constitution. United States citizens are granted inalienable rights that are being ignored. It’s morally wrong to censor speech because some people don’t like it.
After the enforcement board ruled that Bono’s use of “fuck” wasn’t sexual, FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell recommends that the FCC ignore this and prohibit anyone from saying “fuck” on television, whether pre-recorded or live. This is censorship.
Why is it that Americans are so puritanical? Why are we afraid of profanity? They’re just words, protected by the first amendment.
I googled this issue and found an article at CNN.com that explains why this thinking is wrong, based on constitutional law. I don’t want elected or appointed representatives of my government baby-sitting me. I don’t need their protection, thanks.
In response to this, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering bill HR 3687, which would punish any station airing the 8 “profane” words and phrases outlined in the bill. Here’s the text of HR 3687:
To amend section 1464 of title 18, United States Code, to provide for the punishment of certain profane broadcasts, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 1464 of title 18, United States Code, is amended–
(1) by inserting `(a)’ before `Whoever’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(b) As used in this section, the term `profane’, used with respect to language, includes the words `shit’, `piss’, `fuck’, `cunt’, `asshole’, and the phrases `cock sucker’, `mother fucker’, and `ass hole’, compound use (including hyphenated compounds) of such words and phrases with each other or with other words or phrases, and other grammatical forms of such words and phrases (including verb, adjective, gerund, participle, and infinitive forms).’.
Let me understand this. It’s ok for the Congress of the United States to think, write, and speak the words “shit”, “piss”, “fuck”, “cunt”, “asshole”, “cocksucker”, “mother fucker” and “asshole”, but it’s not ok for me to hear these words? Why? They’re just words. If someone doesn’t like them, turn off the radio or tv. They should monitor what their kids watch. Blah, blah, blah.
I e-mailed the FCC Chairman and Commissioners, as well as my Congressman to voice my displeasure with this. If you agree, please do the same to save America.
Here’s the link to find your Representative. This is the e-mail I sent to my representative:
After reading that the FCC would rule that no use of the “f-word” is acceptable on the airwaves, I discovered that HR 3687 is under consideration. As a constituent of yours, I do not support this bill because it ignores the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
While I am not offended by such language, I understand that others may be offended. However, the purpose of the constitution is to provide majority rule while protecting the rights of the minority. Free speech is a right, not a priviledge. Do not support this bill.
Even though I’m right, I know I’ll get a form letter about why I should be thrilled that my Representative is working hard to protect me and the ideals of God, family, and America. When I get it, I’ll put it on the pile with all the others.
Dear Tony, Just wait till your child say’s”Fuck You Daddy” about 50 times. Then let me know how you really feel. I’m not for sure if the founding fathers really wanted “fuck you” to be an inailenable right. Its called good manners. I don’t think this country has enough of these. Just one of the reasons I truly admire our singer. While I won’t trample on your rights to use those words. I do not want to HEAR them. Love Diana
1. I LOVE when you get so up-SET! I’ll be bitter if there was a piss fit and I missed it. 2. So let me understand this. HR3687 suggest “punishing” any station that uses the 8 profane words? (Have you heard George Carlin’s take on that? If not, you must.) What’s the punishment going to be? The radio station must go to bed without any supper? Or will it have to sit in the time out chair? I don’t treat my FOUR YEAR OLD STUDENTS this way. 3. I’m going to take your advice and write to my representative. My letter is going to go something like this: Dear Representative, FUCK HR 3687. Your constituent, Danielle.
There should be an s at the end of “suggest” in my post. I’m just saying.
And furthermore…(I was thinking about this on my way to work this morning.)
Why is it that members of our government feel the need to legislate morality? Call me naive, but I thought it was the responsibility of the citizens to uphold a decent moral code. Obviously some of our so-called “representatives” don’t trust that we’re intelligent enough to do that. It’s the chicken and egg enigma…did our government make people stupid and dependent, or are people stupid and dependent because of the government? I think it’s a little of both.
There are a few political issues about which I feel strongly, and most of them have to do with legislating morality. Reproductive choice is one of those issues. If it’s in my body or comes from my body, I have the right to decide what to do with it. If the government continues to attempt to control reproductive choice, what’s next? The Shit Bill?
Look, if Daniel Kublbock can say “shit” on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, Eric Cartman should be able to say “fuck” on network television. Screw you guys, I’m going home.
Honestly, I don’t need NBC to start airing any of those words. The networks are a business and they’ll lose there advertisers if they started to do that. I understand that.Parents should focus on what their kids are hearing and seeing, so I’m not suggesting we immunize kids to these words by saying them on tv constantly. My concern is the legislating of morality. That’s not the job of the Congress.As shown by other legislation, primarily the Patriot Act, there are individuals within our government who believe that they are chosen to lead the nation into righteousness. It’s the give an inch, take a mile idea. Once they get this, they won’t stop. It shouldn’t be the case that we have to protect our rights from our elected leaders, but we do. Too many people are willing to give things up for the “security” it provides. I don’t believe in this and will work to stop it.