The Simpsons 5/23

[HomerJS]

Did anyone catch The Simpsons on 5/23? Again like last week another timely political statement. It directly mirrors The Bush administration trying to censor what we listen to and watch using the FCC as a tool. The merging of media outlets has made it easier for government to pressure companies into adhering to their standards of decency. Considering they make these episodes so far in advance, their timing has been great. Not gut busting funny but on point.

Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: HomerJS
Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

Uhhh. That Sinead O'Connor thing was in 1992.

Not that I don't necessarily agree with your thought, but, this isn't anything new

 

[Crimson]

Originally posted by: HomerJS
Did anyone catch The Simpsons on 5/23? Again like last week another timely political statement. It directly mirrors The Bush administration trying to censor what we listen to and watch using the FCC as a tool. The merging of media outlets has made it easier for government to pressure companies into adhering to their standards of decency. Considering they make these episodes so far in advance, their timing has been great. Not gut busting funny but on point.

Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

 

[DanJ]

Huge media conglomerates should be broken up, starting with Clear Channel.

Of course that will never *ever* happen under Bush and the current FCC administration.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: HomerJS
Did anyone catch The Simpsons on 5/23? Again like last week another timely political statement. It directly mirrors The Bush administration trying to censor what we listen to and watch using the FCC as a tool. The merging of media outlets has made it easier for government to pressure companies into adhering to their standards of decency. Considering they make these episodes so far in advance, their timing has been great. Not gut busting funny but on point.

Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

I don't see how the display of the 10 Commandments in a government-owned and run building is free speech.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Yes, I've noticed the liberal bent to the Simpsons lately if that's what your wondering. Even started a thread about it. Ironic that liberal minds can't formulate funny shows like the former more conservative minds could, but whatever.

If you're suggesting we turn to a cartoon series for guidance, then, regrettably, I'm not with you.

Wait, what were you saying?

 

[owensdj]

I really don't see any effort by the Bush administration to censor anything. That's kind of talk is just being used as a political ploy to help get Kerry elected. The FCC does impose some limitations on what you can broadcast, but that only applies to broadcast content and has nothing to do with the Bush administration. You can see and hear whatever you want on cable TV and satellite radio. The limitations have nothing to do with expressing political opinions anyway.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Crimson

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

Of course, the Establishment Clause is strong evidence that the founding fathers did not intend to protect that form of speech, and in fact that they specifically intended to prevent it.

 

[n0cmonkey]

We lost the "public airwaves" a long time ago. The FCC is just covering their butts because their children saw a black woman's boob. This going back a couple of years and re-listening to old complaints is ridiculous too. They made a judgement then. They should stick to it. Stupid hypocritical bastards. Change it to "Corporate airwaves" atleast, so we don't try and think we have a freedom left.

"We don't want our children to hear/see that filth!"
Change the channel.
"But we can't be responsible for what our children do!"
Then you shouldn't have them.
"You can't restrict our rights to reproduction!"
Then get the eff off my rights to hear what I want.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Yes, I've noticed the liberal bent to the Simpsons lately if that's what your wondering. Even started a thread about it. Ironic that liberal minds can't formulate funny shows like the former more conservative minds could, but whatever.

If you're suggesting we turn to a cartoon series for guidance, then, regrettably, I'm not with you.

Wait, what were you saying?

In all fairness, The Simpsons haven't been funny for a while -- even before they started these political criticism shows.

 

[Crimson]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: Crimson

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

Of course, the Establishment Clause is strong evidence that the founding fathers did not intend to protect that form of speech, and in fact that they specifically intended to prevent it.

Whoa, wait a minute.. are you saying that establishment clause overides freedom of speech? How do we determine which amendments override the other? Is it the one with the highest number?

You guys just dismiss parts of the constitution that don't fit your needs. Fact is, the founding fathers had NO intention of not allowing any religious speech in public buildings.. you are making that up. And establishment has nothing to do with speech. Fact is, separation of church and state DOES NOT EXIST in our constitution.

 

[misle]

Bush Administration != FCC

 

[SViscusi]

Originally posted by: Crimson
Whoa, wait a minute.. are you saying that establishment clause overides freedom of speech?

Considering the courts, you know the people whose job it is to interpret the constitution, have declared that placing a monument isn't a speech issue, your point is moot.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Crimson

Whoa, wait a minute.. are you saying that establishment clause overides freedom of speech? How do we determine which amendments override the other? Is it the one with the highest number?

You guys just dismiss parts of the constitution that don't fit your needs. Fact is, the founding fathers had NO intention of not allowing any religious speech in public buildings.. you are making that up. And establishment has nothing to do with speech. Fact is, separation of church and state DOES NOT EXIST in our constitution.

I'm not sure what you mean by "you guys." I am a military officer, and I don't see myself as some kind of bleeding heart. I certainly don't have any anti-religious agenda.

In my opinion (and in the consistent opinion of the Supreme Court), overt religious displays like the Ten Commandments at the state Supreme Court in Alabama violate the Establishment Clause. The constitutional jurisprudence in this area (there is a quick primer here) is consistent with that proposition. You may disagree, obviously, but you are no more right than the Supreme Court, and vested with considerably less authority regarding such matters.

 

[MAW1082]

Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media

Noam Chomsky wrote a book on this subject. It's hundreds of pages long. At least try and read the first couple hundred pages, it's almost shocking. Half the time you're reading it, you'll be shaking your head in near disbelief.

Teh basic jist is that corporations and vastly powerful individuals are overtly controlling the media through private ownership.

"Herman of Wharton and Chomsky of MIT lucidly document their argument that America's government and its corporate giants exercise control over what we read, see and hear"

Manufacturing Consent

 

[conjur]

Fixed Link

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: conjur
Fixed Link

Noam is dull

 

[tallest1]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Yes, I've noticed the liberal bent to the Simpsons lately if that's what your wondering. Even started a thread about it. Ironic that liberal minds can't formulate funny shows like the former more conservative minds could, but whatever.

If you're suggesting we turn to a cartoon series for guidance, then, regrettably, I'm not with you.

Wait, what were you saying?

lol, just for a lil bit of perspective, the creators of South Park have a conservative lean. I'm not sure if its evident in the show itself but I just wanted to throw that fact out

 

[HomerJS]

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: HomerJS
Did anyone catch The Simpsons on 5/23? Again like last week another timely political statement. It directly mirrors The Bush administration trying to censor what we listen to and watch using the FCC as a tool. The merging of media outlets has made it easier for government to pressure companies into adhering to their standards of decency. Considering they make these episodes so far in advance, their timing has been great. Not gut busting funny but on point.

Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

Hers's an easy analogy...

Inappropriate - Senator stands up on the floor of the Senate and burns a picture of the Pope
Appropriate - Entertainer on live TV burns a picture of the Pope.

The second is protected by free speech. The first is not allowed due to the establishment clause.

 

[onelove]

Originally posted by: MAW1082
Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media

Noam Chomsky wrote a book on this subject. It's hundreds of pages long. At least try and read the first couple hundred pages, it's almost shocking. Half the time you're reading it, you'll be shaking your head in near disbelief.

Teh basic jist is that corporations and vastly powerful individuals are overtly controlling the media through private ownership.

"Herman of Wharton and Chomsky of MIT lucidly document their argument that America's government and its corporate giants exercise control over what we read, see and hear"

</blockquote>]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375714499/qid=1085426328/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-9864681-2303209?v=glance&amp;s=books&amp;n=507846">Manufacturing Consent

">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...681-2303209?v=glance&amp;s=books&amp;n=507846[/S</a>

yes, this is worthwhile. Chomsky is a freak of nature; Herman must have been "interpreting" to make it understandable to us common folk...

 

[LordMagnusKain]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: HomerJS
Did anyone catch The Simpsons on 5/23? Again like last week another timely political statement. It directly mirrors The Bush administration trying to censor what we listen to and watch using the FCC as a tool. The merging of media outlets has made it easier for government to pressure companies into adhering to their standards of decency. Considering they make these episodes so far in advance, their timing has been great. Not gut busting funny but on point.

Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

I don't see how the display of the 10 Commandments in a government-owned and run building is free speech.

I don't see how it isn't.

I love the simpsons, social comentary is alwase enjoyed when hilariously placed.

 

[Crimson]

Originally posted by: HomerJS

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: HomerJS
Did anyone catch The Simpsons on 5/23? Again like last week another timely political statement. It directly mirrors The Bush administration trying to censor what we listen to and watch using the FCC as a tool. The merging of media outlets has made it easier for government to pressure companies into adhering to their standards of decency. Considering they make these episodes so far in advance, their timing has been great. Not gut busting funny but on point.

Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

Hers's an easy analogy...

Inappropriate - Senator stands up on the floor of the Senate and burns a picture of the Pope
Appropriate - Entertainer on live TV burns a picture of the Pope.

The second is protected by free speech. The first is not allowed due to the establishment clause.

I fail to see how burning a picture of the pope in congress establishes a religion.

 

[Ryan]

I find it dangerous that idiots believe Bush is censoring the press, let alone that he has any control over it.

 

[HomerJS]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
I find it dangerous that idiots believe Bush is censoring the press, let alone that he has any control over it.

Here's how...

1. Michael Powell appointed head of the FCC.

2. Creates environment allowing a few media conglomerates to own all
the radio and television stations.

3. Wait for catalyst to start the move (Janet?s breast).

4. Right wing organizations start mass mailings to the FCC.
The majority of complaints are from a few groups not individuals.

5. The FCC starts fining television and radio stations.

6. If the stations try to appeal the fines in court the government starts making it
difficult for them to do business. Since all stations are owned by a few companies
they capitulate to the government and start censoring their content effecting a
large group of stations.

That's how The Bush administration is pulling this off. Over the air broadcast isn't the only medium in trouble. John Ashcroft stated he wants to go after cable and satellite television next. This is the same guy who thinks dancing is a sin.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: HomerJS
Did anyone catch The Simpsons on 5/23? Again like last week another timely political statement. It directly mirrors The Bush administration trying to censor what we listen to and watch using the FCC as a tool. The merging of media outlets has made it easier for government to pressure companies into adhering to their standards of decency. Considering they make these episodes so far in advance, their timing has been great. Not gut busting funny but on point.

Following up on the free speech issue, I was on a tour to the NBC studios this past weekend. While on the set of Saturday Night Live the guide mentioned Sinead O?Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope during a broadcast and NBC was fined 2.5 million dollars. Apparently the FCC has deemed it illegal to criticize a major religious leader.

Is it me or does anyone else see a dangerous march to severely limiting speech in this country?

I'd agree with you if you actually criticized all forms of free speech being limited.. like the 10 commandments at a courthouse..

Crimson, would you agree with me that 1+1=2 even if I had previously said 2+2=5? Or would you not agree with me on the grounds that I disagreed with you on another point? I suggest you confront issues head on instead of attacking motives and posters' positions on other topics.