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Feb 12, 2004 For reasons not entirely clear to me the congress is looking into what is inappropriate content to be seen and heard on Radio and Television. This only came about after the Super-bowl incident. Don’t get me wrong I’ve thought this should have been an issue a long time ago. Why viewing one not too impressive Brest for a split second now demands a congressional hearing I personally don’t understand. Wouldn’t a 2 X 4 along side of the heads of the FCC, a little persuader to do the right thing work just as well? Now that sounds like a plan right, wrong. The congress has never defined a clear standard for the FCC or Broadcasters to follow. The reason congress has never addressed this issue is because they know the courts will over rule any decisions they make.( Judges now make Law, not Congress) Entertainment is one of the really big special interests who contribute a lot of money to politicians campaign coffers. I sound like a cynic, I’m a cynic. I don’t buy the line courts hand out about the first amendment protecting free speech. The first amendment doesn’t give anyone the right to offend me with their free speech. The courts along with congress should be there to strike a balance between acceptable and the objectionable dialogue. The courts and congress are there to protect our rights not the rights of those who would press the bounds of inappropriate behavior. Congress and the courts were established to protect the rights of the masses from the desires of the few. The Constitution was written loosely enough to allow for some interpretation. That was how they managed to get on two sheets of paper. Reasonable men would interpret this to mean the rights of the masses should prevail over the rights of a perceived special few. Congress and the courts have abdicated their mandate by the Constitution to serve and protect. I watched the current hearings by the House of Representatives on C-span. It was interesting how few members where in attendance most were members no one ever heard of. None were the stalwarts of the House such as Daschle, Waters, etc. etc. you know the ones who rant for the rights of homosexuals, affirmative action, and illegal immigration, environment all those really important things they have raved about but have done little, the Anti-Bush crowd didn’t show up. I wonder if this were the day after the elections if it would be an issue. Congress only cares about children when it doesn’t directly effect children. To quote a line from Bobbie O’Neil. What would the reaction have been if MTV had produced a show with “Naked Black Slave Girls dancing in front of Uncle Tom’s Cabin” overseen by Simon La Gree. It certainly wouldn’t have been dismissed with a half hearted apology and a half hearted congressional investigation. When congress is made more responsible to the public through TERM LIMITS then and only the will hearings mean something. For any one who reads my columns they are indeed fortunate, most of those who advocate TERM LIMITS ask for donations. Not me I don’t want their money. For me it’s a search for the Holy Grail of Politics, a visit to Mecca. To view the Great Buddha. To stand in the shadows of Stone Hedge. I will never see the Promised Land but I sure as hell enjoy the ride. ------------ About the Author: Ken Hughes is a retired businessman. A political junkie who's passion is the re-education of Liberals and Term Limits for Congress. He has had very little sucess at either. Email Ken Hughes: uncleken@wwnet.net Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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