Peggy Noonan: Janet Jackson and the Frog

Opinion Journal ^ | 02/05/04 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

Has our culture gone iredeemably to pot, or can we jump for our lives?

On Saturday night Sept. 8, 2001, I did something unusual. I went to Madison Square Garden to watch the taping of a Michael Jackson special that was soon to be aired on CBS. A friend had come to town with tickets and we decided to meet for dinner and go together. We thought it would be fun because we thought it would be strange.

[steve-b]

x42 was the master of the non-apologetic apology.

Like the old urban legend about Eskimos and snow, he had a thousand ways to say "I'm very sorry that I got caught."

[cartoonistx]

[OldPossum]

It could have been prevented, with a TV delay button. Now, I learn that there is no such thing. Radio has had one for years. Amazing.

[Eva]

You don't get it, the overexposure of Janet Jackson was only the culmination of a totally offensive, no talent half-time show. The music was terrible, the obsession with penises was revolting and the misuse of the American flag was offensive, then Janet and Justin topped it al off. I was more offended by the guy who couldn't stop playing with himself on stage than Janet Jackson's exposed breast.

[Roarkdude]

Peggy is the best.

[Alamo-Girl]

She certainly does! Thanks for the ping!

[GOPJ]

Liberal guests at my home for the super bowl (not so super as it turned out) were as disgusted as the conservatives with Janet's antics. Maybe more so. Sane liberals are getting tired of defending endless insanity in the name of liberalism. None converted, but they jumped out of Peggy's Culture Pot. Learned helplessness in the face of smut is over.

This might be a frog-in-the-water moment. You remember: You put a frog in a nice cool pot of water, and he's happy and swims around. But if you put a flame underneath the pot and slowly raise it, chances are he'll boil to death. On the other hand, if you dump a frog in a boiling pot of water, he'll jump right out and be saved.

Our culture has been on a boil for years. Then it cooled a bit. The other night at the Super Bowl they put the flame higher and the water began to boil. The frog--that would be us--is still alive. And may, in his shock, jump out of the water.

[GretchenEE]

I had taped the 'Bowl because I went to see "Return of the King," and because I hate the trashy commercials and half-time show, and then I checked Drudge before watching the game. Got a shock there. So I rewound the tape to half time and I did see the strip tease and heard the lyrics. I'm drafting an Email to the various officials responsible for this and for governing our airways. I taped over half time.

The substance of my Emails will be that no one who screened the MTV half-time show should claim to be surprised in the way it ended; the whole thing was a build-up to it, etc., and then asking them for productive actions measures to ensure no repeats or similar experiences.

NEVERTHELESS, Janet's chest would likely still not be on public record if Justin had not reached that grabby hand out there and done the deed. So, I ask you, why is only she getting the consequences?

[GOPJ]

I have no clue...

NEVERTHELESS, Janet's chest would likely still not be on public record if Justin had not reached that grabby hand out there and done the deed. So, I ask you, why is only she getting the consequences?

[FrogMom]

Yes, she does.

How long before a preteen is sued at school because he rips open the front of a classmates blouse?

I, too, was embarrassed. The fact that the whole halftime Bacchanalia was broadcast to half the world is appalling. It's hard to be proud to be an American right now.

[amom]

The fact that the whole halftime Bacchanalia was broadcast to half the world is appalling.

I was watching the game and was not watching the half time just because it's not my cup of tea and was very glad I missed it.

[DCPatriot]

Buddy, this was a watershed moment.

It was the SUPER BOWL, in front of 90 Million people. Lotsa Flyover-Country Families in that 90 Million. Lotsa Bush people.

The whisper "I TOLD YOU SO"!!! is deafening.

I don't think you can stop Britney Spears form appearing on Network TV, but that would only make her more popular and rich. (Our Bridge Bardot or Marilyn Monroe).

Just remember how it look coming across the World into the living rooms of millions of Muslims.

I think it gave Bush about oh, 49 States!

Time for America to take a bath.

And you know what's so funny about it?

IMO, covered-up is more sexy.

[DCPatriot]

It takes Adults and Parents to stop this.

[Vision Thing]

Why oh why does anyone care at all about this?

The stunt and the broadbased negative reaction against it show a turning point. If we're not already at rock bottom, we're almost there.

The reason you should care is that many children (not just their parents) rejected it. It means that their generation is beginning to reject what the Big Media is forcing down their throats.

Perhaps it means that their generation will never vote for a Bill Clinton.

[Lady Eileen]

We can hope and pray.

[GOPJ]

bump

[Lady Eileen]

Great tagline.

[Lady Eileen]

LOL

[GOPJ]

Thanks.

[Lady Eileen]

You're welcome.