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First they came for Howard Stern. Now they're coming for Cable TV.
http://action.downsizedc.org ^ | 5 8 05 | downsizedc.com

Posted on 06/02/2005 1:17:06 PM PDT by freepatriot32

The Danger.

No bill has been introduced yet, but Senator Stevens has promised one, and when it arrives it is likely to come straight out of the Commerce Committee he chairs and move directly to a vote with little time for public comment. The time to act is now.

You can read more about this at...

Center for American Progress: Think Again: The New Content Commissars

Jammed.com: Transcript of Sen. Stevens' remarks on Internet "indecency" laws

DownsizeDC.org commentary

This bill would deny you the right to watch mature programming on cable TV for the sake of parents who are too lazy and irresponsible to bear the burden of doing their jobs as parents. Those parents who object to cable TV programming already have several ways to deal with this problem:

They can buy a reduced set of cable programming (this is the approach used by DownsizeDC.org President Jim Babka who has three children under 10).

They can no have cable at all, but rely on broadcast TV only (which is now heavily censored).

They can restrict cable to only one part of their house and not allow their children to watch TV there.

They can block cable channels they consider inappropriate for their children. But some parents, rather than take any of these responsible steps, want Congress to do their parenting for them, at the expense of everyone else who wants to be able to watch mature programming.

And, we might add, Congress has no constitutional authority for such censorship, something that should concern every American who still cares about constitutional legality.

Many Americans have excused broadcast censorship because the government supposedly owns the broadcast spectrum, but no such excuse exists here. Congress can make no claim to own cable networks, local cable providers, or even the TV sets in your home. They simply don't have the authority.

Why Take Action?

Please help us stop the growth of the nanny state.

Please help us stop the Congressional urge to turn the entire country into Disneyland.

Please help us preserve the benefits of adulthood. Please help us preserve the First Amendment.

Please don't reward the busy-bodies who think they know what's best for you and your family.

Please stop the political habit of using children as an excuse for extinguishing American freedom.

Please don't let Congress reward the whining of irresponsible parents who want others to do their job for them. To send your message to Congress opposing this censorship click here.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: 109th; cable; came; coming; electionscongress; fcc; feds; first; for; govwatch; howard; libertarians; now; porn; stern; they; theyre; trashtv; tv
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To: Jibaholic
Our society has reached the point where you essentially have to pull a Timothy Leary, drop out, and live in a bubble in order to raise children with a decent morals. And yet the sex, drugs and libertarianism crowd wants us to make it even more difficult to raise healthy children.

Ditto.....

There used to be a time when what is allowed on TV today would have been unacceptable in the past.

21 posted on 06/02/2005 1:29:30 PM PDT by yellowdoghunter (Liberals should be seen and not heard.)
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To: Jewelsetter
They could say that conservative programing is bad as well and block it next.

Exactly.

Look for a President Hildabeast to do exactly that, with an Executive Order.

22 posted on 06/02/2005 1:29:32 PM PDT by bassmaner (Let's take the word "liberal" back from the commies!!)
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To: Keith in Iowa

You are correct since I didn't specify...but I was referring to content.


23 posted on 06/02/2005 1:29:34 PM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: GOPyouth
I agree as well as a Stern Listener since "81
24 posted on 06/02/2005 1:30:01 PM PDT by cmsgop
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To: freepatriot32
This bill would deny you the right to watch mature programming on cable TV for the sake of parents who are too lazy and irresponsible to bear the burden of doing their jobs as parents.

And the courts will most likely strike any new censorship laws down as they have in the past.

You'd think these politicians can't find more important issues to confront that people are actually concerned about. I guess the pressing problems of steroids in baseball is easier to deal with.

25 posted on 06/02/2005 1:30:25 PM PDT by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: freepatriot32

yawn


26 posted on 06/02/2005 1:30:25 PM PDT by Skooz (If everyone knew everything about everyone, no one would have anything to do with anyone)
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To: Modernman

If cable companies don't want to offer affordable basic cable programming without all the smut, then ABSOLUTELY. Why does it have to be the "norm" for the smut rather than the other way around?


27 posted on 06/02/2005 1:32:12 PM PDT by redlocks322
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To: Keith in Iowa
Shall I continue? :)

Sure, it's good for the soul. PURGE.

28 posted on 06/02/2005 1:32:43 PM PDT by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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Comment #29 Removed by Moderator

To: freepatriot32
Please stop the political habit of using children as an excuse for extinguishing American freedom.

How true that is.

I always have to laugh at people like Bill O'Reilly (whom many on the left consider to be a "conservative"), who constantly invoke the "for the children" canard to justify all manner of government heavy-handedness.

Just like that other Bill who all us Freepers love to hate.

30 posted on 06/02/2005 1:33:58 PM PDT by bassmaner (Let's take the word "liberal" back from the commies!!)
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To: freepatriot32

Ted Stevens is such a blowhard dinasaur. Government has no business telling the producers of my beloved "The Shield" what Vic is permitted to speak.


31 posted on 06/02/2005 1:35:24 PM PDT by montag813
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To: cmsgop
Sal The Stockbroker is a Stalker!

That guy is sick . . . peep-show booths, spitting on others, being completely homo for KISS, etc.

32 posted on 06/02/2005 1:35:26 PM PDT by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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Howard who?


33 posted on 06/02/2005 1:35:31 PM PDT by evets (God bless President Bush and VP Cheney)
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To: Reaganwuzthebest
And the courts will most likely strike any new censorship laws down as they have in the past.

Don't be so sure. They let McCain/Feingold stand, which is a clear violation of the 1st Amendment.

34 posted on 06/02/2005 1:35:43 PM PDT by bassmaner (Let's take the word "liberal" back from the commies!!)
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To: Hemingway's Ghost
>>> Sure, it's good for the soul. PURGE.

I think I've got it covered. Besides, I've already wasted too much time talking about Howie - I've used up my quota of thought power I can waste on him for the next few millennia...
35 posted on 06/02/2005 1:36:03 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Life's a beach - and Liberals are like the sand that gets in your swimsuit...)
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To: freepatriot32

Seems some people have yet to discover the wonders of the remote control.


36 posted on 06/02/2005 1:36:07 PM PDT by StoneColdGOP ("The Republican Party is the France of politics" - Laz)
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To: freepatriot32

Stern picked his fight, the idiot.


37 posted on 06/02/2005 1:36:19 PM PDT by Dead Dog
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To: GOPyouth

How long before "Rocco's Animal Trainer 17" takes the place of Sesame Street?


38 posted on 06/02/2005 1:36:52 PM PDT by Callahan
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To: Hemingway's Ghost

LOL! Today was funny, and now he is going after Stern's Cousin LOL!


39 posted on 06/02/2005 1:36:55 PM PDT by cmsgop
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To: freepatriot32
It is tragic in how many people on this board are against the 1st Amendment during with entertainment because curtain shows do not fit their tastes.

I personally cannot stand toilet humor, but these "indecency" laws would be used to censor and destroy any show on TV that has any intelligence in them, for examples, sci-fi shows like Stargate SG-1, Atlantis, Battlestar G. and the anime that comes on Cartoon Network's adult swim.

So if you want more brain-dead reality TV television, just go ahead and support these "indecency" laws.

40 posted on 06/02/2005 1:37:28 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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