Sen. Obama Warns TV to Clean Up or Congress Will Act

TVWeek ^ | 11/09/05 | Doug Halonen

[Pikamax]

Sen. Obama Warns TV to Clean Up or Congress Will Act By Doug Halonen

If the industry doesn't take significant steps to make it easier for parents to control what their children view on television, Congress will step in and legislate. That was a warning shot fired by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in a speech Wednesday in Washington.

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"The amount of questionable content spilling across our screens is growing by the year," Sen. Obama said at a press conference to release a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation that says the number of sex scenes on TV has been increasing dramatically over the past several years.

"Once again, we find ourselves asking those in charge to serve the needs of a nation that has a higher calling than simply peddling indecency and materialism for profit," the senator said.

The study, which examined a representative example of broadcast and cable TV network shows, said that 70 percent of programs included some sexual content this year (with an average of five sex scenes per hour), while only 56 percent did so in 1998 (with 3.2 sex scenes per hour). Among shows that had sexual content, the study said, 14 percent this year included a reference to sexual risks or responsibilities, up from 9 percent in 1998.

But Sen. Obama said he is particularly concerned about the impact television is having on the ability of parents to instill positive values in their children. "Raising your children this way has become exceedingly difficult in a mass media culture that saturates our airwaves with a steady stream of sex, violence and materialism," he said.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"Having a houseful of teens over wasn't easy, but a parent has to do what a parent has to do."

LOL! I know. That's how we handled it, too. I kind of miss the bottomless pit pizza & popcorn consumers now that they're all off to college and jobs. *SNIF* One's going to be a Fireman, one's learning computers and one is already running his own business at age 20, so I guess limiting the message in our home to a good, clean, positive one of stewardship and responsiblity may have had a tiny little effect on them. ;)

Or, they could've all ended up in jail. It's a cr@p shoot. You just do what you can for the short time they're in your charge.

[asp1]

Thank you. Isn't uncanny how moms just know best? The rest of this story is: I took the kids out for dinner on Halloween night (they got to pick the restaurant), when we arrived home 2 of my son's friends were standing on our front porch. They were covered with smashed eggs and shaving creme. They were attacked by some older kids in a car. They couldn't go home because they had told their mothers that they were hanging out at our house. I had my son take them upstairs and give them something to put on. In the meantime I took their clothes and put them in the washing machine. When everything was washed and dried I sent them home. As they were leaving they said, "Wow, thanks, Mrs. S you're the best." I said, "Hang on guys, you are, of course, going to tell your parents exactly what you did tonight, right?" I will give you 24 hours if you haven't by then I will have to tell them." My, what gloomy faces left my house that night. My son missed his best friends for about a week because they were grounded.

Thanks for the kind words, you sound like a great Mom too!

[Palisades]

Can we also agree that if, somehow, there was an EASIER way to control some of the trash currently on public TV without having to completely eliminate TV, that this would be a good thing?

There is. If you have cable, you have the means to block out whatever channels and shows you find objectionable. There are many websites that review television shows from a Christian, family or whatever perspectice.

All the tools are already out there, and involve no government intervention.

[asp1]

Hi, luckystarmom! I think I will have to think about that one. I know it must be hard for young parents today trying to find suitable entertainment, but I don't want the government deciding what's good and what isn't. One thing about government it just doesn't stop. Look at Social Security for an example. SS was never supposed to be this massive bureaucracy, but our elected representatives just can't help themselves. I would see them eventually censoring anything and everything that offends them including political speech. That's troublesome.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

When the Rats start criticizing the sewer pipe coming from Hollyweird, you know there must be an election approaching

Hillary was doing the same earlier this year.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

So, you want the government to decide what you should watch. How about the governemnt deciding what you should wear, or what you should read or what you can purchase? Let's not let the parents decide, they're too stupid

Talk to any social worker and they'll tell you stories of kids doing nasty things to other kids because they "saw it on TV". We can argue about parental control until the cows come home, but the fact is, it isn't always there, and the garbage does have a bad effect on some sectors of society.

[luckystarmom]

I don't believe in censorship, but I do think that labeling things like movies is very helpful.

It's kind of like labeling the contents of food. For example, you know your kid can't eat peanuts, and you don't let them. However, you buy some cake mix and it isn't labeled that it has peanut and your kid dies because the label is wrong.

Of course, that is extreme.

I think shows need to be labeled so that parents know if there are cuss words, sexual themes, violence, etc. Then the parents are well-informed and can make an educated decision about the show.

[cubreporter]

What a story!!! I love it. Things have a way of coming back to bite us I know and those kids learned the hard way. Glad you helped them out but also glad you allowed them the opportunity to tell their parents first. If not...the iron hand that rules the world would have. :)

So many wonderful stories. Thanks. I enjoyed it for sure.

[asp1]

Yes, I think you have something here. It seems to be working with movie ratings perhaps it could work for TV. I like the idea of giving the parents the final say. :0)

[asp1]

Thank you. By the way I love your tagline. I love Rush too!

[Blue Scourge]

Now, now Obama...the 9th circuit court says parents have no right to monitor or control what their kids learn, see or hear.

[cubreporter]

:) He's the best.

[asp1]

:0) Never miss him.

[SunkenCiv]

Obama Addresses Clash
[Obama Defends Pro-abortion, Pro-Lesbian American Girl Dolls ]
Channel 6 News
Posted on 10/24/2005 8:48:17 PM PDT by Diago
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1508639/posts