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Sen. Obama Warns TV to Clean Up or Congress Will Act
TVWeek ^ | 11/09/05 | Doug Halonen

Posted on 11/09/2005 5:36:21 PM PST by 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.

Story continues below...

"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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 109th; hillarysveep; nannystate; obama; osamaobama; posturingfake; thegreatdemhope; trashtv
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To: Indy Pendance

There were always shows I didn't let my kids watch. Of course, that just made them want to watch all the more. Even commercials these days are embarrassing. Those who want to defend Hollywood's ideas of morality are free to do so. I find much on TV disgusting and don't watch myself. Mostly I watch sports and news. But shows aimed at teens are shocking these days. Promoting homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, and no consequences. Totally irresponsible and you think the answer is to tell your kids' friends not to watch. Yeah, that'll work.


61 posted on 11/09/2005 6:08:35 PM PST by mlc9852
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To: Indy Pendance

You're kidding yourself if you think kids won't watch these shows if given the chance, especially knowing you don't want them to watch. As I said, my are old enough to make up their own minds now but there are shows I won't watch because they promote lifestyles I find abhorrent. But then I'm from a red state.


62 posted on 11/09/2005 6:10:28 PM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

So, get rid of the cable, rent movies. There are alternatives to TV. It's not the be all to end all.


63 posted on 11/09/2005 6:11:12 PM PST by Indy Pendance
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To: Indy Pendance; mad puppy

The air waves are public property. There should be limits on what somebody can do on public property.

The principle of unlimited freedom on public property is wrong. I would include obscenity as part of that.

64 posted on 11/09/2005 6:11:33 PM PST by FreeReign
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To: mlc9852
I didn't watch mine 24 hours a day either. The TV was rarely on at my house. As for the media using common sense and responsibility, I don't think it's asking too much to expect that. But it is the leftist media, and as long as there is a market for trash trash will be on TV.

I'm curious? What kind of legislation would you propose that would not include some form of censorship?

65 posted on 11/09/2005 6:12:24 PM PST by asp1
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To: Pikamax

Whaaaaaaatttt????

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."

Soooooo, since when do 'dim' followers give a sh!t what their kids watch on TV. Arent't 'dims' the ones that don't think you need parental information that your under 18 child is getting an abortion?

I also love this part:

"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"

If the industry doesn't do this?.....So I take it there is no parental responsibility in the 'dem' world? It's all left up to the goverment? Congress has to legislate what kids watch on tv because parents can't parent?

When I was a child, parents told you what to do, not congress.


66 posted on 11/09/2005 6:12:31 PM PST by MagnoliaB
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To: Pikamax

This is strange. The Liberal MSM were praising Al and Tipper's sacred "V-Chip" and telling us it was going to "clean up" TV. I guess it didn't work out. DemocRATS are the most worthless people on the face of the Earth.


67 posted on 11/09/2005 6:12:53 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (It's no coincidence that the Democrat mascot is a jackass.)
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To: Pikamax

I have emailed BET I don't know how many times to ask them how they reconcile the Bible thunping they have on early morning vs. the thug video they show the rest of the day.

taptaptap........ waiting.


68 posted on 11/09/2005 6:13:43 PM PST by Texas WOP
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To: mlc9852

I'm not kidding myself. My kids aren't that old, 23, 22 and 19. I didn't have a problem monitoring their tv habits, and today as adults, they appreciate what we did for them. Your solution is to let the government decide what's appropriate for your kids to watch, and not you, you're to incompentent to teach your kids, you who know your kids better than any congressional body.


69 posted on 11/09/2005 6:13:52 PM PST by Indy Pendance
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To: Indy Pendance

Well, as I said, I just watch news shows and sports and my kids aren't kids any more. But compare shows from when I was growing up with what is on now. How did things sink so low? Because we let it - by sitting back and not complaining. The public airwaves belong to the public. We have a right to complain if we feel the FCC isn't doing its job and I have complained. Not sure it mattered, but at least I tried.


70 posted on 11/09/2005 6:14:43 PM PST by mlc9852
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To: FreeReign

And the internet is next. Us evil conservative web sites are hurting the children.


71 posted on 11/09/2005 6:14:49 PM PST by Indy Pendance
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To: Pikamax
Osama Obama is making a feeble attempt to "take back values" from the Republicans. Right out of Howard Dean's disingenuous play book.
72 posted on 11/09/2005 6:15:00 PM PST by manwiththehands
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To: Pikamax

The Dems always go after the entertainment companies when considering a run for higher office. Like you said, they attempt to associate themselves with family values without doing anything substantial. The companies tolerate it because they know the dems aren't serious and just posturing.


73 posted on 11/09/2005 6:15:48 PM PST by flying Elvis
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To: Pikamax

Hollywood would be outraged and enraged if it was a Republican senator who issued this warning. But since it was the darling of the Democrats...don't expect him to be lampooned by Stewart, Stern, Maher and Franken. It would be a sacrilege.


74 posted on 11/09/2005 6:15:54 PM PST by citizencon
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To: Indy Pendance

The parents could use a little help. Of course, if you don't have a job and stay home all day and night with your kids, then it isn't a problem. Unless you go take a shower or something and they switch the channel.


75 posted on 11/09/2005 6:16:10 PM PST by mlc9852
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
When you examine Obama's record, you find that on issue after issue Obama is a straight-down-the-line left-winger.

Just to prove my point, here are some of Obama's ratings from various interest groups:

Planned Parenthood - 100
Illinois Federation for Right to Life - 0
National Taxpayers of Illinois - 0
Illinois Environmental Council - 100
NOW - endorsed candidate
NRA - F
Citizens for Handgun Control - A

See what I mean?

76 posted on 11/09/2005 6:16:12 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (read my posts on Today show bias at www.newsbusters.org)
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To: mlc9852

If you don't watch TV, except for news, how do you know?


77 posted on 11/09/2005 6:16:28 PM PST by Indy Pendance
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To: mlc9852

How about no cable? How about shooting the TV? Sheesh, what did families do 100 years ago.


78 posted on 11/09/2005 6:17:25 PM PST by Indy Pendance
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To: Indy Pendance
And the internet is next. Us evil conservative web sites are hurting the children.

Not necessarily so.

Getting back to my point: So then you would support graphic sex acts on TV?

79 posted on 11/09/2005 6:17:26 PM PST by FreeReign
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To: asp1

They could clean up the language, stop glorifying sex among the unmarried and teens, etc. I would think as a parent you would know what isn't acceptable, but maybe not.


80 posted on 11/09/2005 6:17:40 PM PST by mlc9852
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