[Publius Valerius]

Consumers to FCC: go pound sand.

[SunStar]

Mr. Martin - Sit down and get to know your V-chip, you moron.

[TomServo]

Thank God Government's rescuing my sorry self for not being smart enough to change the channel or turn it off.

[RetiredArmy]

But, but, but, running around nude on TV is FREE SPEECH!

[Keith in Iowa]

There is ample legal precedent that the FCC has zero regulatory authority over satellite & cable TV. Anything they did would immediately be taken to court, and struck down.

[Ladysmith]

I recently had basic cable hooked up again because of the supposable "discount" they promoted. What I've seen on there isn't worth a plug nickle.

And they want me to pay for more channels of programming that's even worse? I don't so...

[WestVirginiaRebel]

More time wasting and bloviating from people with nothing better to do.

[madprof98]

"FReeper" = a self-described conservative who thinks the idea of shielding children from harmful or inappropriate material is contemptible. Syn. "bilious old fart"

[ThinkDifferent]

"You can always turn the television off and of course block the channels you don't want," he said, "but why should you have to?"

I like steak and don't like seafood. Therefore, all seafood restaurants should be required to serve steak. Sure, I could always just not go to restaurants that don't, but why should I have to?

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Did someone say CABLE and SATELLITE?

The FCC should go take a flying leap. They have no jurisdiction whatsoever.

[TomGuy]

I have 70 channels on extended basic cable.

I would glady give up 40 of the junk ones so I did not have to wade through them to get through the 30 semi-decent/viewable ones.

a la carte should be mandatory. The only trouble with that is subscribers would have to use digital cable, rather than analog -- and the cable co automatically bumps up the cost of digital for the box, etc.

Still, dropping 40 junk channels (and their current costs) could make up for the added digital connections.

[meyer]

the FCC might be able to fanagle their way into regulating cable, but I would say that satellites are well out of their jurisdiction.

[Melas]

Lovely. It's like watching the Soviet Union emerge. These so-called pro-family groups present the greatest threat to freedom this nation has ever faced.

[RWR8189]

The FCC should be stripped of all authority over content and exist only to ensure broadcasters are sending out their radio and television singals correctly.

If you want to shield your children from smut, take it into your own hands, leave Big Brother out of it.

[FFIGHTER]

Just what we need more government regulations. God forbid, any Parental Responsibility!

[mhking]

If providers don't find a way to police smut on television, Martin said, federal decency standards should be considered.

The "nanny state" strikes again. Too bad they don't know how to use the "off" button on their remotes, and how to parent their own children...

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Martin suggested several options, including a "family-friendly" tier of channels that would offer shows suitable for kids, such as the programs shown on the Nickelodeon channel.

The bribes and kickbacks might have influenced Martin. He really should look at the cross-ownership of the networks that pay him off. He has never read or understood this. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/csgen.html

[Myrddin]

I would be very happy to go "ala carte". I would delete all the shopping, food, sports and uninteresting "music" channels. I hate having to subsidize all that trash. Let the consumer market choose which cable channels survive. Let the trash fail and make room for something better.

[mugs99]

This is just more political masturbation by the FCC. They refuse to do anything about the fraudulent charity and drug ads running on TV, but they have to look like they're doing something about something.

[rwfromkansas]

HBO is basically porn at night.