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The Networks, the FCC, and Our Kids: It’s Time to Fight
Breakpoint with Charles Colson ^ | 4/26/2006 | Mark Earley

Posted on 05/01/2006 3:07:48 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback

Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley.

In McLean, Virginia, a young mother named Silvia began channel-surfing, looking for something that would amuse her 4-year-old daughter. Up on the screen popped something called “Girl Next Door.” It was a photo shoot for a Playboy centerfold, and it showed women in sexual poses, completely nude, except for portions that were blurred.

“It was very clear what was going on,” Silvia relates. She grabbed the remote—but it was too late. Her little girl was already asking questions.

The program was not a cable or satellite offering. In fact, Silvia did not even subscribe to those services because she knew it was hard to control their content. However, even over-the-air broadcasts have hit a new all-time low.

It’s just as bad on the radio. Another mother, this one in Seattle, was in her kitchen with her 5-year-old son, searching for her favorite music station. But instead of classical music, guess what: She heard a DJ using a vulgar term to describe the female anatomy. As Robin put it, “My son learned a new word that he wasn’t ready to learn, and I wasn’t ready to explain.”

These moms are not alone in their disgust. Overwhelmingly, Americans loathe having their children exposed to profanity and sexual vulgarity every time they turn on the TV or radio. The networks don’t seem to care. In fact, they recently filed suit against the FCC over its decision to fine networks that ignored community standards of decency. In their view, nobody has a right to tell them what to do. Even during “family hour,” they insist on airing programs containing the “F” word. If parents don’t like it, too bad.

This in-your-face attitude is indicative of how far our society has traveled along the path of radical individualism—especially when it comes to anything related to sex. Anything else can be restrained—smoking in public, driving without a seatbelt—all on the grounds that it’s good for society. But restrain sexual expression? No way—especially if it makes money.

And this is not without consequences. Just yesterday, I was advised by the head of a juvenile court services unit in a large suburban county that sex cases among juveniles are beginning to dominate their court dockets.

All of this is in contrast to the Judeo-Christian view that dominated our culture for most of its history. The view says innocent children should be protected from things that might harm them—especially ugly distortions of human sexuality. If adults wanted to consume filth, they had to go to grubby little theaters and bookstores to do it—places that kept children safely out.

What can we do today to clean up the airwaves? We can ask our lawmakers to support the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act. This bill would increase fines and hold networks accountable if they break the rules.

The House overwhelmingly passed this bill a year ago. But it’s gone nowhere in the Senate. Yesterday, members of pro-family groups bombarded their senators with calls. They reminded them about the networks’ lawsuit against the FCC. And they asked them to get behind the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act—ASAP.

If you didn’t call yesterday, I hope you’ll call today, and get your friends to call, too. We’re working hard on Capitol Hill for this cause.

In reality, the networks are not declaring war on the FCC; they’re declaring war on our kids. Are we going to put up with it—or are we going to fight back?


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; Philosophy; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: breakpoint; colson; evil; fcc; filth; markearley; perversion; pervertedfilth; smut; trashtv
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To: Mr. Silverback

Sorry, I wasn't aware that you were able to read Mr. Franklin's mind.


41 posted on 05/02/2006 3:19:55 PM PDT by Crispus Attucks Patriot (The first to give his life for your liberty was a Black man!)
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To: Crispus Attucks Patriot

I decided that a guy who died in the 18th Century might have given more thought to search and seizure than to the crucial need of slack-jawed yokels to view T&A on the public airwaves. Surely, that required me to read his mind.

Puh-leeze. Either defend your ideas or stay out of adult conversations.


42 posted on 05/02/2006 4:33:30 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (TRY JESUS. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.)
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To: Mr. Silverback; Just another Joe; CSM; lockjaw02; Publius6961; elkfersupper; nopardons; metesky; ...
This in-your-face attitude is indicative of how far our society has traveled along the path of radical individualism—especially when it comes to anything related to sex. Anything else can be restrained—smoking in public, driving without a seatbelt—all on the grounds that it’s good for society. But restrain sexual expression? No way—especially if it makes money.

Not exactly a Nanny State Ping -------- thought you would all be interesested in this.

43 posted on 05/02/2006 4:39:47 PM PDT by Gabz (Smokers are the beta version)
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To: Gabz; Mr. Silverback

Hmmm...I'll have to think on this one a bit. Not sure where I stand on regulating sexual content for adults. I usually love these Chuck Colson pings, but I'm not sure I agree with him on this one.

Of course, I draw the line when kids are exposed to this cr@p on purpose...but then, it was MY job to make sure I wasn't "The Coolest Mom" by indulging my boys in movies and music with gratuitous sex. I still remember the uproar when I popped "Coyote Ugly" out of the video player while they were (secretly) watching it, LOL!

If the 'Bra and Girdle Section' of the Sears Catalog was good enough for their Dad, it should've been good enough for them! ;)

You know, no one demands that we have TVs in our homes. They can be removed. I've done it. And when I have TIME to watch TV...I'm never impressed.

With TIVO and Netflix and computer & video games...do people really watch that much TV anymore? I've lost track.


44 posted on 05/02/2006 4:52:35 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: AuteurEye

Bravo.

A very well thought out and stated commentary and I am in total agreement with you.

I'm an adult who has parents, and just like my parents controlled what I watched on TV, I control what my child watches on TV.........I don't need the government to be be my nanny.


45 posted on 05/02/2006 4:55:28 PM PDT by Gabz (Smokers are the beta version)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
With TIVO and Netflix and computer & video games...do people really watch that much TV anymore? I've lost track.

Monday night 10pm Travel Channel - Anthony Bourdain

I have no clue what is on at any other time on any other channel. My 7 year old, OTOH, could probably recite the weekly lineup for Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel with her eyes closed. But now that the weather has broken - the last thing on earth she wants is to be in the house. I have more important things to do in my life than bother with the TV.

46 posted on 05/02/2006 5:06:27 PM PDT by Gabz (Smokers are the beta version)
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To: Gabz

I don't watch much in the way of tv-watched one episode of The Sopranos, and swore I'd NEVER view it again. Nothing but "F" every other word-not a virgin here, but my old rule of thumb was always, the more swearing in something, the weaker the script. More 'godfather' crap-why should I care about a bunch of vile scum that live to double-cross and kill each other? Garbage. Watch Animal Planet, Discovery, Lou Dobbs, other than that, pretty much movies -the older, the better, as a rule, and occasionally a talk program. Hard for me to believe I used to watch for hours a day back from the time I was a kid until about the early eighties.


47 posted on 05/02/2006 6:54:50 PM PDT by The Foolkiller (BSXL* The year the NFL became irrelevant..)
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To: The Foolkiller; Gabz

I'm there with both of you. The garabage on tv today just doesn't warrant being tuned into. I like a lot of the old B horror flicks, and I do like a lot of sci-fi. But as for this ghetto-mode stuff, I will not turn it on. I cannot tolerate mtv, of E!, or those crap shows on vh1.
But, I would not want aunt nanny being my advocate, either, and if someone likes that stuff, more power to 'em. I don't think more restrictions will solve the problem. I can't stand a lot of this music today, either. But the P.M.R.C. really cranks me off. We don't need a P.M.R.C. for tv, too.


48 posted on 05/02/2006 7:52:09 PM PDT by 383rr ((those who choose security over liberty deserve neither; GUN CONTROL=SLAVERY)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
And when I have TIME to watch TV...I'm never impressed.

Now you know why there are only 4 shows I never miss: Brit Hume, Monk, Overhaulin' and Packers football.

49 posted on 05/02/2006 8:02:52 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (TRY JESUS. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.)
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To: mnehrling

It is quite possible that "Girls Next Door" is syndicated in some markets...but I doubt it. The mom in question probably didn't have her parental controls on when she went past E!.


50 posted on 05/02/2006 8:10:59 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (TRY JESUS. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.)
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To: 383rr

I'm there with both of you. The garabage on tv today just doesn't warrant being tuned into. I like a lot of the old B horror flicks, and I do like a lot of sci-fi.




THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE (and Beverly Garland)forever LOL

Seriously, I should have added that I'm not for guv control, either. I choose not to watch over-rated crap and just plain mindrot. If some idiots do, more power to 'em.


51 posted on 05/02/2006 8:28:45 PM PDT by The Foolkiller (BSXL* The year the NFL became irrelevant..)
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To: The Foolkiller

Amen.


52 posted on 05/02/2006 8:33:36 PM PDT by 383rr ((those who choose security over liberty deserve neither; GUN CONTROL=SLAVERY)
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To: Mr. Silverback

LOL! I don't consider Packer's Football to be "TV." We usually turn down the sound on Madden and tune in to our local announcers. ;)


53 posted on 05/03/2006 6:10:04 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Mr. Silverback
"I decided that a guy who died in the 18th Century might have given more thought to search and seizure than to the crucial need of slack-jawed yokels to view T&A on the public airwaves."


Then he never would have said what he said, nor left behind the large body of writings defending individual liberties that he did. You know what? People who claim to be conservatives but wish to use governmental authority to abrogate the very succinct statements in the Bill Of Rights, (which don't need to be interpreted - they mean what they say...period.), are not truly conservatives. They've decided that the freedom contained in the sacred Constitution are too broad and must be restricted to fit their own proto-theocratic and narrow moralistic viewpoint. This is the same mindset that wishes to restrict gun ownership, smoking in the corner bar, and even legally coercing the wearing seat-belts on trips to the 7-11. Authoritarian statists cannot be patriots, for they are guilty of sedition against the very bestowed-by-our-Creator rights contained in that sanctified document.

BTW, descending into ad hominems like you just did shows two things....that you have no defensible argument beyond "...because I said so..." and you have contempt for young people who challenge your hidebound way of viewing life. This is a great way to ensure that the many other young Black conservatives like me could easily shy away from what we ALL claim we stand for.

Great job, dawg.
54 posted on 05/04/2006 5:50:35 AM PDT by Crispus Attucks Patriot (The first to give his life for your liberty was a Black man!)
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