Dean Calls FCC Probe of Breast Incident 'Silly'

Reuters News Service ^ | Feb. 2, 2004 | Reuters

[Rennes Templar]

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Sometimes a breast is just a breast. Howard Dean, a physician and a Democratic presidential candidate, on Monday dismissed as "silly" a government inquiry into whether indecency rules were broken during the broadcast of the Super Bowl halftime show when pop diva Janet Jackson's bodice was ripped to expose her right breast.

"I find that to be a bit of a flap about nothing," the former Vermont governor said. "I'm probably affected in some ways by the fact that I'm a doctor, so it's not exactly an unusual phenomenon for me."

During the break in the National Football League's championship game, singer Justin Timberlake reached for Jackson as they sang a duet and tore off part of her black leather bustier.

Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell promised a "thorough and swift" investigation of the stunt aired during one of the most popular American television broadcasts, which also attracts a major worldwide audience.

"In general, I think the FCC does have a role in promoting some reasonable standard of decency," Dean told reporters aboard his campaign plane. "However, considering what's on television these days, I think the FCC is being pretty silly about investigating this."

Dean, who does not have cable television at his home in Burlington, Vermont, said Americans could inadvertently turn on "far worse things" while "cruising through cable at regular viewing hours."

"I don't find it terribly shocking relative to some of the things you can find on standard cable television," he added. "I think the FCC probably has a lot of other things they should be pursuing."

The CBS broadcast prompted widespread outrage and the FCC launched its inquiry after receiving complaints from the public.

[GodBlessUSA]

I hope the parties involved have to face some consequence. What a disgrace. They couldn't get a normal talented person to sing for half time. Unbelievable.

[ambrose]

It is just a breast. It isn't evil and it won't make your hand explode if you touch it.

Frankly, I am far more disgusted with "family shows" like Malcom in the Middle. What little I have seen of it consists of gross out jokes involving farts, spit and snot.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

You and I both know that they won't. Nothing will happen, and this event will eventually fall by the wayside. Next year, something even more shocking will happen, and get the same treatment. And the next year, and the next year. Hollywood "Entertainers" are always trying to out-shock each other in order to peddle their wares. Each time, I fear it'll only get worse.

Each and every time, America loses another piece of it's soul. Us conservatives can stand up and shout all we want, but the powers-that-be will just wave us off and say, "C'mon...it's no big deal! It's nothing kids haven't seen already, or anything they won't see in the near future! C'mooooon...you're just being uptight."

I'm really ashamed for this country today.

[EternalVigilance]

I wonder if Ms. Jackson stopped to think about how her sexually inappropriate actions could bleed over and further exacerbate her little brother's public relations problems.

The Jackson posse is quite anxious to jump down the throat of anyone who speaks ill or harms the case of the Great Gloved One.

Maybe Janet should beware of a visit from some Nation of Islam types.

[claudiustg]

---"I'm probably affected in some ways by the fact that I'm a doctor, so it's not exactly an unusual phenomenon for me."---

Speaking as a doctor or a boob?

[isthisnickcool]

This is exactly what Rush Limbaugh was saying today. Dean is right.

Well, well. Do you mind if I start posting porn pictures here on FreeRepublic? Or how about something milder? Lot's and lot's of threads on how wonderful the left is? Or reams and reams of loving words about communism? Maybe you would not mind there were a lot of posts here about how great the people that implemented 9/11 were. Or maybe post after post about Bush being a NAZI? Or, that NAZIS were wonderful and killing Jews is a good idea?

Oh? Those things would not do here? Why? BECAUSE the purpose of this place is that it is is an online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. That's what this place is ADVERTISED as.

The Super Bowl was NOT ADVERTISED to be some kind of soft porn show. It's a professional sports event. It's been one for decades. Not a tit flick.

It's real simple. People with kids don't watch the Super Bowl for fake tits because that's not what the Super Bowl has ever been about.

CBS and the NFL made fools of America. They said one thing and did another. And for that they should "pay". They used our airwaves to rub our noses in garbage.

[Agnes Heep]

I assume Dr. Dean administers his rectal exams in the waiting area.

[SandRat]

Sad day for journalism when their most important and biggest news flash is the Janet flesh flash.

[ambrose]

CBS and the NFL made fools of America. They said one thing and did another. And for that they should "pay". They used our airwaves to rub our noses in garbage.

No argument there. If you did not like what you saw, then boycott the NFL and CBS. But don't ask the government to do the dirty work for you.

[hobson]

I would normally agree with you but it was the Super Bowl and they had a captured audience. The network has an obligation to their viewers and advertisers to not allow such things.

[KC_Conspirator]

Dean is wrong. There is no reason to have this garbage shoveled at you. Fine these people.

[ambrose]

Well, well. Do you mind if I start posting porn pictures here on FreeRepublic? Or how about something milder? Lot's and lot's of threads on how wonderful the left is? Or reams and reams of loving words about communism? Maybe you would not mind there were a lot of posts here about how great the people that implemented 9/11 were. Or maybe post after post about Bush being a NAZI? Or, that NAZIS were wonderful and killing Jews is a good idea?

Would I like those things on the Free Republic? Nope. If the Free Republic turned into a porn site, I'd vote with my feet and leave. I wouldn't expect the government to come in and shut the place down for me. Little thing called the First Amendment.

I am amazed at how so many "small government" conservatives change their tune when it is their ox that is being gored.

[new cruelty]

It is just a breast. It isn't evil and it won't make your hand explode if you touch it.

I agree, breast are not evil and you are right, touching a breast won't make your hand explode. However, I do not think a man ripping off a woman's clothing in front children is ok. Do you?

[gatorbait]

Editors can be quite evil... ;-)

OH NO!!! I've been evilly edited .. arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

:-) Truce?

[savedbygrace]

"I'm probably affected in some ways by the fact that I'm a doctor, so it's not exactly an unusual phenomenon for me."

Dean is a serial stupid-statement-maker. He can't help himself. These things just pop out of his mouth.

[cwb]

"It was just a beast"

Your response had nothing to so with my concern; I wasn't talking about the "breast." I was talking about the act of a male essentially ripping a woman's piece of clothing from her body. In all other circles, this would be labled as some sort of violent act against a woman. Only in the entertainment industry is this defended as art...while Kindergartners get expelled for unwanted touching. Not only do you not see the appropriateness of this occurring during the Superbowl, you see nothing wrong with the mixed signals?

[Sub-Driver]

PLEASE LET HIM WIN IN THE Rat's convention...HOWIE keep it up! (easy target......)

[Dan from Michigan]

Damn it! I hate agreeing with Dean.

Now I don't think it was right what happened there, but I also don't support the FCC getting involved in content regulation.

A better way for those offended is to use the MARKET system instead of running to government like a wimpy socialist. Boycott advertisers, stations, etc I can go along with. Big government though I can not support.

[ambrose]

However, I do not think a man ripping off a woman's clothing in front children is ok. Do you?

No, I don't think it is right. But I also don't think the government should "do something" about it.

Not every wrong in life can be remedied by Big Guvment.

[GodBlessUSA]

Janet probably figured that behavior is pretty tame since the family thinks it's perfectly normal for an adult male to sleep with little boys. They surely repulse don't they.