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.

[gatorbait]

No, I edited Dean.

Yep and it was clever and funny, very subtle but hit the point . Great post.

[Revolting cat!]

"You're so square,
Baby I don't care!"

[lawdude]

"And scantily clad cheerleaders are different from what La Toya did in what respect?"

If you don't see the difference, I shant bother trying to explain!

[isthisnickcool]

Not apples and oranges at all. JimRob does not advertise this place as one thing and then does something else. Sure he could since this is his sand box. But if he did what I mentioned we would likely all walk away. That's what I suggest people do with CBS and the NFL.

As far as "running to the gov't"? That's not something I ever see as a good idea. It would not bother me if Powell and all that work for him stand up and leave the place and never return. Better yet, they can take Congress with them. And all go home.

[Jorge]

"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."

Does this guy sound stupid or what?

Bowel movements are not an unusual phenomenon either. Doesn't mean they are acceptable as a form of Super Bowl half-time show entertainment?

[In_25_words_or_less]

LoL. Spot on.

[Arpege92]

Maybe this is Dean's way of trying to gain some support from the entertainment industry. Like them, Dean's not offended by this perverted event....he's only offended when the ten commandments are shown in public places.

[Jorge]

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

I listened to Rush today. This is NOT exactly what he was saying at all.

[new cruelty]

ROTFLOL. Because that is absolutely, without a doubt what will happen in 12 years if the FCC investigates this incident. God help the A-team! janet and justin got caught speeding in a school zone. Let them pay the fine.

[185JHP]

The NOWsows want there to be an absolute protection for sexual behavior that is "welcome." They don't want an observer to be allowed to determine "right or wrong." To them the "wrong" is solely up to the whim of the female.

[Arpege92]

Scantily clad cheerleaders are not the same as Janet's breast for the whole world to see....including kids.

I'm not buying any excuses from those involved....what woman wears a pasty underneath her clothing....except maybe for a stripper.

[rwfromkansas]

farts, spits, and snot offends you.

Wow, that's some messed up morals you have. Innocent stuff like that gets you all upset, but exposing sexual body parts is just a-okay?

[Howie66]

Howard "The Duck" Dean is an IDIOT under the best of circumstance.

Need I elaborate further?

[streetpreacher]

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.

I agree. The government has no right trying to shove their standard of morality down our throats. For one, where do we draw the line? Just Who gets to decide what's immoral or moral? What's next: banning tight pants, mini-skirts (LOL), etc?

This is why I've now decided that the government has no authority on the gay marriage issue and should let each state and the people thereof determine what social contracts they will honor.

But if it is improper for the government to determine moral behaviour, then how we can justify trying to outlaw abortion, or euthanasia or cloning? I can't imagine the founding fathers would ever support this federal leviathan reaching it's tentacles into every minute area of our lives.

This has further led me to reflect on 9/11. For one thing, if murdering unborns is okay, how we can say it is wrong for what the hijackers did? People should be able to express themselves throught political violence at their own discretion. This is another example of the government trying to outlaw free speech. Although, you might think it is immoral to take the lives of thousands of "innocents", the hijackers acted based upon their religion and for very "moral" reasons. Therefore the war on terror should be immediately halted.

And not only the war on terror, but the entire military should be disarmed. Let the people of each state form citizen militias and defend themselves against any threat. The government has no business inserting it's nose in these domestic concerns and moral decisions about when life begins and who can take it.

Furthermore, errr... what do we even need a government for anyway?

Laugh if you must... but I for one have the distinct pleasure of being consistent.

Signed,

new username: streetanarchist

[Unam Sanctam]

Just because the rest of television is a vast sewer does not make this right. A lot of people, including families with children, who might not normally watch the smut they call television shows these days were watching the game and had to witness this pornography without their being warned.

[Cicero]

According to Drudge, who is usually fairly reliable on such matters, CBS planned and rehearsed the whole incident ahead of time. The fact that she was wearing some sort of stripper dangle on her breast tends to confirm that. If so, then the network should certainly be punished according to the law.

[streetpreacher]

Finally! (Ambrose wrote this excited that Dan agreed with her)

Yes, you two keep this up and you might even qualify as a third party with federal matching funds. :-)

[SamAdams76]

"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."

Yeah, like that crazed concession speech he gave in Iowa that scared children and old ladies all across America.

Speaking of silly, many of us think that Dean's campaign is silly.

[sauropod]

No more silly than insisting that W. "knew" about 9-11 and then when called on it, said that it was an "interesting theory."