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vp_cal, Robert_Paulson2,hchutch : Right on, my brothers. This is really a scary time and I am not sure what to think about this administration or the current crop of GOP legislators anymore.

What happened at the Super Bowl was disgusting and since the FCC still exists for some reason, the department was in the right to fine those responsible. However, as is usually the case, politicos want camera time whenever public outrage is conveniently tappable. So we get treated to the awful spectacle of a Republican Congresswoman in tears as she bemoans private enterprise and the profit motive (!!!) and of Congressmen raking CBS executives over the coals. All for momentary facetime and soundbites on their local news. Great stuff there.

People are saying that this isn't an example of state censorship, but after what was essentially a Congressional show trial of CBS, quickly followed by threats to increase FCC "indecency" fines from $27,500 to $275,000 per "infraction..." well, you decide if governmental power was behind CBS & Clearchannel's decisions.

And some so-called conservatives won't bat an eye because they find Howard Stern aesthetically displeasing. Some people on this thread are naming Hollywood names as hopeful targets of future Congressional threats. This is facist at its core and as vp_cal noted, you "conservatives" had better think about what precedents are being established.

I've been mocked on FR before for lamenting the loss of GOP ideals, but I'll lament another aspect of it again: remember when Newt was on the warpath, questioning the very necessity of the FCC?

Kudos to all the FReepers on this thread defending Stern and freedom of speech. And kudos to those of you who don't like Stern, but are concerned by this, as well.

To the FCC: I FIND YOU HIGHLY DISGUSTING!