Judges Find Dignity in Profanity

Townhall.com ^ | July 16, 2010 | Brent Bozell

[pnh102]

I guess I hit a nerve.

Clearly you aren't aware of a time in this country when conservative talk radio, or any conservative media outlets for that matter, did not exist.

But hey, let the FCC regulate content, and we can re-live those "good old days."

[Ken H]

James Madison on licentiousness and the First Amendment:

"Is, then, the Federal Government, it will be asked, destitute of every authority for restraining the licentiousness of the press, and for shielding itself against the libellous attacks which may be made on those who administer it?

The Constitution alone can answer this question. If no such power be expressly delegated, and if it be not both necessary and proper to carry into execution an express power--above all, if it be expressly forbidden, by a declaratory amendment to the Constitution--the answer must be, that the Federal Government is destitute of all such authority."

James Madison, Report on the Virginia Resolutions; Jan. 1800

http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendI_speechs24.html

[DJ MacWoW]

Again: “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams

[Ken H]

Are you saying Madison was wrong about the First Amendment?

[DJ MacWoW]

I’m saying Adams was right about the Constitution. It only works for a moral and religious people and no other. That ain’t us. Not anymore.

[Thurston_Howell_III]

You can quote Washington to me all day long, I doubt Washington can speak intelligently about television spectrum licenses and their rapidly diminishing role in the “public good.” Anyway, I prefer to paraphrase Mark Twain:

“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.”

[eastforker]

WTF!!! Just so everybody here knows what I’m talking about!!

[DJ MacWoW]

I’m certain you are more educated and refined than Washington was. And much smarter. He had no idea that cursing was of such benefit, the stupid bumpkin.

[Thurston_Howell_III]

We should probably start removing curse words from movies as well, seeing as we wouldn’t want to harm society with them lest we lose our ability to be governed by the constitution. Such hogwash...

[Thurston_Howell_III]

I’m certain you are more educated and refined than Washington was. And much smarter. He had no idea that cursing was of such benefit, the stupid bumpkin.

Strawman. But really, maybe not Washington, but certainly you.

[DJ MacWoW]

Movies that are aired are "bleeped". Otherwise moviegoers have to pay to see and hear trash.

I see you're new here. Since Apr 5, 2010 Must be why you think Mark Twain is wiser than Geo Washington.

[pnh102]

I’m saying Adams was right about the Constitution.

Funny. It was Adams who gave us the Sedition Act of 1798. Madison argued that it was an unconstitutional violation of the right of freedom of speech.

[DJ MacWoW]

Strawman. But really, maybe not Washington, but certainly you.

No it wasn't a strawman as you elevated Mark Twain above George Washington's opinion of cursing. You also derided his lack of knowledge of the modern world. As if that matters. Vile and profane have not changed throughout time.

You have a nice day. Noob.

[Thurston_Howell_III]

I can't stand idle while the nanny state crowd tries to employ logic using poorly constructed sophistry to further place us into bondage. Personal attacks are banned on FreeRepublic, you'd be wise to remember that.

And again the argument is weak, though movie goers pay for tickets to see trash, we PAY taxes and OWN the PUBLIC licenses, so we do, in a de facto way, PAY to hear the trash on television.

The bottom line is that the government does not have a right to tell us what we can and cannot put on television, they exist mesrely to administer the infrastructure. And lucky for me, the trend is going with my line of thought.

[gdani]

Because you have no response to being told to look at historical context.

There's no doubt the primary purpose of the First Amendment is to protect people who wish to criticize the Government.

But limiting it to that - which the Founding Fathers explicitly did not do but could have in plain language - would mean the Government could punish me for (among many other things):

* Telling people who to vote for
* Circulating petitions & soliciting signatures
* Any/all of the books I read, movies I watch & Internet sites I visit
* Contributing to certain political candidates, parties & organizations

Are you prepared to say the First Amendment does not - and was never meant to - protect the above?

[gdani]

I can't stand idle while the nanny state crowd tries to employ logic using poorly constructed sophistry to further place us into bondage.

Oh, that happens all the time around here.

So-called "small government conservatives" who ditch their principles when it suits them.

It's the same as the people who scream "states' rights!" - except when it comes to something like medicinal marijuana or assisted suicide.

If you're looking for consistency, you'll have to look elsewhere (and that applies to all humans, not just this site).

[DJ MacWoW]

Communist Goals

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

[Ken H]

I'm saying Adams was right about the Constitution. It only works for a moral and religious people and no other. That ain't us. Not anymore.

So you have judged the American people and found them immoral and unworthy of constitutional protections. Your contempt for both the Constitution and the American people is on full display.

[Political Junkie Too]

I can't keep the liberal excuses clear anymore.

Is this the "we're just a mirror of society" excuse, or the "we need to push the envelope of art" excuse?

-PJ

[DJ MacWoW]

Your contempt for both the Constitution and the American people is on full display.

I have shown NO contempt for the Constitution. But you can spin it if you like. It makes it easier to back public filth.

We are not a moral and religious people anymore. We are sliding down the slippery slope faster and faster. See post 57 and tell me that those goals haven't been met.