Senator Ted Stevens, a Republican from Alaska, wants decency laws to apply to premium cable channels like HBO and Cinemax as well. Never mind the fact that you have to specifically request these extra stations, it's just too indecent for anyone to watch in Senator Stevens opinion. Not only does he want it to apply to cable premium stations, but also to paid radio services like Sirius and XM satellite radio.
This is just outrageous in my opinion. I don't even think basic cable should have to follow any rules, as it is something that people pay to have. It is not a public service and runs on privately owned lines that people actively ask for. Granted the cable stations should monitor themselves and you would quickly find, in a free market, that cable stations that aired objectionable content on basic cable would be dropped from the cable networks as people cancelled because of it.
Those of you out there that agree with Senator Stevens -- and I know there are people out there that actually do -- let me remind you that not only is there a way to change your channel on your TV, but there is an actual way that you can not receive this content at all and that is called canceling your cable subscription. By canceling your subscription -- that you actually asked for in the first place you are removing the threat that your virgin ears may be offended.
Reuters
"Cable is a much greater violator in the indecency area," the Alaska Republican told the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents most local television and radio affiliates. "I think we have the same power to deal with cable as over-the-air" broadcasters.
"There has to be some standard of decency," he said. But he also cautioned that "No one wants censorship."
Stevens told reporters afterward that he would push legislation to apply the standards to cable TV and satellite radio and television. It could become part of a pending bill to boost fines on broadcasters who violate indecency restrictions or of an effort to overhaul U.S. communications laws.
...
Stevens said he disagreed "violently" with assertions by the cable industry that Congress does not have the authority to impose limits on its content.
"If that's the issue they want to take on, we'll take it on and let the Supreme Court decide," he said.
Wow! That's some serious arrogance there buddy. Just remember the public is out here and you're supposed to be representing them. I hope all of you people in Alaska can find a better Republican Senator next time around. One who doesn't think he is above the people he represents.
As a side-note on Senator Stevens, he has an absolutely horrible stance on immigration reform as well earning an F- according to his ranking at www.congressgrades.com, so you guys up there should get rid of this Asshat anyway.
Tipped by: Ace of Spades
Other Commentary:
VodkaPundit who hits the nail on the head with this quote:
Keep the Democrats out of my wallet and the Republicans out of my entertainment. Please.
Brain Fertilizer
Thanks for the link!
Let me point out: I'd tell my representatives to vote Sen. Stevens' proposal down.
However, all this outrage that someone would dare impose standards is really irritating me. Yes, if you don't want this stuff piped into your home at all, you can cancel cable. Why is that the only choice you want me to have? I must cancel all contact with the outside world, or I must allow the entertainment industry to say and show whatever it wants? There is a middle ground, I think. Sen. Stevens isn't going about it the right way, no, but let me put it this way: do we really want to have the same moral standards as France?
Posted by: Nathan on March 2, 2005 05:54 AM
There is a middle ground. It consists of atrocities like the dubbed version of Scarface and Goodfellas. If you've ever watched either of those you can see it doesn't work out to well.
Look, the entertainment is made the way it is, you either accept it by voting for it with your dollars or not.
As I wrote in your websites comments, with todays cable you can put a code and lockout all the channels you don't want to see or are you offended by the titles showing up in your listing as well?
I'm all for ratings like "contains nudity" or "excessive cursing" or "Strong Sexual Content" being required in the description of the program listing so you are forwarned and not made to be surprised by it, but requiring that programs aren't made or shown with any of that at all is ridiculous.
I hate to be watching some decent movie with my kid and all the sudden two teens start rubbing on each other and stripping their clothes off. There should be ways of me knowing that as a parent -- even after a tv show has started. I don't expect it to totally be censored out though for the other 80% (or whatever percentage it is) of the nation that is of age.
Posted by: Digger on March 2, 2005 07:11 AM
