Again, I just don't understand the radio world I use to love so much. Yesterday, Clear Channel Broadcasting cut almost 600 more jobs in an effort to pick up the bottom line and add more of their own broke-ass syndicated programming to replace the broadcasters they've canned. The way to renew the lifeless brand known as broadcast radio would be the exact opposite. Step away from bland, pre-programed bile (hello, Ryan Seacrest!) and allow your local stations to be live and local. Let radio live again, and people will bless you with ratings and revenue. But it seems Clear Channel is intent on taking every bit of creative thinking and spontaneous content away in favor of the all mighty bottom line. Fire more people, make it so nearly all of your stations are a la carte selections from your "programming tier" of shit. Or like their stations here in Ocean City/Salisbury, Md. Just can the jocks, and segue music back to back. No big diff, right Mr. Hogan?
But it pales in comparison to the Supreme Court decision yesterday on expletives. The old people in robes decided by a 5-4 vote that they would uphold the antiquated standard, which is mainly about quick throw away comments celebrities have made on awards shows, although it applies to all broadcasters.
Antonin Scalia said, "Even isolated utterances can be...vulgar and shocking and harm children."
Let's look at the main incident the FCC/old peoples court is looking into. In 2002 (long ago enough for you?) Cher won some phony lifetime achievement award from the Golden Globes, and said, "People have been telling me I'm on the way out every year, so fuck 'em."
I'd like to see some actual data that suggests untold children had their brains turned to mush because of this.
And the double standard exists, as "Saving Private Ryan" can air in some situations, because it's about war, and cussing is a part of war.
The ruling yesterday expands a 1978 decision I know you're all familiar with, the George Carlin seven dirty words.
These folks are concerned about words. They incorrectly think because the word "fuck" can mean "make love" that children will take it in the wrong context, I guess.
Someone in broadcasting...Fox, CBS... someone has to challenge this in court as this all falls directly under the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Otherwise, we're all fucked. As in fucked up, not fucking. I'm not sure what we, the people can do. Unless someone orders up some "Tea Parties" on this topic, we are moving backwards as a society in regards to words, and where and how they can be spoken.
FCC, it's ok to have boner pill ads on 24/7. It's ok to have soap opera actors half naked and screwing every midday. It's ok to run movies so violent we are practically endorsing murder.
BUT if Cher slips and says "fuck", the wheels are comin' off!
Swine Flu. Wars in Iraq and elsewhere. Our crumbling economy and the sad status of the Big 3 automakers. Our declining educational standards and the cost of decent health care. Terrorists.
But we are still stuck on dirty words.
FUCK, this so so wrong! (And no, Justice Scalia, that doesn't mean I want to literally Fuck you. But...FUCK YOU.) We have been on this slippery slope since Janet Jackson's nipple came out of her top. It's time to stop this foolishness.
Michael Copps, the FCC acting chairman said yesterdays decision was, "A big win for America's families." Right. Against that all time killer of families, the F word.
Wrong. It's yet another BIG LOSS for America, period.
Keep killin me.
d.
April 29 2009
830am
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