SCOTUS to Weigh In on F**king S**t
Last year, the TV networks and their "fleeting expletives" won their case against the Federal Communications Commission. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in favor of Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC... and the public's right to hear Jane Fonda use the "c" word as necessary.
SCOTUS agreed yesterday to hear the FCC's appeal.
The Second Circuit held that, contrary to the commission’s policy under the Bush administration, the agency could not punish television stations for broadcasting “fleeting expletives,” or blurted obscenities. At the time, F.C.C. officials expressed concern that the opinion could hamper the ability of the commission to regulate any speech on television or radio.Kevin J. Martin, the chairman of the commission, said on Monday that he was pleased that the high court would review the issue. Last June, he said he was “disappointed for American families” because of the Second Circuit ruling.
“The commission, Congress, and most importantly, parents understand that protecting our children in our greatest responsibility,” Mr. Martin said. “I continue to believe we have an obligation, then, to enforce laws restricting indecent language on television and radio when children are in the audience.”
American families everywhere are rejoicing.
For background on the Second Circuit's ruling, check out this excellent New York Journal article:
The FCC planned to sanction the network first for Cher's comment at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, when she said "f**k 'em" about critics who had repeatedly said her career was over.Richie followed at the 2003 awards by saying "Have you ever tried to get cow s**t out of a Prada purse? It's not so f**king simple."
Who would have thought that Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie's adventures on the Simple Life would spur a Supreme Court case? We hope to hear Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg read Nicole Richie's quote aloud during arguments.
2nd Circuit Finds FCC's Policy on 'Fleeting Expletives' Arbitrary [New York Law Journal on Law.com]
Justices to Hear F.C.C. Indecency Case [New York Times]
(23) Comments
F*cking First!
fucking awesome
Anyone who's actually interested in protecting children should be a lot more worried about the fact that their kids are watching Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie at all. I mean, are they any less offensive when they aren't using the seven dirty words?
I'm too lazy to look up the FCC's statutory authority, but I'm pretty sure "protecting children" is not actually their number one responsibility.
12:44 - 19 U.S.C. 12201 - the FCC "shall be responsible for . . . the upbringing of children"
This post is fucking brilliant, it really is.
And we digress another 75 years as a society. Were it not for the fact that our economy and tax base would dissolve, alchohol, tobacco, and pornography would all be banned.
Soon, all opinions will be monitored by the government. The bill of rights is a shadow of its former self, especially the first amendment. We become more and more like the countries we call the axis of evil every day. Soon enought the moderate christians will give in to the nut jobs (aka Republicans) and we will have the american version of Kim Jong Il.
Hey FCC, leave us the f**k alone, commies. Kids are NOT supposed to be your number one priority, but thanks for admitting that you have a BS agenda, instead of actually doing your job.
What about *my* right to listen to whatever expletives I want? Or do only families with children get to dictate what counts as a first amendment right?
Guys from my high school used to drop F-bombs on live network television all the time. It was no big deal.
This case should be right up Scalia's foul-mouthed alley.
Been waiting years for a case like this. The FCC NEEDS to be put in its place.
I fear for the day the FCC gets their way and gets control of cable. Fuckin' nanny-state...
So Nicole Ritchie uses the word "shit" in a remarkably apt descriptive manner, and the FTC goes berserk ("think of the children!") but every manner of trashy, vile, low-life behavior is exalted on network reality shows, not to mention that disgusting game show that has contestants fess up to all kinds of crude behavior? No fines from the FTC for that stuff, right?
"We hope to hear Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg read Nicole Richie's quote aloud during arguments."
Best line of the year on ATL so far.
1:14: Best use of the "best ___ of the year" hyperbole so far this year.
fucking morality police
Maybe the Chairman learned about the 1st amendment at PENN state.
12:55 - I think you mean REgress?
If the FCC loses, can JT accidentally rip off *all* of Janet Jackson's clothes during the next superbowl?
I'll be rooting for Mr. Phillips take this one.
shit piss fuck cunt cocksucker mutherfucker and tits, and tits doesn't even belong on the list...
It would be a minor miracle if Ginsburg is even awake during arguments.
13, what the hell does the FTC have to do with anything? If you haven't taken the LSAT yet, there is still ample time to brush up on your obviously lacking reading skills.