I usually support this organization, and I have written a number of letters to my Congressman on various issues, and sent E-Mails to different officials thru their site for these guys, but I cannot support them on this issue. They're being prudes with this one (if you ask me), because the network censors won't allow the F word to be used...this all stems from an awards show where Bono said "fuck," and the FCC had to make a ruling on the issue, due to so many complaints and questions. This is a pointless battle, since no kid will ever be harmed by a word- especially a four letter word that has no racial or ethnic connotation to it. If we hear "fuck" on tv or radio- no one's going to die, no one is going to turn mental, no one if going to be scarred for life. And I surely wouldn't call the F word "verbal pornography." Not to mention- censorship is always a bad idea if you ask me-because you infringe on the freedoms of adults to supposedly "protect" the children...tho there is no real protection from words. I am against censorship in most forms, because- as I said, when you censor something to protect kids, you are censoring from consenting adults who shouldn't have to be "protected" from 4 letter words. This is the parents' jobs to keep kids away from programs where foul language is used, not the government. This is ironic coming from a conservative organization, which should be working for limited government.
You'll notice they mention songs on the radio, tv shows, news, etc. Remember, each network has censors that make decisions based on their own standards- not FCC rules. This ruling does NOT mean you'll hear this on the radio, that's highly unlikely- plus, should your kids be listening to howard stern or any other "shock jocks?" There is no way this will be heard on the news, that's ludicrous. And, the networks won't be allowing this language either...especially on shows that are targeted to kids. Third- the FCC rules on language only apply to network TV anyhow- a mere 4 channels (abc, nbc, cbs, fox), and they might apply to WB and UPN as well. Most of us have cable, and cable isn't bound by FCC rules on language and content...the movies on cable are edited due to each network's own rules- written by their own standards and practices departments.
So, their panic over this issue is fairly unfounded, being that FCC rules cover so little of what's actually on tv, and kids shouldn't be watching shows that would ever use this language to begin with. So, I suggest the AFA not be uptight on this issue, and for people who support them to NOT support them with this issue. When censorship starts anywhere, it's bound to keep going and cover more and more speech that should be protected. The F word isn't going to lead our country into the gutter anymore than it already is...remember, the airwaves that tv and radio are broadcast on belong to the American people...
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED NOW!