Bush signs law boosting TV, radio indecency fines
Jun 15, 2006 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Thursday signed into law legislation that raises fines tenfold on radio and television broadcasters that violate U.S. decency standards by airing extensive profanity or sexual content. The new law, which boosts fines to as much as $325,000 per violation from $32,500, could help congressional Republicans woo conservatives in a tough election year as they have faced ebbing support from key core constituencies.
Having struck out in his attempt to wipe out the evil scourge that is gay marriage, and having apparently solved all other pressing problems facing our great nation, Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader has decided that his next trick will be banning bad words. Yes, just you try saying the Seven Dirty Words on TV or radio, and you could cost the network up to $325,000. That’s what flashing a nipple during a Super Bowl halftime show has wrought.
That the Christian Coalition has made increasing indeceny fines the #5 item on its 2006 legislative agenda certainly has helped to make this an Administration priority. Besides, it’s an easy fix. No one wants to defend indecency (it’s not a free speech issue if you frame it properly), so Republicans can make this look as if they are all about keeping our airwaves safe for our precious, impressionable children. Freedom of speech and expression has nothing to do with it, since no reasonable person can defend flashing a female areola or using the word “fuck” repeatedly.
Hey, pandering to the Relgious Right sure beats the Hell (no pun intended, of course) out of doing the hard work of formulating actual policy, doesn’t it? Now those good, God-fearing Christians who believe that Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader is anointed by God and that “GOP” really does stand for “God’s Own Party” can shout “Hallelujah” until their vocal cords fray. God IS good…and we’re in charge!!!
Greetings from Pleasantville- where all the men are strong, all the women are good-looking, and all the children are above average (not to mention rich, White, and Christian)….
