Archive for Tuesday, November, 4, 2008

The Supes Revisit Indecency…

Tuesday, November, 4, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

For the first time since George Carlin’s “Filthy Words” broadcast ‘violated the law’ on WBAI in 1978, the Supreme Court will tackle the indecency law.  This is far more important than the tabled Kevin Martin votes on ‘white spaces’ and cell phone usage which won’t see the light of day until we have a new president.  Bet on it.  The new indecency case is FCC v. Fox Television Stations, 07-582.  CNNMoney.com reports that the case will be heard as we all head to the polls to elect our next president…

In the Fox case, a lower court threw out the FCC’s citation of the network for two incidents when celebrities used expletives during live broadcasts of “The Billboard Music Awards.”  The FCC said the expletives were indecent even though its previous policy said one-off instances of profanity didn’t violate the standard.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected the agency’s new indecency interpretation on procedural grounds saying the FCC didn’t follow appropriate methods for reversing course.  In its argument, Fox noted that the FCC found the same swear words acceptable in the TV broadcast of “Saving Private Ryan” and unacceptable in a broadcast of the documentary program “The Blues: Godfathers and Sons.”  …

Fox’s position is supported by other broadcast networks, free speech advocates and some former FCC officials.  What’s at stake in this new Fox case is whether or not the FCC overstepped its regulatory authority.  Some attorneys are expecting a major statement that could set a framework for the FCC’s indecency enforcement for years to come.  It’s not as major as the election of a new president but it’s a decision that could be monumental for those regulated by the FCC…

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1842] Wedding Bells: Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd rock down the aisle…
  2. 1922] King Tut sighting: The entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb is discovered (by Steve Martin?) in Egypt…
  3. 1924] Madam Governor: Nellie T. Ross (Wyoming) is elected the nation’s 1st woman Governor, chosen to serve the remaining term of her husband William who died in office…
  4. 1955] “Happy Trails“: Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young dies of natural causes at 88…
  5. 1971] Hangin’ up his sneakers: NBA great, Elgin Baylor of the Lakers announces his retirement because of knee problems…
  6. 1979] Hostage Crisis Day 1: Militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran as the Iranian Hostage Crisis begins (52 hostages will be held for the next 14 months)…
  7. 1980] Reagan romp: Ronald Reagan wins the White House, defeating Jimmy Carter soundly…
  8. 1991] Reagan retirement: Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Bush help Reagan dedicate his Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley (CA).  Here’s a look at the library…
  9. 1995] Cut down: Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated by a Jewish extremist after speaking at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.  Here is the actual video of the shooting…
  10. 2007] Record breaker: Antonio Cromartie of the San Diego Chargers breaks the record for the longest play in NFL history with a 109 yard missed field goal return…

Music Memories:

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Matthew McConaughey 39, Jeff Probst 46, Kathy Griffin 47, Markie Post 58, First Lady Laura Bush 62, Loretta Swit 71, Doris Roberts 78 and Uncle Walter Cronkite 92…

Timeline Countdown: Today is Election Day, 7 days until Veteran’s Day and 23 days until Thanksgiving…

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