Indecency

From the Washington Post:

On Thursday night, the Senate unanimously approved a bill that would increase from $32,500 to $325,000 the maximum fine that the Federal Communications Commission could impose for violating its standards for decency. The House previously passed a version that would raise the maximum fine to $500,000.

"When families are watching a Sunday night football game, they shouldn't have to brace themselves for a televised strip tease," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said in a floor statement yesterday, referring to the 2004 Super Bowl. Frist championed the new bill.

Gee. I feel safer already.

I'm also extremely happy for the odious Senator. Obviously, the accidental glimpse of Janet Jackson's pierced nipple over two years ago proved to be an unbearable trauma for Mr. Frist and his ilk. Let's all give a prayer of thanks that Frist and his prudish Congressional buddies on both sides of the aisle will finally be able to get a good night's rest, knowing that they've protected us all from the one true terror facing our fragile society - the sight of the unclothed human body.

Give me a f#%king break!

This infantile definition of "indecency" that exists in our culture is not only ridiculous, it's downright repulsive. The relentless, graphic portrayal of violence as popular entertainment should be far more offensive to a civilized society than a bit of naked flesh. An exposed breast? Call the morals police. A severed arm? Bring in the kids and pass that popcorn!

Indecency doesn't end with dramatized dismemberment either. What about Congressional collusion with the pharmaceutical industry, a topic with which the dear Senator is well acquainted? There's some "indecency" with real consequences. For that matter, what about any of the actions taken by Congress for the past six years? Or the misinformation broadcast daily by FOX News and Rush Limbaugh and other Conservative sycophants?

What about the televised lies of a President who committed this nation to an unjust, unprovoked, unnecessary war, among other egregious missteps? Seems to me that each of these items are of much greater harm to the American soul than the potential sight of Dennis Franz's derriere.

In fact, it's downright indecent that, with all the genuine problems facing this country right now, our elected officials would be spending their time - and our tax dollars - on such a hypocritical non-issue to begin with.

Oh well. At least Congress has finally summoned the courage to hold someone accountable for something. It's just too bad that the FCC isn't empowered to protect us all from the boobs in control of our nation.