I know that Stern pushed for his listeners to complain about Oprah Winfrey (?). Oprah got away with saying things about vaginas and sexual practices that Stern was fined for
This is exactly where the problem of non-enforcement has brought us. Because Oprah gets away with it, Stern thinks he can do it too. However, in reality Oprah was just not caught because none of the complainers were looking at her show, and had somebody complained the stations airing her show would have gotten fined.
The problem is that the FCC doesn't have the resources to watch every channel all the time, and the PTC doesn't either so they just target programs where they expect to find something...
the problem is that after stern brought the issue up, a LOT of people filed complaints about oprah, many orders of magnitude more than complained about stern. the fcc even admitted this!
and STILL oprah hasn't been fined. only stern has.
oprah is loved so she can break the rules however and whenever she likes, while stern is reviled and gets severely punished for the tiniest infraction.
Oprah contributes to the correct political campaigns (Repubs and Dems). Stern did not do this and therefore made a convenient target for the bible beaters. This, by the way, is the same reason Martha Stewart went to jail for what was barely stock fraud but Bill Gates got a slap on the wrist for monopolistic activities.
Howard Stern stays exactly within the narrow lane of behavior with which he has been assigned. Namely, he is to appeal to the 'rebel' demographic by himself being a 'rebel' against the very system which permits his survival. This reminds me of the skinny dork I knew in 8th grade who was talking about all the advantages of survival of the fittest and anarchy, and how mad he got when my very intelligent friend asked him if it had occurred to him that he would in all l
When I've heard Stern (which is rarely), I have heard things that I would agree meet the 3 criteria that the FCC uses.
Oprah fails to meet the third: in general, you can reasonably argue that there is a valid educational purpose in what she (or her guests in most cases) are discussing (e.g. the above quoted salad-tossing and rainbow party examples).
That's just my opinion, and I don't agree with banning things that match the 3 criterea anyway, but the FCC does seem to be following the rules that the law and
Knowing Stern, any mention of this topic is most likely done in a degrading, derogatory manner, with absolutely no intrinsic value other than to titilate/stimulate his brain-dead listeners
I see quite a difference between this aproach, and approaching the subject with a sense of intellectual or educational value. Perhaps it's not so much the "what" that matters here, so much as the "how".
You are misinterpreting how the FCC polices indecency. It doesn't watch channels. It responds to complaints that provide transcripts of the alledgedly offensive broadcasts. The PTC and other American Moralists have been streaming complaints against Howard Stern for over a decade. That's why he's been getting fined.
The Oprah Winfrey example clearly illustrates the hypocrisy in how the FCC arbitrarily chooses to levy fines. If you're a friend to the mainstream, you're safe. If you're outside the status quo, watch out.
Here's a link to the transcripts [howardstern.com]. Judge for yourself if the FCC is being fair.
This is exactly where the problem of non-enforcement has brought us. Because Oprah gets away with it, Stern thinks he can do it too. However, in reality Oprah was just not caught because none of the complainers were looking at her show, and had somebody complained the stations airing her show would have gotten fined.
That does raise the question of why a whole bunch of upstanding Christians were listening to Howard Stern. I mean, come on, are you really telling me that the people that are getting offended by Stern are otherwise usual Stern listeners? It's like that other group lobbying radio stations not to play Skinny Puppy or else they'll boycott the station... because as we all know the impact of the hordes of fundamentalist christian right wing nutjobs that actually listen to any radio station ever that plays Skinny Puppy is enourmous. These people are deliberately going out looking for trouble and looking to be offended. That's the reason that people that make their name off shock tactics (Stern etc.) are getting targetted, but people doing equally graphics things that aren't known for it (Oprah) get away with it. It's all just silly.
people have come to the incorrect conclusion that these upstanding Christians were actually listening to stern
the fact is, they aren't. the PTC writes up some draft letter, and they send it out to their 'members', who basically just change the signature. there was an article in the nypost (i think?) about this just a few weeks ago
people have come to the incorrect conclusion that these upstanding Christians were actually listening to stern
the fact is, they aren't. the PTC writes up some draft letter, and they send it out to their 'members', who basically just change the signature. there was an article in the nypost (i think?) about this just a few weeks ago
Which is even worse! They are being told that it's offensive, and just going along with it. There seems to be a dire lack of critial thinking in the US today. The number of
I used to listen to Howard Stern on my way to seminary. Does that count? I wasn't offended though, only mildly amused. I mean all the morning radio guys were trying to be LIKE Stern so why not just listen to the original?;-)
Thanks! Some fan I am: I didn't know there was a new album, _AND_ I saw them at the Ballroom in San Francisco back in the fall!
Awesome show. I hadn't been to an industrial concert since I saw NIN/Manson in NY in Novmber of 1994 (shush, you!;-). This time I sat in the balcony and let the young-ins tear it up on the floor. In such a small venue, the sound was brain rattling, but I had to go back to the car and leave all my studed bracelets and belts behind... what's the world coming to these days...
Thanks! Some fan I am: I didn't know there was a new album, _AND_ I saw them at the Ballroom in San Francisco back in the fall!
Yeah, I didn't know about the new album till the concert either. I wasn't that into skinny puppy before. My girlfriend loves them so I went with her... but after hearing more of their old stuff than she usually plays, I found that I like a lot of it. And I love the new stuff. We ordered the new album a week after the concert.
In such a small venue, the sound was brain rattling
That does raise the question of why a whole bunch of upstanding Christians were listening to Howard Stern.
Thats just it. They werent listening to Howard and they never will listen to Howard or Opie and Anthony.
What happens is some organization catches wind of something and then they scramble their christian family group ninjas into action. They start letter campaigns that are based on lies. In other words they have individuals who havent even seen the program to write complaints.
I hate to defend the Christian Right, but in fairness I must say that even if you're just scanning the dial, half the time you land on the Howard Stern show you're bound to hear something that would be offensive to a great many people, be it baiting the mentally challenged or lewd commentary re: strippers etc.
What about Howard Stern (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:1)
The problem is that the FCC doesn't have the resources to watch every channel all the time, and the PTC doesn't either so they just target programs where they expect to find something...
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:5, Interesting)
and STILL oprah hasn't been fined. only stern has.
oprah is loved so she can break the rules however and whenever she likes, while stern is reviled and gets severely punished for the tiniest infraction.
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:4, Interesting)
"Do you see Al Franken being fined?"
Not yet. But it will happen soon I am sure.
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
That would imply that he has listeners.
Al Franken (Score:2)
it's only a matter of time.
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:1)
Howard Stern stays exactly within the narrow lane of behavior with which he has been assigned. Namely, he is to appeal to the 'rebel' demographic by himself being a 'rebel' against the very system which permits his survival. This reminds me of the skinny dork I knew in 8th grade who was talking about all the advantages of survival of the fittest and anarchy, and how mad he got when my very intelligent friend asked him if it had occurred to him that he would in all l
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Oprah fails to meet the third: in general, you can reasonably argue that there is a valid educational purpose in what she (or her guests in most cases) are discussing (e.g. the above quoted salad-tossing and rainbow party examples).
That's just my opinion, and I don't agree with banning things that match the 3 criterea anyway, but the FCC does seem to be following the rules that the law and
Re:You can't see the difference? (Score:2)
Knowing Stern, any mention of this topic is most likely done in a degrading, derogatory manner, with absolutely no intrinsic value other than to titilate/stimulate his brain-dead listeners
I see quite a difference between this aproach, and approaching the subject with a sense of intellectual or educational value. Perhaps it's not so much the "what" that matters here, so much as the "how".
that's not how the FCC operates (Score:5, Interesting)
You are misinterpreting how the FCC polices indecency. It doesn't watch channels. It responds to complaints that provide transcripts of the alledgedly offensive broadcasts. The PTC and other American Moralists have been streaming complaints against Howard Stern for over a decade. That's why he's been getting fined.
The Oprah Winfrey example clearly illustrates the hypocrisy in how the FCC arbitrarily chooses to levy fines. If you're a friend to the mainstream, you're safe. If you're outside the status quo, watch out.
Here's a link to the transcripts [howardstern.com]. Judge for yourself if the FCC is being fair.
I think (Score:2)
Just a thought...
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:5, Insightful)
That does raise the question of why a whole bunch of upstanding Christians were listening to Howard Stern. I mean, come on, are you really telling me that the people that are getting offended by Stern are otherwise usual Stern listeners? It's like that other group lobbying radio stations not to play Skinny Puppy or else they'll boycott the station... because as we all know the impact of the hordes of fundamentalist christian right wing nutjobs that actually listen to any radio station ever that plays Skinny Puppy is enourmous. These people are deliberately going out looking for trouble and looking to be offended. That's the reason that people that make their name off shock tactics (Stern etc.) are getting targetted, but people doing equally graphics things that aren't known for it (Oprah) get away with it. It's all just silly.
Jedidiah.
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:1)
the fact is, they aren't. the PTC writes up some draft letter, and they send it out to their 'members', who basically just change the signature. there was an article in the nypost (i think?) about this just a few weeks ago
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
the fact is, they aren't. the PTC writes up some draft letter, and they send it out to their 'members', who basically just change the signature. there was an article in the nypost (i think?) about this just a few weeks ago
Which is even worse! They are being told that it's offensive, and just going along with it. There seems to be a dire lack of critial thinking in the US today. The number of
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
What station was boycotted and when?
Just curious.
An SP fan.
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
They released a new album this year. They've also been on tour this fall. You should see them if you still can, very good show...
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Thanks! Some fan I am: I didn't know there was a new album, _AND_ I saw them at the Ballroom in San Francisco back in the fall!
Awesome show. I hadn't been to an industrial concert since I saw NIN/Manson in NY in Novmber of 1994 (shush, you!
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Yeah, I didn't know about the new album till the concert either. I wasn't that into skinny puppy before. My girlfriend loves them so I went with her... but after hearing more of their old stuff than she usually plays, I found that I like a lot of it. And I love the new stuff. We ordered the new album a week after the concert.
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:1)
Thats just it. They werent listening to Howard and they never will listen to Howard or Opie and Anthony.
What happens is some organization catches wind of something and then they scramble their christian family group ninjas into action. They start letter campaigns that are based on lies. In other words they have individuals who havent even seen the program to write complaints.
This turns out a large n
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Who is more likely to shoot themself in the face?
Put a well raised kid in a room alone with a gun, and then put a teased, abused, mentally damaged child alone in a room with a gun....
Who is likely to blow their brains out?
Actually, you might be surprised...
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:2)
Re:What about Howard Stern (Score:1)