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Originally posted by Not Me
Is the indecency standard limited to sex and bodily functions? Maybe it is, I am not an expert on this topic.
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Nigger is not a 7 dirty word. It is an extremely offensive word, and one I would not use (other than in a discussion such as this), but that is what the tuner or remote control is for.
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Originally posted by Not Me I would say it is a particularly offensive racial slur and that is a category that can legitimately be regulated on the public airwaves. I think you can identify the words that fall into that category rather readily. Spic, kike, nigger, gook, that kind of stuff. Now I know that guido and dego are offensive to italians, but so far in our society, those words aren't offensive in the same way that the racial slurs against oppressed (or previously oppressed) minorities are. Maybe some day, but not today.
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And I would say that you have just proved the point I have been trying to make. In order to make a determination, you, much like the FCC, are a making judgment call. My guess is that many would find guido and other slang terms offensive as well. You have essentially proposed an "I know it when I see/hear it standard" which provides no certainty and is entirely discretionary. I would think someone with your beliefs would not want to leave such discretionary power in the hands of a government bureaucrat.
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Originally posted by Not Me The italians haven't been an oppressed group in this society as best I can remember.
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You should ask your law school for a refund because the history portions of your education have failed you.
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Originally posted by Not Me I guess I just don't think it is all that hard to figure out what things are just too offensive to broadcast. If the FCC starts going after mildly offensive speech, then I will worry. But so far, they rarely enforce these standards, when they do it is for outrageous statements, and even then, it has little effect.
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It's hard for me to figure out, and I am far more educated than the average broadcaster. If we could draw a clear and definitive line, I wouldn't worry so much (although I still would not be in favor of it). But we can't, so the slippery slope is a real threat.
