At first, it sounded like an unfair bureaucratic issue. Paula Kerger, the new President and CEO of PBS, has been speaking publicly about her fear that PBS may face fines for violating the “fine print” of FCC laws in its upcoming presentation of Ken Burns’ World War II documentary. At first glance, it would seem unfair for the FCC to dictate how the story is told, let alone issue fines of over a half a million dollars per incident.
But it turns out that the issue is not about politics or historical bias: it’s about language. Basically, PBS wants to cuss. As Kerger said, “In order to tell some stories, we may need to use language that the FCC may not think is so appropriate.”
The issue is coming months after a PBS affiliate was fined $15,000 for using two common cusswords in its “The Blues” series. In June, President Bush signed off on the significant increase of the maximum fine.
I think it’s about time for more significant restriction of television cussing. One of the cusswords in “The Blues” was about the most gross and vile of all cusswords. The other is so common it is often shouted loudly at sports events. Parents are well-known for correcting their kids when they cuss–especially at young ages–but rarely consider how often their kids hear cussing in the neighborhood, at school, in music, in movies and on live television.
There once was a time when television–especially during prime viewing periods–was a safe respite from the neighborhood’s foul language for a young person to be entertained and (especially on PBS) even educated. They deserve it back. To think that history can’t be re-told without cussing is like saying Sex Ed. can’t be told without pornography.
And if adults require the R-rated language version, let them make the donation receive the unedited DVD in the mail!
posted July 28, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Two words – PARENTAL CONTROL!!! My mother monitored my TV watching back in the day now considered SAFE. She did not let me watch TV if she didn’t think it was appropriate as with anything else in the world. Tell me why an adult has to pay for limited TV to protect children who don’t pay a dime for it? If parents are worried about what their children see and hear then let them use parental controls and limit their watching. I am appalled at this whole thing. I should rent a DVD? Parents should do that and let adults who pay get to watch adult things in the privacy of their own homes. This is insane nonsense that should stop now.>
posted July 29, 2006 at 12:10 am
The cursing in Mr. Burns World War II documentary comes from veterans telling their stories in their own words. I think that these men, through their service and sacrifice in that conflict, have earned the right to speak without having their words bleeped or their mouths pixalated because of paper-pushers in Washington who answer only to their own special interests. Sanitizing and making history politically correct is not protecting our children. It’s allowing parents to abdicate their responsibilities in placing these veteran’s stories in context and perspective. Sherman said “War is hell.” “War is heck” just doesn’t carry the same meaning.>
posted September 20, 2006 at 8:04 pm
I’m for cleaning up the language. Not only for the children but for every generation to come. Foul language is just a cover up for all who are broken down and hurt in some way. It’s like a shield infront of their heart, they don’t want it to be revealed incase of injury. There would be a more loving and understanding world if people conversed with respectful words.>
posted October 27, 2006 at 4:09 pm
We’re talking about WAR VETERANS! A lot of these men ARE broken down and hurt (War has a way of doing that to a person.) Let’s face it … the average American is more likely to speak like Eminem than Frasier Crane. Why do we insist on shielding our kids from the real world? Whatever happened to parental responsibility? I have no desire to live in a nanny state that tells me what I can and can’t see on TV, what to eat and drink, and how much exercise I should be gettting!>
posted October 27, 2006 at 6:14 pm
I believe receiving an unedited copy of the story in the mail is a great alternative to advertising public cussing. Yes, the veterans should be able to tell their story as long as it does not influence others who might pick up the bad talk and think that it couldn’t have been stated in another way. The power of language is too great to think that it won’t/can’t hurt others. It is our reponsiblity while we are the keepers of God’s planet to be mindful of situations, occurances, or other actions that do not bring glory to the creator.>
posted November 1, 2006 at 4:00 pm
In MY house the parents make the rules. Period. Some words are simply not allowed by anyone. We all (adults and children)are aware that some people use some words sometimes, but we don’t. No rationale is needed; that’s just the rule in this house. Foul words are not used, ever, with others who might be offended.>
posted November 1, 2006 at 8:28 pm
I feel that using extreme cuss words are showing a lack of vocabulary. My father was a truck driver and I never heard the f word from him although he used other cuss words. The f word shocks my inner self..you can’t get away from it or I would. Go out in public and you will hear it even at restaurants and shopping. It is shocking to hear 3 yr olds say it. I think it totally is a misuse of a beautiful langage. If you know you offend someone in your presents, you contaminates their space with vulgar words. Betty>
posted November 5, 2006 at 11:53 pm
People really need to get a grip. I curse, I have no problem with those vets “telling it like it was” in their own language. I think that the only thing that is needed is that the network tell people BEFORE viewing that there is cursing and if they choose not to watch it then they can turn the channel. We have so many other evils in the world that griping about cursing is quite silly to me.>