The cooler side of the pillow....with the b-word

I was wondering when it became common for the "b-word" to be said on television without a bleep. Seems like it started with the reality tv shows that are the best thing since turning your pillow over to feel the cool side.

The Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 for the Federal Communications Commission's right to regulate even "fleeting expletives," the commission's shorthand that describes when a curse word is suddenly blurted out on live television. Those weren't treated as indecent until the FCC changed its policy in 2004 as part of a crackdown triggered by Janet Jackson's momentary partial nudity at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.

As far as I was concerned, this was a long time coming. I can remember a time when you'd never hear a curse word unless it was damn on television. Now, its okay for everyone to call each other "b-words" and bleep out the "got" before damn. Personally, I think that people should be able to watch what they want, but at the same time, there are kids who are watching these same shows. Some parents take strict precautions to have their kids exposed to barney, bob the builder, dora the explorer, rather than make "adult swim" accessible to them with just a touch of the remote. I commend those who watch out for their kids well being, but what happens to those who aren't being looked after? They go to school and think its okay to call another kid out of the name that he was given. We all know that kids' minds are like sponges; they catch on to everything. They're alot smarter than we think.

I remember when the infamous "Super Bowl" incident happened like it was yesterday. Yes, things happen and maybe there was a wardrobe malfunction, but it still rings in my head when my neighbor said "Since when did they show boobs on tv?" There was alot of controversy, but why did it take for that to happen for people to catch on that these things aren't the best things to hear or see on television.? Leave it for the satellite radios and cable channels.

I do understand the issue of going by the first amendment, but there are many people who get in trouble for less than the things that celebs get away with. Celebs are people, too. Its a frustrating thing to deal with, as far as yelling or letting expletives slip. You want to make everyone happy, but everyone will never be happy as a whole. There will always be those few people who aren't happy with a decision that everyone else has rooted for. Hopefully celebs and producers, along with viewers, can just take the decision that the Supreme Court eventually reaches and deal with it. BUT WHO KNOWS.....

[janise. 04.29.09]