Contemporary Community Standards

It is nice to know that nothing “obscene” is ever broadcast on television, not even on the subscription services according to the FCC. It also feels great to know that the FCC prohibits all “indecent” and “profane material between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.” because these are judged as “times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience.” So, all of us parents, we have nothing to worry about. Open the bags of potato chips for our little couch potatoes and enjoy the evening programming – it is sure to be uplifting as there is nothing “indecent”, “profane”, or “obscene” showing. Just look past the immorality, scandalous clothing, sensual situations, violence, and “bad” language… wait! I suppose that I cannot call the language “bad” because it is not “obscene”, “profane”, or “indecent”. “Bad” is to philosophical a word that our enlightened society has outgrown, and after all, we all know it is relative to community standards. As the FCC says, these things are judged “applying contemporary community standards”. So all of the wonderful programming we watch meets our standards. But the FCC does not actually “monitor particular programs or particular performers, but rather enforces the prohibition on obscenity, indecency and profanity in response to complaints.”

Why are we not complaining? Because we have adopted Hollywood’s morality as our own. Everytime we watch “bad” programming and wince we compromise our personal morality until ultimately we feel comfortable with “contemporary [Hollywood] community standards”. Think about it.

Check out the rules for yourself on the FCC website:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip/FAQ.html#TheLaw

Here are a few other links that will help to clarify some things:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patently_offensive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_v._California
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2004/FCC-04-43A1.html

Crazy hair catfish chinese man

Dad: [looking at Lisi's drawing] "Thats a cool crazy hair catfish chinese man."
Lisi: [making a slightly offended face] "Thats mommy!"

You are never quite sure what your 3 yr old is really drawing.

??

Evie: "Daddy, can I have an ice cream cone full of oatmeal?"