Are you planning on watching Ken Burns' documentary "The War"? If so, which version will you view? What's your opinion of using foul language in the media? Are there times when it is appropriate and times when it isn't? Continue the conversation ...
I am a 5th generation Utahan . I have lived out side the state since 1962, with visits back, until 2006. Upon returning I decided to keep my sat. service in order to get uncensored news from NY and LA, I was foolish enough to think that PBS and NPR might be uncensored in Utah if they chose to air a program. I was wrong. I've been a supporter of public broadcasting and will continue to do so. KCRW and KCCP will continue to get my checks, not, however, KUER
When was the last time the FCC regulations were reviewed? During my years of volunteer work at KRCL Radio, I learned that you could not say seven specific words on the air that were opposed by the FCC. The seven words all represent bodily functions. I'm sure you can guess what they are. Doesn't it seem rather Victorian that these are still the same seven words that we deem offensive to us? I'm much more offended by racist or sexist comments, yet I hear them all the time in the media! Maybe we're focusing on the wrong things.
If an artist includes certain elements in his work, regardless of the medium, it is intended to be there.
Censorship of the reality in a documentary film, especially one about war, is a fucking joke. Who gives a shit about a few swear words in the midst of that situation.
In my opinion, the actual "bleeping" does little to edit the language in the first place. At least in the clip played at the opening of the show, it was still obvious what the "edited" word was. I would be no less offended at hearing the actual word than hearing the "bleep" knowing (albeit in my head) what the word was. The same goes for written media when two or three letters are omitted with a hyphen (i.e., f---ed). I think editing done in this manner is weak and I for one would like to see better editing when in fact it is employed.
No one has pointed out that one of your (right-wing) guests said its OK for the soldier to say "bleep!" but he would instantly censure or edit of complain about the "punk rock" song that contained the same word!
Interesting is that the word means the same in both cases and is used in the same way --- so what he is actually complaining about is the OTHER words that are being said : eg. that war or violence or CENSORSHIP is bad ........
Now, what does that say about your guest's values?
I understand that the FCC's mandate to regulate content is based on the fact that they regulate the "airwaves", content available to all. The majority of individuals today get their programming from a cable or satellite provider, who they pay for this service. I would be willing to bet that many of the people who are complaining to the FCC are watching these programs on TV's fed by one of these providers. Since HBO and PBS are coming over my satellite, how is it's the FCC's business?
I'm 50 years old. I recently watch "Saving Private Ryan". It was brilliant and horrific. I loved it in the context of private viewing. But public airwaves are public. Wise use of when and where violence, sexuality, and offensive language is the key. I AM offended when confronted with inappropriate language when in public places with children around.
The Superbowl halftime exposure was inappropriate for such a broadly viewed family event. I applaud efforts to clean up PUBLIC airways during typical family hours. Private venues are the place for mature content. Late hours are appropriate for some mature content on public airways. But Public Airwave users must use the time wisely.
The random unpredictable enforcement combined with a refusal to prescreen by the FCC is a good way to breed fear. The fundamentalists in afganistan use the same basic techniques using unpredictable violence rather than unpredictable fines. Fundamentalism is the most offensive f word.
When my best friend was a teenager, and was experiencing the usual teenage angst, her mother told her that there was a cracked mug in the cupboard. If my friend was upset enough, she had permission to throw that mug at the wall. Curse words are like cracked mugs. Their purpose is to relieve stress when it gets bad enough. If these words are overused and abused they lose their power; you shouldn't chuck the mug for any old thing. In the context of war, and in a war documentary, curse words are not only appropriate, I believe they can be therapeutic.
Having experienced combat, having lived in various barracks and hooches, having been trained by colorful drill instructors, and having served with America's finest, I can assure you that profanity -- and lots of it -- are part of the environment. Soldiers swear.
For folks to get sqeamish about profanity in the context of war is foolish. The War should be aired uncensored, without worrying about whether the little tykes and ladies from the church auxillary will be traumatized.
I get to hear gross language everywhere everyday, I'm tried of it! I'm thankful that KUED would be thoughtful enough to show some restraint in the broadcast last night and giving people the opportunity to choice the version they would like to watch.
Offensive: Upsetting, insulting or irritating causing anger, resentment or moral outrage.
I think that people who are so easily offended have got a superiority complex. They shove there noses in the air and proclaim to be offended by my choice of expression. I see this as them proclaiming that certain words are taboo and that they are holier than thou because they don’t use them. So rather than actually having some sense of morality that they live by, they make up irrelevant crap like swear words and use them to tear down others rather than building up them selves.
This concept of being offended by a word is mystifying to me. I just don’t get it.
Substituting heck for hell, fricken for fuck., poo for shit, or gauly gee willickers for holly shit is just dumb. What makes one word ok but the other offensive?
I my self am not easily offended. Being easily offended is not a virtue, but a personal problem. When I do get offended it is always by the CONTEXT of a statement. Just like I found that the caller to this show named Mark to be offensive with his proclamation that he is socially superior to me because he don’t use certain words. I found him to be very offensive.
Oh, and if you don’t want your children to be exposed to offensive words, simply do not teach them that those words are offensive and they will never be offended by such nonsense.
Two comments about Radio West on the 24th of September.
Someone said that the troops didn't want their mothers, wives, children, etc. to hear the 4 words that were 'bleeped' back during the war. I suspect they still don't. I was in the Navy during peace time (1957-1960). I heard those words all the time. They were never suitable for polite company, and still aren't.
I am dismayed at the 'cruding' of America. The entertainment community and media seems bent on making crude language and actions the norm. War is 'hell', but the hell needs to stay in the background, not if the faces of our children. I would like to see the colleges and universities of this country work toward a more cultured and refined America.
09/22/2007 2:56:53 PM
© 2009 KUER, 101 S. Wasatch Dr., SLC, UT 84112