This statement come from Pappas Telecasting Companies, one of the companies that declined to air Saving Private Ryan on its ABC affiliates last night:

Many ABC affiliates are airing the extraordinary film ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Thursday night in Prime-time. However, Pappas Telecasting Companies has decided that the interests of the viewers of KHGI, in the Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney, Nebraska market, are best served by pre-empting this program.

[…]Pappas Telecasting and its management have been in the forefront of regulatory efforts to eliminate profanity, indecency, and gratuitous violence from network programming, particularly during times when children may be watching. Moreover, as is evidenced by recent decisions of the Federal Communications Commission, stations that air network programming with indecent or profane content are subject to significant fines and the threat of license revocation. For these reasons, although we have aired ‘Saving Private Ryan’ in years past, we are pre-empting it Thursday evening and instead are airing the feature film ‘Father of the Bride 2,’ starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, from 7-9 p.m., followed by ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ hosted by Tyra Banks, from 9-10 pm.

I could argue that, as a viewer, my interests are best served by allowing me to decide for myself whether or not to watch a show. I could argue that the violence and profanity in Private Ryan are not gratuitous. I could argue that Father of the Bride 2 and America’s Next Top Model are rather strange choices to honor our veterans.

But here’s what really gets my goat.

Saving Private Ryan aired on ABC in both 2001 and 2002. There was a complaint. It was disallowed. Yet the more than 20 ABC affiliates that declined to air Ryan this year are pleading fear of fines and citing the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” incident during the Superbowl half time show, and Bono’s use of the “F” word during the Golden Globes as examples of the FCC’s crack-down.

The infamous “wardrobe malfunction” may have been planned by Jackson, but was apparently a surprise to the broadcaster. It was a very brief breast shot (with covered nipple), missed by many viewers, during an event that was peppered with ads for medications promising relief from erectile disfunction. Bono’s effish utterance was, likewise, a one-time, short occurance, unplanned by the broadcaster. It would have been difficult in either case for the broadcasters to air warning to viewers.

Not to state the obvious, but Saving Private Ryan is a movie. It is a planned event, shown on station schedules, and aired with disclaimers and warning regarding the language and violence. Viewers can make an informed choice whether or not to watch, and whether or not to allow their children to watch. If they don’t like it, they can change the channel (what a concept!).

Comparing Bono and Ryan is comparing apples and oranges. These are in no way the same kind of incident. ABC was so sure that the FCC will not levy fines that it promised to cover any incurred by their affiliates.

Of course, the affiliates that have chosen not to air Ryan insist that they really, really want to air such a fine tribute to our veterans, but they just can’t because the FCC might slap them with fines they don’t have to pay.

Are the ABC affiliates really that afraid of the FCC? Or is this just another sign of the backlash and fear coming out of the “value based” election? Afraid of the FCC? Or afraid of the neocon right?

I’m glad that Steven Spielberg has the clout to insist that his film be aired intact and uncensored. I wish that more directors could.

And… welcome to George W Bush’s new America: Don’t bother to think. We’ll take care of that for you.

John Ashcroft’s resignation is hardly a surprise. And I take great comfort in knowing that, as Ashcroft said in his resignation letter:

The safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved.

So, I guess this means no more need to lock my doors or turn my alarm on. Or worry about carrying too much cash. Or being careful when I’m alone at night. No more crime, right?

Well… I think that’s a little simplistic.

At any rate, on his departure, I think it’s well to remember some of the things about John Ashcroft that have so endeared him to the American public:

— He was one of the first senators to suggest impeaching Bill Clinton.

— He was one of the only senators ever to be defeated by a dead man.

— He ordered two partially nude statues to be robed so that he would no longer be photographed in front of them.

— And, of course, his unflagging attempt to reduce or eliminate civil rights via The non-Patriot Act.

I have to admit that in my not so humble opinion the neo-con right has a strange definition of morality.

On the one hand, it’s deemed OK to lie to warn women in an attempt to scare them silly keep them informed by telling them that having an abortion increases their risk of breast cancer, even though science does not support this and the National Cancer Institute specifically refutes it. But these incorrect warnings are required reading in Texas and Mississippi during the enforced 24-hour waiting period, and “voluntarily” handed out in Kansas and Louisiana. Bills are being considered this year in Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.

Only in Montana has this insanely stupid piece of legislation been struck down.

Per usual, anti-abortion activists are unconvinced by the preponderance of scientific evidence. Joel Brind, a biochemist at Baruch College in New York who advises the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, noted that a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer go down if she gives birth at a relatively young age. He reasons that those who opt for abortion are giving up a chance of reducing their breast cancer risk. Therefore an abortion increases the risk of cancer.

And that, of course, is circular reasoning of the most blatant sort. But it does fit in with the “keep ’em barefoot and pregnant” school of thought.

But after a woman decides to have a baby… well that’s a different story.

The USA ranks 29th in the world in infant mortality. More than 75 babies die each day in the US and 7 of every 1000 babies do not live to their first birthday.

The infant mortality rate had been steadily declining, due mainly to public health campaigns, better access to prenatal health care, and better infant health care. Since 2001, under the Bush administration, the infant mortality rate is once again on the rise.

For comparison, in Canada the infant mortalit rate is less than 5. In Sweden, it is less than three.

Yup. You’ll be forced to have that baby… but don’t expect any help taking care of it.

Am I the only one who finds this strange?

Here’s this country. It’s been invaded and overrun. Its leaders have been disposed and replaced by invader-controlled puppets. Rebels continue to fight the invaders from a base in one city. Because the local army and police force have been disbanded and not sufficiently replaced, the invaders fill that roll. Although “planned,” the odds that fair election will be held any time soon seem slim.

This isn’t already a state of emergency?

This isn’t already martial law?

Received via email:

ELECTION BREAKING NEWS:
NEW ENGLAND, NEW YORK CITY SECEDE
Kerry To Lead Breakaway Republic

Boston (Reuters) In a fiery concession speech at Boston’s historic
Faneuil Hall, defeated Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry accepted
the now inevitable conclusion of a long 2004 election night: New England and
New York City seceding from the Union.

“The voters have spoken and I respect that process,” said the
Massachusetts senator, before an audience of friends, family, supporters and
campaign staff. “And the voters have told us that it’s time for tolerant, open
minded and sane Americans to form our own nation.”

Kerry gave words to what many of his fervent supporters have long
believed. “If the rest of the nation wants to be led by a bunch of gay-bashing,
war-mongering, corporate-whore evangelicals, so be it,” said the
Senator. “We chose to live in peace, harmony and fiscal sanity east of the
Hudson river.”

Legions of lawyers working for the Kerry campaign have shifted their
attention from voting booth challenges to the legal paperwork
required for setting up a new country. “We’ll have the world’s 6th largest
economy, the world’s most highly educated populace, the best NFL team, and the
best baseball rivalry,” said Kerry. “Once Kofi approves the paperwork and
the new letterhead comes in we’ll be our own. Thank god.”

Kerry stressed this path was the only way for the nation to begin the
process of healing. “As a thrice decorated Vietnam vet I saw men
whose only hope of life was the sweet, swift and sharp healing of amputating an
infected and shrapnel filled limb,” said the hoarse Senator. “And now
we must amputate the cancerous red state tumor that is otherwise known
as Bush’s America.”

Details were not firmed up as to the fate of Democratic supporters in
the mid-west, Pacific west coast, and District of Columbia. “Blue state
citizens will be automatically eligible for membership in New America (TM),”
stressed Kerry. “The rest of you Bible thumpers, Humvee drivers and NRA
members can take your assault rifles, Confederate flags and gay marriage bans and
choke on the arsenic laden water and $6.50 per gallon gas prices that your
vote has bought you. Best of luck with Iraq, by the way.”

Bush officials had no comment, other than to confirm the pending
elimination of the E.P.A., the reduction of the minimum wage to $2.00 per hour,
the reinstatement of the Dred Scott decision and the nomination of Ralph
Reed to replace William Rehnquist on the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Providence, Rhode Island was being strongly considered as
a symbolic location for the new nation’s capital. “More than 300 years
ago, Anne Hutchinson led a stubborn band of colonists who refused to
recognize the maniacal, religious right morality of the Puritans and went off
to form Rhode Island,” reminded Kerry. “Today, we refuse to recognize the
Puritanical zealotry of John Ashcroft, Dick Cheney and Donald
Rumsfeld and form our own nation, free of Cracker Barrels, Dale Earnhardt
memorials and Lee Greenwood. This is a great day for New England.”

😆 Let’s go for it out here, too. How about Westcoastland?

The neo-con right is correct about one thing: This election was about values. These are some of mine:

Currently something like 50% of marriages end in divorce, often leaving in their wake embittered spouses and lost children. As a society, we should be doing everything we possibly can to foster loving, stable families, even if those families might be considered “non-traditional.”

People have the right to decide, along with their doctors, what the best treatment options are. If a doctor does not believe a treatment is ethical or appropriate, he or she need not perform it. If a patient doesn’t want a particular treatment, there’s no law forcing it. Medical ethics should not be legislated by the federal government.

“Freedom of religion” also means “freedom from religion.” And this means not only worshipping, or not, as one chooses, it also means freedom from legislation that pushes someone else’s religious beliefs down my throat.

Hard science trumps pseudo-science, religion, “gut feelings,” “I only want my beliefs taught in public school,” and “that would be bad for business” every time. Get over it.

Abortion should be legal, safe and rare. Because the drive to reproduce is stronger even than hunger, and because most human beings have hormones that work, providing abstinence as the only option serves only to create unintended and unplanned parents. People (including teenagers) who do not believe having sex is the right thing for them to do, will not suddenly change their minds because there’s a condom machine in the restroom. People who do want to have sex will, whether the condoms are there or not. Disallowing both birth control and abortion is social stupidity of the worst sort. Foisting that view off on developing countries by refusing funding to groups that teach and provide family planning is morally reprehensible.

We live on a small planet that’s growing smaller every day. We must learn to get along. We must come to the playground willingly and with an open mind. We can neither be the bully nor take our ball and go home when the other countries disagree. Neither will foster the sort of respect and tolerance that is needed. We must follow the golden rule. We must share our toys. We must play by the rules agreed to. We must let others have a turn.

Individual rights are the oldest of American values. The Bill of Rights was written specifically to contain the power of the government and protect individual liberty. No matter what the circumstances, attempts by any US official or body to limit the inalienable rights of any human being should be ruthlessly stamped out.

These are some of my values.

This is why I voted for John Kerry.