Since as long as it has been recorded, violence has been a part of human life. It's natural for humans to crave violence, even if it is the smallest amount. This is the primary idea of the Libertarian party. They believe that humans are going to be humans regardless of what they see, hear, or read, even if it affects them in the least bit. Libertarians believe highly in independence. They believe that people should be able to chose what they hear, read, see whenever and wherever. Overall freedom, is a necessity and should not be taken away in the least bit.
The issue of violence on television has crossed many people's head. Even though it is at many times greatly exaggerated by producers, people are still going to wonder if those thing could or really would happen. Their imagination is going to dwell regardless if there is influence or not. Self-ownership is one of the many ideals that the Libertarian party follows, and they believe that the government should take this into consideration more often.
The problem with this is, is that the government will never go for it. They will never allow too much freedom, because some people can't handle it. They believe that television has a major affect on people (mentally), especially the youth which it does in some ways. Incidents like Columbine influence this. This is why the government has a tight hold on radio, television, and any other kind of media.
The problem with these acts is that people are going to commit violent acts regardless. It's basically in their blood. It's not what they read and see, it's their mind. People are constantly thinking, and will always want to know "what if". No one thing can stop violent acts, such as toning down the violence in televisions. In order to stop violent acts, you have to change people and limit their imagination and in reality, that's impossible.

All the PTC is asking is for the FCC to enforce their own rules. There are already rules on the books setting aside "safe harbor" times when TV is supposed to be safe for families to watch. They used to call it the "family hour." If TV stations don't like the rules, then they are free to go off the air.

This actually started a long time ago when couples were not allowed to share a bed on prime time tv. For as long as there has been entertainment, there have been critics of what is being shown and heard coming from the box in the corner of the living room. There are groups of people who sit all day trying to find things in cartoons, movies, tv, music, music videos and the internet. The problem with this being that their form of protest gets the most attention, and my form which is simply to change stations, turn off the tv, or not to buy movies or music I don't like, goes unnoticed by the masses. Most of the time they are so busy trying to tell the rest of us how to live our lives and raise our children, it has escaped their notice that their own kids are being neglected.

Someone should introduce the PTC and anyone else who finds plenty of objectionable material on the television to the channel knob/button and the on-off switch. I'm no fan of the over-saturation and apparent non-stop obsession with sex on television, or violence, or language, but nobody forces me to watch...or even own a television for that matter.

More mountains from molehills.

#11: I know all about the words that come out of the mouths of teens (and younger). Trouble is that it's so much easier to blame television thna the real culprit - parents and other adults who use this language in public.

I totally agree with Misty. I hear these children, and I do mean children (6 to 12) use this language everyday. I live behind a school and the playground butts up to my back yard. When I hear four letter words coming out of their mouths I wonder where they learn that. MF,smd,fu, and other cetain phrases. And, belive it or not these are the girls. It's a private school so,I know it's not that they hang on the streets. So, if the PTC wants a crusade try the schoolyard first.

KenMo,

You're way off base with your assessment. While you are correct that the group has every right to complain, the problem is PTC seems to have a direct line right into Kevin Martin's (FCC chair) office, where it seems as though every complaint they make is taken very seriously by the agency whether it is warranted or not.

Again, the group has every right to complain, but don't think they aren't chomping at the bit to figure out ways to control Internet content as well as more network fare finds it way there. Not to mention their childish behavior over cable content they consider "objectionable."

You know, I am definitely of the mindset that children are being exploited and exposed to things that they aren't really meant to be exposed to without any sort of discussion of consequence. But going after something like this or the many other things that they jump on just severely cheapens their argument. There is definitely a need for a watchdog organization to clean up portions of our culture. But any group as vicious, clueless and short-sighted as the PTC will not fulfill that need.

I work in a middle school, where all the kids curse like bloody sailors. "Good" families or not, rich or poor...they're using language that would make Mirren's little turn of phrase sound like a page from Mother Goose. And oddly enough, they're not picking up this language from TV awards shows.

I'm very glad to read that most of you didn't find Helen Mirren's joke offensive. And who are the PTC anyway to "reprimand" Helen Mirren. Huh!

You never hear them about the word "Bush". LOL

Mary from the Netherlands