Reply #3: Well that's interesting. [View All]

[JoeyT]

Fining or shutting down radio stations and shows for profanity and violations of decency are basically what the FCC is actually for. They do both on a pretty regular basis, while granting people like Limbaugh a pass because they're right wingers. By which I mean the FCC already HAS that authority. No one has a constitutional right to a radio show on the public airwaves, so it doesn't violate the first amendment either.

Basically what Sharpton is demanding is that the FCC enforce their bullshit rules equally, which will never actually happen. Words like "Shit" or "Fuck" will get you a fine (or shut down if you've done it enough) while racial, gender, and sexual orientation slurs are perfectly ok. Hell outright calling for violence against groups is ok as long as it's whatever group the right happens to hate this week.

Personally I'd be perfectly ok with the FCC fucking off and dying somewhere, but if they're going to exert authority over the airwaves, I want the authoritarians (Like Limbaugh) to eat it in equal measure to everyone else. Maybe it'll make them worship authority a little less, though I won't hold my breath.