Supreme Court arguments will focus on naughty words

[babylonsister]

Supreme Court arguments will focus on naughty words
By Michael Doyle | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Dirty words will captivate the Supreme Court while the rest of the world is watching election returns Tuesday.

In oral arguments that just might turn blue, the court will consider whether fleeting swear words on national television merit punishment. It's a closely watched case, and not just for the R-rated language and a cast of characters that includes Bono, Cher and lesser-tier celebrity Nicole Richie.

One side warns of dangerously loosened morals.

"The welfare of America, its families and its youth will be detrimentally affected by electronic mass communications which contain unrestrained indecency, whether in language or imagery," the National Religious Broadcasters warned in one legal brief.

The other side warns, with equal vehemence, of the creeping hand of censorship.

"Where free speech is at risk, regulatory agencies must act with caution," the American Civil Liberties Union declared in its brief.

Everyone agrees that Federal Communications Commission v. Fox Television Stations stands to be the most entertaining and influential First Amendment case in the Supreme Court's 2008-2009 term.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/244/story/55087.html

[dkofos]

1. Free the swear words!!

[dhpgetsit]

2. Oh, to be a fly on the wall...

[Kahuna]

3. Tweety's off his meds today. nt

[Elidor]

4. Sounds like a job for the Rude Pundit

I can imagine the speech he'd make.

[MindPilot]

5. As Superman would say, "What irony!"

Yes I know that Fox Television and Fox News are seperate entities and about all they share is a name and parent companies.

But still Fox and the FCC in court is just too good!!

:popcorn:

[Poseidan]

6. umm?

National religious broadcasters? Maybe they haven't heard of the separation between church and state? You know, it's right next to free speech in the 1st amendment.

Unremarkably, religion continues using the same 'fear-of-hell' method to subjugate the people.

[47of74]

7. Holy s&#t, Batman!

[aquart]

8. The bigots object to non-euphemisms. Too damn bad.