Has the United States begun the Slide to Despotism

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-03-13 10:33am

Howard Stern has been making offensive comments for God knows how long, but didn't he just start criticizing the Administration?

Post by **Vympel** » 2004-03-13 12:13pm

Joe wrote:
I realize the error of my ways now. I now see that a corporation's decision to axe a disc jockey who snickers about African monkey eating while asking professional sleazebags who they have had anal sex with is just as egregious an infringment on free speech as a journalist being thrown in jail for criticizing the Chinese government, or a Socialist being sent to a concentration camp for not supporting the party in power, or a factory manager being sent to the Gulag for twenty years for being the first to stop applauding the Glorious Leader.

I apologize for my error and hope this concession will be accepted. For it is genuine, I assure you.

Ah, so you subscribe to some bizarre formulation of free speech whereby commentary on things you find subjectively unsavory is ok to censor at will. Gotcha. Maybe you can also explain why that slime ball Michael Savage is still on the air, then- or is his brand of ultra-right wing hatemongering acceptable to Clear Channel?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-03-13 12:58pm

Vympel wrote:
Joe wrote:
I realize the error of my ways now. I now see that a corporation's decision to axe a disc jockey who snickers about African monkey eating while asking professional sleazebags who they have had anal sex with is just as egregious an infringment on free speech as a journalist being thrown in jail for criticizing the Chinese government, or a Socialist being sent to a concentration camp for not supporting the party in power, or a factory manager being sent to the Gulag for twenty years for being the first to stop applauding the Glorious Leader.

I apologize for my error and hope this concession will be accepted. For it is genuine, I assure you.
Ah, so you subscribe to some bizarre formulation of free speech whereby commentary on things you find subjectively unsavory is ok to censor at will. Gotcha. Maybe you can also explain why that slime ball Michael Savage is still on the air, then- or is his brand of ultra-right wing hatemongering acceptable to Clear Channel?

"You're either with Howard or you're with Clear Channel." I see, I assumed that you would be able to think beyond such simplism, having expressed such revulsion when similar thinking is employed by political figures.

If anything, I find that the Stern people have the better side of the argument, because the government and Clear Channel are well-intentioned morons at best and totally and completely full of shit at worst, the latter being far more likely. I just find the whole The Passion of the Stern victimology routine asinine and idiotic as well, given that this guy will probably be back on the air in some form or another within months (his firing is not permanent, remember) with higher ratings then ever.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-03-13 01:08pm

Free speech is free speech Joe. SO long as there is a market for Howard, and so long as he is on cable, he will stay on the air. If you dont want to watch his show, or listen to him on the radio CHANGE THE FUCKING CHANNEL!

There is a market for his brand of humor, and people know that kind of questions they will be asked when and if they go on his show.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-03-13 01:37pm

Stern's offensive remarks are intended to be humourous, albeit in a gutter-humour sort of way. There are plenty of radio and TV personalities out there who are spreading hateful sentiments in the name of king, country, and God, and they're being perfectly serious. They cause far more damage to the fabric of society than Stern ever could.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2004-03-13 07:29pm

Besides I have seen Robin Quivvers. If Stern's rambeling bullshit really pissed her off I have no doubt that she could easily break his jaw with minimal effort.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-03-13 07:35pm

Darth Wong wrote:Stern's offensive remarks are intended to be humourous, albeit in a gutter-humour sort of way. There are plenty of radio and TV personalities out there who are spreading hateful sentiments in the name of king, country, and God, and they're being perfectly serious. They cause far more damage to the fabric of society than Stern ever could.

They ought to be fired, but alas they do not meet the government's standards of obscenity.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-03-14 01:01am

This "obscenity" stuff is all bullshit. No one puts a gun to your head and forces you to watch or listen to the material.

Lord Poe · Post by **Lord Poe** » 2004-03-14 01:15am

HemlockGrey wrote:This "obscenity" stuff is all bullshit. No one puts a gun to your head and forces you to watch or listen to the material.

I couldn't believe these self-righteous assholes who are pushing a bill to raise obscenity fines. "This sends a message to American parents that we heard you loud and clear." FUCK YOU. The entire world isn't made for fucking kids.

Post by **Vympel** » 2004-03-14 01:15am

Joe wrote:
"You're either with Howard or you're with Clear Channel."

I didn't say that, I asked you to explain the difference.

If anything, I find that the Stern people have the better side of the argument, because the government and Clear Channel are well-intentioned morons at best and totally and completely full of shit at worst, the latter being far more likely. I just find the whole The Passion of the Stern victimology routine asinine and idiotic as well, given that this guy will probably be back on the air in some form or another within months (his firing is not permanent, remember) with higher ratings then ever.

What happens to him if he gets back on the air is irrelevant to the principle.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-03-14 02:14am

I didn't say that, I asked you to explain the difference.

Between Michael Savage and Stern? Michael Savage doesn't really get into sexually explicit discussion despite being a homophobic prick, Stern does. Double standard, I know, but that's how things go.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2004-03-14 03:04am

you know of course this whole thing is going to just add more material for George "Seven Words" Carlin to use.