The Dirtiest Show in America?

Seems to me you could make a strong argument that the Oprah show was informative/educational while -- from the little I'v seen and heard -- similar talk on Stern would be closer to pornographic. If you're applying some kind of decency standards, context is everything.

I haven't followed it closely, but I guess I read the whole talk about Stern being persecuted for critizing Bush as another instance of his mammoth ego. Good grief -- Howard Stern thinks he can turn an election?! I know I'm out of touch with the average 18-24 yr old male, but if Stern thinks he can turn out that electorate *eight* months from now over a radio show he's severely deluded.

That said, the cynic in me says, hey, if the current political climate can somehow snuff out both Stern and Bush, so much the better! (But somehow I doubt it . . .)

He is HIGHLY influential in his listenership. He absolutely can influence the election. His demographic traditionally is apolitical; if he can turn out even 10% more (not even 10% of the demographic or 10% of his audience, but a 10% increase in that demographic's *voters*) of his listenership he could swing the whole thing, as close as this is going to be. This is going to be a vote-by-vote battle.

And I'm trying to figure out how the rainbow thing in ANY context could be considered any more educational than the average Stern broadcast. People learn very similar things from Howard.

Again: Not a Stern fan. Also not a censorship fan. Don't like Stern, turn off the radio. I do. (Go NPR!)

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

I think the better question is, how many will vote in November, based on what Howard tells them.

To clarify: Clear Channel Communications (which, if you read that second article, are MASSIVE hypocrits) took Howard off the air on six of their major market stations after someone on the show (not Stern) used the n-word. The FCC later fined Stern, NOT the stations, in an unrelated incident.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

I have listened to Howard for 20+ years. I don't understand why he should be fined for playing Oprah's show on the airwaves, when Oprah isn't fined. I don't understand why the FCC fines Howard for shows he did years ago that violate the current vague standards. He has 'Dead Air Dave' pressing a button dumping out parts of his show, as does all the stations across the country. His show is nothing like it used to be, and sometimes it's impossible to follow, because it is being butchered up so much. Howard has attempted to change the show and follow the regulations- problem is, these regulations are not clear, and the FCC changes its mind about what they consider indecent or not. And Howard is their prime target. Other shows on the radio and tv can skate by the FCC with all sorts of violations.

It disturbs me greatly to think our freedom of choice is going to be wiped out, and every station on the radio will become the same 'family friendly'. I'm not saying I have a problem with that format, but I have a problem with the FCC deciding for us what we are allowed to listen to.

I hear and read about the FCC, and it frightens me. I think of Animal Farm and 1984.

I have never voted, but registered this year. It's too important not to.

Mike says:
"But what do you do when your 12-year-old is visiting friends and they have a radio there?"

Mike, what do you do when your 12-year-old is visiting friends and they have HBO/Cinemax/Showtime/cable in general? Or Playboys in the bathroom? Or or or...

One can control what goes on in one's own home. One can't control what happens outside one's walls, nor should one really try to make the rest of the world conform to one's standards. (I'm using the obnoxious "one" because I know YOU are not trying to do that.)

What parents can do is teach their children what's acceptable and what's not. We can't shelter them forever from this stuff (which does NOT mean giving up and letting them watch and listen to any old thing), but by showing children in word and deed what we consider to be right and wrong we give them enough of a foundation to judge things they may see and hear elsewhere. I strongly believe this. Parents can also make an effort to get to know the families of their children's friends. There will probably be some families you just don't want your kids hanging out with. A family that considers Howard Stern appropriate listening for 12-year-olds would probably be one of the families you'd want to avoid.

Bottom line, though, if a 12-year-old REALLY wants to see or listen to something you don't want him to, he's gonna figure out a way to do it without your finding out. Think about yourself at 12.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

The problem is not that he was dropped by clear channel. That is *a* problem, but not THE problem. Howard is the canary in the coal-mine.

By making himself such a clear target, we can use Howard as the barometer of both enforcement and legislation on free speech issues. His latest fine was for events that were legal WHEN they happened, three years ago. They went back into history, and assessed a fine for something that occurred three years ago. Disturbing precedent, really. This could have a chilling long-term effect.

What happens if we stepped back and started reviewing political speeches from Gov. Wallace? He used that very "n-word" (nigger for those who aren't familiar with Gov. Wallace *or* howard) over and over and over in his speeches. Would NBC be fined for those? This could get lucrative, really.

The fact that Howard was dumped by Clear Channel is bothersome for his fans, and does have a monetary effect, but the "we are gonna clean the airwaves" campaign will be far more problematic. What about 60 mins? What about NFL commentators, Jerry Springer, Whistleblowers, Lyndon Larouche nutballs, and white supremecist speech? would Jimmy the Greek be *fined* for his outburst if it happened today? Probably.

Howard isn't asking to be allowed to say everything on the air. He truly doesn't object to standards and rules. But the rules need to be written in a book, and both sides need to play by the rules. If no one is sure where the line *is*, the line will never be approached. And The Daily show will be the most accurate news report we all see.

As for conspiracy theories...follow the money. Spend a coupla minutes, and look who does what for whom. What you will find may be more than a bit disturbing

jj