Although they apparently didn't have the decency to create their own bill, instead attaching it as a rider to the year 2005 defense authorization bill. The maximum fine for incidents of 'indecency' has been increased to $275,000.
This one part of the American political system has always bothered me: the game of political chicken that is the attachment of unrelated amendments to bills. This particular bill passed 99-1 because, hey, who wants to be "Against Decency"? It's a can't-lose vote for any Senator.
What really bugs me about this 'decency' stuff is a lack of clear and consistent standards. Howard Stern is fined for speaking of a particular topic and heavy fines are levied. Oprah brings up similar material and what happens...?
Nothing.
I'd write to my senator but, honestly, I don't think it'll matter.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Article comments
1 - bhw
Is this an FCC fine?
2 - Joe
Boy, I hope C-SPAN has a 20 second delay to catch the errant F-bombs that periodically fly from the Senate floor.
3 - Mark Saleski
oops...yea, it's the FCC.
4 - Jim Carruthers
Isn't it true they had to start using the term "FCC" because they weren't legally allowed to say what they were selling was "chicken"?
5 - Mark Saleski
heh....yea...something like that.