Whatever happened to the war against profanity?

[mikekle]

I remember back to the early 90s, when I was in high school, back in those days, it was common to hear about Tipper Gore and her ‘war’ against profanity in music, just wondering whatever happened to those efforts?

I know there was some group, Parent music resource center, or something like that, they were trying to make it law to label all music sold for a profit like movies are. I havent heard much about these efforts in awhile, wondering what they are up to and interested to see what they would like done to stop this in popular music today.

Back in the early 1990s, rap was only starting to get popular, depending on what ‘click’ you were in, you may have not listened to any rap at all, in todays world, it seems ALL high school aged kids listen to rap, doesnt seem to be clicks anymore like it used to be. Rap today is full of profanity, and it seems no one is even attempting to do anything about it, at least Tipper Gore tried, I hope this group is still actively trying to pass laws…anyone know?

 

[KendraDZ1902]

I remember back to the early 90s, when I was in high school, back in those days, it was common to hear about Tipper Gore and her ‘war’ against profanity in music, just wondering whatever happened to those efforts?

I know there was some group, Parent music resource center, or something like that, they were trying to make it law to label all music sold for a profit like movies are. I havent heard much about these efforts in awhile, wondering what they are up to and interested to see what they would like done to stop this in popular music today.

Back in the early 1990s, rap was only starting to get popular, depending on what ‘click’ you were in, you may have not listened to any rap at all, in todays world, it seems ALL high school aged kids listen to rap, doesnt seem to be clicks anymore like it used to be. Rap today is full of profanity, and it seems no one is even attempting to do anything about it, at least Tipper Gore tried, I hope this group is still actively trying to pass laws…anyone know?

When I bought CDS in high school,explicit content was stated on the CDs. I think the music shop was supposed to ID, but I was never ID’d. I know Pandora asked if I wanted to hear explicit lyrics when I signed up. With the internet, I’m sure it is harder to monitor such things, no one reads the terms and conditions. Lol. Parents should monitor such things.

 

[Potter]

I remember when Wal-Mart wouldn’t stock obscenity; now Fifty Shades of Grey and GTA V are on the shelves. I’m not even old, merely thirty.

 

[BackHand]

I remember back to the early 90s, when I was in high school, back in those days, it was common to hear about Tipper Gore and her ‘war’ against profanity in music, just wondering whatever happened to those efforts?

I’m fairly certain the First Amendment crushed those attempts of censorship under the glorious boots of democracy.

I know there was some group, Parent music resource center, or something like that, they were trying to make it law to label all music sold for a profit like movies are.

Movies Theaters are not actually required by law to enforce those ratings, It’s completely voluntary, however most major Movie Theater chains across America do enforce the MPAA’s recommended viewing age.

Back in the early 1990s, rap was only starting to get popular, depending on what ‘click’ you were in, you may have not listened to any rap at all, in todays world, it seems ALL high school aged kids listen to rap, doesnt seem to be clicks anymore like it used to be. Rap today is full of profanity, and it seems no one is even attempting to do anything about it, at least Tipper Gore tried, I hope this group is still actively trying to pass laws…anyone know?

Why is it that you focus on Rap, but not rock 'n roll? Have you heard/seen Pink Floyd the wall? That is much more profound and disturbing than most, if not any rap music ever produced.

What you’re asking for is essentially a form of censorship, implementing such a law would nearly be impossible in America. We are talking about the same nation where lawmakers tried to put images of lung cancer and other graphic warnings, on the packages of cigarette to make people not want to smoke, the Supreme Court found it was unconstitutional because it interfered with cigarette companies right to free speech. We are talking about the same nation that lets its own citizen burn their own flag. So how on earth do you expect to regulate artists?
As much as I dislike cigarette companies and hate flag burners, I love freedom of speech even more. In all but the most grievous offenses the state has no business in legislating morality.

 

[Tomdstone]

I remember back to the early 90s, when I was in high school, back in those days, it was common to hear about Tipper Gore and her ‘war’ against profanity in music, just wondering whatever happened to those efforts?

The war against profanity has been lost. For some time now, Roman Catholic colleges have been showing a filthy play, (V monologues) with some colleges requiring their students majoring in English to take part in the filthy play. Further there are a whole bunch of novels written by a Roman Catholic priest, Father Andrew Greeley, which contain not only filthy language, but blasphemous language also.

 

[ForeverJoy]

Further there are a whole bunch of novels written by a Roman Catholic priest, Father Andrew Greeley, which contain not only filthy language, but blasphemous language also.

My mom, who is anti-Catholic, has read a few of his books. I can only imagine what kind of impression they made on her. sigh

 

[Darryl_Revok]

Rap today is full of profanity, and it seems no one is even attempting to do anything about it, at least Tipper Gore tried, I hope this group is still actively trying to pass laws…anyone know?

Besides the glaring constitutional issues involved in passing laws against artistic expression, there are questions as to the feasibility of such laws. You *might *have been able to force ratings when most music was sold through Sam Goody’s, but that time has long since passed. Digital distribution has rendered the question moot. They can’t even stop hardcore pornography on the internet; you think they can stop some rinky-dink rapper from dropping the f-bomb? Who’s going to stop it? How is it going to be enforced? More to the point, who really cares?

 

[mikekle]

I remember when Wal-Mart wouldn’t stock obscenity; now Fifty Shades of Grey and GTA V are on the shelves. I’m not even old, merely thirty.

Yes, I remember this, and it was in place in mid 90s (not that long ago)…I wonder what changed within Walmart?

 

[xNoOnex]

Yes, I remember this, and it was in place in mid 90s (not that long ago)…I wonder what changed within Walmart?

Money changed. Wal-Mart’s refusal to stock obscenity had nothing to do with mortality but because the attitudes of the socially and politically conservative nature of its demographic. Now, that those same folks are reading 50 Shades of Gray and playing GTAV, they see dollars.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I remember as a kid when the Broadway play “Damn Yankees” was made into a movie around 1958. The local radio station would only accept advertising if it could refer to the movie as “Darn Yankees.” How times have changed.

 

[edwest2]

I’m fairly certain the First Amendment crushed those attempts of censorship under the glorious boots of democracy.

Movies Theaters are not actually required by law to enforce those ratings, It’s completely voluntary, however most major Movie Theater chains across America do enforce the MPAA’s recommended viewing age.

Why is it that you focus on Rap, but not rock 'n roll? Have you heard/seen Pink Floyd the wall? That is much more profound and disturbing than most, if not any rap music ever produced.

What you’re asking for is essentially a form of censorship, implementing such a law would nearly be impossible in America. We are talking about the same nation where lawmakers tried to put images of lung cancer and other graphic warnings, on the packages of cigarette to make people not want to smoke, the Supreme Court found it was unconstitutional because it interfered with cigarette companies right to free speech. We are talking about the same nation that lets its own citizen burn their own flag. So how on earth do you expect to regulate artists?
As much as I dislike cigarette companies and hate flag burners, I love freedom of speech even more. In all but the most grievous offenses the state has no business in legislating morality.

The First Amendment does not apply. A civil society, in order to remain civil, requires limits.

consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/202731600-Obscene-Indecent-and-Profane-Broadcasts

Ed

 

[Soib]

I would say its almost non existent.

 

[BackHand]

The First Amendment does not apply. A civil society, in order to remain civil, requires limits.

consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/202731600-Obscene-Indecent-and-Profane-Broadcasts

Ed

No the First Amendment does apply, the only reason the FCC regulates radio is the fact that there are a limited amount of frequency’s available on the Radio Spectrum.
From the FCC "Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1464, prohibits the utterance of any obscene, indecent or profane language by means of radio communication."

Things like cable or the internet or in this case music is in no way regulated by the government.To be clear the Original Poster mikekle, was in favor of forcing artist to label their music. And strongly hinted at the desires to out right ban objectionable music.

I do agree that a civil Society should have limits, we need to ban church’s from saying anything against gay people as its hate speech. See? Censorship is fine until its directed at you.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Maybe this is really snotty, I’m not meaning it that way, I honestly mean it. If you don’t like to hear profanity in music, don’t purchase the explicit version. It’s quite simple. Also, if you have a problem with your kids listening, you can totally censor what they hear, until like they are upper teens…it’s harder when they have their own car and have more independence.

 

[mikekle]

I remember as a kid when the Broadway play “Damn Yankees” was made into a movie around 1958. The local radio station would only accept advertising if it could refer to the movie as “Darn Yankees.” How times have changed.

Well, last time I watched any major network TV, in prime time ( about 3 days ago), the word ‘damn’ was indeed censored out…and this is 2015?

Ive even seen the three letter word referring to ones backside, beginning with A…Yep, Ive seen this word ‘bleeped’ out on major network tv…??? I dont know what to even say about that, Ive also noticed time of day makes NO difference, if they bleep out a word at 5pm, they will also bleep it out at 2am, again, this makes no sense to me, sort of seems like whoever is running the FCC or controls this, is the last man standing.

In this regard, Im not sure what is going on…everywhere we look now, profanity, nudity, etc are all fairly common, its becoming more accepted, in many other countries advertisers are allowed to use nudity in TV ads, but here in the US, which many say has horrible morals, still does not allow this, AT ANYTIME either (this is extremely amazing in this day and age)…they are still ‘bleeping out’ very mild curse words, anytime day or night…?? This is strange, especially when Hollywood is known for being risky in this area, when it comes to network and even cable TV, seems this does not apply?

 

[edwest2]

No the First Amendment does apply, the only reason the FCC regulates radio is the fact that there are a limited amount of frequency’s available on the Radio Spectrum.
From the FCC "Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1464, prohibits the utterance of any obscene, indecent or profane language by means of radio communication."

Things like cable or the internet or in this case music is in no way regulated by the government.To be clear the Original Poster mikekle, was in favor of forcing artist to label their music. And strongly hinted at the desires to out right ban objectionable music.

I do agree that a civil Society should have limits, we need to ban church’s from saying anything against gay people as its hate speech. See? Censorship is fine until its directed at you.

Censorship still occurs. I was in a house and the TV was on. A comedian was telling his jokes and every now and then, I heard “bleep” then “bleep.” I’m sure the owners of the broadcast rights or the broadcasters did not care about the First Amendment. Anybody watching could see that someone took the time to precisely bleep out every bit of profanity just so they could make a buck.

Censorship should occur on a case by case basis. And that’s not the first time I’ve heard certain words bleeped out. And they knew which words were the “right” ones.

Ed

 

[edwest2]

Maybe this is really snotty, I’m not meaning it that way, I honestly mean it. If you don’t like to hear profanity in music, don’t purchase the explicit version. It’s quite simple. Also, if you have a problem with your kids listening, you can totally censor what they hear, until like they are upper teens…it’s harder when they have their own car and have more independence.

Before God, I knew as a boy: this is right and this is wrong. Becoming an adult does not automatically give me the right to abandon that. This or that will be wrong no matter how old I am.

Ed

 

[edwest2]

Besides the glaring constitutional issues involved in passing laws against artistic expression, there are questions as to the feasibility of such laws. You *might *have been able to force ratings when most music was sold through Sam Goody’s, but that time has long since passed. Digital distribution has rendered the question moot. They can’t even stop hardcore pornography on the internet; you think they can stop some rinky-dink rapper from dropping the f-bomb? Who’s going to stop it? How is it going to be enforced? More to the point, who really cares?

I care. And the En Es A has announced they are monitoring everything you see or hear on the internet. With key word computer technology and IP Address look up, they know everything. So, in coordination with the Ef Be I, they can generate a list of every single incident. A lot of other people really care.

A lot of porn gets pirated the moment after it appears. Who’s making money off that?

Ed

 

[edwest2]

Well, last time I watched any major network TV, in prime time ( about 3 days ago), the word ‘damn’ was indeed censored out…and this is 2015?

Ive even seen the three letter word referring to ones backside, beginning with A…Yep, Ive seen this word ‘bleeped’ out on major network tv…??? I dont know what to even say about that, Ive also noticed time of day makes NO difference, if they bleep out a word at 5pm, they will also bleep it out at 2am, again, this makes no sense to me, sort of seems like whoever is running the FCC or controls this, is the last man standing.

In this regard, Im not sure what is going on…everywhere we look now, profanity, nudity, etc are all fairly common, its becoming more accepted, in many other countries advertisers are allowed to use nudity in TV ads, but here in the US, which many say has horrible morals, still does not allow this, AT ANYTIME either (this is extremely amazing in this day and age)…they are still ‘bleeping out’ very mild curse words, anytime day or night…?? This is strange, especially when Hollywood is known for being risky in this area, when it comes to network and even cable TV, seems this does not apply?

I call this “The Calendar Fallacy.” The date on the calendar can have zero connection to reality, nor should it.

Ed

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Before God, I knew as a boy: this is right and this is wrong. Becoming an adult does not automatically give me the right to abandon that. This or that will be wrong no matter how old I am.

Ed

I agree. It’s just that I was the little kid who knew right from wrong and the teen who didn’t care. I wasn’t bad, per se, I was just typical. I made good grades and was active in numerous extra curriculars, but I didn’t burn CDS with explicit content and other typical teen things at the time.
Teen years are a difficult time for the kid and parents, I believe.