I don't know if any of you remember being 5-10 years old, but when my friends and I were out of earshot of any adults, we arbitrarily blurted out every cuss word we could think of be they in context or of any sensical nature or not.  It was just fun because it was something we weren't supposed to do.  If you, as an adult, think that you can shield your children from things of this nature, be prepared to homeschool. 

I may be a bit different from most people.  I grew up in a hostile, redneck invironment in which cusswords were used often and at a high decibel level.  My mother and stepfather were almost constantly fighting.  Foul language is so ingrained into my redneck speech that most times, I don't even realize I'm using bad words unless someone points them out to me.  The times I use swear words on purpose, I use them to show emphasis and passion.  I feel cusswords are important to the english language (especially in writing) for this reason.

As far as the FCC is concerned, I believe it makes sense to fine foul language and behavior on shows where those things are not expected or rated for.  I do think it's rediculous how much things are edited on T.V. though.  I think that as long as the show is rated at a more mature level, there should be no censorship.  I mean... thats what that damn V-chip is for right?

Lastly, and least relevant, the US government is not democratic.  It is a Representative Republic.  In a democracy, everyone votes for everything.  In America we are too retarded and volumous to vote for everything so we vote for people to represent our values/oppinions/beliefs.  This system worked wonders when the country is founded, but more recently we are far too concerned with our iPods, which celebrity went on an alchohol/drug bender and drove their car into an old ladies pool, saving trees/the spotted owl/ozone layer, and otherwise telling other people how to lead their lives to give an educated thought towards our country or those who lead it other than eating spoonfed bullshit from "objective" news segments and accepting it as truth.  Instead, our polititians represent the interests of the bracket of citizens who can throw money at men in suits to get their way.

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<The Original BeastMastery Hunter>

Don't get me wrong shihli I'm not a prude, never have been, and I DEFINATELY support free speech.  However, I'm more concerned here in this spur of the moment casual debate with whether inappropriate behavior on publicly broadcast television should or should not be legislated to be fined by the FCC.    Remember I don't actually have a say in any of this because I'm not from your country.  Also, for the particular situation I do not believe either Cher or Nicole Richie were inappropriate if  it were not broadcast to the general population and if they were not already 'icons' of the entertainment sector.  Had it been swearing at a closed event, understandable and probably encouraged, but because they are both well known entainers and were speaking publicly to an audience of various ages and social beliefs, I do think they have the right to free speech but certainly have a responsibility to behave appropriately.  To put it bluntly I don't give a shit if they fuckin swear.  I do however, believe that we as a whole population need to decide if that is how we all shall behave?  And that is the crux of my arguement here:  Do we decide that free speech (with its inherant mindblowing abilities for misuse) comes with consequences or without.  I believe in free speech, and yes Cher and Nicole can say whatever they wish whenever they wish...but with freedom, as I said earlier, comes responsibility.  If free speech becomes more important than the responsibility for that freedom it will unbalance the freedom it supposedly creates.  Noting in life is totally free, it never has been.  There are always boundaries for behavior and consequences therein.  The FCC is simply inforcing the boundaries, it is not curtailing free speech.

Yes, I like to heal. No, I've never been shadow.

Well since in your country and mine we are part of democratic societies (though mine is more socialistic than yours) we all decide what is appropriate.  I personally don't want to see more slovenly decrepit representitives of the human race becoming the poster children for 'normal' behavior of the society that I live in.

Yes, I like to heal. No, I've never been shadow.

I've never been a druid other than Moonbyrd.  And I guess my point is this: With freedom comes responsibility to behave appropriately.  Are the fines against free speech or against inappropriate behavior?  As I'm sure I've said before 'monkey see monkey do'. 

Yes, I like to heal. No, I've never been shadow.

Might I add -

I grew up being a proper potty-mouth, searing like any teenager would.

I never swore at my teachers, never swore at my parents, and never swore at my friends in anything outside of the typical teenage sillyness.

I never swore at my elders or people in power - hell, I know plenty of people older than myself that swear more than I do.

Swearing goes on in every language on every continent everywhere in the world.  Hell, "swearing" only exists because a select few group of people in power say "These are bad words!"

Fuck wouldn't be a swear word if we weren't told that it was.

I say they fine nicole richie for being a scabby coke whore. at least thats illegal. If these two can get away with it, I want Norm back on SNL weekend update.

Jai, you didnt used to be a druid named Keshini by chance?  

Dikymo: Attacking ignorance and stupidity with ignorance AND stupidity since 1812.

Hopefully they'll loosen up. I wouldnt want to hear someone repeatedly swear over and over again, but totally hate government sponsored censorship.

See the Seven Words you Can't Say on Television by George Carlin. The only new thing is the fines, not being able to say them period has been around for awhile.

IMO this is less about the fines than it is about the language itself for FOX, Cher and Nicole Richie. Anyway, this is one of the few times I will agree with FOXNoise and say they are in the right here. 

"--Many class changes. You won't like the ones made
to your own class but you'll think the changes made to the 9 other
classes are all overpowered." ~Tigole, Blizzard CM