Over lunch, I saw a car that wins the prize for Most Obnoxious Bumper Sticker of the Year.
It said, "What right does the liberal media have to push their filth on me?"
Is this question for real? What does it supposed to mean? Who is this liberal media? What do you consider filth? And most importantly, why would anyone question who gave who certain rights when it comes to media?
It's called the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
One's definition of filth could be another's definition of art.
Take, for example, almost any reality show on television. I know folks who are offended by the cussing, innuendo and strong sexual content often found on these shows. My niece, however, finds them riveting.
Who are you to tell her she can't watch the show because it offends you? If you censor the show because you don't like it, you take away the joy others find in that particular "artform." It's easier and better for everyone that you just turn off the show you find offensive.
But it goes against my morals and offends my religion, you say.
Here's the wake-up call some people have trouble getting through their heads: Not everyone believes the same things you do, and if you go back to that First Amendment, you'll see that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.
There should be a code of professional and ethical conduct people follow, but if we start basing our moral code on one religion or the next, we'll eventually be no better than those third-world countries whose women are repeatedly beaten and raped because -- let's face it, in most world religions women are viewed as the subservient sex. (Not an opinion, just a sociological observation.)
I can only assume that the person/people whose car(s) sports this bumper sticker are referencing "liberal media" news outlets. They're only reporting the news. They're informing YOU about the events going on in YOUR world. If you think they have a slant on it you don't like, turn it to another station. That's YOUR right.
In other words, it's like your Momma always said: If you don't like it, don't look at it.
2 comments:
I saw your post on Nathan's blog and thought I'd wander over.
From the POV of someone who's studied sociology you have an interesting rant. I'm in favor of freedom of speech, but I'd be with the people who don't think Hollywood and TV are producing something worthwhile. Maybe not hideous or mind-altering but not the best thing a person could be watching.
And I think the religious people of the world have a point, you need to have standards. You need to have a line that you draw and say, nope, this isn't acceptable. Without that line anything and everything is acceptable. Including rape, child molestation, human traffiking, abuse in all forms, theft, larceny, embezelment, ect. Abuse is not the sole province of backwards thinking ultra-conservatives who can't understand the feminist movement. There's a lot of abuse simply because people don't think it's wrong.
Anyways, everyone has their rights but I believe those rights end when they start to violate the rights of another person. You have the right to pursue happiness, that doesn't mean you have the right to break into my house and take my stuff. You have the right to free speech, that doesn't mean you have the right to limit what I say because it isn't what you say. You have the right to your religion or lack of religion, but you don't have the right to tell me what I believe or should believe.
And wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone could just agree to live and let live?
Hi Just Me!
Thanks for visiting.
I agree with you in regards to the entertainment media. I'm absolutely repulsed by TV shows like "Moment of Truth" gameshow that glorifies the underbelly of human nature.
My problem with the statement is its implication that the news media is promoting filth.
The public needs to understand the difference between entertainment media and new media.
I work in the news media, and I think 99.9 percent of the time we're only trying to tell a story. Unfortunately, I believe humanity is regressing because of the glorification of the entertainment media. That regression is reported in the news media.
That's just my take on it.
:-)
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