Super Bowl let the world see our nation's depravity
Published February 4, 2004
Why should any of us be surprised by immoral behavior of another Jackson - intentional or not?
A few seconds into this sleazy MTV production number we stopped watching. As Christians, we don't allow this trash in our home - not through the front door and not through the TV.
It's no wonder the Middle East looks at our national state of depravity with such disgust. Perhaps all this will bring long-needed attention to the forgotten concept of decency and respect.
Be assured that God has a purpose and will bring good out of even this.
-- Brian Collar, Riverview
A distorted sense of priorities
"A deplorable stunt!" howled FCC chief Michael Powell, immediately ordering an investigation.
"We are angry and embarrassed," lamented the CBS spokesman Chris Ender.
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, upon hearing the news, resolved to "change our policies, our people, and our processes before the next Super Bowl."
After hearing the statements of such high-level figures in the sports and entertainment industry, I first thought that the outrageous behavior of CBS' network censors had finally reached the masses. Personally, I'd already been upset for two weeks after the grass-roots efforts of MoveOn.org to air a thought-provoking, but rather tame, commercial had been refused. In addition, an ad for PETA was quashed, and the NFL denied U2's Bono the opportunity to raise millions of viewers' awareness of the plight of African AIDS victims during the Super Bowl halftime show.
As with many rabid NFL fans, the Super Bowl is bigger than many holidays to me. But these assaults on democracy and freedom really cast a shadow over this year's game. CBS' blatant hypocrisy is very disturbing.
Of course, the remarks quoted at the beginning of this letter were not made in reference to CBS' "deplorable" thought suppression. Such scorn is reserved only for the partial baring of a woman's body. (Quite frankly, I don't see how those two seconds were any more offensive to viewers' taste than the rest of the performance.) The nonresponse (to censorship) and the overresponse (to a nipple) really illustrate the distorted sense of priorities held by CBS, the FCC and the NFL. One can only hope that they're not reflective of Americans in general.
Sadly, the true victims in this case are the two participating teams. For their outstanding efforts this season, both the Panthers and the Patriots deserve better than being overshadowed by so much blubber.
-- Anthony Ferraro, Tampa
Use of flag was disgraceful
Since the FCC wants to crack down on the Janet Jackson-Justin Timberlake flash dance at the Super Bowl halftime display, perhaps it's time someone said something about the disgraceful way our flag was displayed. To see a hole cut in the middle of the flag and then worn as a cape is appalling to me.
I'll bet you will never see any of our troops or veterans disrespect the colors like this. We were taught never to let the flag touch the ground, but now it seems anything goes. Let's bring back the pride of yesteryear.
-- George R. Fletcher, Tarpon Springs
Old Glory deserves better
While not condoning the display on regular TV during prime time, I find the hoopla over the "exposure" misplaced.
As I sat there watching Kid Rock run onto the stage wearing the flag, I was immediately upset. My son serving on active duty with the Air Force even gave me a call expressing his displeasure as well. The other active duty service members at his location were also pretty upset about Rock's lack of respect for our flag on national TV.
Many Americans honor and understand the respect "Old Glory" deserves. The flag is the symbol of our country. It is not an article of clothing.
I find Kid Rock's actions much more offensive than Janet Jackson's brief flash. After all, we were "exposed" to Rock's offensiveness for an entire song.
-- Ron Kaiser, Gulfport
Does no one care?
I am amazed that America has overlooked the desecration of the American flag that was televised during the Super Bowl halftime show. The male singer wore an actual American flag as a cover during his song. It had been split to go over his head, but otherwise was a complete American flag - down to the grommets used to hang it properly! What a horrible example to set for the young people of our nation who watch these high-profile performers and emulate their words, songs, attire and actions.
The flag code of the United States specifically prohibits the wearing of a flag as attire and should be enforced against this singer and those who supported his disregard for our country. If America's citizens cannot uphold our symbol of freedom, then they will eventually lose their right to freedom and will suffer to be imprisoned and persecuted by a government once again. Oh wait! Is that where our country is headed today?
All news agencies and media are focused on the planned obscenities that occurred on national television in front of more than a million viewers during prime time. Yet no one cares to speak out about the disrespect shown to this country and our flag - our symbol of freedom - during the program.
Does anyone care?
-- K. Scatko, Largo
FCC power grab is deplorable
FCC Chairman Michael Powell sure has a funny way of defining "classless" and "deplorable" behavior. What's deplorable are Powell's attempts to ram Federal Communications Commission rules concerning the concentration of media ownership down the throats of "millions of Americans." In that case, Powell first refused to listen to "millions of Americans," was then forced to listen to "millions of Americans," then, in the end, ignored the wishes of "millions of Americans."
I think Janet Jackson's exposed breast exposes Powell's motives for wanting the power of the media he regulates concentrated in the hands of a few. With that kind of control, Powell and his ideological brethren can ensure that breasts, along with "deplorable behavior," remain unexposed to "millions of Americans."
With a father who seems to have conspired to lie about Iraq's WMD, lack of exposure seems to rank high on the list of Powell family values.
-- John E. Sattler, Palm Harbor
Morally debilitating garbage
What a sad state of affairs our entertainment industry is in. I remember when entertainers relied on their talent and good reputation to better their popularity. Now, due to their lack of talent being made up for with computer-generated music and voice-overs, the entertainers today have to try to increase their popularity by doing rash and disgusting stunts that I'm embarrassed for my children to see.
It's also sad that our major networks obviously choose to air these stunts to better their Nielsen ratings with no regard for decency, morals or values. I'm so glad that the FCC is now beginning to crack down on all this morally debilitating garbage.
-- Richard A. Cardone, Largo
Social engineering by liberal "artists'
What was that - a halftime show, or a peep show? And who do they think they're trying to fool with all their phony exclamations of dismay, and shock over a "wardrobe malfunction?" All it was, was just more evidence of the same sort of ill-advised social engineering that liberal "artists" are still attempting to foist upon us all in the name of "artistic freedom."
Honestly, they won't be satisfied until everybody on stage and in the audience is buck naked, screaming obscenities and actively having oral sex with everybody else on prime-time television. I can hardly wait to see what they have planned for next year.
I don't suppose it really matters. I don't plan to watch it, and I don't much care who's playing.
-- Al Perrin, Ruskin
Consumers should use their power
Re: Super halftime sleaze, editorial, Feb. 3.
Tsk, tsk. We are getting what we are allowing. We are to believe that CBS, MTV and the feds will fix the mess. Fairy tales.
The power to change what we see on TV is with the consumer who buys the products of the advertisers who are willing to pay a kajillion dollars to CBS. They all have Web sites and addresses. Write them. Call them. And, finally, do not buy their products. Not for a day but for a long enough time so they will understand.
Next year for the Super Bowl, turn off the TV and go for a walk during halftime. It will be good for you.
We decry the state of affairs, but we need to follow up with some action on our part. If our forefathers hadn't done something, we would all be still paying taxes to Great Britain.
-- Mary Partington, New Port Richey
Bringing shame on all Americans
First of all, why in America can't we find someone who can sing the National Anthem the way it was written without all the showing-off, trying to do it their way, which is nothing but screaming, showing how big they can open their mouths and stretching the notes all out of tune? Our national anthem is a national treasure sung at many occasions with pride and love. Let's have it sung by professional singers correctly or not at all.
Second, at halftime, who needs a "stage" put up on the field for a bunch of would-be dancers and singers. It was awful and downright disgraceful! What went on, including the way they were all dressed, should have been stopped immediately, on the spot. Where are our decent men in charge today? The American public is not prudish and sex is fine, but not to be displayed on a football field where children and teens come to watch their sports idols.
The Super Bowl halftime show did nothing but shame all Americans. Not only on our own TVs, but it showed the rest of the world how low-down this country has slipped in morals.
Americans: Stand up and fight this cancer! Bring back good singing and clean entertainment without using nudity to do it!
-- Florence "Kit" Johnston, New Port Richey
Sleazefest comes first
Let me get this straight:
CBS would not run ads by MoveOn.org that criticized the Bush administration, but found it acceptable to run ads of flatulent horses, as well as crotch grabbing and breast baring.
I guess CBS figured such thought-provoking ads would get in the way of their sleazefest or somehow lower their ratings. Just when you think TV cannot sink any lower, the bottom (or in this case, the top) falls out.
-- Rita Manguso, Odessa
Blame faulty intelligence
Justin Timberlake was looking for weapons of mass destruction in Janet Jackson's gladiator outfit. He was dealing with faulty intelligence, so he's not responsible for his actions. Let's set up a blue ribbon panel headed by Dick Cheney to conduct an exhaustive investigation. The panel will present its findings a month after the presidential election. Justice will be served!
-- Jeff Cutting, Seminole
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