So much is going on right now in the wake of Katrina and amid the profound ineptitude (yet again) of George W. Bush. But as you may have learned, a TV network has brazenly censored an artist, not for anything regulated by the FCC, but rather because rap artist Kanye West's comments were critical of the president.
What West said, per
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html (comments in entirety):
"I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, 'They're looting.' You see a white family, it says, 'They're looking for food.' And, you know, it's been five days
because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I've tried to turn away from the TV because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help -- with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way -- and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us!
(snip)
George Bush doesn't care about black people!"
The Post article added:
"West's comments would be cut from the West Coast feed, an NBC spokeswoman told The TV Column. (The Associated Press later reported that only his comment about the president was edited out.) The show was live on the East Coast with a several-second delay; someone with his finger on a button was keeping an ear peeled in case someone uttered an obscenity but did not realize that West had gone off-script, the spokeswoman said."
So, you Eastern-Timers got to see it, but we Left-Coasters were spared of the (gasp) criticism of King George.
Like I said, we have so much to think about and do, but I AM TIRED of how TV networks continue to censor and diminish a free press in this country. If you want to let NBC know what you think of this, here is an email address: nbcshows@nbcuni.com .
Here is what I said in my email to them:
"As I am on the West Coast, I was not able to view the full comments of rap artist Kanye West. I learned that this is because you censored his remarks. Did he use foul language? No. Rather, you did not like his MESSAGE. That is CENSORSHIP.
Your network's response to this:
'It would be most unfortunate if the efforts of the artists are overshadowed by one person's opinion.'
My variation of your statement:
'It would be most unfortunate if our First Amendment right of Freedom of Expression was trampled by a broadcast network on PUBLICLY OWNED AIRWAVES.'
Each day there is more evidence that America is no longer a free country. When someone is not allowed to publicly criticize our President, that is not Democracy.
NBC, SHAME ON YOU!"
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We've gotta hold them accountable whenever we can - they operate on airwaves paid for by our tax dollars!
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