VINSON: Howard Stern, the Bible, and the Constitution on The Murfreesboro Post

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VINSON: Howard Stern, the Bible, and the Constitution

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By: MIKE VINSON, Post Columnist

Posted: Sunday, November 6, 2011 5:03 am

Recently, I came across a May 11, 2004 issue of USA Today, which featured an article titled, “Stern’s raunch is better than silence.”

In this editorial – brave, honest, and broad-minded, from my perspective – author Tony Mauro defended “shock jock” Howard Stern and also criticized the manner in which the FCC/Federal Communications Commission handled Stern and his controversial TV and radio shows.

The article revealed how the FCC had “slapped $495,000 in fines on Clear Channel for broadcasting a fairly typical, flatulence-filled segment of Stern’s radio show. Clear Channel promptly dropped his [Stern’s] show from its stations.”

Also mentioned in that same article is the fact that the FCC “has broadened the definition of forbidden words that are as highly offensive as the ‘F-word.’ Blasphemy, as well as ‘personally reviling epithets,’ terms that are vulgar, irreverent and ‘grossly offensive’ will also raise red flags now.” (NOTE: Reckon these FCC sanctions against Howard Stern ever applied to the triple X lyrics heard in songs by some of today’s rap artists?)

With the USA Patriot Act, the umbrella law that is a direct product of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our collective U.S. police forces – local, state, and federal – now have greater latitude and longitude in both creating and enforcing laws.

Indeed, the FCC, itself, is a police force, in that it enforces what can and cannot be aired over radio and television networks.

Some might recall what happened to the once-super-hot, all-girls country group the Dixie Chicks.

In March 2003 – after lead singer Natalie Maines made an unflattering comment about President George W. Bush and the U.S. invasion of Iraq – The Chicks’ music, though popular and selling well, was pulled from most radio stations’ playlists.

From a Constitutional perspective, I do believe Tony Mauro was correct in his defense of Howard Stern and his then-popular television and radio shows. (Stern has been with Sirius XM Radio, exclusively, since 2006.)

Granted, Stern’s shows back in 2004, pretty much, consisted of porn actresses, explicit language, and, yes, humorous flatulence.

However, if the First Amendment rights (freedom of speech and freedom of the press) of Howard Stern, and others like him, are to be censored, then, maybe, we need to consider removing the Holy Bible from all bookstores.

How so?

Because of its lurid stories of sex and violence!

For example, King Solomon had “seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.” (And you think Hugh Hefner’s a real player?)

Who were Solomon’s parents?

King David and Bathsheba.

How did those two hook up?

King David saw Bathsheba bathing in the nude and was so impressed by what he observed that he had Bathsheba’s husband, a soldier in David’s army, sent to the front lines so he would be killed, which he was, and David could have Bathsheba for his own, which he did.

Still, King Herod was so eroticized by Salome’s seductive dance moves that he awarded her the severed head of John the Baptist on a platter – and John was Jesus Christ’s first cousin!

It doesn’t get much rougher than that, folks.

Now, mind you, in no way am I attacking the Holy Bible.

Instead, I am using it to illustrate a point.

And that point is?

Each of us is an individual, and each forms his/her set of values – pros and cons, right and wrong – as those values best suit his or her lifestyle and comfort zone.

Working for Howard Stern at Sirius XM Radio would necessitate a different set of values (attitude, anyway) than, say, working for Allen Jackson at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro.

Though a bit removed from the flow of this article, I’ll close with this: If I had to give a highly-controversial – potentially dangerous – interview, my first choice would be Howard Stern.

Why?

Moral issues aside, Stern is smart, open-minded, and has nothing to hide, literally and figuratively.

Tagged under Howard Stern, Meat and Potatoes, Media, Mike Vinson

Member Opinions:

By: songwriterdad on 11/6/11
well, very interesting article. testicular fortitude! most certain to stir up some controversy! However, accurate. From a similar perspective, when I was i kid the most provocative photos available readily to teens was the JC penny catalouge bra and panty section. Nowaday you can watch tv and see girls gone wild, smiling Bob and be warned of a 4 hour erection followed by male enhancement then hear the the GD bomb dropped during prime time, and they wanna crucify Charlie Sheen. And yes Those who have actually taken the time to read their bible will find it an accurate depiction you have sited in your article. I can imagine some people will be really pissed off but As you say freedom of speach is what allows me to say I rate howard stern a ten on what I call the jerry springer scale which measures idiocrocy and intelligence. the truth is the guys are making a frickin fortune acting stupid. the true idiots are the people who cling to this programming like a welfare baby cutting his teeth on an ebt card. I am a christian and I must admit my rambling was meant to entice, but My opinion is the Bible is real life and real life is vicious and a mystery which I do not question Gods word it literally scares the hell out of me. As i writer/critic I think this was a fun article and the truth is, society is what we, the people, allow it to be and yes the government or FCC which are synonmous in my opinion are over editing in some areas and visa versa
so there you go joe joe public bring on your rebuttle this is bound to be good. LOL and by the way any missspelllings were intentional. Yall have a good week!

By: Gman1 on 11/7/11
Vinson did a brave job mixing the likes of Howard Stern with the Bible and freedom of speech to make a point. And although Stern is what he is, he probably would be about one of the best out there to conduct a controversial interview. I'd trust Stern before I would trust any of those that work for CNN, Fox or MSNBc. Their bosses tell them what to say. Stern tells it like he sees it.