Big F-in deal for FCC: appeals court strikes down fines for fleeting expletives. Next, is being an only child a blessing or a curse? Then, should California collect DNA from anyone accused of a felony? The NAACP elaborates on why it's calling the Tea Party racist. Later, ew - what shady, sketchy everyday sights creep you out?
Appeals court rules against FCC's indeceny standards
A federal appeals court stated Tuesday that the FCC’s indecency rule against profane language on radio and television broadcasts is “unconstitutionally vague,” explaining that it violates the 1st Amendment’s protection of free speech. The ruling went into effect in 2004 after a battle between the FCC and Fox Broadcasting, when the FCC complained that Fox aired several obscenities during live broadcasts with Cher and Nicole Richie. Racy content also upset the FCC – who could forget Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” during that year’s super bowl halftime show? As a result, profanities and indecent material were forbidden to air between 6AM and 10PM, but for now this rule is off the books. Will the FCC appeal? Is this a victory for television networks, and if so, how will they handle it?
Guests:
Eugene Volokh, Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law
Melissa Henson, Director of Communications and Public Education, Parents Television Council
Is one child really the loneliest number?
For years, only children have been described as “selfish,” “lonely,” “spoiled,” and “too intellectual.” But is that really the case? A new piece in Time Magazine contends that based on recent research, only-children are none of the above and their numbers are on the rise due in part to the economy. Do you have only one child? Why?
Guest:
Lauren Sandler, Time contributor and writer for the piece, “The Only Child Myth”
Should California collect DNA from anyone accused of a crime?
The ACLU filed suit last year to challenge California’s policy of collecting a saliva swab from anyone arrested for a felony. Law enforcement can add the DNA to a database, even if the accused is never charged or convicted. The ACLU argues that’s an unreasonable search. Yesterday on AirTalk, state Attorney General Jerry Brown defended the program, which helped build a case against Lonnie David Franklin, Jr., the alleged “Grim Sleeper” serial killer, using his son’s DNA. How will the 9th Circuit rule on the issue? And should people who are not charged or convicted have their DNA removed from the state database?
Guests:
Michael Risher, staff attorney, ACLU Northern California challenging Prop. 69
Michael Chamberlain, Deputy Attorney General for California’s Department of Justice
NAACP condemns Tea Party for “racist elements”
The NAACP has passed a resolution that condemns racism within the tea party movement. Delegates approved the resolution during their annual convention in Kansas City. It charges that Tea Party supporters have engaged in "explicitly racist behavior" and have "displayed signs and posters intended to degrade people of color generally and President Barack Obama specifically." Yesterday Larry spoke with Joe Hicks, a social critic and Vice President of Community Advocates, Inc. Today he speaks with a representative of the NAACP about the purpose of and the evidence for this resolution.
Guest:
Hilary Shelton, Senior Vice President for advocacy and policy, NAACP
Shady, sketchy creeps: what “normal” sights make your skin crawl?
Have you ever felt oddly distressed after crossing paths with a grown man in a Boy Scout uniform or a hairless cat? Does the thought of kiddie beauty pageants or lifelike baby dolls slightly disturb you? If so, there’s finally a book that celebrates these unsettling everyday experiences. David Bickel, former writer for The King of Queens, has compiled a collection of creepy images, which he captions with witty commentary, in his book Creepiosity: A Hilarious Guide to the Unintentionally Creepy. Bickel says he has turned to the “science” of creepiology to rate the level of creepiness in particular subjects and he’s created a special formula to calculate it. What everyday things are the most creepy and uncomfortable to you, and how do they rate on a scale of 1 to 10?
Guest:
David Bickel, author of Creepiosity: A Hilarious Guide to the Unintentionally Creepy. He is a former writer for The King of Queens.
Poster creeps:
Bee beards. Creepiosity index: 5.90.
Fish with human faces. Creepiosity index: 8.91.
Grown men in Boy Scout uniforms. Creepiosity index: 9.29.
People who are fluent in made-up languages. Creepiosity index: 8.12.
Selections from the book Courtesy Andrews McMeel Publishing.