HiH Clubs

Absolutely!! This isn't about parents looking for an excuse to not raise their children, it's about parents asking the government to step in because we can't control outside influences that affect our kids 24/7. They're exposed to God-knows-what during school, when they're at their friends' houses, when they're just walking down the street!
What parent goes through their kid's ipod playlist every day and listens to every song, screens the lyrics sheet... You trust your kids, even after the first time you find they've been sneaking lipstick with them to wear at school behind your back.

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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And this is a more consumer-driven culture than ever before. Kids are bombarded with inappropriate imagery, and high pressure to fit in and conform to what's "cool."

The sliding scale of "cool" is being pushed further and further on the side of slutty and inappropriate at a younger and younger age because of images being presented by the media. SOMEONE needs to get a grip on things. After a certain age, parents have little or no influence on their child's decisions. The media isn't self-censoring, they're just out for money and ratings. Someone needs to keep a grip on social morality that isn't a left-wing nut.

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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It's not like we want to take away the IDEAS being expressed. There are several ways to communicate an idea. More intelligence, more cleverness, and better prose are simply needed to make a movie or piece of music fit for mass consumption.

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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I know!!! It's like they're just out to sell stuff. They claim their music is an art and serves to raise public awareness, but it's all about the bottom line... and not just rap artists. Other genres are certainly guilty as well, but rap seems to be the bigger target because they've been so blatant about it, crying racism when anyone says otherwise.

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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I completely second you on "The sliding scale of "cool" is being pushed further and further on the side of slutty and inappropriate at a younger and younger age because of images being presented by the media". There are girls at my school (Note: I'm only in middle school) that are wearing tight clothing just to look like celebrities, but really, they just look horrible. There are also some guys who wear baggy pants that just make it look like they pooped in their pants! What ever happened to wearing clothes that fit you?

Another thing that's influencing all of this is the internet! Ever seen myspace.com? I know, I have a myspace but there are some really disgusting ones out there, and all they are doing are influencing little 6th and 7th graders and possibly even younger kids to wear flashy clothing items or take off their tops or pants. It's totally disgusting! I'm not saying that it doesn't happen on livejournal, but then again you won't find very pronounced rapist or child molesters here.

Stephanie -//- Hufflepuff

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OMG you're only middle school? You're very well spoken :)

I go to the store and I am just SHOCKED by the things they are telling kids they should wear. Actually I'm kinda jealous and I wish they had cute stuff in my size, but I'm 30! Kids shouldn't be showing off breasts they don't have. Especially when we're trying to keep them away from sexual predators.

While I don't play "blame the victim," I absolutely think there are things that can be done to downplay your liklihood of being victimized, and not dressing like a loose-woman is one of them *snicker*

Myspace is just as good or bad as you make it, just like LiveJournal. I hate Myspace because nothing is censored, there's no friends-lock, and no 18+ lock on entries or on userinfo pages.

It's not censorship because your'e not STOPPING the speech, you're just locking it behind a curtain that no one underage can go through.

Just wow- I'm really impressed by your comments though. Way to go!

Karina Black, Ravenclaw Rambler

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I understand that rap isn't the only genre that is targetting things like sex and drugs. Look at country music! They talk about sex and alcohol too, it's just kids don't find country music as so called interesting or it doesn't have a better beat to it compared to rap. I agree that rap seems to be the bigger target because they are very blatant about all of their shenanigans, but then again can't every music genre be targetted then? All you have to do is look beyond the mask they put over the words. Take Everything Gets Hotter When the Sun Goes Down by Kenny Chesney for example. It may have a catchy jingle to it, but I'll bet that for every 10 people that listened to that song only 2 of them really understood what they were saying. That just goes to prove how oblivious we are to their songs and their true meanings.

Stephanie -//- Hufflepuff

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Absolutely true!!
I don't listen to country, so I'm not as familiar with the lyrics, but some of them are ~~hilarious~~ questionable as well.

I mostly listen to Industrial, actually, and the lyrics are absolutely deplorable. I like the backbeat and the rhythm. I'm sure they could find another way to say "fight the man," "I want to date you," or "Hey, nice outfit!" than some of the things they are saying in this genre as well.

If there were regulations on the music, I would be able to listen to it in front of my daughter (I don't listen to my music of choice when she's around, it's usually Disney- eeechhh!!!) unabashed without her questioning why one would be concerned about extracting a boot from one's nether-regions. They'd have to be more creative about what they were trying to convey, perhaps delve into symbolism!

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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redwingprincess.livejournal.com

I think that the government should totally be able to censor the media. It is ridiculous on how loose everything has become. You can walk into a convenience store and sitting on the counter right next to the candy or toys is porn magazines or cd covers that have inappropriate pictures/gestures, etc. on them right where a young child can see. I won't even go into the music stores anymore because all the seem to play over the speakers is hard-core rap. Granted I live in Detroit and that's what is popular out here but that doesn't mean I want to hear it all the time. It's gotten to the point where its out of control and it needs to be back under control.

You see all these different crimes being committed by young children and then you find out the music/tv/magazines they saw/heard/read were the influence and you just shake your head and wonder why no one does anything to stop it. Well they have the chance they just need to do something about it.

Tiffany//Hufflepuff

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I should NOT have to sit in my car, held hostage by a red light, and be forced to listen to... being blared in the car next door. We shouldn't be subject to listening to it through the walls of our apartment during "non quiet hours."

You aren't. In you rcar you have the choice to roll up your windows. In your home especially after quiet hours you have the choice to report violators of the quiet hour rule to either local authories or property managment.

Bach or even Weird Al is one thing. Salt n Pepa or Public Enemy is one thing, this shit is quite another.

This is a matter of personal taste in music, thus it is null and void to the point in which you are tyring to make.

OOH so they have to warn parents when they put explicit lyrics in the cd's and that caused an uproar. Free speech! Free speech! What about Free Peace? Every man has the right to persue happiness, and sometimes that happiness is NOT enjoying another prson's taste in music.

You cannot impose your personal "freedoms" on another. You cannot ask for freedom of peace as you put it if it conflicts with anothers freedom of speech. Although we can set limitations upon them both, thus the regulation of quiet hours and the concept of freedom of speech not being so free. But you cannot totally censor someone.

trent | slytherin

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musicaltwin07.livejournal.com

The government should be able to censor the media. I mean I recently saw RENT, in the movies. It was rated pg-13, but I thought about it and if I had a thirteen-year-old I wouldn't want them to see that. They go to an exotic dancer club, they do drugs and show them shooting themselves in the arm. I mean, I don't want them to see that. Then things like words in songs... yes. In Evanescense's Tourniquet someone screams in the middle "I want to die!" If I was a parent I wouldn't want my kid to listen to that. It might encourage them to think about it, like, wow being suicidal is cool, espceically if they didn't know any better. I'm not saying ban them, but censorship is good in some ways.

Melissa//Hufflepuff

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We cannot make the assumption that people are responsible and have good judgement.

Thus how can a government composed of the people be entrusted with the responsible to make good judgment. This one contradiction upsets the entire foundation of your argument.

A woman fairly recently put her RV in cruise control then left the wheel to make herself a sandwich then successfully sued the RV manufacturer! Holy Crap!

This is one isolated incident. Post statistics and then you will have a case. There will always be "exceptions" to every rule.

We are asking our GOVERNment time and time again to save us from ourselves by instituting rules and laws that are for our own good.

Who is? We ask our government to protect us from one another, allowing us to live harmoniously, but I do not see/understand the point you are trying to make with this statement. Not to mention there are various special interest groups pushing for less governmental influence/control over today's culture/society.

We need laws in place to stop Nebraskan middle-class tweenagers from dressing up and walking around like they're from the 'hood. It's for their own good and it's for the good of everyone around them. They are cheapening REAL ghetto culture and being pretentious

I believe you are starting to diverge from the issue at hand, but I will entertain your statement. And argue that by censoring ones dress you are in effect putting a hold on individuality which is part of what makes are world so great, the various differences which spring up and propel us to great new heights.

and honestly just looking like asses.

Personal opinion = null and void to factual argument.

Also by stating that individuals who dress in this manner or listen to certain types of music you are degrading their culture, indirectly exclaiming yours to be superior.

If they weren't exposed to such explicit lyrics, they wouldn't try to engage in drive-by cow-tippings potato-gun shootings.

This is not a proven theory. As I stated earlier the type of music listened to or the type of video games played has not been proven to have a causal relationship with the type of behavior exhibited by individuals.

trent | slytherin

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You can hear music through rolled up windows. A single pane of glass, unfortunately, doesn't magically stop sound waves and intense vibrations. Property management doesn't care unless it's "quiet hours."

Personal taste is exactly my point, which you missed apparently. No one should be subjected to anyone else's taste. If it's going to be loud, it should at the VERY least not be offensive. Hence my statement, "Bach or even Weird Al is one thing. Salt n Pepa or Public Enemy is one thing, this shit is quite another."

I don't necessarily like Public Enemy, but at least most of their lyrics are LYRICS and not a string of vulgarities.

That was the point. You can't police someone's volume level every hour of every day- you CAN police the lyrics before they hit mass consumption.

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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Parents are NOT taking responsibility for their children. They're not even taking responsibility for themselves.

But is the majority of individuals or the minority?

Violent lyrics breed violent thoughts which in turn breeds violent behavior.

not a proven fact.

Freedom of Speech in America is an absolute illusion. You can't even speak out against the President without being marked as a suspected terrorist, and treated accordingly.

This is a clear misinterpretation of the law regarding such matters. As one does have the right to speak out against the President. What one cannot do is make threats toward the President (then again you cannot legally threaten anyone).

The "Patriot Act" has just passed another addition wherein suspected terrorists ON US SOIL may be interrogated and held without due process! That's not freedom of speech.

This is an isolated response to an isolated incident, not the societal norm. (exception to the rule idea).

The store might not be a place for young children, if it's blasting Eminem, sure, but what about the mall? What about walking past the store? In a free marketplace society, where all are free to say and do as they wish, in theory, shouldn't one also be free to NOT have to listen to "Smack my Bitch Up?"

Having worked in a mall at a popular retail store I know for a fact that stores are not allowed to play music of their choosing. For those stores that are national many have certain CDs which must be played. When stores decide to move into a mall type environment they sign a contract agreeing to various rules in regard to what can and cannot be displayed/played within their stores. Thus a major censorship is already placed upon store/malls/outlet/etc there is no need for the government to get involved as we are currently handling matter ourselves.

trent | slytherin

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Thus how can a government composed of the people be entrusted with the responsible to make good judgment.

Personal opinion, this negates your argument. The government is composed of our elected leaders and intellectual betters. Because this is a democracy (imsofullofit) the majority has a say in what is "right" and "wrong." Right and wrong are simply semantics and diversionary tactics for opinion.

This is one isolated incident.
Unfortunately not. There has been more than one documented case of a person behaving so stupidly, it dropped the collective IQ of the general populace. We do NOT, in fact, ask the government to save us from each other- time and time again we have shown that laws have been instated to save us from ourselves. Examples: the seat belt & helmet laws.

Also by stating that individuals who dress in this manner or listen to certain types of music you are degrading their culture, indirectly exclaiming yours to be superior.

You're lacking an adjective, thus your argument is null and void.
"music you are"
it should read "music are ____, you are..."

My culture may or may not be superior, you cannot base an argument on that which I have not said. ;)

Interpretive implications notwithstanding, the argument is whether or not government should impose restrictions on media. Some call this censorship, but one could also argue that by posting speed guidelines, they are also censoring your right to personal expression by driving in a manner which some consider "too fast."

You have to wonder, when does raising the speed limit stop? When there's no speed limit at all? And no punishment for driving recklessly? Explicit language and violence in mass media is completely unregulated aside from ooh little stickers warning people what they're about to buy MAY be offensive.

You can't scream "FIRE" in a crowded movie theatre- is that censorship or just good judgement?
Why, then, should "let's go kill cops" be censorship instead of good judgement?

It's all semantics.

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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You can hear music through rolled up windows. A single pane of glass, unfortunately, doesn't magically stop sound waves and intense vibrations.

While a single pane of glass does not block all sound waves it does block a majority of them. Also those individuals who blast their music in public are a minority compared to those who do not, thus making it improper for the government to step in.

Property management doesn't care unless it's "quiet hours."

Some do, some don't. This is dependent upon the living area. Once again local authorities (as their are city laws/state laws/etc which cover such matters) are only a call away.

Personal taste is exactly my point, which you missed apparently. No one should be subjected to anyone else's taste. If it's going to be loud, it should at the VERY least not be offensive. Hence my statement, "Bach or even Weird Al is one thing. Salt n Pepa or Public Enemy is one thing, this shit is quite another.",

Offense is also a matter of personal taste. For many bach, mozart, and other famous classical composers are viewed as offensive, for others post modernistic music is considered offensive. Who is to say which cultures values are higher then anothers?

I don't necessarily like Public Enemy, but at least most of their lyrics are LYRICS and not a string of vulgarities.

both of which are a form of artistic expression. when the statue of david was first displayed it was considered vulgar. yet many today would argue that it is art in its prime.

That was the point. You can't police someone's volume level every hour of every day- you CAN police the lyrics before they hit mass consumption.

True you can, but should we? The answer is No.

Trent | Slytherin

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devils-sidekick.livejournal.com

The government should censor media

Last night I was walking to my weekly therepy session, I decided to get a drink. Went to the corner deli/candy store for it,while I was waiting for my turn to pay, I noticed there were these very graphic pictures of sexual acts. Located right on the top self over the magazines for all to see. Trust me I made a complaint about it. The owner quickly told one of his workers to change the display.

Come on, your in an area where there are a lot of kids, your right across form a park, in a semi religious area, why would you display movies like that? Hide them, like you do with the "dirty" magazines, for heavens sake. I don't want to see the pictures, not even the titles, I am not really sure which was worse the pictures or the film titles. I can handle, "Debbie does Dallas", but when the title has sexual tems and stuff, that dosen't cut it.

Deborah/Hufflepuff

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But is the majority of individuals or the minority?

Unfortunately it's the majority, or this wouldn't be an issue. Neither would seatbelts, helmets, or car insurance laws.

not a proven fact.
Reference:
Violent Music Lyrics Increase Aggressive Thoughts (http://www.apa.org/releases/violentsongs.html)

Study links music lyrics to hostile feelings. (http://www.drum-circle.org/study_links_music_lyrics.htm)

I'm sure I can find more.

This is a clear misinterpretation of the law regarding such matters. As one does have the right to speak out against the President.

From this page: (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/04/INGPQ40MB81.DTL)
The police cleared the path of the motorcade of all critical signs, but folks with pro-Bush signs were permitted to line the president's path. Neel refused to go to the designated area and was arrested for disorderly conduct; the police also confiscated his sign.

Having worked in a mall at a popular retail store I know for a fact that stores are not allowed to play music of their choosing
Having worked at a mall previously in a store ;) and having been a shopper for 20+ years, I know for a fact some ARE playing music of their choosing. Even when there are "rules" in place, the managers aren't always around to enforce them, nor the volume level.

Some of the ones they are "required" to play also contain sexually suggestive or explicit lyrics. This music simply should not be available because it could be abused (and is abused) in this such manner.

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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For many bach, mozart, and other famous classical composers are viewed as offensive

This is a personal opinion, silly, and thusly negates the argument. There isn't anyone offended by ambient non-lyrical music. Some are annoyed, sure, but most don't care or even notice.

Who is to say which cultures values are higher then anothers?
EXACTLY!
Why should someone's cultural value of wanting to hear strings of vulgarities outweigh my cultural value of everyone shutting the hell up? :)

It's smoking vs non-smoking. It's air pollution, and if you're not a smoker/into that sort of thing, you shouldn't have to be exposed to it.

You can police the lyrics and visions before they hit mass media, and we SHOULD!

Karina Black, Ravenclaw

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I don't even want to go into Hot Topic anymore. It's not even whiny gothic poetry anymore. I mean, I'm not dissing Hot Topic but they have some really profane music in there. It's actually turned really down low, but still if you listen carefully it's really disturbing. They talk about killing yourself and cutting yourself...

Stephanie -//- Hufflepuff

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RENT was actually a pretty bad movie/play, but you also have to consider the time it took place in. I'm not saying that 1989-1991 were bad times, but they definately weren't like today. People had to do what they had to do, and drugs were a lot more addictive then. Once again, I'm not saying that they still aren't, it's just that they were what started mass drug usage. (I'm pretty sure I have my time frames right.)

Stephanie -//- Hufflepuff

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