What the BLEEP Is Going On With Television Programming?

Hey, I like a good curse (ahem, excuse me,) I mean cuss word every now and then just like anyone else.  But what has become of us?  I remember years ago when I first heard the word, “booty” on television or the radio.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  I mean, “booty” actually being broadcasted for all to hear?  Growing up, I could not dare say that word.  My parents taught me that such words were foul, and if I had a reason to reference such a thing, it should be called “butt” or “behind.”  So hearing it for the first time like that really made my jaw drop to the floor.  What was happening?  That, I found out, was only the beginning.

Recently, I was flipping channels one mid-morning and happened upon a cable channel known for daytime reality shows.  I actually heard a character say the “P” word.  This word is usually common language in dark rooms or between boys who brag about girls and try to compete with each other.  This word is sometimes put in front of the word, “cat.”  The first time a character on the show said it, she was referring to how a man was acting.  Later, a different character used the word in a more nasty way.  I actually had to rewind the show to listen again so that I could make sure I heard what I thought I heard. I mean, come on! This was in the middle of the afternoon.  It’s not like it was on some channel that has nudity and profanity in its programming late at night.  I had about 100 questions going through my mind, but I will just list these:  

1.      Did they actually say that word?
2.      Why didn’t the station bleep it out of the program?
3.      Isn’t this some sort of violation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?
4.      Why is this bothering me so much?
5.      Is this bothering anyone else?
6.      Am I just getting old?
7.      Where is our decency?

I think it was just another marker of the degeneration of our society. For instance, gone are the days when songs are made about summer breezes or roller skating. It’s like slightly opening a lid to a box with snakes in it. They’re all going to get out and go haywire. Where and how will it end? The scary part is that if we don’t reel some of this stuff back, modesty, discretion and respect will become things of the past.

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