The naked and profane: Beware!

LJWorld.com weblogs Congressional Briefing

Posted by Joel Mathis November 5, 2004 at 9:58 a.m.

We'll avoid making a Janet Jackson joke -- again -- in this spot.But the naked and profane better beware: observers are expecting a fresh assault on televised indecency by Sen. Sam Brownback, now that he's been re-elected.[Reuters][1] reports: "The re-election of President Bush, coupled with the return of Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), signal to some FCC staffers that there will be a 'ramp up' on the indecency issue, resulting in more broadcaster fines coming through the pipeline in the coming year."'We've been reluctant to do a lot more on this issue, but it's going to be tougher to ignore,' one staffer said. "The implications, according to this staffer? 'Look for some outside pressure first, coming from private groups' that feel emboldened by a new opportunity to pressure the Federal Communications Commission on indecency. "As far as the House and Senate elections are concerned, most of the key players on the Commerce committees in both chambers remain in position, although longtime cultural warrior Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.) has retired. Brownback, an outspoken critic of media smut, last year introduced the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, which increases the maximum fines for obscene and indecent broadcasts."We've previously reported on Brownback's anti-indecency efforts [here][2] and [here][3].The campaign is over. The fundraising isn't.[The Associated Press reports][4] that Brownback will keep raising funds, though his campaign is over.In a larger article about fundraising activities, AP notes: "Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., planned a hunting excursion with contributors Nov. 20 in Kansas for $2,500 per person, with donations going to his political action committee."AP adds: "The fresh fund raising follows an election in which nearly all the higher-spending congressional candidates won."How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][5] [1]: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=industryNews&storyID=6719643 [2]: http://blogs.ljworld.com/kansas_congress/2004/oct/08/bill_killed/ [3]: http://blogs.ljworld.com/kansas_congress/2004/sep/23/indecency/ [4]: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20041104-1146-mightydollar.html [5]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed