CNN

Cuss words change over time.

They are just sound waves.

Some people need to work on their reading comprehension....

For all those out there bashing 'liberals' for this ruling, reread the article. This was a CONSERVATIVE RULING! This was a movement to censor material on television. It had nothing to do with the Democrats. The judges who voted FOR THIS RULING were appointed by Bush.

Gotta love when some Republican morons bash their own party's ideals and claim them to be Democrat....LOLOL

So we still can't have a wardrobe malfunction but we can have commercials about erectile dysfunction and KY, huh?

What's next? No commercials regarding birth control, family planning or abortion? No tv programming with images of a "sexual nature"? Banning any reference to homosexuality on tv? Where does it end? This slippery slope is one of the worst decisions in recent history and represents the danger of a POTUS and/or his party not recognizing the value of having a balanced Supreme Court and instead trying to pack it with "true believers." Scalia and the rest of them shoudl be ashamed of themselves and we should all do our best to make this a black mark on his and their careers.

Guess what. The whole world does not evolve around children. Why the hell are so many children watching the idiot box to begin with? Get off your ass and change the channel if you don't like it.

Much as I hate to see the members of the fourth estate being muzzled, I can understand the Supreme Court's concerns and ultimate ruling. Most of us have either lost our social and civil conscience. Some of us never even acquired these base requirements for social and civic participation. Just read online blogs and post!

In this era of the TV is doing double duty as our entertainment source and our nanny, we have to be very careful with the language we use. Sure I detest having my free speech right curtailed. But, I fault myself for that.

I am very happy with Supreme Courts ruling. There is no need for swear words on TV. They don't contribute anything worthwhile to the content. Let's face it....swearing is really quite immature. The only reason why broadcasters like it is because iti appeals to the youths and improve their ratings.

I'm know we've all done it...especially in our youths....But I think America should hold itself to a higher standard and not allow the broadcast industry to make more money at the expense of polluting the air waves.

People grow up or stop watching TV. There is nothing wrong with a healthy dose of curse words sprinked throught a TV show. I get tired of hearing the moronic "bleeps" when I watch the "Newz" or the Daily Show or the Colbert Report. I don't need a nanny to tell me what I should hear. There's enough chaildren's garbage on TV for parents to find something besides grow-up shows for their kids to watch. Not everything needs to be watered down for six year olds to watch.

It's amazing how many people feel inclined to post their opinions here when it's clear they haven't even read the Supreme Court opinion on which they're commenting.

I agree with Clyde's post. Don't watch TV if you don't like it. Get involved with your kids lives instead of letting them watch TV, eat fast food and drink soda and get fat and diabetic before they are an adult. Parents, be parents and take some responsibility.

For Ernie in L.A.: How did anything you mention have to do with the constitution? Nothing. In fact, prayer in school is contradictory to the principles of our founding fathers. Also, the Bush administration did more to damage the constitution than any other administration. Open our eyes because your ignorance or maybe stupidity is showing.

While I certainly understand the concern for free speech, as a parent I am concerned about the increase in swearing in our culture. @Wi Student said people swear all the time so we should just accept it. So if everyone illegally downloads music from Limewire it should be ok because everyone is doing it right?

Networks have an obligation to let viewers know what they are going to see. I can turn off the television if there is something that I don't approve my kids to watch. But if I don't know what to expect how can I make that decision. Everyone was up in arms about TV ratings but it gives consumers the information they need to decide if they will tune in or not.

Personally I find the use of cursing to show an ignorance of vocabulary but that doesn't mean people don't have a right to do it. When there is no moral compass to at least have the respect to accept that some people find it offensive then laws must help this out. As an example it is against the law for me to have my music in my car cranked up for the entire community to hear because some people cannot perceive that others would be offended and fail to show respect for other viewpoints.

So given this decision we can sum up the foolishness with this. On TV you can show gratuitous violence and have people give detailed descriptions of exactly how the killer/rapist character tormented and mutilated his victims... as long as the hard-nosed detective calls him a "sick mother-freaker" instead of using naughty language.

I hope people grow up about choice and free will soon. If you don't like what you're hearing or watching, use your remote and find something you do like or turn it off and actually read a !@#$% book! Be warned, the characters will probably swear in the book.

I'm utterly shocked at now many posters here failed to comprehend the article.

This ruling is an enforcement issue, not a free speech issue.
SCOTUS simply stated that the FCC has the right to enforce its policies about the type of language broadcast on public airwaves.

This does not affect Cable, Satellite or other forms of paid television broadcasts.
They can broadcast whatever they want since the broadcast medium is not public.

It left the free speech aspect out of the ruling and sent it to the lower court for review.

Isn't it wonderful that Bush's morality-police are around to help protect us from words and thoughts? With their helpful guidance, soon we'll all be exactly the same, and that will be wonderful! We won't even have to think anymore. Obviously, we can't be trusted to make our own decisions about what material we avail ourselves of.

Free speech means you have the right to express your opinions without persecution. It doesn't give you the right to curse and offend
others. You can get a point across without using vile language.

I do my share of cursing, etc. but I do refrain from it in in public. I do so to be considerate and respectful of those around me, their family, etc. However, many could care less about such things and usually are those that most would consider vulgar. A slip now and then can be overlooked... no big deal, but nobody want to listen a continual stream from a fowl motor- mouth.

Further, the media has a nasty habit of pushing things onto their viewing public and making it seem like it's cool. I view it as the apparently continual process of dumbing down the American public.

Most kids/younger folks will likely scoff at my view but consider that I am 71... I have been there and back and learned a few things on the way?

Censorship is a practice that always begins with peoples "best interests" in mind but will almost always end up in oppression.

You should not EVER try to disrupt the flow of information in a free society.

Besides, words only have the power that society places on them. Rulings like this just make those words that much "worse."

We've become a society of self-indulgent people who only care about themselves and not their neighbors. What happened to respect? Our citizens have entertained a lawless attitude, where their way is the only way. It's sad when selfishness dictates your life. And the lack of vocabulary also shows that we are a country of the uneducated. When people act his way it is a serious blow to the character of the USA.

This is not a free speech issue, you angry libs out there who are not offended by "words" should know that you are being played. The big evil corporations (as you call them) are programming racy words into tv shows so more people will watch them (sort of like when people stop to see car accidents). They also do it because they lack the ability to put quality content out so they resort to cursing to make them 'edgy'. Letting them do it makes our society a little less civilized. Also consider the little ones who are unsupervised who get to listen to these words as they continue to make their way into prime time shows. What is the upside to our society to have profanity on tv? All I hear from you in these comments is how you hate Bush Cheney Republicans etc...I know, why don't you try to come up with an actual reason for your position.

Since when should filthy language be accepted? when some idiots haven't learned how to have proper English? people should not have to by pass watching tv or enjoying any other form of media because some people can't speak without using 'offensive' language. For those who like the way the English live, go to England. Don't continue to pollute the American society - either grow up or go somewhere else!

Activist judges are restricting free speech. I don't want or need the government to tell me my morality or how to raise my family.

I keep seeing people referring to the decay of our moral fiber and the like. If our morality is dictated solely by our word choices, they may be right, but when "Leave It To Beaver" and "Father Knows Best" were on the air, spousal rape wasn't illegal, interracial marriage was, and no one bothered to prosecute people who lynched Black people. I'll take todays decayed morality over that any day.

Here come the nannies! Watch out for the language police!
Censorship is coming soon! Next the thought police and Big Brother!

This isn't the change we were told about!

I vote that we fire five of these Justices??? I'm oh so tired of them telling me how to live my life, what I can say, and what I can hear...enough is enough.

Creatrix, really?? " what every single one of us was thinking that day?" (the day of 9/11) I wasn't thinking that that day. I can speak without using gutter language.

George Carlin isn't laughing he's burning in He%l

On cable\pay TV I expect an amount of leeway in language and content. after all if I'm paying for the service than it's something I don't mind coming into my home.

However on Broadcast TV I expect a certain level of civility in lanuage and content. However that has become quite a gray area in the past decade or so. With the amount of mindless inane crap on TV, the content and language during prime time Broadcast TV has really degraded and is no longer limited till after 10pm. Unfortunately the only solution is to turn the TV off.

Those of you arguing that all standards are "relative" when it comes to language might not like that same argument applied to the use harsh interrogation tactics–I mean, torture.

Sticks and stones may break my bones and bullets and bombs may maim or kill me, but expletive words will only tell me how much intelligence the person has who uses them.

People (especially children and teenagers) mimic what they see on TV. The more profanity, violence, vulgarity that is shown the more it will come out in children and adults. As an educator for twenty five years I am bothered by what the influence of the TV and movie industry have done to our children. Yeah, there is the first amendment, but if what you do causes damage, there ought to be a law to stop you. Just my opinion.

What the (bleep) are they talking about? Now there (bleep) with my (bleep) TV. I hate the (bleep) republicans, there out of (bleep) control. I have been watching (bleep) TV 5 – 8 hours a (bleep) day and there is nothing wrong with me.

I realize that this is painful to the dumbocrats, who have no morals or ethics whatsoever and who embrace everything that dumbs down our society but it's a victory for those who still have hope of maintaining some decency in our society.

America is falling into the gutter. In so many ways.

Hell ya it does, we also have the freedom to not watch tv shows that use profanity.

i think some comprimise is in order here, why not have a disclamer issued in the TV listing and before the show saying it contain profanity, also add thosetypes of shows to our new widescreen TV's that have the Vchip parental controls in them.

I may not want my kids to hear it so I should be free to choose to block it, hell why not add technology that gives the users the ability silence out the profanity and still watch the show?

Freedom is the most important value here, and a law saying we cant speak is not it, but the freedom to control what we choose to hear is the answer.

and the technology is here today.

I am glad about this. Using expletives is a very poor way to communicate. I mean we all have heard the words and we all know them, but still a line has to be drawn somewhere.

We have to think about the influence this has on our younger generation. They don't know what decent speech is. We use those words in the home and in public places, it is time for us to stop.

Words being offensive to you are certainly relative. What is offensive to you is probably not offensive to me. Probably because I am adult and anyone offended by a WORD is a childish, democrat minded person. Liberal, Soros, Franken, Ginsburg, Pelosi, Reid, Lee, Hoyer, Rahm and Obama are offensive words to me. Bush is only a last name and Dick is only a surname.

Why are the Libs concerned about the Constitution? They want to rewrite it anyway. You are still blaming it on Bush? Libs, this is the 21st Century, Prayer is not allowed in schools, over the counter birth control for 17 year olds was just approved and you are worried about what kids hear on TV?

scalia not only sides with the governments right to regulate free speech but he then goes on to endorse the rule by the fcc "there are good reasons for it and the agency believes it to be better." i thought the court's decision was supposed to be about the fcc's right to regulate and not about the merits of the rule its self.as usual scalia exposes his predudice and acts in a manner not intended for the court under the constitution. the next step should be for the current administration to immediately recind this regulation. people who are going to be offended by hearing certain words should just stay in a dark room with their hands over their ears.or grow up.

What a major gaffe, this opens the door to sanction Rush

For those of you that so admire his lordship Obama, what would you say if he got up and made a speech using nothing but the "F" word ?.
He wouldn't do such a thing because he is an intelligent man. Only ignorant people carry on conversations using nothing but obscene language. And only the ignorant enjoy or excuse such behaviour.

I wonder if CNN will let this comment show. I doubt it.

Another thing...remember this discussion when you want to silence those that dissent with the left. The Fairness Doctrine should scare you to death...if you really care about free speech.

The unfortunate horrible legacy of Bush still lives on. Using "bad" words...whatever bad words are. Silly.

DO we have freedom of speech or not?

Reminder: IT IS the Bush Supreme Court after all.

More policing, more regulations, higher fine, broader terms of legalities...

Way to go Bush. When Bush and Dick got together, amazing civil liberty erosion was born from it.

It should be the PARENTS that get fined for letting their children watch these shows. It should not be the responsibility of the broadcasters.

Good ruling!

I just attempted to post something here with bad words...It doesn't look like it made it though. Can't anyone see the difference between having your "talk" regulated and "scripted dialogue" on PUBLIC airwaves regulated. I'd never agree with the former. Scripted dialogue is not really the same as speech...you people are smart enough to know the difference. Save your fight for something that is of consequence.

This country is full of BABIES. If you can't handle an occasional curse word, you are TRULY PATHETIC.

well, there goes all the fox ( A.K.A. the republican propaganda network) shows. The good thing about this is dick will have to stop talking.

Is there any reason that we can't be considerate of others? It offends some? Okay, I won't intentionally use those words on public television. Is that so hard? Why do we have to be so self centered?
"I'll do what I want – I don't care what anybody else thinks."
This is unfortunately America's motto.

There is a fine line in violating the first amendment, more rights ambushed as a result of the Bush administration!!! I'm a mom so I don't want my family exposed to bad language either, but rather than squash our rights I would rather use the opportunity of exposure to educated my children against bad language.

Well I have heard over and over that Obama is taking away rights, although they cant name one that he has taken(BECAUSE HE HASN"T!!!!), but here you go, an ACTUAL constitutional right taken under Bush. Just because you dont like it, too bad, its in the constitution. But theproblem is the idiots on the right are great at cherry picking from the constitution. Civil rights are only meant for those they approve of. Hitler would be so proud of his off spring

Well done supreme court. We have had enough of moral decadence in our society!

It's refreshing to be treated like a child every once in a while, as opposed to being treated like an adult who is capable of resisting the awesome terror and sublime evil which emanates directly forth from curse words.

Deregulate banks...regulate everything else..Republican brand....LOL

Well this is certainly one policy from the Bush Admin that i'm happy to see passed. Networks have become too relaxed with the content of their shows. And if it is ignored matters will only get worse.

Keeping somone from cussing on the airwaves is not stifling free speech, as some of you suggest. If it so accepted, then let's have all newspapers and magazines allow vulgar language in their publications. Television was just getting worse and worse gradually slipping in more and more, to where now people think it is normal to hear it on T.V., unless you still have any moral fiber left in you to know how bad it is.

I say, it is just like how they tell you driving is a privilege, and the BMV tells you shouldn't break the traffic laws. Being on T.V. is a privilege and the FCC tells you that you should not break any decency laws.

As long as I can still cuss like a sailor

Since I've always felt profanity is only used by people that aren't smart enough to think of the correct or better word, I'm all for this. Children watch the major networks and shouldn't be exposed to profanity being used for entertainment. I grew up in an era when my parents didn't use profanity even when they were mad, and girls didn't swear and fight each other. How low we've gone. Now, young and old people swear, fight, etc. most of the time. Sad, sad, sad.

Well I'm not a scholar on Constitutional law, but I think it's past time that we look into the content on tv nowadays. We need to be a little more respectable with the content and a little more mindful of what our young people are seeing and hearing via mass media. I don't know which way that leans me(left or right) but I don't care. It's common sense.

They start with our cursing then they take our guns. To sanction the very means of protest is to incite protest.

Ho hum. When are they going to get to VIOLENCE?

this is an infringement on liberals vile life style.

1 – Issuing fines for broadcast TV stations that air "bad" words equates to censorship.

2 – Attempting to pass measures that silence certain political voices, as pleasantly pointed out by "Had It": "I wish they would clamp down on hate speech and divisive speech. Just think – no more Limbaugh, no more Palin, no more Cheney", equates to censorship.

Those two instances are an example of a bipartisan assault on First Amendment rights. Censorship is NOT the American way. Lets take a look at what other countries in this world of ours include censorship in their government policies. Hmmmm.....

We are becoming a nation of pansies, if we are passing laws because people can't deal with what comes out of other people's mouths. GET OVER IT. If you don't like what you hear, change the station, or turn off you TV/Radio.

The Conservatives just took another right away to protect us. If you don't want to hear bad words, block those channels.

Conservatives = state control = no freedom.

what are the words????

Will the Supreme court stop Bloomberg and the MTA from increasing fares ?!

A foolish ruling, but not likely to be a problem. The Obama administration is likely to appoint FCC commissioners who will be very limited in their desire to make use of this permission.

The only acceptable form of censorship is self-censorship. If you don't want to see or read something, DON'T WATCH IT or DON'T READ IT. Change the channel, don't buy the book, don't go to the movie but don't limit my right to see, read or hear what I want.

Simple as that folks.

There is nothing more potent than the light of day to show the rightness (is that even a word?) or wrongness (again, is that even a word?) of an idea.

"Bad words" should not be used. But "freedom of speech" to express a point, religion, politics, etc. should not be cut-off, or we might as
well accept communism...............does that sound exciting....then the Government will be happy, because they will have stripped out the Constitution and America!

The GOP claims they are the party of small government. Yet, they want to throw big money for a federal agency whose job it is to catch tv stations broadcasting people saying curse words. But, the GOP will fight tooth and nail the idea of government intervening in health care. Funny, I can't see how curse words affect the economy of a nation, but bankruptcy due to health care expenses seems to be a big deal.

The irony of the story is, that when I look at the foundation of our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, their is the 1st amendment which protects free speech, but there is nothing for or against "socialized" health care.

What happened to Republicans not wanting govt control? Oh, that's only for things that they dislike.

Years and years and years of watching GOP stupidity has taught me one thing:

Republicans generally have the same opinions of that of a 80 year old white man. Ask the 80 year old white man anything, and you will get the equivalent to a GOP response.

But we all know what happens to the really old: they will die out faster than the young.

GOP: wrong side of history and wrong side of science wrong side of social issues. As usual.

arlen specter you @$@%, @%%, 2^^#@ing #^^@. F^@^ #5@ dirty %@%5 traitor @^^@^^. I hope your hearing this @^^&# @@^^ the @^@^ @^^^@ so @^@^^@ @^&*## you @^&** #&#&@. Next time @^&@ it @^@^@^@^ @&^&&*&^ . so go ^@#^ yourself

Get used to hearing alot of this on comedy central.

I'd really love to read the ruling in its entirety. Is it suggesting that if a football player running down the team line during the Superbowl drops an f-bomb, that the network is going to be fined? The Bushies sure knew how to run the FCC and had a great track record for the First Amendment. Remember Michael "Let's sell the entire broadcast industry to Fox" Powell? Yet another brilliant legacy left behind from the worst administration this country has ever seen.

Does this mean all the libs in the media can't say "teabaggers" now?

If freedom of speech offends you. Then you need to live in another country, or accept it.

Arrrg.. This better not mess with The Family Guy

Does anyone else just hate when the Supreme Court rules on enforcement power and not whether the issue being enforced is legal to begin with? The FCC is not a legislative body, it does not have the right to make "bad law" unlike congress or state legislatures. When the FCC is able to determine on its own what is vulgar and how to penalize those who break their edicts, something is wrong, say maybe a non-elected regulatory commission censoring at freewill without any chance of citizen recourse.

I feel that if you say something that could be offensive to someone else than you are invading upon their freedom "not" to have to listen to vulgar obscene language.

I ask you all who are offended by this ruling, do you feel it is okay for your children to use those words? If you do, the heck with freedom of speech, someone ought to examine you as being unfit to be a parent. Our children have enough to endure in this big complicated world than to add vulgar obscene language to their vocabulary.

By the way, I am a democrat so don't sound out against me for being a right-wing nut. I'm not just a good mom!

The intention of the first amendment was freedom of speech on political views and opinions without persecution. This does not mean you can stand up and use every foul word you know that is known as being a public nuisance. Its time America learn the difference between the two.

I'm sorry, but tCENSOREDly not having to dCENSOREDing, and for the stations to telCENSORED.

Listen to the lyrics in rap songs and see how they become a way of life, an example of the norm. See how they influence the young to bring the lyrics to real life. After all it's being adult. And the attitude passes on through the generations isolating people within that mindset. So many people with good potential to aid society and themselves are locked in by not knowing there is anything else as a mindset. By exposing kids to this as the norm is oppressing them and preventing them from bettering themselves and their children. Never deny anyone from saying what they want to say but don't allow it to be forced on others.

This is one of the most absurd things I have ever heard. For the Supreme Court to rule to make it illegal to swear on televison is just beyond belief. Swear words are a part of every day life, no matter how hard you try to keep them from the ears of little children. They will still hear them, sometimes in their own homes! Yes, their own homes you squeamish conservative fools! This is a blatant violation of First Amendment rights. I dearly hope that this ruling is somehow revoked, the whole thing is just so backwards.

It is funny how his has been in court for 31 years. and it only take 2 seconds for a parent to get off their lazy rear ends and change the channel!!!! Monitor what your kids watch not what the nation watches. Why would you let you kids watch the shows with that kinda language anyways??? Sounds like the courts have better things to worry about..Our mothers cursed through labor as we were born and we were born naked so whats changed???!!!

I agree with the ruling. I think that at least no profanity until a certain time of evening. We dont' want our kids sitting around listening to that. I dont'. If you want to see nudity and profanity just flip the channel to HBO or Cinemax where you expect it. It should not be part of primtetime television before 9pm.

Good! After the pottie mouth reporting of the Tea Parties by CNN and MSNBC, and Shep Smith dropping and F-bomb last week, I think this is good.

What about cable TV: the Sopranos, Sex and the City, South Park, etc. ...and news documentaries?

The bottom line is this has NOTHING to do with censorship or the First Amendment. WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??? Just because you have a right doesn't mean you have to ABUSE IT?? Regular televison up until 10:00 pm should be PG rated. WHY?? Because IT MAKES SENSE!!!
In my HUMBLE opinion, the reason we have so much borderline swearing on television is because most of the writers have limited talent. It is SO easy to cover a LACK of real talent with a bunch of racy, close to obscene dialog. That is what is really going on here and I am GLAD the U.S. Supreme Court has nipped it in the bud.
Also believe it or not .MANY, MANY, MANY Americans do not want their children exposed to adult conversation before the age of 16. Overall THIS IS A GOOD THING!!

I, as a parent, am pleased. Most of you people need to get a life. You were never guaranteed COMPLETE freedom. Spare me your first amendment rights argument. The founding fathers couldn't have possibly factored in EVERYTHING that will come up. Society, as a whole, does not want this stuff airing for all to hear. It won't kill you if you can't express your opinion without the F word. Censorship my.....a....butt! (see it IS that easy) Get a life!

Gotta love you liberal CNN'ers. Nobody's taking away ur free speach, just trying to keep that garbage out of my living room. I'm sick of covering my 4 year old's ears/eyes while I'm watching something seemingly innocent at 7pm on "airwave" tv. Love Stevens crazy liberal decent... "it would be absurd to accept the suggestion that the resultant four-letter word uttered on the golf course describes sex or excrement and is therefore indecent." The F-word means one thing, you idiot. Just more liberal insanity!!!

oh no the republican party now become communists what's next?

They also need to clamp down on radio and tv talk show host spewing hatred and division!! That would be all of conservatives talk radio and tv shows!! LOL

Two of the best Playboy interviews I ever read were Sally Field and Whoopi Goldberg. The worst I ever read was Micky Rourke. All three used the f-work freely (Sally, love her, swore like a sailor) but the ladies used it to punctuate what they were saying. Rourke just swore because he had nothing else to say. There's a place for it, not sure if prime time is it though. Yes, it is all relative, but it also depends on the purpose.

While sensibilities about language obviously varies from person to person, most mature adults know which words are inappropriate. Otherwise, we wouldn't laugh at George Carlin's routines. We all know which words are generally perceived as obscene and offensive. They're used in movies to enhance realism, but we've become so accustomed to hearing them that they don't really shock us anymore. That said, ask most parents if they want their 8-year-old walking around dropping the f-word and they'll say "I hope not." At some point, certain kinds of speech has to be limited, especially in 'for profit' mass media. If kids have easy access to the major networks, then those networks have to be regulated to some extent. You can't show frontal nudity on the networks, or overt sex acts. The same concept applies to the routine use of obscenities. It's not censorship. It's just common sense, which the networks walked away from some time ago.

Well "F".

Seriously though, I can see enforcing this for scripted programs. But if, for example, I win my very first Oscar, I'm probably not going to be thinking too straight and may well, in an excited utterance, shout out "holy sh**!". Is that really on the same level as something that's a scripted program? I guess we can kiss live TV good bye and say hello to tape-delay forever!

By the way, the phrase "Wankel-rotary engine " offends me too. Can we get huge FCC fines put into place for that too?

what happen to freedom of speech

HA HA! Bush wins one after leaving office! top that BO!

LOL, apparently most of the posters didn't actually bother reading the whole article before jumping all over the evil right-wingers in the country...this decision was not about the 1st amendment aspects:

"The high court, however, refused to decide whether the commission's policy violates the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. It ruled only on the agency's enforcement power. The justices ordered the free-speech aspect to be reviewed again by a federal appeals court."

...the High Court frequently avoids iovertly broad/sweeping decisions and kicks things back down to lower courts. Everyone take a deep breath...it's going to be okay...

This is hilarious, don't you guys think so? This is hilarious and by the way, it is a violation of the free speech, who the heck has the authority to tell me what to do or say?

Hey Supreme Court, you know what? You can go (beep) yourself...how does that sound, huh? LOL!!

So Justice Stevens argues that the F-word and the S-word are simply common speech today, and no longer are grounded to their original meanings, etc. Maybe so. But if you accept that, then are you willing to also accept that the word 'lynch' is no longer tied to its original racist hate crime meaning? And that we shouldn't be demanding the end of someone's career when the word is uttered with absolutely no meaning intended toward hate crime?

This is censorship at its finest and big brother's arms stretching to encompass even more! The old saying of, "if you don't like it, turn it off," makes better sense than giving the FCC more control. Who is it that decides what a "bad word" really is? A curse word is any word spoken w/malice or hatred. You could say "jerk" with so much hatred that it then becomes a curse word. This ruling makes zero sense and only supports ignorance and allows the abuse of power to continue. It also proves that having a doctorate does not make one intelligent.

Different people have different standards and expectations. That being said, there is no need for off-color language on broadcast television, especially during times when kids will be watching. If you can't make your point without blue language, you need to work a little harder.

Whenever I hear words bleeped on TV I feel as though I'm being treated like a child. Yet, as an adult, I'm the one who has paid for my TV, cable and is the target of the advertisements. I'd argue that no one is ever really offended by cursing on television, but some feign indignation for the sake of feeling righteous.

Under these constraints, network television is essentially a dying medium that can't compete with the appeal of cable programming, which treats viewers like adults.

Our moral fiber is slowly but surely decaying. People can be intolerant and mock all they want but that does not in any way change the fact that this nation will fail if it continues its steady downward spiral. The concept of moral relativism is a joke.

Whatever happened to our "right" not to have to listen to this garbage? We all know how to sound like a sailor, but some of us have the ability to call you a copulating illegitimate donkey and make you think we’re paying you a compliment.

Hopefully the conservative Nazi's on the supreme court will retire soon.

Same sex marriage, abortion, evolution vs. creationism in schools, an ok to spy on American citizens, approving torture (calling it enhanced interrogation techniques is a revival of the "if it looks like a pig" campaign rhetoric), giving business free reign and now curse workds on TV appear to be the GOP checklist of solutions to all of society's problems. Why??

Yeah, good luck with that. The networks tested how much of the envelope they could push over the years that they're one step away from airing porn on primetime, if they haven't already.

I truely believe that our TV programs should take a lesson from those of the past. I say get rid of everything that is on now and replace with reruns of the great 70's and 80's... now that was good TV. I do not need my children watching what is on TV today and that is why I have invested tons in finding all the shows and movies I grew up with. That is what they are exposed to and they love it. There is not reason to "push it to the limit" and see just how far you can go before someone comments. That is what I call stupid and childish...

Hey Supreme Court. FU!!

We have always been a nation of Puritanical values, and this is yet another example of trying to legislate (or in this case, find something in the law that isn't there) "morality." We idolize violence, and don't seem to have a problem with exposing our children to endless violent games, violence on TV and violence in movies, but the use of a single cuss word, or the flash of a bare woman's "chest" (a la Janet Jackson) has us up in arms. It's the reverse in Europe where nudity and sexuality are considered natural, but violence is considered obscene. Of the two attitudes, I prefer Europe's.

George Carlin is spinning in his grave! His classic "Seven Words You Can't Say on TV" is so indicative of this nonsensical attitude that words somehow have this much power!

So I guess Faux News will be sanctioned for Shepard Smith's on-air F-bombs?

Once again, the 1st Amendment is shown to not be worth the paper it's printed on. And it's not like the governement respects the other Amendments either...

Can't you people read? The ruling concerned the the agency's enforcement power, not on the first amendment. The ruling simply affirms the federal governments power over the airwaves. More power for the feds- you lefties ought to be for it.

I seriously doubt that there will be a rush of sanctions because of the ruling. I do, however, think that the coarsening of American society as a whole has not been beneficial.

Whenever Bush's and Dick's come together, great things usually happen, too bad they devoted time to things outside of their intended sphere of influence. How we speak and dress and whether it is offensive is best left at the very local level.

Far more important would be to make it treason to make comments like " The polls (people) don't matter" - cheney said this, and to public challenge the president on matters that you longer have decision making authority in. It makes us look weak and pathetic, and while Cheney is weak and pathetic, coupled with extreme narcissism and undeserved sense of entitlement , represented us in the world and hurt us. The only things that could make me beleive there is hope for our Nation to remain a symbol of justice and power, would be for him to at least do two years in prison.

The problem is that even is opponents don't want justice for real, because it sets a precedent, and the secret "upper" class losers don't want to set a precedent that says, hey, we really can punish our leaders for slow submursive attacks on society

It's like that Salt-n-pepa song, "Let's talk about sex", where it says "those who think its dirty have choice....turn the radio off".....if you don't allow for the fostering of a writer's creative vision, then that is a direct violation of the 1st Amendment. If you don't want to hear it/see it then turn off the television!

Sorry America, you guys have no one but yourselves to blame. You are a strong country but you seriously have issues with all this moral crap. You guys love your guns but the minute you see a nipple on Tv you cry about scarring your children and all that crap..... seriously get your priorities straight. Yeah I am sure you proud patriots who have never left your own backyard will come back with some redneck comment about how your country is the best and the rest of the world just plain sucks(how you would know this, having never LEFT it, is beyond the world's understanding). The USA is a great country, but your moral crusaders make you the butt of so many jokes in the western world....keep toting those guns y'all

Words are only as powerful as you allow them to be. Does a group of people sitting in Washington have the complete knowledge and authority to determine which words are deemed "bad" for us to hear? There are words that are not deemed "curse" words that some folks wouldn't want their children to hear (whether it be sounding too similar to a foul word or just simply it offends them). If a television program is going to have "offensive" language, it should be up to the person who has the remote control to determine if they want to watch that program or not.

So much for freedom. Bush's appointments are tearing our constitution away from us piece by piece. First our right to privacy, and now our right to free speech.

And then you get the right wing nuts yelling that Obama is going to take away our guns, which he NEVER said he would. But I guess to these mental midgets only ONE of our rights is important, the right to bare arms. I advocate ALL of them are our god given rights, and BUSH threw them out the window! Treason! Do not allow ANY of our rights to be limited or taken from us, which the Bush administration made a habit of doing.

Good. So, will networks airing Cheney's famous "Go F yourself" scene get bounced?

Why cant the TV consumer, when the vast majority pay for the service , choose for themselves?
Speech is speech, imposing a specific morality upon the people is far more like a monarchy or in this case theocracy.

An individual can determine what is a detriment to themselves or their own children.
an above poster who cites limbaugh as hate speech, others call liberal speech as unamerican and divisive.
Simple plan, dont listen, dont buy the products sponsoring these personalities.
I do wish the people in the black robes would stop acting as high priests.

chip...chip...chip...

The sound of the First amendment be whittled away.

I guess that's okay–the feds seem to feel free to ignore the Constitution any time it's in their interests to do so.

As a parent, I've been dismayed by the increasing usage of questionable language on networks, especially those targeting young kids, such as ABC Family. We all know kids hear and use all kinds of language on playgrounds and in schools. Most parents make an effort to moderate their own 'adult' language in front of their kids because they don't want their children picking up on disrespectful and vulgar language. It is not helpful when networks validate the routine use of these words by exploiting them in their programming. It's difficult enough to teach a child the concept of appropriateness and respectful language in today's world without television networks deciding which words are acceptable. So, this is one "conservative" court decision that I fully support. The networks need to clean up their act.

I realize that thiswould be impossible to monitor but I think it would be good if people used exactly the same language they use in real life. Realistically, most people swear occasionally but not with every sentence.

Having a grown man say "Oh rats" when his wife gets killed is silly. Having characters insert the "f" word or the "n" word into every sentence is silly too.

Booand boo somemore! Can't we get rid of the puritans already.

This was the proper interpretation of the First Amendment. It was meant to protect political free speech, to speak out against government and leaders when in disagreement. The Framers never intended for the First Amendment to be used as an excuse to override local standards of decency and propriety. It does not guarantee the right to profanity, obscenity, and nudity.

Ironically, the First Amendment does prohibit the limitation of political free speech, the very thing that McCain/Feingold seeks to restrict, which has never been challenged in a court. It also prohibits such idiocy as the "Fairness" doctrine.

The decision doesn't say you can't use explitives in daily life. It simply states that the major networks need to watch what they put on the air. I should be able to watch a TV show on network television with my elementary age daughters and not have to worry about bad language being uttered. That kind of language isn't necessary for the show to still be a good show.

Agree with the decision or not...doesn't really matter. There real issue is that once again the highest court in the land...a court that is suppose to epitomize absolute blind justice, has voted right down the 5-4 party line of 5 justices appointed by repubs and 4 justices appointed by dems. What a joke!

The first time I heard the "S-word" on TV was during coverage of the 9-11 attacks, when everyone just gasped "Holy S-!". So under this new ruling, networks would be fined for airing what every single one of us was thinking that day?

Well, it looks like we will continue to see our Constitutional rights trampled on and rescinded bit by bit even with the Bush administration gone. There is no question of fact here; this violates not only free speech but also free expression and freedom of the press. There is no room for "interpretation", the Bill of Rights says it in black and white. The Supreme Court does not have the authority to re-write the Constitution but it seems they are trying to do just that.

Decency is becoming a foreign word in America! Thank you Supreme Court!!!

If I want to let a few fly I will and I don't melt into a pile if I hear a couple of bad on TV. People have become so thin skinned it's ridicules.

Aww &%$#!!!!

So, now it's all about "freedom of speech" to you liberals posting on here?

What happened to "speech codes" – on college campuses and also being floated by liberals in Congress – to clamp down on those crazy right wingers? When it impacts YOU suddenly it's not such a great idea, huh?

And, since when does a TV network – using public airwaves – have a "constitutional right" to air obscenities?

Get real.

I don't know what's controlled more heavily by conservatives. The FCC or the Supreme Court. Maybe one day the people will have a say, considering that when they show up, things swing heavily to the other side of the spectrum.

This is a center-left nation. Just because older people vote more regularly doesn't change that fact. Is FOX News conducts a survey, it's biased from the beginning, because it's your grandma whose responding to it. Not you.

Big win for the first amendment.

Totally stupid.... Luckily the make-up of the court will be changing soon and we can start reversing the Bush-era prohibitionist attitudes and the moronic attempts to legislate "morality."

This ruling means almost nothing and will quickly – in a few years at most – be streamrolled by the bigger issues that even the conservative justices noted – the first amendment ones. In the end, all they said was the policy was "not arbitrary or capricious" – that's it in a nutshell – the FCC was not nuts and they acted according to, and appropriately within, their established policies as a government agency. The court specifically noted that this does not mean the agency did not violate the first amendment. Since broadcast reception is minimal these days due to the prevalence of cable, who really cares but the ACLU anyways? The issue of blocking what you don't like to see on TV, the internet or whatever is already handled by too many methods to list. There are tools everywhere to limit what channels you receive or who can receive them in your house, as well as the same for the internet. The court will realize, even a conservative one, that free speech will trump this issue in the end, since any "decency" or "offensiveness" issues are being quickly and effectively delt with by advanced technologies the FCC had no clue about when it was first started in 1934 to control radio broadcasting.

You can show people shooting eachother and blowing eachother up but god forbid you show a little nudity. What a messed up society we have. Have a nice day

Amazing that people have an issue with a word that some find offensive and yet it is ok to air ads on Erectile Disfunction at 6pm in the evening when kids are watching tv.

There is no 1st Amendment right issue. Nothing to stop those people from speaking. TV is just a medium to transport that speech. A lack of TV does not stop speech. TV was not around 100 years ago and yet we had free speech then.

The Supreme Court's ruling was NOT a ruling against free speech. They said that the FCC has enforcement power. As for the free speech angle, they sent that back to a lower court to decide. Whatever THAT court rules regarding the free speech aspect is what the FCC will then have to enforce. So, it's not over yet.

Golly gee wilickers, I sure as Hades wouldn't want to offend any son of a gun on the Supreme Court. What a load of carp. ..Darn that spell checker...

Thank God we have these black-robed nannies to protect us all from words we've been using– or have heard used– since we were children on the playground.

I feel safer already.

I have to agree with the Republicans on this one. I would really hate to hear four letter words coming out of the mouth of Big Bird.
A wise man once told me that if you have a limited vocabulary, every sentence you try to put together will probably have foul words in it.

George, Bush is out. This is Obama's show now. I am not sure what is more statist than government control of the means of production (banks, autos, insurance, agriculture). Maybe think before you speak.

You people confuse social conservatives with conservatism. True conservatives bleed the constitution. I am a conservative and I think government regulation of the broadcast industry is fascist.

Perhaps this will help stimulate our economy! I can't wait to see the fines moonbats Janeane Garofalo and Al Franken will be charged after their next on-air tirade.

Swear on tv, I don't care. There are so many perverted things said on the air already that fit in the guidelines, the actual wording doesn't matter anymore.

"The high court, however, refused to decide whether the commission's policy violates the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. It ruled only on the agency's enforcement power. The justices ordered the free-speech aspect to be reviewed again by a federal appeals court."

Sounds like Bush v. Gore all over. When are we going to get a REAL SUPREME COURT?

Pelosi and her fellow Dems must be outraged....Ethics and morality upheld. I'm proud of the Supreme Court.

I am for the First Amendment al the way,But I have to agree with the Supreme Court a 100 %..There is no reason to use foul language on TV,if thats the only way a person can express themselves they either are Uneducated or just plain Stupid....I know some of you will laugh at vulgarity,and some times it is used to get attention,but it also shows a persons real value and ignorance.

This is good because the only expression some people know is just
'cuss language' which is a reflection of their inability to speak beyond that.

Once again – the "small government" conservatives strike again.

The title for this story should be:
"The Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Public Decency on Television"

Silly stuff from some tired old judges who need to retire and let the country move forward.

Why we are wasting tax payer dollars and time on this issue is beyond me. We are in a recision and people still want to complain about what they see on TV. If you dont like it, turn it of or change the channel. This whole issue is a waste of time and energy. Be the role model and inforcer in your own home, if belive in censorship then censor your own home. Dont tuin my favorite TV shows becuse we share a difference in opinion.

The mind boggles trying to make sense from this decision: Punishing someone because they said something? No actual physical harm done, no property lost or stolen, just someone's overwrought prudery was assaulted. Conservatives complain about political correctness run amok, but this is no different: If people can't handle certain words being uttered, either accidentally or on purpose, without having a case of the vapors, they need to find other ways to get their information or entertainment. I'm sure Focus on the Family has all the filtered conservative news and views these frail folk desire.

Yes, such language may be vulgar, but this should not be a crime. Rather, it should be a means to judge a person's character. If all a person can do is resort to "filthy" language, that speaks volumes about the person and whatever message they are trying to send. But to punish people for showing real life? That's bullsh– utter nonsense.

The Supreme Court can go f themselves.

Words being offensive to you are all relative. What is offensive to you is probably not offensive to me. Probably because I am adult and anyone offended by a WORD is a childish, small minded person. Republican is an offensive word to me. Bush and Dick are offensive words.

the world will not end, manner will not cease, morality will not be seriously tarnished if we allow nudity and profanity

we are so misguided as a country when it comes to this issue versus vioence

Looks like this supreme court with it's Bush area appointees, needs to clean house to protect that first amendments freedom of speech.

Nobody is saying you can't swear but for the Networks to purposely air it is going to cost them a fine. I say good, regular TV should at least keep a PG rating.

Dirty words hurt my ears.Sounds like Hitler santioned censorship to me.

So the 5-4 vote against our 1st Amendment right to free speech was a victory for Bush-era officials. I'm pretty sure this is the same group whining about Obama taking away their rights - although they can't name a single one.

While I really don't want to hear profanity on "network" television (or even the crass dialogue some writers thinks passes for comedy), you can't regulate every utterance.

Without a doubt people on live, unscripted broadcasts should exercise restraint and courtesy as a matter of general social conscience. We all should have and expect enough pride to be considerate in what we say, but nowadays that is asking a lot, I guess.

However, I absolutely do not think this should apply in active military or combat zone situations. When you are in fear for your life, things will come out, and this has to be accepted as a necessity if we insist on front line coverage.

I agree with the Supreme Court decision.

Anyone can express their political, religious and social opinions without resorting to vulgar, offensive language.
If not, then they don't have anything to say worth listening to.

Scalia claims to be Mr. Strict Constructionist.
But the constitution doesn't include any exceptions for free speech rights.
Scalia reads into the Constitution what isn't there, then lambasts other jurists who do the same thing.

wow that really sucks. I honestly can't see what the big deal is with hearing swearing on tv. People that complain have the right to but they are acting like people don't swear all the time. When i walk through my school's halls i hear so many swear words. I drop something and i say the f-word or something like that. The FCC should just back out. Hopefully the find the FCC is violating the 1st amendment. Plus everything is subjective. Racy or obscene mean differently to different people.

I wish they would clamp down on hate speech and divisive speech. Just think – no more Limbaugh, no more Palin, no more Cheney ...... aaahhhhhhh that would be nice

Watch what you say conservatives on air. And you have Bush to thanks because his administration pushed for this because did nobody like the Bush administration. Now it has backfired. Because now it is a Democratic President. LOL.

Sounds like communism to me. More Bush police state ideas.

So, how about we fine and sanction Cheney for using explitivies in the Senate?