TittyGate: The Saga Continues

Yesterday the House passed — by 391 to 22 — legislation to raise fines for indecent television and radio programming from from $27,500 for license holders and $11,000 for individuals to $500,000 for both. Said Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., the legislation’s chief author: “We want to send a message, whether it’s a shock jock or DJ or the person with the finger on the button.” (Guess W. still hasn’t lived that Adam Clymer incident down… )

But like the House should talk!

To amend section 1464 of title 18, United States Code, to provide for the punishment of certain profane broadcasts, and for other purposes.
…
As used in this section, the term ‘profane’, used with respect to language, includes the words ‘shit’, ‘piss’, ‘fuck’, ‘cunt’, ‘asshole’, and the phrases ‘cock sucker’, ‘mother fucker’, and ‘ass hole’, compound use (including hyphenated compounds) of such words and phrases with each other or with other words or phrases, and other grammatical forms of such words and phrases (including verb, adjective, gerund, participle, and infinitive forms).’.

It’s nice to see they got both variations of “asshole.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Janice Schakowsky, D-Ill. said she would like to introduce legislation to protect individuals from the hefty fines. Prudently, she decided now was not the time: “It might also help if we get a little distance between Janet Jackson’s breast” and the issue. Personally, I could not get far enough away from Janet Jackson’s breast.

House votes to increase indecency fines [Hollywood Reporter]
H. R. 3687 [Thomas.gov via Lost Remote]

READ MORE: Culture War, White House