Rant of the Week

V Chip Fraud

The fraud of the v-chip is that it only blocks violence or sex.  It doesn't block the most insidious type of television programming of all: advertising.  

Joseph Lieberman voted in favor of the V-chip, because he likes to think of himself as a "family values" type of guy.  But this is the essence of "family values"  politicians.  They can claim to be standing up to those insidious mythical enemies of the family out there because they don't really threaten the status quo.  They can be pro-life and pro-family and pro-prayer and pro-morality, because these all cost them nothing.  They can criticize rap music and violent Hollywood movies because rap musicians and movie directors don't give them big fat checks for their re-election campaigns.  

...Think about it.  Is there anybody out there-- other than the weirdos way, way out on the fringe-- who are not in favor of something like "family values"?

Now let's consider a position that might reduce corporate profits somewhere.  How do you feel about prescription drug prices, Mr. Lieberman?  How about closing some of those unnecessary military bases the channel so much cash into congressmen's home districts?

And,  Mr. Lieberman really had any guts, he'd also be in favor of what I call the "c" chip, which would give parents an option of filtering out all the ads that are designed to turn their children into credit-crunching, heartless, mindless consumer zombies.

 

Copyright © 2003 Bill Van Dyk  All rights reserved.