Janet Jackson's Exposure Nothing New to Television

Michael Powell, head of the Federal Communications Commission, has been quoted as saying: "...millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration. Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt. Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better."

How come everyone is calling the FCC complaining about the incident? Parents are raising their children on a culture of violence and complaining to the federal government about a nipple?

Before you know it, somebody is going to sue McDonalds for making them fat or for serving coffee hot.

This does not shock me. Comparatively speaking, the incident was rather tame for the production company. That's right - tune into any large MTV event and you're likely to see a lot more than one celebrity's breast for a lot longer than 1.5 seconds.

Hark, let me count the "patently offensive" ways: Diana Ross repeatedly fondling Lil' Kim's left breast, J-Lo's green Versace "dress" (if I were a designer, I would have been selling it as a scarf, but that's just me) and most recently, the Britney/Madonna/Christina tonsil hockey.

Actually, tune in just about any time to see somebody's breasts. They don't make their money selling cardigans to teenagers with raging hormones. With the exception of a couple of square inches of flesh, Janet Jackson was more modestly dressed that any of the cheerleaders clearly visible (and featured) throughout the entire game.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue called the conduct "offensive, embarrassing to us and our fans, and inappropriate."

Not that I don't consider football a sport, for it is surely a contest strength, determination and strategy, but the man makes his money on other people's blood. Literally.

How many times have we heard something similar to, "Wow John, that was quite a hit - let's see it again in slow motion?" When it comes to making moral judgments, Paul Tagliabue has about as much credibility as Don King.

The Associated Press was kind enough to ask the White House what they thought of the incident. When the president responded that he was asleep, I'll go ahead and admit that I'm glad. I hope he has better things to be doing than watching the Super Bowl. He is trying to fight a war on terror, after all.