Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 4

Essay:  "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 4 of Several

 

[Cont'd from Part 3]

       The American Family Association is so relentless that Playboy and Walenbooks filed a Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) lawsuit to stop the harassment of this irksome self-appointed morality group. I'm hoping that the bastards really get what's coming to them.

       If so-called moralists will no back off in trying to impose censorship on the rest of us, they should no longer expect passive indifference. Instead, they should be prepared for an all-out, tooth and nail, no-holds-barred not so civil equivalent of a street fight. They should especially be aware of losing their non-profit tax privileges.  (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 3

Essay:  "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 3 of Several

       The American Family Association (the AFA) is an ultra-right-wing religion-inspired morality group, headed by the Rev. Donald Wildmon. The AFA, if I remember correctly, was originally the so-called Moral Majority (more accurately the Moronic Minority) until Harper Valley Hypocrite Jerry Falwell left.

       The American Family Association filed the original complaint which led to the prosecution/persecution of the rap group Two Live Crew, and they were at least somewhat responsible for the legal investigation of the notorious Mapplethorpe art exhibit, both of which pushed the envelope of good taste to the extreme. The AFA are also renowned for trying to blackmail bookstores which carry Playboy and other controversial publications, and for making petty protests against all kinds of television shows, movies, music lyrics, advertisements, etc.

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

       

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 2

Essay:  "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 2 of Several

   

[Continuing from Part 1:]

       Case in point, the PMRC: Tipper Gore's Parents Music Resource Center, an informal committee of mostly Senator's wives, was relatively innocuous in the early eighties; but by nineteen ninety they succeeded in paving the way toward musical blacklisting by coercing the music industry into labeling records containing allegedly risque' or offensive lyrics or cover art.

       If not for certain self-righteous Congressmen and the cowardice of music industry executives, the PMRC likely would never have succeeded in imposing censorship on musicians, the record industry, and music buyers.  (to be cont'd)

  [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship",Part 1

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 1 of Several

       AWARE Inc. was a self-appointed morality group of the nineteen fifties who brought blacklisting to Hollywood by accusing whoever they pleased of having Communist sympathies.

      Ed Sullivan reportedly would only book performers on his variety show who were cleared by AWARE Inc. It took a slander suit to end their paranoid witchhunts, but by then hundreds of lives had already been ruined. Ironically, AWARE Inc. arguably practiced stereotypical Communism (revoking freedom) in accusing people of having Communist sympathies.

     Fifty plus years later, there are still numerous self-appointed morality groups who continue their frivolous witchhunts against freedom of action, choice and expression.  (to be cont'd)

  [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern  student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part of 9 of 9

Essay:  "Death Before Censorship", Part 9 of 9

       The easiest thing that can and should be done is for every American who is eighteen and over to register to vote. If enough citizens registered, such self-appointed moralists, censors and Harper Valley Hypocrites who are misserving us as elected officials would be msuch easier to vote out of office.

       Like any other parasite, censors thrive where we are most vulnerable. Apathy is a vulnerability (even an Achilles Heel) in which censorship can easily infest. Apathy is one of America's (and the world's) biggest problems. When we are indifferent about elections and the political process,we deserve to be served by politicians who put themselves first, the lobbyists and special interests second, and their constituents last. Censorship thrives when those affected by it don't care to do anything about it. 

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later was part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 8 of 9

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 8 of 9

       Friedrick Nietzche once said: "There is no such thing as moral phenomena, only moral interpretation of phenomena." Many of the so-called pressing moral issues of today would show that Nietzche was largely right. For instance, record labeling, the quest against the NC-17 movie rating, the attempt to ban certain books, and arguably even the abortion issue, etc. would all be evidence in Nietzche's favor.

       A national magazine once dubbed the 1990's  "the Decency Decade". I dispute that claim. There are at least 220 million some-odd Americans, and I refuse to believe that most of them would tolerate, never mind advocate censorship; even in the name of subjective  "decency" or phony political sentiment about so-called  "family values". I have no idea how many moralists and morality groups there actually are, but I can guarantee that college students, for example; outnumber such Harper Valley Hypocrites by a vast margin. Keeping this fact in mind, there are many options available to counteract the subtle terrorism that self-appointed moralists and censors practice.  (to be cont'd)

  [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later appeared in my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 7 of Several

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 7 of Several

       I know what I promote is contrary to what most of the pseudo-righteous moralists advocate. However, if censors and moralists have their way, life for all Americans may very well become harsher, blander, less free, and less enjoyable. One of the reasons why this nation is (or maybe was) great, is its diversity of people, beliefs, thoughts, actions, etc. When narrow interests act to destroy America's diversity in any way, shape, or form, especially by way of censorship, some of the great ideas which make this nation an international leader may no longer be expressed.

       What I  am really trying to advocate is that free Americans should be able to do whatever they like, provided they are willing to accept the consequences which may go along with any wrongdoing. Is that not the very definition of freedom?

       One thing for sure, my attitude of Live and Let Live is totally alien to too many of our not-so-moral self-appointed moralists, who evidently would love to see America become a backwards theocracy, or an autocratic police state. The only sensible reaction is to resist such people as censors, moralists, and their political enablers by voting them out of office. (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 6 of Several

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 6 of Several

       This may be a cheap shot, but if churches (any religion, any denomination) want to distance themselves from the antiquated Burn the Heretics, sun revolves around the earth, Inquisition via Censorship mentality, they should stop sanctioning or condoning censorship in any way, shape, or form. There is no doubt that many so-called morality groups, especially those that practice deception, are church inspired or encouraged. It is commendable to live a moral life, but other than felony laws, morality (or censorship) should never be imposed against anyone's free will, especially in the United States of America.  

       As far as I'm concerned, it is sometimes better to be depraved than to be deprived. I'm not advocating anarchy or reckless obnoxiousness, I'm just saying that without occasional small doses of indulgence (not necessarily of a risque' or illicit nature) life can become pretty bleak.  (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper and later appeared in my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 6 of Several

Essay:  "Death Before Censorship", Part 6 of Several

       There is often documented evidence to show what Harper Valley Hypocrites many of these self-appointed moralists really are.  Also, not so surprisingly, almost without exception; self-appointed moralists and morality groups generally tend to downplay the illicit and/or unethical activities in which they themselves frequently engage in.

       Another example of hypocrisy was exemplified in the witchhunt of Florida vs. the rap group Two Live Crew. Floridians allow a nude car-wash in Jacksonville, and a topless doughnut shop in Fort Lauderdale, but they prosecuted/persecuted Two Live Crew in what Spin magazine once called  "musical apartheid". If the song  "Louie, Louie" by the Kingsmen could be banned about thirty years ago, I suppose any song could be a target in the current crusade against artistic and individual rights.  (to be cont'd)

  [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 5 of Several

Essay:  "Death Before Censorship", Part 5 of Several

       About two decades ago, the deranged Reverend, Jim Jones, manipulated his gullible followers into drinking poison-tainted Kool Aid. The late Jerry Falwell, and others of his mind-set, may not administer poisoned Kool- Aid , but they do spread the malevolent, malignant, and stifling poisons of censorship and intolerance to us all.

       Censors tend to be very hypocritical. Whether blocking or bombing abortion clinics (a Constitutionally protected right), illicitly intimidating advertisers or politicians, or attempting to blackmail stores which carry Playboy magazine and other controversial books or merchandise; narrow-minded would-be censors rarely practice the morals that they'd love to impose on the rest of us. Moralists often attempt to blackmail bookstores by threatening to falsely expose those stores as  'peddlers of pronography', among other threats. Various self-appointed morality groups practice all of the above illicit tactics, or variations thereof, and then some.  (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 4 of Several

Essay:  "Death Before Censorship", part 4 of Several

       A self-righteous moralist (I believe it was the infamous and irksome Rev. Donald Wildmon) once complained because he falsely perceived that Mighty Mouse (a cartoon) appeared to be snorting cocaine.

      Most of the people who protested  the film  "The Last Temptation of Christ", never even bothered to see the movie. By the way, it is very common for would-be censors to judge art, film and other media sight-unseen.

        It is anything but moral to impose one's arbitrary sense of morality on others who do not share such views.  In a nation of several religious faiths, including the lack of a belief in God or organized religion, moral beliefs and standards are bound to be extremely diverse. (to be cont'd)

  [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die"  And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 3 of Several

Essay:  "Death Before Censorship", Part 3 of Several

       That brain-trust of the lobotomized, better known as Operation Rescue,  took time out from illegally blocking abortion clinics to picket the Mapplethorpe art exhibit some time ago. Although I do not necessarily approve of the art that Robert Mapplethorpe created and displayed, the morons who picketed the Mapplethorpe art exhibit gave it a lot more publcity and exposure than it otherwise would have had. The fact that several self-appointed moralists and morality groups condemned Mapplethorpe's racy photographs increased the public's and the art world's curiosity. Therefore, the picketing or boycott of anything deemed offensive is almost always counterproductive because of the subversive appeal which often accompanies viewing or hearing about almost anything which is fobidden or frowned upon by any members of society. Similarly, if a show or exhibit is advertised as  "banned in Boston", the notoriety might and likely will get many more people to check out that show or exhibit than otherwise would.  (t0 be cont'd) 

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 2 of Several

Essay:  "Death Before Censorship", Part 2 of Several

       There are many examples of the idiocy of censors. For instance, a picture book of  "Little Red Riding Hood" was once banned from an elementary school library because (I kid you not) there was an illustration showing Red carrying a bottle of wine to her grandmother. Similarly,  "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" was banned because some busybodies considered it to be  "too violent" for their personal taste. Just as ridiculous, the logging industry has pressured libraries against carrying  "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss; because it promotes environmental responsibility, something that the logging industry all too often sorely lacks.  (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Death Before Censorship", Part 1 of Several

Essay:  "Death Before Censorship , Part 1 of Several

       Adolf Hitler, perhaps the most lethal despot in human history, advocated censorship with the following quote:  "Theater, art, literature, cinema, press, posters and window displays must be cleansed of all manifestations of our rotting world. Public life must be freed from the stifling perfume or our modern eroticism."

       Contemporary censors continue to use the same fascist argument in an attempt to impose censorship on us all, and to eliminate freedom in the process. Also, although modern-day censors may not, as a rule, physically torture, harm or kill anyone; their fanatical zeal to destroy the freedoms which make this country worth living in, is very much reminiscent of the Nazi reign of terror. As I see it, censorship must be crushed and contained, because it is just about as harmful to freedom as the Nazis ever were.  (to be cont'd)

   [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and was later part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.] 

Essay: "Music Censorship", Part 9 of 9

Essay:  "Music Censorship", Part 9 of 9

       As far as I'm concerned, this trend toward attacking freedom and promoting censorship parallels the  Inquisition, the Salem Witch Trials, and McCarthyism. During the Spanish Inquisition, most people were ignorant and illiterate, and the rest were caught up in the hysteria; or were too afraid to speak up or do anything about the madness that the Grand Inquisitors were perpetrating.

       These days ignorance may still be widespread, but this time the Inquisition-style would-be censors are presumably outnumbered by those of us who prefer freedom over any form of tyranny, censorship included. This new Inquisition, in the form of censorship, can and should be stopped. If it is not stopped, we will only have ourselves to blame for allowing it to continue.  

Essay: "Music Censorship", Part 8 of Several

Essay:  "Music Censorship", Part 8 of 9

 [Note: The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and in my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays before record labeling was imposed nationwide.]

       It seems that most of these self-appointed censors are so-called Born Again religious fanatics, who would probably still believe that the sun revolves around the earth if a church official or clergyman said it were so. There are still remnants of the  'Sun Revolves Around The Earth' mentality that continue to persist to this day. Some examples of this skewed attitude are: "Fetuses are babies."; "Only churchgoers and so-called God-fearing/worshipping folk are moral, decent and righteous."; and worst of all: "If a small minority of supposedly 'decent, moral folk' decide what is right or wrong for everybody, then everyone is better off.", etc. I disagree with all of these ideas.  (to be cont'd)

Essay: "Music Censorship", Part 7 of Several

Essay:  "Music Censorship", Part 7 of Several

 [Note: The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and as part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays before record labeling was imposed nationwide.]

       Since comedy is often on records, it would be a natural target for censorship. After all, most comedians, with few exceptions seem to use profanity and/or sexual or excretory humor. Self-appointed censors would most certainly like to ban comedians who act as if they were born with Tourette Syndrome. That is, unable to control their profanity. Andrew Dice Clay is arguably one of the worst of them, but he is also (or at least used to be) one of the most popular contemporary stand-up comics. It seems that most major young comedians use profanity in their acts, with the possible exception of Bill Cosby and a handful of others; but so what? As long as a comedian is funny, and as long as they do not slander anyone, there should be no problem.   (to be cont'd)   

   

Essay: "Music Censorship", Part 6 of Several

Essay:  "Music Censorship", Part 6 of Several

[Note: The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays before record labeling was imposed nationwide.]

       It wouldn't surprise me, with the so-called War On Drug going on, if CDs with songs about drugs were pulled from record store shelves. Actually, I understand that Wal-Mart, which in some parts of the country is the only store that carries CDs for many miles around, refuses to carry many CDs which are censored by record labeling. Also, I heard that some of the record labeling bills were so broad that when passed, operas which contained violence could also be labeled. At least to me, it is absolutely ridiculous that a record store owner might get arrested and may even do time because a small minority of vocal loudmouths would like to censor or limit our musical options. Perhaps record buyers will be subject to arrest next, in our gradual decline into a Police State. It wouldn't surprise me at all that even one's choice of legal downloads could one day get police scrutiny.  (to be cont'd)

Essay: "Music Censorship", Part 5 of Several

Essay: "Music Censorship", Part 5 of Several

  [Note: The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays before record labeling was imposed nationwide.]

       Anything could potentially be considered offensive to somebody. Take the Rolling Stones: In over forty years, the Rolling Stones have written and recorded many songs which could make certain people cringe. In 1967, during their psychedelic period, the Stones released  "Their Satanic Majesty's Request", which had nothing that I know of with Satan or Satanism. On their album "Hot Rocks", the song  "Sympathy For The Devil" wasn't really about Lucifer per se either.  "Sympathy For The Devil" is actually about the evil that exists in the world. The only Sympathy For The Devil that the Stones had was hiring the Hell's Angels motorcycle club for their tragic December 7, 1970 free concert at Altamont Speedway (1 fan stabbed, 2 drowned, 1 hit by a car).  

       Perhaps  "Brown Sugar" and a few of their other songs could be construed as racist. One song on the  "Black and Blue" album was banned from many radio stations for the lyrics:  "Scrape the sh-t right off your shoes. Similarly (or not), the nearly unintelligible lyrics of the Kingsmen's  "Louie, Louie" were once banned from radio airplay. Many years ago, on  "The Ed Sullivan Show", the Rolling Stones had to change the lyrics: "Let's Spend the Night Together" to  "Let's Spend Some Time Together". Likewise, when the band The Doors performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show", they were supposed to change the lyrics of the song "Come On Light My Fire" to exclude the word  "higher"; apparently due to its 'high on drugs' connotation. By the way, although The Doors promised to change the offending lyric, they played the original version anyway.  (to be cont'd) 

Essay: "Music Censorship", Part 4 of Several

Essay:  "Music Censorship", Part 4 of Several

  [Note: The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And  Other Essays before record labeling was imposed nationwide.]

       A rap music group called  "Two Live Crew" was one of the biggest targets of the crusade to censor music. I haven't heard a lot of their music, but I am aware that their record jacket and lyrics have strong sexual connotations; so they are natural targets of would-be censors. Heavy Metal music is likewise oft scrutinized and under attack for allegedly turning children away from religion, encouraging suicide, rape or murder, glorifying Satan(ism), etc. If music imagery affects the mind, then it won't be long before fanatics try to clear entire libraries so as not to fill the mind with so-called  'corrupt' ideas.  Also, as far as I'm concerned, if children are being turned away from religion, nine times out of ten religion itself is probably to blame.  (to be cont'd)