I imagine that most of you have seen Saving Private Ryan.
It was a very powerful movie about the American landings at Omaha Beach in Normandy.
ABC will be broadcasting it without interruptions in full, uncut.
Anyway...
Locally, in Milwaukee, WISN 12, the ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, has decided that the film is a bit too much, claiming that the FCC is coming down on "violence and language" on TV.
We've got "Far and Away" on tonight. A nice film about settling in Oklahoma, I believe, with Cruise and Kidman. Nice film, but I don't really think it has much relevance to this day, Veterans Day.
Saving Private Ryan has been on TV before in this format, uncut, no problem.
Yet we can have gay people on sitcoms saying A$$, cr@p, and whatever...that's no problem.
We can have a show called Wife Swap where the severely overweight swapped wife can say vulgarities that have to be bleeped.
Spare me your thoughts, WISN.
This is where I told them what I thought...
http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/insidewisn12/270707/detail.html
What's your ABC affiliate got on tonight?
Saving Private Ryan will be shown in the DC metro area. WJLA
Another show worth watching tonight is "Last Letters Home: American Troops". It is an HBO special. As long as you have cable or satellite you can see it. HBO is allowing it to be broadcast to all viewers regardless of whether they are subscribed to the network.
Travis
SGT USMC '97-'03
Combat Vet
We are getting that...as Michelle Witmer was from the area and her letters from Iraq will be featured.
She was an MP in Baghdad, she was killed. I believe she was awarded the Bronze Star. I well up quite a bit everytime I think about what she did in the name of freedom.
I'm glad you have "Ryan" in DC.
Feel free to tell WISN what you think.
Not showing it here in STL either! >:( ::)
I just read a story in Parade about a girl from New Berlin that was killed in Iraq. Is that who you're referring to Dave?
My wife is from Waukesha which I believe is the next town over.
My brother left Iraq earlier this year after he was injured. He was rappelling into some town at night when the helicopter he was in came under fire. The pilot tried to maneuver and didn't notice the power lines that he drug the rappelling lines over. It knocked all 4 people off the lines (including my brother). His ankle was severly broken.
Took a couple of operations and several months to heal. Had to wear a fixator on it for almost two months.
He guesses he fell about 30 feet in full combat dress.
Crazy bastard was actually bummed that he wasn't over there! ??? But, he is part of a 5 man squad (EOD) and that is pretty much his whole life now, so it is understandable how he misses it.
He actually made the cover of Soldier of Fortune with this picture.
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebpages.charter.net%2Fmyers3%2FGaryUSAToday.jpg&hash=c91d7bfae9b6779445c9d573d1b48ad3bac630e3)
They incorrectly listed him as a Marine in this picture, he is really in the Navy.
All that said, I am of an age where I can understand what our veterans went through to keep freedom and truly appreciate it. The fact that I spend the first 24 years of my life growing up in a military family (Air Force Father) probably gives me a lot more appreciate for the military person.
I sometimes wonder if todays young people understand what it was like to make the sacrifices these men and women made and are making today.
God bless all our fighting forces!
Another of my bro.
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebpages.charter.net%2Fmyers3%2FGaryBreachedSafe.jpg&hash=7390ebcb8ae3e647a711ed0bb4cabcafacaf3651)
Link to pic of a Mosque that had some shells hidden behind it.
http://webpages.charter.net/myers3/karbala%20mosque.JPG
Image is 444K.
Thanking ALL Veterans Today.
Same in Green Bay:
"Saving Private Ryan" will not air tonight on Young Broadcasting Inc. television stations, including WBAY-TV 2/DT 23, due to concerns about the film's realistic portrayal of wartime images and language, amid recent FCC actions regulating broadcasting.
The same thinking doesn't seem to concern them with some of the other crap they air. Should be interesting the next time their advertising dept contacts me inquiring about putting together some group TV ads. Lost the sale.
Recent FCC actions? Perhaps it hits a little too close to home and George's outlawing video/pics of KIA troops? Censorship from Washington? Naww
Think.....Super Bowl halftime show.
QuoteRecent FCC actions? Perhaps it hits a little too close to home and George's outlawing video/pics of KIA troops? Censorship from Washington? Naww
Thats law been around since Korea and/or Vietnam. No legitamate reason to take those pics in the first place.
And back on what Dave was saying. The FCC is a joke. Forbid a DJ says a 'bad' word or a tv station shows a pretty damn accurate movie depicting WWII, but yet Dennis Franz on NYPD Blue can show his fat a$$ on prime time TV and say a$$**** and sh*t in every script? Or why MTV can show Jackass at all?
Dont people realize theres up to 500 channels available to many households. Dont like whats on, CHANGE THE CHANNEL.
The law may have been around since 50s or 60s but George recently made sure it was more than enforced. And yes, it does relate to what Dave was saying. A direct reminder of troops dying is not what this admin. wants any of us to see, even if it's only a movie. To think that they are unrelated is foolish.
There is a good reason to see bodybags coming home from overseas; it is a reminder that soldiers are dying for someone else's freedoms gained, or to be gained. It is a reminder to thank a living Veteran of their service by looking them in the eye, shaking their hand, and saying "Thank You for your service." Too many have NEVER heard those words. ABC and the FCC should be ashamed. >:(
I think body bags are one thing. That really is a private matter between the corps of the military brothers, and sisters, and families.
Somewhere I read an article about a mother of a Marine who's mother had a plane flight that had the remains of a soldier on it. The pilot made the announcement to the passengers. At the time that everyone was to depart, a Marine guard met the plane and removed the Marine in an act of honor and respect.
The common media has certainly made it commonly known how it thinks about things. Arguing anything less is ridiculous. I fully respect the Presidents ability to restrict that.
FCC otherwise?
Well, I don't expect to see Janet's bare fake t1tties during the Super Bowl. The stunt was that...a stunt. If you watch some shows, you know what to expect. I can turn off Private Ryan if I don't want my kids to watch. And it comes with a disclaimer. The Super Bowl doesn't come with a nudity disclaimer does it?
And back again to Private Ryan...
ABC was airing it, but certain stations wouldn't show it...claiming the FCC problems.
If that's the case...
I'll expect many stations not to show the Super Bowl come January.
You think that will happen?
Ashamed? ABC had it available. FCC did what it needed to. The afliates should be ashamed.
I'll be waiting for my response...
Oh, and as for that pic of the mosque...Wow, we never had a church like that in Omaha when I was growing up!
They aired it in Chicago.
Good movie.
I have a personal copy myself.
I have never watched my copy, although I went to see it when we were at Daytona in 1999. Watched it when it was on TV. I find it hard to pull out of the box and watch it...the reality that it conveys to me is almost too much. Too much, that I just have never watched my copy. However, I treasure having it a copy of it.
Oh yeah, I own it too. Disturbing, yet it still sucks you in.
Plus the whole "bullets whizzing by" in surround sound is kinda neat :)
The parts that really get me is when Hanks has a couple of near misses from the concussion of explosions. He's basically broken and disoriented...not able to do much other than breath and watch. Bits and pieces of images go past, your head turns, there is no sound for a while. Gradually, it comes back to its normal form. I've crashed where I've been like that. Lying on the ground, you see the colors, there is no sound. I'm still, in my mind, racing between turns one and two. Then the heads of EMT's come into view. There's no pain, it's quiet. The volume starts to come around, but I'm just lying there holding my chin for no reason that I know of. Finally, I recognize that I was taken out a moment before...I was knocked unconcious, ran over, and left for dead. It's one of those experiences that few people ever have. The actual reality of those experiences certainly adds the colors to an individual's pallett everyday.
Bullets whizzing by in reality sucks. >:(
Ah, the local station replied. Get this...
QuoteDear Dave:
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate you allowing us to clarify our
position on this important issue.
In recent rulings, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) changed
standards for what they consider indecent language in programs airing
before 10pm. They specifically cited use of the "F-word" - no matter
what the context - as a violation of local standards. As a result, WISN had
no choice other than to preempt ABC's telecast of "Saving Private Ryan," or
face heavy fines and the possibility of losing our broadcast license.
Rather than preempt the movie, we first attempted to schedule it for later
in the evening. However, our request to delay the start of the film until
10pm was denied by the ABC Network. We were also prevented from bleeping
the "F-word" from the movie, given ABC's agreement with Filmmaker Steven
Spielberg. We regret that this highly acclaimed film was not shown.
If you have comments regarding the FCC's position on indecent language in
programming that airs prior to 10pm, we would encourage you to contact them
directly: Federal Communication Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Washington
D.C., 20554
Uh, I think the rules apply to the rest of the US. Why did other stations show it?
And my reply...
QuoteThank you for your automated reply.
Certainly, you can recognize that I am disappointed with your specific decision on your programming in the market that I live in.
In Washington DC, Saving Private Ryan was shown on the ABC affiliate WJLA. I would think that there are some FCC people there.
Saving Private Ryan did air on the ABC affiliate in Chicago. I'm certain there is a large market of people yet there that the FCC might have some contacts with.
The Federal Communication Commission has rules that apply to the all broadcasters in the United States.
I cannot find it in my heart to feel sorry for your decision to program something different than those of other markets and actually air a program that ABC, your national affiliate, decided to program on Veterans Day.
I do not support your programming decision of that day nor do I find your reasoning valid considering that ABC affiliates in other markets DID air Saving Private Ryan.
Should your claim of "heavy fines and the possibility of loosing (your) broadcast license" be true, I should expect that your news team will be coving the heavy fines and loss of broadcasting licenses of those other ABC affiliates.
As I don't foresee any FCC fines, I might have to decide to watch that news on a different local station for my news in the Milwaukee market.
Dave Rosno
Hey Dave, let us know what Miltown's ABC response was after you let em know it WAS aired in Chi. and D.C.. The wife and I watched the whole series as it came out on HBO. I really do not recall the "f word" being all that prevalent.
Ah, 251am, I think you're refering to "Band of Brothers" not "Saving Private Ryan". Private Ryan was not an HBO series.
Oh geez, Thanks Gordon, "Ryan" has Hanks and Damon in it, right? Thanks for the straightening.
QuotePlus the whole "bullets whizzing by" in surround sound is kinda neat :)
Never heard bullets whizzing by in surround sound. Heard them in real life though slamming into trees 3-4' above me. :o :o
Actually watched this last night with my 14 yr. old son. (I love Tivo!).
F words were infrequent and irrelevant, he hears that at school everyday. I forgot how powerful the knife scene was. It hurt to watch that.
The ending was worth it. I know it got through to him. He asked if it was a true story and I told him it might as well have been because according to his grandfathers and great uncle it was pretty accurate. Interesting discussions. By the stations not showing it in WI they missed an opportunity for people to talk about things that really matter. Like fear and bravery, maybe?
I won't rant about the rest of the junk on TV, but why is it the networks feel they...ok, I'll shut up. TV sucks. So there. Sometimes I just can't help myself. :-X
The FCC is considering fining ABC for the pre game "Desparate Housewives" thing on Monday Night Football.
This begs the question...
Will my local ABC station consider not having those games?
They said they didn't want fines...
I'm not letting this one go.
The FCC is screwed up. The Airwaves are owned by all of us, and are supposed to be used "in the public interest"
I have a huge problem with some of the things going on in television and radio. Clear Channel owns over 1200 radio stations.
Lets not forget the delrailing in ND. When local police tried to call the 7 CC Radio stations in that town so that word could get out about the hazardous chemicals, only 1 of them had someone there. The rest of the stations were completely automated.
And how much was covered in the news a few years ago about the rolling back of ownership laws in TV and Radio? Not much.
I used to be involved in Pirate/Underground radio. There was a paranormal show in Milwaukee here on a pirate station. IIRC, the station actually showed up in the ratings, and local stations took notice. Point being, it was getting pretty popular, especially considering it only covered a few square miles. People listen to radio, but that doesn't mean the programming is decent.
The FCC finally allowed LPFM to go through to a smal extent, giving locals a bit of access to the airwaves, but the way the rules are writted, not in any major markets.
Dave, don't let it go.
I'll go listen to the BBC on Shortwave now. I try to get a view outside of the General American Media.
:-X
QuoteBullets whizzing by in reality sucks. >:(
No lie there.
Check out this raw video of our boys laying it on in Falluja. Warning, big file.
http://members.cox.net/macallan_the/falluja.asf
Semper Fi.