[Amlee]

Ok today is Veterans Day in America.

*steps on to soap box*
The ABC network is planning to show "Saving Private Ryan" uncut. With the recent fines from the FCC many stations are planning not to show this for fear of being fined. In the past the FCC has ruled that such words as F**K used in a non sexual way were ok to be said, but with the recent fine against NBC for Bono's use of it at the Golden Globes that has all changed. "Saving Private Ryan" usage of this word all through out it plus the bloody scenes through out it has prompted some stations to air reruns of "The Andy Griffin Show".

Now here are my thoughts and I am interested in hearing what yall have to say.
First of all why hide or gloss over a part of history that happened!? I will always remember the afternoon I went to see this movie. It was the first time I could remember a theater full of many generations. Men and Women that served in WW!! taking their children and grandchildren to the movies to show them how it was over there. But most of all the one thing I remember was the sobbing. Grown men and women crying. Not just at a certain part but from the start of the movie till the end. Listening to them talk about how true the movie was afterward. So again I say why hide or gloss over the truth??

If parents don't wont their kids to watch this show there are countless other shows on countless other stations that they can watch. Add to the countless upon countless videos that are out there. (Which is what most will do!) I don't see kids watching this anyway. Those that aren't parent controled will be watching things that should be censored.

So is the FCC taking things to far or are they doing their job?
*steps off soap box*

[DarkElfChilde]

I think the FCC is taking things too far, it's like they never heard of other channels that people can change to, the off button, or someone can put in a movie to watch if they have kids or don't like what is on if they're sensitive. When they played Saving Private Ryan before on tv and uncut, they placed a warning before it even started, and it's up to the parents or whoever to make a choice; and a good one if they can.

Personally, when the kids grow up and become aware of the world around them, they will see that nothing is perfect. There's violence and all of that everywhere - The world isn't a utopia and the FCC is shielding everything that's bad basically, but adults need to tell the kids to help them understand because when they get older, it won't be much as a shock if they don't know what's going on out there. Kids are smart, they will learn and they would learn better with an adult helping them.

Oh, and no, I know there's things that should be seen/heard and not be seen/heard by young kids. So...the FCC should lower their power over what everyone wants to watch.

Oh, and they're showing it as I type this.

I forgot what else I wanted to say...oh well...I think this is enough.

- DEC

[Andreth]

That's just ridiculous. The FCC is overstepping their boundaries and should be ashamed. I see inappropriate sexual references in sit-coms and night time soaps all the time that I don't feel comfortable letting my kids see, but those are supposed to be okay just because they don't use the word fuck? It's okay for kids to see sex, adultery, drinking, drugs and whatever other crap they throw on night time TV, but it's not okay for them to see what our soldiers went through to ensure that we have the freedoms we enjoy today? That's bullshit.

Kids today need to know the sacrifices those men and women made in the war. Granted, Saving Private Ryan is a Hollywood-ized and fictional but it's one of the most realistic war movies I've ever seen. My uncle served in the Army engineer corps and was wounded in Normandy on D-day and again in Holland. My father served in the Army Air Force in the Flying Tigers and the China Air Task Force and he was wounded twice in China. My aunt was in the Army Nurse Corps in Guam and she died and is buried there. I'm glad the FCC wasn't around when I was a kid listening to their stories. Or that the FCC wasn't around when I told my kids their grandfather's war stories. And most of those stories were pretty grim.

I'm sorry, but that just goes all over me, especially after actually trying to watch TV the last few nights and seeing what kind of crap is on there. I've spent the last weeks researching the ETO battles of World War II and interviewing survivors of D-Day, Operation Market-Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, and let me tell you, those are some of the bravest men I've ever had the honor to know. And not one of them considers themselves to be a hero. They all think their buddies are the heroes. That a branch of their own government would stand in the way of sharing just a small part of their story with the public disgusts me to no end. Kids today *need* to know about things like that. They *need* to know what war is like, that it's not all a bunch of Patton-gung-ho bullcrap. My father used to say that the only people who wanted to go to war were the ones who'd never been.

Okay, I would say I'm putting away my soapbox now, but I think with that rant I was all the way up on the balcony. Sorry

[Aerin]

I personally agree that the parents should be making alternative programming decisions for their kids.

I have no idea what the FCC would do, and I don't blame the affiliates for not wanting to air the movie. Why would anyone walk into a fine like that?

The thing I want to know is, "Why, would ABC not run it past the FCC for some kind of preauthorization?"

I think it is rediculous that the networks get hosed for what a person decides to do. No one wants a tape delay, and no one wants to be responsible for the words they speak. BONO should pay the fine, it was his mouth that broke the regulation, and Everyone knows you don't purposely use profanity on live TV.

I thought the movie was graphic and a very realistic depiction. I think that maybe a Tribute show, would be a more appropriate thing for "network TV"

I am neither for or against the airing of SPR on TV. I probably will not watch it. IS Seattel boycotting? maybe I will watch just to see what is actually on.

[DarkElfChilde]

I have 2 stations that broadcast ABC, one in Pittsburgh, PA is showing a different movie when I was surfing through, and I think it was a movie with Tom Cruise in it and I never bothered to see what it was. The other station is I think in Youngstown, OH and they're showing SPR...

Some stations are letting it air while other's aren't. I watched this movie in history class when I was in 9th grade at my high school since we were studying WW2, and my teacher asked everyone if they didn't like the violence or whatnot that they could go to study hall, and no one did. I enjoyed it, as well as everyone else...I think I even got teary-eyed here and there during the film.

[Yavanie]

At my house we haven't seen the movie - 'cause we've got young kids!!! I am glad it was on TV but it was boy scout night so watching it was not an option tonight. I think if a TV station is responsible enough to put warnings on the ads for it (they have) and warnings at the beginning and maybe at some commercial breaks then I say "bases covered". I don't expect my public TV stations to do this kind of programming on a regular basis but very much appreciate it when it is offered for special occaisions like this. Hubby and I haven't seen it because the few times we get to watch a non kid okay movie, it has just seemed too depressing for a relaxing evening. I very much want to see it. My father served at the end of WWII and today my husband is in Paris - not working because over there everyone actually gets the day off - it's armistice day. My husband's grandfather served overseas as a bomber (was shot down 3 times, the ticket home). He was a trainer for bomber pilots when he returned and then married his sweetheart - an army nurse. Anyway, I guess it's obvious we watch out for what our kids are exposed to. I'd like to see the movie and definitely want my kids to see it when they are of an appropriate age. And thankyou to those who have served so that others don't have to (like I hope my kids won't have to). Saw a sign on a Chinese restaurant today : A warrior fights to fight no more. AMEN!

[inglor]

If I'm not mistaken, the stations pulled it in fear of the FCC, the FCC did not mandate it. AND ABC took a stand and said the National company would pay for fines. From what I saw on the news last night the FCC only acts on complaints and its up to the stations to decide if something is to be aired or not. Down here the spineless dweebs pulled it and had some Hollywood insider BS.

I went into SPR knowing how realistic it was supposed to be so I psyched myself into it. I got so into the opening scene I almost got sick. Not because of the gore but the sheer terror of what it must have been like to be there. The guys in Iraq are going through a different kind of fear, knowing that behind every door or wall could be somebody trying to kill you. But what those guys went through in Normandy, concentrated automatic fire, is unimaginable. I have a hard time imagining the courage it takes to be a soldier in combat.

Oh and the end of SPR, when they are in the cemetery, I'm getting choked up just thinking about it.


Inglor

[Viv]

Generally, if I don't want to see something, I don't watch it. If my niece is over and I don't want her to see something, I turn the TV off.

How come the viewing public can't take responsibility for its own viewing choices?

Plus, I'm still waiting for the day we get full frontal nudity on network primetime.

[Amlee]

My local station did air it They started running messages from the station owner about 4pm telling people what was going to air and basicly if they didn't wont to watch it they would understand, but for people to change the channel if they didn't wont to see it.

I wish more schools would show this movie. When I was in school my history teacher had a gentlemen that served in WWII and was at Pearl Habor when Japan attacked. His stories were so heart breaking. My Grandfather was in the Pacific during the war. He was at the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima(sp) and he also went into Japan 30 days after the bombs were dropped. When he passed away I got his pictures that he took while serving. I cherish them very much.

[SilverMoonLady]