Xref: utzoo sci.space.shuttle:2160 talk.politics.misc:18630
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cwjcc!gatech!ncar!dinl!holroyd
From: holroyd@dinl.uucp (kevin w. holroyd)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle,talk.politics.misc
Subject: Re: Do unto others... (Re: Internationalist posturings.)
Message-ID: <798@dinl.mmc.UUCP>
Date: 7 Dec 88 16:18:02 GMT
References: <1969@garth.UUCP> <22411@watmath.waterloo.edu> <2044@garth.UUCP> <22488@watmath.waterloo.edu> <2104@garth.UUCP> <131@ubc-cs.UUCP> <796@dinl.mmc.UUCP> <2480@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Reply-To: holroyd@dinl.UUCP (kevin w. holroyd)
Distribution: na
Organization: Martin Marietta I&CS, Denver CO.
Lines: 30

In article <2480@cbnews.ATT.COM> wbt@cbnews.ATT.COM (William B. Thacker) writes:
>			stuff deleted
>Since when has it been illegal to use profanity over the airwaves ?  Do
>you watch Dallas ?  Morton Downey Jr. ?
>
>The networks censor themselves to prevent public outrage, but I know of
>no "law" controlling broadcast of profanity.  In fact, I don't know if
>there's even a law *defining* profanity.  Seems like it'd be tough to
>write one.
>

It has been illegal to use profanity over the airwaves ever since the FCC
made it illegal.  This is similar to laws such as spitting on the sidewalk, 
which are rarely enforced.  The television/radio networks get away with it
because no one really cares.  (And they don't always get away with it.  Have 
you ever heard of Howard Stern?)

I am a professional pilot, and I can guarantee
you that if I slip in talking to air traffic control and use profanity, I
can expect the FAA to have a little talk with me when I get down.  In fact,
there are cases where mike buttons stick and profanity is used in the cockpit
in the course of normal conversation that result in admonishment from the
FAA.  The FAA, and the FCC have the power to fine you or suspend your
license under these circumstances.

Please let's take anymore discussion about this subject, which doesn't belong
in sci.space.shuttle, off-line.  E-mail any responses, I refuse to net about
this any more.

Kevin W. Holroyd