Trust

There's a very good reason that the (latest) Jackson incident outrages so many, including me; and it has little to do with prudishness. Allow me to ramble until I get to my point.

A child’s father throws him up in the air and catches him. Later on that child is a man and is sure that his wife will be faithful to him, even though she has to go away for six months (surrounded by other men) because she’s in the military.

The child and the man are exhibiting trust, and, in each case, if he’s fortunate and has chosen well, that trust, freely given, will not have been misplaced.

We as individuals and as group members place varied degrees of trust in many things, people and entities. We trust our new car to start and run proficiently. We trust the local grocer not to poison us and our physicians not to butcher us. We trust the US Postal service to keep the mail moving and our president to defend us from enemies foreign and domestic.

We trust the state-wide electrical utilities services to provide electricity to our homes and we trust our babysitters/day care centers to feed, cloth, and protect our children.

Picking but a single example from the above list will demonstrate how often our trust is offered in vain. When those various forms of trust are betrayed, we take a variety of actions, according to our values, temperament, resources, judgment and, most importantly, our self-control. But, often, the unifying factor in response to betrayal of trust is this: we are pissed; often so angry that the aforementioned self-control is straining its leash. Not uncommonly, that leash breaks.

Back to the Jackson/Timberlake incident: many people trusted CBS to present a family broadcast for a traditionally family event and now many people are hot under the collar; oh not necessarily because they’re “prudes” or are “uptight” about nudity. They’re angry because they didn’t make the choice to allow their children (or themselves) to pick what kind of “entertainment” would come into their homes at a given time. They thought they were getting apples and, instead, they got oranges. And now they have to explain to their children just what was up with the “orange” before they and/or the children were ready for that talk.

CBS, MTV, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake (not to mention Nelly and Sean Combs) “flipped the script” on them without their permission. Oh, surely some of them check out pay-per-view soft- and hardcore-prÖn in the comfort of their bedrooms without the kids present. However, that’s the point: the kids aren’t present.

If I had children, I’d likely be a lot less dispassionate about this particular betrayal of trust. However, I do have nieces and nephews; the eldest, a twelve-year-old boy. I have friends with children. I wonder what my sister might have said to her oldest son about this. I wonder what my friend with two daughters, one seven and one fourteen, might say to his girls about the merits of showing a breast on TV (or anywhere else).

I don’t envy them this task or many others that go along with raising children with the desired values in this era.

I do know this: if I had children, the TV would have gone out of the window as of February 1, 2004. However, I am pissed off for the betrayal of your trust, parents, and ticked off enough to write the offending parties letters regarding this matter. I hope that many of you are doing the same.

And, by the way, keep that self-control on a reinforced leash.

Comments

[Susan Kilmer]

I just KNEW I could come here and read a take on this situation I had yet to imagine. Thank you for that. It is RIGHT on the mark...even more so than mine...but I am going to give it to you anyway!

Over the years women have had to struggle to be accepted as equals. I am no feminist these days...I gave that up when a better organization invited me to join...motherhood.

In the past we have watched women protest the pageants...with their bathing suit competitions, we have watched with dismay as the celebrities have paraded around actively promoting bulemia and anorexia. And now, we have "Hollywood" illustrating the way a man should treat a woman, by assaulting her and ripping her clothing only to expose her both emotionally and sexually.

WHERE IS THE FEMINIST'S OUTRAGE NOW??? Where is N.O.W.??? I guess they are simply too busy scheming ways to abort those screaming brats; that way they won't have to worry about what is shown on television.

Don't doubt for a moment I have not written MTV, CBS, AND the NFL...I know the NFL is actually an injured party in all this, but it may make them think twice in the future about who they hire and who their audience is....and it isn't young males ages 16-24!!

[Miguel]

Goldilocks: Great posting! Thumbs up for you. I agree 100% with you.

[Miguel]

Oops, Baldilocks, sorry for the mistake there. I look into my coke, but it seems not to have any extra ingredient ;)

[Chris]

The things is, aside from being done in the family hour, was there anything really shocking about it? This is the kind of childish behaviour we expect from MTV. You see Nelly and Kid Rock, and just know they aren't going to croon "Sentimental Journey" or something like that. In other words, once again, MTV, by "pushing the envelope" pushes me to yawn.

[Chris]

The things is, aside from being done in the family hour, was there anything really shocking about it? This is the kind of childish behaviour we expect from MTV. You see Nelly and Kid Rock, and just know they aren't going to croon "Sentimental Journey" or something like that. In other words, once again, MTV, by "pushing the envelope" pushes me to yawn.

[fanatic]

My only curiousity is why were any of us surprised by this sort of thing happening during the Superbowl.

As someone who could care less about sporting events, I wasn't watching. However, the trend to make the halftime show more and more idiotic has been there for some time now.

MTV has been working hand in hand with other negative influences (public education being one) to destroy every generation since the one I belong too.

None of this is surprising and we have all worked together to allow it to happen by being apathetic. We're well beyond the point where a Boston Tea Party style event will help anything. We've got several generations of amoral crotch grabbers and grunting sociopathetic Morlocks waiting to inherit the world we refused to hand over to them in good working order.

[King of Fools]

Although, I do like the idea of a Boston Tea Party style event. Perhaps we can coax the executives of MTV and a few choice performers to the harbor, and then throw them in!

I know I have never trusted the Networks or MTV. Our TV was off during halftime. My kids are still in the dark about Janet Jackson (praise God!).

[meep]

We're a no-sports household. If they started showing stuff like that on the History Channel or Cartoon Network without warning -- well, I'd be peeved.

I expect absolutely no class from any sports broadcasts - during the game or during the extra "entertainment" they bring in. What were people expecting? Most of the ads during football games are for beer - and many of those are crass. The people who were peeved over an errant boob should also have been angry at a car commercial implying kids swearing. Well?

[JSAllison]

When Beyonce came on to do the anthem, I said that I hope she hasn't decided to 'enhance' it. She did a fine respectful presentation of a difficult tune. Too bad the immature jerks involved with halftime didn't take the lesson.If halftime was a sample of MTV's 'product', well, no reason for me to break my habit of not watching.

Janet, Janet, Janet, when you were 20 it might have been cute, but dayum, you're almost 40 now, show some class. She ought to be showing all the interchangeable popdivas her dust, not rolling around in the trash with them.

Is it just me or does a black woman wearing rouge seem odd? Guess the TV might have been out of adjustment...Her brother's going for the corpse look so she's trying for...what?

[Peter]

The boob doesn't bother me, all the kids, and now the grandkids were breast fed. They might have wondered about the strange bottle cap, though.
What bothers me is the message. I spent a lot of time and effort in the teaching of the boys about respecting women, including minor details like keeping their hands off unless and until the clear invitation.
We spent a lot of time teaching our daughter that her body is her own, as well as how to defend it.
If the norm of a segment of society is that it's okay to rip a woman's clothes off then the investment in a .38 and a CCW for our daughter was a good one.

[MommaBear]

... They thought they were getting apples and, instead, they got oranges. ...

They got a big fat LEMON !! And the damn thing was mostly a bag of silicon.

All the blather of who was reponsible comes down to the fact that nobody out there takes responsibility about anything anymore anyway.

[Teresa]

Juliette, you are exactly right. The real problem is that the performers decided what we were going to see and did not give people the option of turning it off if they didn't want to see it. They simply ignored the standards. (something that wouldn't have been necessary if any of them had talent)

Oddly enough this is the first halftime show I've ever watched all the way through! I find them so tasteless and boring that I've managed to find something else to do during that time. They've been doing essentially the same show since about 1994 when Michael Jackson did the half time (didn't see that one). They simply rotate new singers each year, bring out a new set of young "adoring throngs" onto the field, and buy new fireworks. Ho-hum.

This year the only room to be in was the room with the television, thus I finally end up seeing the show. LOL.

[Dewey]

Thanks! I was so ticked off when I posted on my blog yesterday. As soon as I was done, I went to http://capwiz.com/afanet/issues/alert/?alertid=4953551&type=ML and sent off some e-mails (Congress, etc.), and then I went to http://www.afa.net/petitions/fcccomplaint.asp. At this sight, you put in your personal info and it creates a formal letter of complaint you can mail to the FCC. I hope CBS gets fined big time!

[Prince C.]

When do you conservatives get anything right?

There used to be a time when parents revolted against a guy named Elvis Presley. He was much too vulgar. But he didn't seem vulgar to kids and other folks.

We have the same thing happening here. Parents up in arms over less than 2 seconds that their kids could give a da-- about.

The list of performers were thrown on the screen at least a dozen times before the show. And now you conservatives who scream about 'personal responibility' and the like are upset that the performers acted like they always have. I'm sure those of you who have kids and monitor their music already knew about the controversial masterbation song on Janets last album, and all the sexually laced songs that have been done by every performer on the stage. And I'm sure you lodged your complaints before calling Junior over to watch the halftime show. I know you did because if you didn't that would make you a hypocrite to the what you claim to believe...If poor people should get off their asses and stop sucking on the tit of the government then surely you can find the time to get off your asses and know about the performers before you plop your kids in front of the tv...

[Tony K.]

I'm outraged that I was subjected to Janet Jackson's breast, when what I've been pining away for is Catherine Bell's.

[Da Goddess]

I couldn't have said it better myself. You've articulated it all beautifully.

[sandy]

I remember last year, I got rid of cable...caughter duaghter sitting in her room in a coma like state, I called her name like 3 times and didn't get her attention untill I literally unplugged her tv..anyway we were watching PBS sometime later and it was a documentary on this island tribe, the women were topless, the men had their willies hanging out, you know we've all seen it..at first I hesitated because of my daughters age, but than decided to let her watch the show, it was very good. She seemed to be okay with it. The half time show we missed so can't really say about that..but from what I've read her entire breasts was not supposed to be shown..you know maybe it was an accident..I've had my share of boobs popping out of bathing suits at the pool after diving in. I think we should pick our battles here..I'm more offended at these reality shows..they send a more damaging message to our young girls and boys..the Bachelorette making out with a different guy every week or the other shows where a million dollars is the prize..that's more damaging than a boob shot.

[dgci]

No, PrinceC, that's where you have it wrong. We're not that upset about what Jackson did...after all, it's right in line with her character and her version of "morality". What makes us angry is CBS should have expected it, and should never have invited her to perform at what was intended to be a family show in the FIRST place.

I could give a rip about Jackson baring a boob on TV. What makes me angry is that CBS gave her a forum to do it on what they knew would be the most-watched program of the evening. And frankly, I found Kid Rock's "Old Glory" poncho even more offensive than Jackson's publicity stunt.

But then, from the tone of your post, there's no convincing you. After a quick peek at your site, your problem is obvious. You're one of those people who votes Democrat regardless of the candidate, regardless of the issues, because you've been taught since birth that its the right thing to do. You haven't learned to think for yourself yet.

[Susan Kilmer]

"When Beyonce came on to do the anthem, I said that I hope she hasn't decided to 'enhance' it. She did a fine respectful presentation of a difficult tune."

I agree! I always cringe when I am watching an anthem with my father. He goes ballistic when an artist rearranges the Anthem. Because of this, I watch for it also. The anthem is not a song that lends itself to interpretation...it belongs to all of us, and not the artist to do with as he/she pleases.

[baldilocks]

When do you conservatives get anything right?

You mean, of course: "When do you conservatives get anything right according to Prince C's opinion?"

Since I don't have children--as I stated in my post--I suppose you're referring to my conservative commenters with progeny when you say this: If poor people should get off their asses and stop sucking on the tit of the government then surely you can find the time to get off your asses and know about the performers before you plop your kids in front of the tv...

While I certainly agree with this sentiment, since most Super Bowl viewing is a family affair and usually not one before which parents "plop [their] kids in front of the tv," maybe you could do a better job of explaining how your point applies to mine.

Also, no one is calling for any "revolt" against any performer. I think, however, most would have liked a "heads-up" as to what was going to happen, so they could make a choice to watch or not to watch. One expects to see some controversial things when tuned to MTV or VH1; don't like it, click the remote (neither claims to be a family venue).

One does not expect to see similar things during a network broadcast of the Super Bowl, while their grandparents and grandchildren are watching with them.

There's a time and a place for everything. Too bad Janet and Justin couldn't figure out something so elementary.

[Prince C.]

Sorry if I offended some with my tone. It just seems to me that if it's cool for corporations to race to the bottom shipping jobs overseas then you shouldn't be upset when they race to the same bottom when trying to get veiwers. You're just getting what you wanted, corporations putting profits in front of people. It's your 'responsibility' to know what your kids will see on tv, not the networks. My friend in Europe wondered what the big deal was. I just told him it was more conservative confusion...

[Ray Garraud]

How many times have our "trust" been breached by the media? Plenty of times. The Janet performance is just the latest in a string of incidents that have pushed the envelope over the years.

We are at this juncture because as a society, we have allowed it to reach this far without doing anything about it.

[Indigo]

Good post. Good comments.

[Daniel Day]

Baldilocks, I think you hit the nail on the head. I would be less inclined to blame CBS, myself. The question is, will the halftime show be cleaned up of the crotch-grabbers next year? I am not holding my breath. The culture is headed in the wrong direction. Too many parents are watching too much crap and letting their children do the same. It will take more time to turn it around.

If the liberals in the media, in this case Janet et al, hadn't decided to act this way, there would be no confusion.

None.

This would be a non-issue if it hadn't happened.

There is no 'conservative confusion'

Just a number of American's outraged at this crass behavior.

[ScottC]

I'd love to say I'm shocked at the halftime show. I'm not, but I'd love to say it.

There are two ways to be different and push the envelope:

1) Be different on the inside, with your ideas, philosophies and imagination pushing the envelope.

2) Be different on the outside, with your verbiage and your actions pushing the envelope.

More and more performers today have to take the much cruder second route, because they can't take the first.

Janet Jackson has simply proven that she is in the second group, much like the rest of the MTV crowd.

I knew this about Janet Jackson before the game ever started, so I'd love to say I'm shocked at the halftime show. I'm not, but I'd love to say it.

[Teresa]

"It's your 'responsibility' to know what your kids will see on tv, not the networks"

But PrinceC - the networks or rather the FCC has made itself responsible for what goes over the "free airwaves". They've set up rules and regulations about things that can and can not be shown. For the most part, this means that when a production such as the Super Bowl is being shown, we have an expectation that the rules will be followed. If no such rules had been in place - then you would be able to make that statement with perfect justice.

In this case Justin and Janet decided to ignore the rules and do their own thing. That is the real problem. I could care less that Janet was hanging out all over - I wouldn't even care if Justin dropped his trousers - it's the breaking of the expectation - the known rules if you will - that is wrong.

There seems to be this huge disconnect between people who want to make this merely an issue of - hey it's just a breast, so what! And those who are saying - wait a minute, J&J just said "to hell with your rules I'm doing things my own way!"

In the end it comes down to the question of "where does it stop?" "when have they gone too far?"

[Prince C.]

Let's be real. The FCC will do nothing but give a reprimand. What else can they do? Janet and Justin say they didn't tell CBS so how much blame can you put on the corporatio

[Susan K]

"We are at this juncture because as a society, we have allowed it to reach this far without doing anything about it."
***********************
Which brings me to ANOTHER point. I went to the FCC page with the intent to send them one of those form letter complaints...but as I read their page, I got even more irate. Chairman Powell's comments really pissed me off.

WHERE does he come off acting bent out of shape on this issue? It is the FCC that has allowed the programming to become what it is to begin with. NOW they are concerned????

I found the email address and wrote a personal complaint.