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On The Soapbox
from the editor

  So we now have codes on our television to warn us of violent or sexual  content in the television programs that we are watching. That's nice. As a father of a four year old I appreciate this. But now I am worried about the commercials.
  Of course the "..not so fresh feeling..." commercials are annoying enough. But I'm talking about the commercials suggesting couples getting caught in the shower; oral sex in the park; items use for "comedy" value.  That's right! I'm not talking about condom commercials or even the "call me for a good time commercials".  These are commercials for your regular, name brand, buy everyday items.
  I first took real notice when my daughter (who was watching Loony Toons on The Cartoon Network) said "Look, Daddy. They don't have no clothes on.
  Sure enough, I looked up from my computer in time to see a Psychic Advertisement showing tarot cards with nude figures on them. (Why someone thought that The Cartoon Network was a good place for a psychic ad is still a mystery to me.)  My daughter wasn't shocked to see Bugs Bunny without clothes. She didn't complain cause Porky didn't wear pants. She was  taken back by the sight of nude people which I counted being displayed 5 more times that hour.
  But The Cartoon Network didn't want my daughter to be negligent of her naked cartoons and started to air a promotion where they showed a variety of cartoons "...doing the no pants dance...".


"...if you can't find anything good on television it's
because you looked too hard. "



  So I began to watch commercials more closely and now I am scared.  I heard once that the first rule of retail is "Remember that people in general are STUPID."  Advertisers have really picked up on this.
 A commercial for a birth control solely targeted  the fact that it fought acne as a selling point. (Perhaps if you are still fighting acne you should check your age before having sex.)
  A rambling announcer for Imitrex (a migraine medicine) warns that some people taking Initrex who did not have heart disease have had serious heart related problems. 
  Pravacol (a medicine used to prevent heart attacks by reducing cholesterol) warns of a serious possible side affect which has the signs of weakness or muscle pain.
  Of course Imitrex and Pravachol are by prescription only so the other question that I have is why is it being advertised on my television. Doesn't that cost money? Doesn't that mean that the prescription will cost more to pay for advertising? Why do they need to advertise if it's by prescription only?  The doctor will prescribe it if I need it.
  I am a firm believer that if you can't find anything good on television it's because you looked too hard. Turn the blasted thing off and take your children out for pizza and putt golf.  But on the other hand I think that advertisement rating should be initialized and should match the rating of the program it is supporting.  If you watch a church service on television you might notice that they have no beer and condom commercials.  It just wouldn't be appropriate.  Not to mention, it would be a waste of money since the preacher (hopefully) is speaking out against alcohol and premarital sex.
  No I don't have the answer, but I'm still asking the question. Why? Why are 900 numbers appearing on children's networks?  Why are prescription drugs being advertised on television at all? And why are sexually explicit commercials being aired on children's afternoon cartoons?
  I do know that many people say just change the channel or get rid of the TV.  That would be some options.  But if I were to witness you or your family being treated in a lewd manner or mugged would you want me to simply turn around?  I think not!
  So send me your feedback.  What do you think?

GETTING OFF THE SOAPBOX
ROBIN HOOD


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