TGOM, the 'F' Word, God and the FCC

I've never gotten as much amusement from readers' responses to a Fanhouse post as I have from this one: Petty's Potty Mouth.

First of all, for those of you who don't already know, let me make it known right now that the tallglassofmilk is no prude. Not when it comes to most things and especially not when it comes to words. Yes I use the 'F' word--far too much by my own standards. I'm not proud of it, but thems the facts. But trust me when I tell you, I'm no humanitarian--some even consider me a sicko--or role model with millions of kids looking up to me. Thank God for that.

Speaking of God, despite my use of the 'F' word, he hasn't struck me down yet. I don't think he'll be striking Kyle Petty down anytime soon either, despite this reader's opinion:

The worst part about it is Kyle is a Christian and REAL Christians don't swear, under pressure or not. At the start of the race he is praying with his crew in the car out loud, than used that naughty word in the race. Not a Christian exanple by any means. I have lost respect for Kyle.

Puhleeeze. Lower your high horse. Like you've never done anything to annoy God.

God isn't the only one annoyed by the 'F' word. The FCC doesn't like it either. But much to its dismay, the FCC has far less content control over the cable channels than it does the broadcast networks. Petty saying the 'F' word on TNT is not the same as when Dale Earnhardt Jr. said the 'S' word on NBC. Junior's use of a bad word was said during a live post-race interview on a broadcast network, not a replay of his in-car audio on a cable network. Apples and oranges, people. It's really not conclusive evidence that NASCAR and the FCC are in bed together.

For the record, I stated that Petty should not be fined and I didn't blame TNT. I blamed NASCAR for not imposing a five-second delay on their broadcast partners. Why do I care about a five-second delay if I'm not a prude? It's for the kids! They're already on their way to hell in a handbasket, NASCAR could at least attempt to slow their travel time.

And as for those of you who said I should give Petty a break, why? Just cause everyone else does it doesn't make it ok! Where did you go to parenting school?

And of course I think Petty does enough for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The idea of him donating more money for the cursing is to hold him accountable for his actions. You know, the old dropping a quarter in the jar for every curse word approach? 'Cause I think that's the example we should set--wait for it--FOR THE KIDS! Would washing his mouth out with soap be more appropriate?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

6-26-2007 @ 3:49PM

Stefanie T said...

Amen Sister! We all do our fair share of cusing, but it isn't broadcasted live to millions of people, a lot of which happen to be kids, I have 3 children in my household, all under the age of 7, so for them to hear that is not something I am to okay with, especially coming from a driver that they look up to, and want to be like someday.

BUT I don't blame Kyle, if Nascar doesn't want to use the 5 second delay, then they should not broadcast live radio feed, the drivers say things in the heat of the moment(as we all do) and it is not there fault, and they do not know when TNT is going to air there radio feed. Maybe TNT should LISTEN to the radio feed, and THEN air it... or as you said they should enforce the delay.

And I agree with you I think if Kyle gets fined it should have to go to VJGC, which would not be a punishment because it would be like having him give it to his 'baby' Kyle loves that camp more then probably anything, so I think he would be more then happy to give it to them.

6-26-2007 @ 3:50PM

MP said...

No they're right. "Real Christians" HATE gays. Because that's what Jesus would have done (eyes roll).

6-26-2007 @ 5:01PM

Matt Riggins said...

And Jesus prompty rolls eyes at you too.

6-26-2007 @ 5:25PM

THOM WORRING said...

KYLES SLIP OF THE TOUNGE ,IS LIKE A FART IN CHURCH YOU ASK FORGIVENESS AND MOVE ON.

6-26-2007 @ 6:26PM

Dixiechick9 said...

Can you imagine the words that we would hear (as well as our children!) if we mic'd up NBA players or those in the NFL while they were playing? It's bad enough we can read their lips a lot of the time. I agree, if in-car audio is going to be used in the broadcast they need to put in the delay. It's not fair for Kyle and others who have been in this situation. I stated my opinion in the comments of the original post and I still stand by it... Kyle should not be fined. That lil mess was on the network and NASCAR.

6-26-2007 @ 8:06PM

RockOutWithYourBrockOut9 said...

Well, that's what NASCAR gets for coming in on the in-car audio's without a time delay.

And that's the one thing I can't stand about people who claim to be such righteous Christians. They think that nobody is allowed to do anything they're not supposed to without being "Not a 'Real' Christain."

I agree, TGOM, people need to get off their high-horse and realize that they're not perfect. I talk to God all of the time, I pray a lot, and I'm trying to figure why I'm here on earth. And I'm only 17! And still cuss words fly out of my mouth from time to time. (Mainly when I'm upset over something.) It's not murder, it's a dirty word. Poop, crap, dung, and Paris Hilton are all dirty words but nobody ever curses people for saying them in public (except for maybe the latter). But that's another scenario for another time.

6-26-2007 @ 8:48PM

Alicia said...

Kyle Petty only had a live mic on because he is one of the commentators now and they kept checking in with him. What were the chances of them coming in to talk to him at that moment. It is a chance you take. It was pretty ironic that when you first saw him he was praying and then the "F" bomb. LOL I don't think he should be fined. He didn't know they would come into his car at that moment and hear that word. That would be like fining someone in the garage for cussing and it being heard on TV. We all let it slip sometime.... Christians or not!!! Judge not lest you be judged.!!! I'm pretty sure that is what the Bible says...

6-26-2007 @ 9:17PM

Kim said...

I must say, I too have never seen or shall I say "read" so many self-rightous comments from so many people. I wanted to post yesterday, but got busy, so here goes...

I have said previous times on this board that I do not believe in censorship of any kind! I believe in my (and everyone else's) first ammendement right to freedom of speech. So he dropped the "f-bomb," who cares! I am not perfect. I have said it many times in front of my own children. In fact, just once today, in front of my daugther. Oops! Does that make me a bad mother? Absolutely not! It makes me human! My kids know that there are things called "adult words" that only adults can say. I don't know if they buy that line of bull or not, but they sure never utter a single cuss word so I must be doing something right!

It is MY job and no one elses to "police" or "censor" what my children hear & see! When we start taking our first ammendment right away to freedom of speech, I have a BIG problem with that! And might I also add that if the worst thing that happens to a kid in their lifetime is that they heard Kyle Petty drop the "f-bomb," than I say that kid is pretty well off indeed!

Just my opinion, of course!

Kim

6-27-2007 @ 1:09AM

Don Emerson said...

Quit talking out of both sides of your mouth......you're a dyed-in-the-wool prude.It shows in your writng and your attitude. Wanna hear some real cussing...hang out on the elementary school yard during recess.Spend your time writing about flowers, cooking,etc...and stop wasting space that could be used by a real sports writer. Do it for the kids.....

6-27-2007 @ 10:38PM

L. Shepley said...

Ok, so Kyle cussed. I would dare someone to tell me in this day and age that they haven't ever cussed. It happens. You feel bad and you move on. God forgives murderers, so I am sure he will forgive Petty for cursing. Maybe now the powers to be will get with the program and get the delay so that if someone gets excitied or angry, their words will be bleeped out. Enough already, leave Kyle alone! REMEMBER WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS, NOT STEPFORD RACE FANS!

6-27-2007 @ 11:00AM

Mike said...

You know it is quite apparent that you are not a true NASCAR fan. I have heard stories all my life of sick twisted individuals who actually watch the races hoping for accidents, but you have to take the cake, to actually watch the race just to see who and cusses and what words they use, I am absolutely amazed! Might I suggest you see a shrink and try to get a handle on this problem before it truely gets out of control. Good Luck and May God bless you.

6-27-2007 @ 11:50AM

Musicman said...

Being a Christian isn't about being perfect, it's about believing in a higher power and doing the most good possible. None of this petty (no pun intended) matters. His actions have by far outweighed any "words".

6-27-2007 @ 12:48PM

Paul said...

Can anyone count how many close-ups of baseball pitchers are shown after the batter hits a home run and you can clearly see the "F" word on his lips? Why are they not getting fines? Why are they not making the news? Why are they not getting repremanded? This is not only shown or heard on cable.

6-27-2007 @ 12:57PM

FFANGIO1933 said...

are you sure grown perfect people use this website?sounds like a whole lot of nothing about a whole lot of nothing, kyle petty does more good ib this world than these christian do-gooders, my grandmother washed my mouth at age six but god didn't punish me,
lets forgive kyle and move on, so much attention should be given to the war,
fangie

6-28-2007 @ 9:25AM

brenda said...

Relax people and welcome to the real world. Everyone is not perfect and everyone is guilty of saying things in the heat of the moment. It is a very rare happening in Nascar so let it rest and MOVE ON.

6-28-2007 @ 12:42PM

Sonny Anderson said...

If somebody hit me at 130MPH I would probably say the same thing. BUT Nascar people are still the best group of people on TV.

6-28-2007 @ 8:00PM

Gail said...

COME ON NOW PEOPLE GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!!!!
IT WAS LIVE RADIO AND THE MAN GOT SMACKED LIKED YOU SAID TNT SHOULD HAVE MADE A FIVE SECOND DELAY....
THEY DIDN'T SO OMG NOW GET OVER IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD .......

6-28-2007 @ 10:04PM

Jim said...

Boy this bitch is a big idiot. First of all, the word did not actually make it on air. It was faded out. Second of all NA$CAR is not responsible for a delay. That is up to the broadcaster. In this case, TNT. Or in the case with Dale Jr, NBC. Which actually, anyone with a brain knows that TNT is owned by NBC. Same thing with FOX during the first half of the year. Third of all, TNT IS subject to the same rules by the FCC as NBC. Yes they are cable but cable is just as regulated as the major networks during the day. From 6am till 10pm, every television network excluding pay cable is subject to FCC rules and regulations. After 10pm, they are in "Safe harbor" meaning that the language as an example can be of an adult nature if the network choses to do so but this might upset their advertisers so they need to be carefull because after all, if it wasn't for the advertisers, they wouldn't make any money and that is the whole reason a network is on the air. To make money. So as you can see tallglassofmilk is yet another stupid idiot that has a typewriter and is paid to give her unwanted opinion. Please do your homework tallgalssofmilk before you make comments you obviously know nothing about. If anyone knows how to forward my message directly to her, please feel free to do so. I didn't see a contact for her.
Thanks
Jim

6-28-2007 @ 10:25PM

tallglassofmilk said...

First of all, Jim, the word did make the air. Everyone who was watching heard it, except apparently for you.

Second, please consult the FCC's site on rules re: cable networks and public broadcast before you call me an idiot. I know the rules. Here's an excerpt:

Indecency and obscenity. Generally, the rules concerning the content of programming on cable channels are not as strict as the rules concerning programming content on non-cable channels. If you object to programming on a cable system, you may contact the FCC to determine what rules may be applicable and what action may be appropriate.

Thirdly, NASCAR has agreements with their broadcast partners and can enforce a delay if they want, which I understand they actually did and TNT still blew it.

Oh, and by the way, TNT is owned by Time Warner, not NBC. Oh, it's also a pay cable channel, as anyone who receives the signal in their house can tell you.

So put that in your pipe and smoke it, WZZR producer man.