Acting in the interests of an enraged and self-righteous minority of the American public, the Federal Communications Commission is using every last bit of power it can muster to censor television and radio.

Ever since Janet Jackson demonstrated that she was a boob at the Super Bowl, the FCC has been completely rewriting its interpretation of indecency for more conservative standards. In one example, the FCC reversed a decision which stated that U2’s Bono was not indecent when he said “this is really, really, fucking brilliant” at the live 2003 Golden Globes. The way he used it did not have a sexual connotation, the FCC said. The new decision states that the f-word is entirely offensive under any circumstances regardless of the manner in which it is used. The new standard broadly targets words for indecency, even retroactively. How can something that was not indecent last year be indecent now? Things seem to become more offensive in an election year.

While Bono’s comment did not end in a fine, the commission fined Howard Stern the maximum penalty of $27,500 for comments he made three years ago. In addition to increased FCC restrictions, bills are passing through the house and senate that will up the penalties for indecency on the air. Stern, who has been the most fined radio personality in recent history, would face fines of up to $500,000 for each violation under the proposed legislation. What is happening to Stern and numerous other television and radio organizations around the country is simply a fine-induced form of censorship fueled by mass hysteria.

While censorship is always a issue that should be watched carefully in the United States, the way Americans froth at the mouth when something happens to celebrities is the more immediate issue. The biggest topic of conversation after the Super Bowl was not who won it, it was who saw Jackson’s breast and what they thought really happened. Conservative legislators and groups are taking advantage of the Jackson situation to make a political pounce on the American media. Suddenly indecency is the word of the week and our legislators are making sure the American media does not expose us to too much foul language. As more American soldiers die overseas, the government has begun cracking down on the real villains: naughty words.

The public needs to calm down and realize what really matters. Regardless what the government or media tells us, one breast being displayed on national television does not mean the end of days is at hand.

As the political smokescreen thickens, it becomes increasingly important that Americans keep track of their rights and freedoms before they disappear in the flash of a breast.