Janet Jackson Boob Tube Super Bowl

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FCC Chief Michael Powell Prays, Surrounded by Pierced Nipples ... XAM

Written in Response to Dr. Susan Block's
The JANET JACKSON
BoOB TuBE
super bowl

also appearing in

From: "Paul J. Nyden" <pjnyden@wvgazette.com>
To: <liberties@blockbooks.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 10:44 AM
Subject: Your column in CounterPunch
Hi, I am a newspaper reporter and read a hell of a lot every day. I must say that your column on Janet Jackson at the SuperBowl was one of the funniest, most insightful and brilliant columns I have read in recent years. I loved it. I was thinking of filing a lawsuit myself. My 11-year-old son was watching the SuperBowl at a local sports bar with my wife and me. He became very upset when he saw only one boob. Wonderful column, Paul J. Nyden, The Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. East, Charleston, W.Va. 25301

From: grant
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:49 PM
Subject: The "boob tube"
Great column..loved it..the sad part is you are bang on, which does not say much for society today. As a Canadian looking south, one is tempted to snicker a tad, but i only have to look at my own society, which isn't always the most enlightened. Carry on!!

From: Drnovlamas@aol.com
To: publisher@blockbooks.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 10:52 PM
Subject: (no subject)
Appreciated your article on the Janet Jackson broohaha! --Dr. T.C.Halle

From: Paradox200096217@aol.com
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:06 AM
Subject: White racism and hypocrisy
I wonder why MTV chose that silly, dizzy, Jackson for that silly stunt. Her shelf life has long expired for America's carnal interests, so why hook her up with an almost cherubic Timberlake? Why didn't they not pick a black male rapper of prominence(after all its they who created the rap genre) and have him rip at the bodice of Britney Spears(much younger and blonder than Jackson) or Madonna(expired shelf-life for American carnal tastes but still attracts voyeuristic interest) or that writhing white cobra Christie Agileura? Of course, not. The vile racist MTV knew that America won't go for that. AK

From: ECC Group
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 5:44 AM
Subject: Boob Tube Super Bowl
Hi good day, i'm ray alcantara a filipino and working here in mhi-ghazlan power plant II in saudia arabia.i read your article about janet jackson's mammary moment ,i liked your commentary which drove my inquisitiveness in asking you to please send me those digital stills in different angles and the close-up too.i'm sorry if i bothered you doctor but i dont have internet here in the office to surf those images. please reply with the attached pictures.

From: J Farabee
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 10:38 AM
Subject: Boob Tube Super Bowl
Thanks for another entertaining and revealing article. I too am a football fan but cannot stomach the Super Bowl. Janet Jackson's nipple was the only thing that wasn't obscene. Two things: 1) I can't fathom why Americans didn't react strongly to Ashcroft's covering the statue's breasts. Shouldn't the fact that the Attorney General is certifiably mad be alarming? 2) What does the Jackson incident indicate- mass boredom, mass sexual repression, or____?

From: "Mynda McGuire" <armynda@sbcglobal.net>
To: <liberties@blockbooks.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:37 PM
Subject: Michael Powell in San Antonio
Only a few days before the Super bowl, Michael Powell and some of his FCC minions sat passively and listened (or nodded off) as at least 500 very upset citizens asked him and the panel embarrassing questions about how the FCC could change the rules, and make local radio all but obsolete. Austin songwriters and performers testified that localized music cannot get played in their own cities, then outraged Parents against porn (or something like that) entertained the crowd with graphic details of programs they had viewed on cable and network TV. They conveniently had officials from the Clear Channel Stations (HQ in San Antonio) there to refute almost everything said, and brag about the money they had contributed to charity. This went on until about 11 p.m. with no visible reaction from Powell or his panel. This was called a FCC "Localization" hearing. They didn't act like they had even heard the shouting and hisses. And then...on Super bowl Monday Michael Powell suddenly reacts against one booby act. According to him that was wrong...but all the things described to him in San Antonio were okay? Give us a break! Mynda McGuire

From: Jim Clay
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 11:58 AM
Subject: Re:Mammary Moments
Seems Ashcroft should have spent another sixty five grand on an additional Lady Justice drape. jc

From: trevor russell
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 10:14 AM
Subject: Super Boob Hypocrisy
Hi Susan, The conservative "feminists" who are also beating the "this demeans us" drum, are the ones who've really exposed themselves. What they've exposed is how shallow, superficial, and patriarchal they really are. The real obscenity, was Kid Rock's lyric "I got girls who cook, I got girls who clean, I got girls who do everything inbetween..." Now I'm a free speech advocate, but if there was anything to get offended about that was it. But I guess when you gallop around on stage in an American Flag and are a white male you aren't subject to the same scrutiny as a black woman. Anyway, you're right America does embarass itself.

From: Rickster
To: Dr. Susan Block Institute
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 5:10 PM
Subject: Hiya SuzerBoobie(s),
Great article!!! I've been laughing a sarcastic if not sad laugh at all the hoopla over the super-boob-event. I don't watch sports either but happen to tune in during the half-time while I was taking a break and eating some popcorn. After half-time I continued flipping channels until my popcorn was all gone then went back to what I was doing and thought nothing about it but was appalled to see it dominated the news the next morning. You said a lot, which I agree with and frankly I think the subject has received enough press so I won't go on about it other than to say it, the boob and the aftermath, are reminders of how political each and every thing on the "boob-tube" is, at least on the commercial channels. (I love the two Sundance channels I get on cable, and IFC since they are non Hollywood non commercial and seem to be about film/video as art) It was/is also a reminder, some of which you said, of the rampant, distracting, embarrassing and sometimes dangerous not to mention self-sabotage like hypocrisy here in the good'ol USA. (Can a country have "self-sabotage like" behavior?)

From: Euphorian <alamaine@uffdaonline.net>
To: counterpunch@counterpunch.org
Reply-To: alamaine@uffdaonline.net
Subject: Fwd: Mammary Memories
Date: 2/9/2004 1:57:52 PM
"Horrors! A boob! On the other hand, I’m sure the Powell Family really enjoyed the Viagra commercials. Erectile dysfunction: yes! Wardrobe malfunction: no." http://www.counterpunch.com/block02092004.html Having been on the Republican "E.D." trail for several years now, mostly ever since "B.D." (" 'Bob' Dole") was hawking his impotence round about the time he demonstrated his inability to make good on his presidential bid to unseat Bill Jeff Blyth IV Clinton (BJ {B4C}) back yon in 1996. This was, of course, the same time that the voters in Russell, KS, let on they they didn't even trust "B.D." to write a check in their burgh.I don't know what it is with Republicans and "E.D." but it might have something to do with big hair and lots of hair spray. But that may be only " B.D.'s" personal problem. I think what irks the FallWells and the rest of the religious right about Janet Jackson, aside from taking pot shots at her for her brother's numerous problems, is that she had more erectile function in one specific part of one breast than did the whole bunch of those who whined and complained about her natural talent. And, what's even more alarming is they recognised this right away! The Right way ...The religiositors didn't have much to say about Bill Jeff's problems with obvious erectile function, except to express their extreme envy of his penile potential POTUS potency in view of "B.D.'s" equally obvious inadequacy (the hair spray not as effective on dermal tissue as it is on plain old hair). What is absolutely absurd is the fact that those who are complaining now about Janet's equally effective erectile function are those who accepted the spreading via the 24-hour meida of malicious gossip about B.J.'s bent and the blubbering over blue dresses and the perils of Paula. Much new information about oral sex and updated terms ("the Lewinsky") relating thereto flooded the media for who can remember how long. No problem there. As long as it deflected attention away from the Republicans' collective repugnancy, any smear was always good directed at the supposed "sinner," the ones who did not harbour obsessions that the repugnants hated about themselves. So, trying to keep a personal affair discreet is unfair while pointing up the details of said affair is good for public consumption. Being candid about something that is as natural as an ankle or shapely calf is not good for public consumption while something as unnatural as chemical stimulation of specific parts male anatomy is not only good for the consumer but encouraged. When Bill Jeff or Gary (Condit) were able to manage their relationships with mature discretion, this was bad. When Gingrich and Hyde and Livingstone tried to deny the same sorts of things, this was good. Any attempt at being gentlemanly or cavalier was being dishonest; being rude and disrespectful was to be revered. The simple proof of this was the perilous predicament of Paula (Jones). What became the most disgusting outcome of the whole impeachment debacle was the treatment of poor Paula by those who were supposedly backing and supporting her. Although it may have been lewd, crude, rude, and no good for anyone to have suggested there be sensual contact between a public official and an underling, to have used the underling for public political purposes and then cast her aside like a used and crumpled tissue was something to be even more -- and more -- boo'd. That Paula was used to expose BJ (and more, the Republican penchant for backroom," Porky's"-style, censorial puriency) and left to expose herself in the pages of Penthouse shows the attitude of the pyrric pirouettes political piranha of the 'Public(ans). We need not have thunk too much to realise that if there was, indeed, indignant righteous on the Right, the affairs of Clinton and Condit and the exposures of Jones and Jackson would have been hardly noticed. It would have been demanded that the Revvin' reverends' relations be protected from indecent indiscretions. It is only because the repressives of our Republic that anyone has paid any notice to these otherwise minor misdeeds, missteps or mistakes made into major and malicious mandates for mass manipulation. BJ's and Gary's private lives were the stuff of immense imagination; Jones' and Jackson's exposures expressed extreme anxious angst. Those who seek to delve and descend into the devilishness of Democrats and divas by callously calling calamity at past passing passions hype their hypocrisy when having to yield their hyper fantasies and confront hipper realities. Yes, as Americans we are embarrassed. Some of us understand the naturalness of intergenderal attractions and the function of certain parts of the human body. That same some does not understand how these aspects of humanity are twisted and wrung to the last dreggish drop of derogatory drool. Unless, of course, we understand that the indignant Right constantly and persistently has spun themselves in one direction so long they no longer can see beyond their dizzy daze and their days are filled with Playtex Nurser "Mom" in the rear seats of their suburban Suburbans*. Feeding and transportation aids are modern conveniences and conventions; Nature's conveniences and conventions are timeless. Forey Ratliff, Grand Forks, ND

From: "Paul Rapoport" <topfree@tera.ca>
To: <liberties@blockbooks.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 2:04 PM
Subject: Mammary Moment
Dear Susan Block, I've seen you many times on TV. I was recently sent your article on the > Timberlake/Jackson dysfucntion, I mean malfunction, I mean Mammary Moment. Thank you for writing it so loudly and clearly. Such commentary deserves wide dissemination (if that word doesn't become illegal soon). I'm sorry that Ms. Jackson has the breast that launched a thousand quips, because it has its seriously outrageous side, as you wrote. Perhaps if Ms. Carlin succeeds, we will have a revolution. (They used to say things like that in the 1960s . . .) If you have a chance, please visit www.tera.ca -- for another but related approach to women's breasts. Sincerely, Paul Rapoport -- Dr. Paul Rapoport, Topfree Equal Rights Association, www.tera.ca topfree@tera.ca Below you will find my take on the "Janet Joax," which, needless to say, parallels your thoughts. I had read over your article at CounterPunch briefly before I began my writing and was pleasantly surprised to discover that our thoughts were close. My writing was intended not only for the folks in CA but for those in DC as well inasmuch as this indignant righteousness has become a national problem with too many old men not realising that it IS natural for certain anatomical functions to become more difficult with age. Of course, I am sure that (now that I've found out -- just today [the email was yesterday] -- what your line of work is) you will be offering to assist the Repressive Right(eous) in their quest for vigour and vitality and vim wit' dem vimen, ja? I was meaning to send this directly to you but I don't think your email address was at CPunch as I was composing my missive. So, here ya go! 4e GF, ND

From: "EDWARD" <TITANTWO@webtv.net>
To: <liberties@blockbooks.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 8:58 AM
Subject: SuperBoob Tube or Whatever
Never fear Dear Lady , this too shall pass ,
or at least sag a little ! |:-) May you have a nice day, Edward T.

From: marx-storms
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 8:44 AM
Subject: Janet's Tit
Nice article.I read it on Erosblog.com and the home page of J.Orlin Grabbe - orlingrappe.com. I read these articles about American politics every day.Sometimes amazing. Why so much commotion over a bare tit. Martin MARX marx-storms@pi.be Belgium-Europe

From: Jack
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 3:40 AM
Subject: Great Piece
Read your piece in Counterpunch this morning ("Janet Jackson's Mammary Moment") and thought it was great! It is nice to read a column that both entertains and informs as it reaches a higher moral level. The bare breast indeed frightens more of us in the Land of the Free than mere war, which is now taken for granted. Although corporate media make it top secret, I understand that the illegal invasion of Iraq has taken over 55,000 lives so far. As an old combat veteran, I oppose all war, and am always looking for new ways to express my disgust for it. You did a great job of exposing the hypocrisy in America's "moral outrage." The Puritans still control us. --Jack Balkwill,
Hampton, VA.

From: HolyB
To: liberties@blockbooks.com
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 8:21 PM
Subject: booby
Great job, Susan. You think baby boy powel is trying to work up to a hidden/public orgasm? How come he's always got one hand in his front pants pocket? Great job. thoroughly enjoyed it - if it wasn't so damn threatening. H. M. Boruck, Santa Rosa, CA

From: SJCDC
To: Dr. Susan Block Institute
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 5:09 PM
Subject: Re: "Janet Jackson's Mammary Moment"
The Janet Jackson editorial most definitely speaks for me. Yet another treasure of a statement that is perfectly timed. It was fun having a goof on the hysteria on my last radio show. My first wish is for Janet to stop apologizing. The whole Taliban-modelled reaction is truly an international embarrassment. Hell, if she made Powell and Asscraft cream their shorts, then she produced a miracle which seems suitable for a nation dominated by angel-hallucinating Christian supremacists. Thank you for another wonderful and necessary piece. Perhaps at the next Superbowl (ever notice the butt-patting, Quarterback/ Center dynamics, pile-ups, and responses to a touchdown?), I shall consider an act of civil disobedience and show my testicles. Rev. Bookburn
Radio Volta