good work

I have watched every Superbowl since it began. But this years Superbowl Half-time performance was by-far the worst example of sleeze, low class, I have ever seen. It was Rap singers grabbing at testicals, Kid Rock degrading our American Flag by cutting a hole in it and waring it. Singers singing smut and trash, it was discracefull, low class and the most lack of perfessionalism I have even witness in a Game of this statue. Because our homes were subjected and filled with this crap. I feel the NFL who is suppost set an example of class to our nation on how you how the NFL conducts it's image to us, the Consumer. I thought it stunk. not intertaining at all, and what Janet Jackson did was just trash. I am sorry. If I were spending that kind of money in advertising on this, I would withdrawl my Ad's next year. I wouldn't want my Company name on this kind of Broadcasting Low Class Intertainment. This was just plane garbage. I am afraid next year, me and alot of People will tune the Superbowl out. I know for fact,I wouldn't subject my Children to this smut production They call the Superbowl. The whole Context of the Superbowl has gone down hill fast. You watch come next week. They the NFL are goona be bashed hard for this issue. If those of the past who stood for respect and dignity seen this now. Certainly there wouldn't a NFL anymore.All I can say it is to bad that the NFL, has now tarnished one of America's Past times
Thank you
Timothy Williams

This is the year 2004. When women started wearing mini skirts people complained. Janet was wearing a Pasty so get over it already. Yes the commercials were pretty bad this year but that happens. As far as the groups performing anyone that around the youth of America knows that is what they listen to. Who's parents did not gripe when Elvis,Hendrix, or the Beatles were being listened to by the youth of their time. And yes I am a female age 40 plus.

Life happens. I've seen worse on television shows shown on Prime Time. Okay, sure, Janet and Justin went a bit over the top...but seriously, don't you remember when NYPD Blue was on the air and David Caraway (sp?) bared his bottom for all to see? Oh, let's not get into Will and Grace, Friends, and other popular shows. What was taboo 20 years ago is commonplace now. So be it...

And for those who watched the new Survivor Series, Richard went swimming in the buff once more. I don't hear anyone whining about that.

First of all, the NFL is in no position to set any kind of example for our country. As a reponsible parent, it is your job to set the example so when this sort of thing happens your children can make their own opinions. Football games are entertainment, not religion or philosophy. The reason corporations advertise during the superbowl is because people like you watch it. No matter what you thought of the material, you stuck around for the ads.. even through the big scary boobie of DOOM! :) mouse was right, people have always bitched about the walls of censorship falling. Girls are still getting pregnant at 18. Boys are still smoking in the school restroom. Nothing has changed. And preeching morality to america's youth will continue. I think you should read Aristotle, Ayn Rand and Joseph Conrad.
Thanks

The NFL and CBS announced that MTV was selected to produce the halftime show during the Super Bowl, sponsored for the first time by AOL. The NFL did not produce the halftime show. Turn on the television... PBS and National Geographic have shown more than that on public television. Does anyone remember Lil' Kim and her outfit on the MTV awards a while back... big whooptie dooo about that and now a thing of the past.

If we didn't want our children subjected to such media, blindfold the kids next time you take them to the museum, I'm sure Michaelangleo's David feels more than ashamed enough.

Ok. You say "get over it". I can do that. I thought that the "baring" was part of the act and that she was wearing a body stocking or something similar. That didn't bother me. I was slightly offended by the dance that Janet and Justin did, knowing that my 7 year old grandson was watching and seeing the "fake sex" that they were having. But I was offended WAY before that. I like Kid Rock, but his attempt to appear patriotic only showed his assininity. When he walked out there wearing a REAL flag that had been slit so that he could wear it, I just about fell off the sofa. I have no problem with people wearing items that "look" like the flag, but it was pretty obvious that this was a real flag. I'm a patriot..my husband is a disabled VietNam veteran..I was deeply offended by Kid Rock's performance in MY FLAG!!
I won't get over that because that because that is not "a sign of the times" and performers DO set examples that kids follow. Wake up and pay attention people.

The breast of Janet Jackson is far from being art. So comparing it to the Michaelangelo's David is totally out of context. The problem with this and society of all generations is we are taking the control that the parents have to teach their children away. What Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake did was make all of us parents who care about our childrens morale character that much more uncomfortable. If you are a parent I doubt you allow Playboys to just sit on your coffee table for your children to peruse. What was being depicted in that halftime show was sex and the exploitation the music industry used to push it on our society. I feel it was totally uncalled for. I do agree that as parents we have to take charge and not let our children watch that if we are concerened, and that is what I do. We do not watch TV at home. We went to our church to watch the superbowl game with some friends. Nudity has never been a part of the super bowl before, so we were not expecting it. So I am sorry if people like me were a bit offended when they surprised us. Now if CBS or MTV issued a disclaimer saying that some scenes are not appropriate for children under 17, then yes I would have shielded my children. All I am asking for is that. If you feel it's ok for your children to see that, that's your perogative. But allow me the freedom to know. I do have that right.

You do have the right for your children to watch tv without shielding their eyes from unexpected immoral views. However, if my child was to see something God created shown in a vulgar way, I would make sure to explain what my child eyes have seen whether through God's eyes or their own. Ask yourself this, you watched what you considered to be a family (non naked) televised event. Do you know the curse words, although not audible, said by the players in their close ups, still have the same meaning when "mouthed".

I admit, Janet did dance a little to provacatively and she did show her breast, this is in no way a comparison with David. I simply stated the fact, what one considers vulgar, another considers art. Teach children to make the decision of what they consider art for themselves. The only reason children will think one of God's creations is vulgar is by making a big deal out of it, and calling it vulgar.

Mysytc: And what difference would it make if he wore a "real" flag or a fake one? Isn't the message still the same? And what constitutes a "real" flag? Nylon? Cotton? You use words like Veteran to validate your patriotism. I think real patriotism is voting and participating in social programs that actually change cultural systems of value. To tell you the truth, I think censorship should be outlawed so young children can see the truth. Maybe when they're older they'll find more contemporary ways to express themselves.

Sean: Why wasn't Janet's breast art? Who are you to say that is so? Perhaps the reason your children would think that is inappropriate is because you lable it so. As long as parents and religion define morality, people will assume their bodies are to be hidden and saved to be given as gifts to their future wives and husbands. That is sick. Also, if you're afraid that the control you have of your children has been comprimised, and that is something you value, maybe television wasn't the best investment. I don't think you have any rights as a television viewer. That's like saying the city owes you a car for CHOOSING to drive on highways. Television is not a right and nor is federally sponsored morality.

Thank you.

Well, here's the deal:

-"Superbowl" is expected to be semiviolent, including halftime entertainments, that the ENTIRE family can watch. Baring of whatever is probably fine -- on late-night TV, when parents can plan to have their young children in bed and then decide "Do I watch this or not." So for Justin to bare Janet may be fine for YOU and YOUR kids (you got any kids, Sean?) -- but it was NOT fine and NOT expected for ME and MY kids (I have three). It's not about "art" - when I take my three girls to the museum, I EXPECT artistic nudity. Not when watching family TV!

--The flag: Yes, there is a difference between flag-like clothing -- which is fine -- and an actual American Flag. Kid Rock may think slitting a real flag is fine, but it isn't. Again, this is NOT something most of us expect to see on mainline family TV. Cable, yes: regular TV, no.

So next year -- no Superbowl for me.

You're old, antiquated, without value, without reason, pigeonholed, a tool, a cog, a martian.
Don't buy televisions if you don't want to see media. I hate it that you are all complaining about this. You have a choice. Boycotting the superbowl won't change the fact that women have big scary boobies of DOOM!! Rip that television out and throw it away. You obviously don't appreciate it. What's sad is that your children aren't old enough to know what they want to fight for. So in all fairness you've removed their freedom. I'm so tired of the same arguments. Why is the superbowl a family afair? Because you label it so. Why is one american flag the "real" american flag? Because you label it so. Nothing has changed underneath. Required reading for tonight: Ayn Rand "The Virtue of Selfishness" / Plato "The Republic" / Joseph Conrad "Heart Of Darkness"

Thank you.

To st34mpunk:
What designates a "real" flag is one that is tailored and made ready to be placed on a flag pole. That is a "real" American Flag and that is what Kid was wearing. The flag is not meant to be defaced by tearing it to shreds...that amounts to burning it when it isn't ready to be replaced.
My patriotism stems from the love of MY country and MY flag. I vote and I make sure that my voice is heard when necessary. "Veteran" is not a word that I throw around casually. The American veterans served this country and were wounded for this country and DIED for this country so that you have the freedom to watch whatever your squeaky little heart desires on your television. My husband can no longer speak in a normal way because of Agent Orange. He served his country and is living with the side effects from it just so that everyone else gets to say that they live in a free country and watch the Superbowl, no matter how offensive it is. You have the right to do and say what you want because of people like him but you don't have the right to insult others who are patriots. Come to think of it, you really don't sound like much of a patriot to me. But that's the way people are and we accept it, because we have the freedom to say what we want to. All because people love the flag....how about that?
Mystyk

Heh.. yeah.
You see, people don't love "The Flag". People love what it stands for. I'm not disrespecting your husband or the fact that he went to war. In fact, I applaud it. I'm defending the freedoms he fought for. I'm excersizing them. And I wish you would all understand that the freedoms we gained because of those wars is being comprimised because of censorship. That is my argument and nothing more.

Wildfire,
Your comment was very good. I do agree, how I react to it is part of the problem. When it happened I did not cry out in agony over the "booby of Doom". What I did was turn to my wife and say, "Is that what I thought I just saw?". That there is the problem. It is not that Janet decided to expose herself, it's that I did not know it was coming. Therefore I was taken by surprise and not given the chance to decide whether I should or should not watch the halftime show with my family. That is what my point is. We all do have the freedom of choice. God has given us free will, and we can make our own choices. But we have to deal with the consequences. The problem with this is not that it was a breast being shown on TV, it's the message that came across with it. For example, Michaelangelo created the statue of David because he believed the human body was a masterpiece. He studied for months learning everything about anatomy. So the nude statue of David is a tribute to the human body and it's magnificance. Now Janet Jackson letting Justin Timberlake expose her on the national spotlight was nothing less than a way to create media attention and hype for her upcoming album. The song she was singing prior to being exposed was nothing more than a song about having sex, which is why they were acting it out on stage. So her showing her breast has all to do with selling sex, which is a very profitable industry in America, go figure. Now to National Geographic. Yes it shows full frontal nudity, but yet again you have to look at the context. It is usually in a culture where that is the norm. When my son sees those pictures it is understood that that is normal. Now when he sees a guy rip a girls clothes off on stage, that is not normal.
Even when reading the bible you cannot just look at one specific verse and draw your conclusion, you have to read all of the paragraphs before and after to get the meaning. Which is what I am trying to get you to understand. Yes, it was just a human breast up on stage, but the context of that human breast served no other purpose but to exploit sex. That I do believe is something our country needs to better educate our children on. Sex is a wonderful thing meant between a husband and a wife. It is used to give birth to beautiful and innocent children that God has made us responsible for. Something that mankind, including myself, continues to take for granted.....
All I want is to have the choice to let my children see that. As far as the whole get rid of your TV comment. I have disconnected the cable and I filter what I want to watch and my children watch through renting Movies. You all have a great day, and God Bless you all. God knows we aren't perfect, but we can be forgiven.

I don't need your forgiveness because I haven't done anything wrong. God does not make us responsible for children. We know without our help they cannot grow and achieve, so we assist them. You have choice or God. Not both. Again, we don't have rights as viewers. In my opinion, it is not good to censor the viewing privledges of others because you feel you disagree with the subject matter. I like that the subject of the statue of David arose. People of Michaelangelo's time didn't appreciate the statue. The subject matter was rebellion of a time that put moral restraint on self expression. This is a timeless battle because people will always think the human body is something to clothe and hide. The christians thought they were pretty clever in adding the story of Adam and Eve to the bible to give us reason for these feelings, but the purpose was solely to justify the social standard. Ask yourself this: If we walked around naked, would we still be selling sex?
I think the answer is yes.

St34mpunk:
How can you be glad of somthing like that its a disgrace to the patirotism of the USA. The flag is a picture of unity. I think the worst thing about what Kid Rock did was that he probubaly knew what people would think about it and did it just so that his name could be in the news. People like him don't care what they have to do for publicity. As for you, your thoughts are your own but they arent very American, I guess if you fought for your flag like some people in the past have and people in the present are you would have a little more respect for it then you seem to be sharing. So take a step back and re-read what your sayin and think about how un-American and unpatriotic you are making yourself look. Makes me sick to think that if one person thinks like you do then how many more or a disgrace to the USA!

Well, well...this has become an interesting debacle. Now it's coming down to patriotism. Let's see. My father is a Vet, as are multiple cousins and other assorted relatives. They are all Americans, even tho they don't agree and see eye to eye. Being American basically means, at it's base point, that you are a native born citizen of the United States of America. We're all individuals, and as such, we all have our own opinions. I don't see how st34mpunk's opinions can be considered unpatriotic. We all have free will, he's just expressing his thoughts.

You want to discuss patriotic? Why did it take a major catastrophe before people all over America put flags in their yards (normally seen maybe once or twice a year) and stickers in their windows. If you want to be patriotic, be it 24/7, not just when you feel that you should be. Or when the mood strikes you. You define who you are, no one else. Judge not lest ye be judged yourselves...isn't that what your bible says?

I'm glad because people are finally realizing they don't need a book or a flag to have real values. I think you need to stop trying to use the words "America" and "patriotism" as many times as you can in one sentence, because it's cheap and only proves that you can regurgitate what you heared from your neighbor and the news. I get what everyone is saying. I just don't agree with it. We're putting so much effort into censoring media instead of simply not watching it. Did you all forget about the Magna Carta?

I'm glad because people are finally realizing they don't need a book or a flag to have real values. I think you need to stop trying to use the words "America" and "patriotism" as many times as you can in one sentence, because it's cheap and only proves that you can regurgitate what you heared from your neighbor and the news. I get what everyone is saying. I just don't agree with it. We're putting so much effort into censoring media instead of simply not watching it. Did you all forget about the Magna Carta?

I'm a postin' fool! :D

Sorry for the double-posts, all.

SarahCole: Yes the flag is symbol of unity and stands for what Americans believe in. So does the bible, it stands for christians what they believe in. Does this mean if Christians wear crosses (depicted on bibles) are they defacing the Bible and what it stands for? Ask yourself this, do you think Kid Rock may have done this as a way to show patriotism in his own words?

American is defined as Of or relating to the United States of America or its people, language, or culture. I am a patriot tried and true blue to the core, but an ideal in America (and what that flag stands for among others) is the freedom to express our individuality and understand one another in this country while doing so. We respect one another and our views because they are different.

Patriotism is defined as a love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country and love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it . st34mpunk has the right to his view as well as you to your own. These views in no way depict an "un-patriotic" ideal, your attitude towards his post does. Kid Rock has the freedom to express his views how he likes. You have the freedom of choice to look away and open a book.

I'm trying to figure out how all of you people know beyond a shadow of doubt that it was in fact a real flag.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAA...
jjones, that made my night. ;)

Good point. Personally, I don't think that it was a real flag. Heck, walk down the street on any given day and chances are that you'll see a flag being used as some sort of apparel...but it's only the design, not the real thing.

I would like to think that Kid Rock has enough values to not use a real flag...and even so, it wasn't as if he was burning it. More like he was showing his support for America. But again, this is my opinion. *grins*

I'm leaving you all with this quote:

"Man is a heroic being with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive acheivement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." - Ayn Rand

Thank you.

This sparked a debate in another forum I frequent often, so I went on a web search to see if anyone had any hard evidence that it was in fact a real flag. Can't say that I'm a huge Kid Rock fan, however it's rather annoying seeing all of the accusations flying around based on people's opinions. Nobody can know for sure that it was a real flag just by seeing it on television, and 99% of the people who take it upon themselves to judge another's level of patriotism based on actions they saw on television are too lazy to research for themselves before they jump to conclusions, or just lack the common sense to hold their tongues on something they know nothing about.