Such Obscenity!

From guest blogger, Peter J. Cohen, MD, JD, Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center and Chair, Physician Health Committee, Medical Society of the District of Columbia:

I breathed a profound sigh of relief when I learned that the Congress had passed legislation increasing penalties for broadcast indecency as I am now assured that my eyes will no longer be assailed by “wardrobe malfunctions.” However, I wonder when our lawmakers will see fit to deal with the far more significant indecencies—nay obscenities—which we observe in our daily newspapers and TV news broadcasts every day. Just a few examples come to mind:

• Deplorable infant mortality, a disgrace to our nation
• Our impoverished people who suffer and die every day for lack of even basic health care
• Our society—far more concerned with the “legality” of immigrants than with their humanity
• A volunteer army that allows the overwhelming majority of our population to remain completely unaffected by our wars
• A system of lobbying, campaign financing, and influence peddling that make a mockery out of the democratic process

That is enough—Time and respect for the rain forests that produce our newsprint do not permit a complete listing.