2/05/2004
The past week has been tough for the news business. Between the failure of U.S. intelligence, nuclear secrets being sold by Pakistan and a Democratic campaign that could change the course of the nation in November, it's been hard to know what to cover first, forcing the networks to choose their priorities. Naturally, they've chosen Janet Jackson's nipples.
TThe media has had a field day being shocked -- shocked! -- by the inappropriate-for-children Janet Jackson Super Bowl breast-exposing footage. The footage has been shown so often that it is actually now filling in for MSNBC's terror alert. The nation is at level "aroused."
Michael Powell, chairman of the F.C.C. Leading the investigation, says, "I think it's deplorable. I think at a time when Americans are sitting around watching one of the most celebrated television events of the year with their children and families, to have such sort of juvenile and shocking behavior enter the family rooms of families is really outrageous." It's every parent's nightmare: to have juvenile behavior seen by their children.
Still, despite multiple airings of Jackson's televised apology, the more shocking reaction came from the exposer himself, Justin Timberlake, who said, "I just like to give y'all something to talk about." It's a proud day for the U.S. when the most direct and honest words come from a professional lip syncer.