From St. Roxy:

April 9, 2005

[recipient address was inserted here]


[recipient name was inserted here],

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose attempts to increase fines
for broadcast television and to restrict free speech on cable TV and even
Internet. I strongly believe expanding “indecency” fines and other
censorship, especially to cable TV and Internet, is inappropriate since
these are forms of entertainment that people voluntarily choose. I do
not believe the government should restrict the free flow of ideas and
information through these channels.

When our forefathers granted right of free speech, I highly doubt they
were only addressing the upper echelon of politics. Politicians and
those in Washington are free to speak their minds on issues that they
shouldn't address (Terry Shiavo), but I can't choose to pay for a service in my
own home that is uncensored? Why are we censoring cable television and not
the messages of fear and ignorance that our President spits out on a
daily basis?

I have read that the House of Representatives has already passed
legislation dramatically increasing fines for "indecency" on broadcast
radio and television. I understand that some Senators intend to try to
increase these fines and expand their use to satellite and cable TV as
well.

No one has adequately been able to define "indecency." Already
broadcasters and speakers are very wary of running afoul of the FCC.
For example, some ABC stations refused to air "Saving Private Ryan" during
Veterans Day out of fear of incurring fines due to language contained
in the movie. Increasing fines will further chill speech in order to avoid
possibly ruinous fines.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court has made it clear that cable and
satellite are different than the broadcast media because one has to make the
choice to subscribe to the service. And, technology is available to block
cable channels the consumer does not want in their homes. Expanding
"indecency" to cable and satellite would be clearly unconstitutional, and would
severely chill speech in that medium.

Once again, I urge you to oppose attempts to restrict free speech on
cable TV and even the Internet.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Sincerely,

(St. Roxy)