"Rather than getting pissed PBS about this, shouldn't you be pissed at the idiot parents who would make this an issue in the first place?"
You don't think I am?
This is just another indication that far too many parents have relinquished, to my view gladly, to others the role that they should rightfully be playing in judging what is and what is not suitable for their children. It's just as evident that PBS has willingly picked up the role of being the arbiter instead of saying "Uh, parents? Get a grip on what your whelps are doing before you expect us to parent them for you."
The FCC is not an active factor in this particular incident, it is, as I said, a looming presence. The FCC has proven that it is more than willing to land on broadcasters based on fewer than 5 complaints and has in the past acted on complaints of an extremely dubious nature. The FCC has absolutely no published standards as to what constitutes indecency, and in fact refuses to publish such standards.
And I beg to differ regarding the role of the FCC as the thought police. If you were to read their own position statements and the extent to which they're attempting to take control over broadcast, yes even cable and pay services, not just open air broadcast, you're left with a very chilling picture of what the FCC wants to be.
And finally... Tracie Lords. Remember her? The under-aged porn queen who made the jump to mainstream TV?
Know anything surrounding her first ventures into TV, and FCC's involvement?
Makes for an interesting story....
Some of the things that the FCC was looking for included overtly sexual movements, suggestive poses, and facial expressions, and they did so with a fine toothed comb.
Because of her past, she was exposed to far greater scrutiny than an actor in similar role (but without the previous history).
Your tax dollars at work.