The Gallup/Pat Boone Poll on TV Violence

Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va) wants to legislate away television violence:

"I fear that graphic violent programming has become so pervasive and has been shown to be so harmful, we are left with no choice but to have the government step in," Rockefeller said at a meeting of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

"To be blunt, the big media companies have placed a greater emphasis on their corporate short-term profits than on the long-term health and well-being of our children," Rockefeller said.

Full story here.

The legislation is, of course, supported by the Parents Television Council, the anti-fun pressure group headed by the red-bearded avenger, Mr. L. Brent Bozell. Head over to the PTC website and make your voice heard by filling in the 2007 Pat Boone TV Decency Survey. No, seriously. Sample "question":

2) I believe television content today is offensive and dangerous to children. There is too much sexual content, foul language, vulgarity and violence. The problem is getting worse! Agree? Disagree? Undecided?

Syndicated columnist Cal Thomas wonders why his fellow conservatives would support such government intrusion into the marketplace:

It might be worth it if other avenues were not available to parents to control what their children watch, but those avenues exist in abundance. Parents can turn off, or even get rid of the TV; they can make use of the V-chip, now a part of all newer TV sets; they don't have to subscribe to cable or satellite TV; they can make use of the imperfect ratings system or they can monitor what their children watch.

It amazes me that some conservatives who preach against "big government" control of our lives think nothing of rushing in to ask big government to control our entertainment choices.