Rated D for Deliciousness

Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's telecommunications subcommittee, held a hearing today at which he defended the V-chip, which he pushed to require in 1996, against the FCC's suggestion that it's an inadequate means of protecting children from sex and violence on TV. "I believe 'Big Mother' and 'Big Father' are better able to decide what is appropriate for their kids to watch, rather than 'Big Brother,'" he said. But not when it comes to food ads. Fornication and murder are one thing, commercials for Froot Loops quite another. Markey bemoaned the fact that the V-chip does not screen out food ads, saying the FCC should step in if food manufacturers don't stop making tasty treats look so appealing.