A media ratings system mandated by the government under threat of the formation of a federal rating agency should private industry fail is not a "voluntary" system.
Two things here. One, the rating system was put into place by consumer demand AND by manufacturer demand (as a way of saving them from rampant liability). Two, the FCC was created so that you would be able to use your cell phone, watch TV, listen to the radio, use your computer, and just about every other electronic device. If there were no communication restrictions, you wouldn't be doing much.
The ACLU is your arguing source? Got anything less bias?
You said it would be good sales... if it was a good sales item to have on a TV the industry would put them in before it was a law. Im sure the TV indusrty wasn' to happy with that one.
There were similar chips before the laws were put in place, but the popularity of the concept wasn't so much there as it is now. More people are inclined to want these chips now than they were 10-15 years ago.
Also, I'll guarantee you the desk I'm sitting at, that if you look at an (unbiased) consumer report for familes and TV with the chip, you'll find that TV's that support the ability to block certain channels, sell better.
You also said "Welcome to living under a government." but that goverment which we live in was founded under laws that it setup(thats the constitution and the bill of rights). Obviousely from my first quote they have broken those rules.
My first return argument here is going to be to point you back to my original comment "How would you know?" in regards to what the government chooses to cencor. My second argument is, if the government chooses to censor a certain band of the communications realm, they will do so and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Now when it comes to television channels, the main reason the V-chips are all installed now with the ability to have them turned off or on, is because of the social argument in this area. If the US government wishes to block you from seeing TV transmissions from Iraqi terrorists communicating on channels you could pick up with your TV, you can't help that, though.
Then theres China. No they are not a democracy but we are not communist. I think cesorship under communism is understandable but not ours.
China doesn't give its people the amount of freedom as the US and other countries. I'm sure if you went and talked to Hu Jintao, he might listen.
Do I really belive that we are being blocked from channels that will harm the goverment. Of course not
Trust me, pal, you are. And if you don't think you're being blocked from secure channels without your knowing, you're pretty niave. You can go to ANY country on this rock, and you will be safe to assume you are being censored from at least some communications band.
we will be blocked and I dont want the TV censorship to be easier with the v-chip
Since you can turn the TV chip off, it's kinda a moot point. If you know of a station you are not getting, and you think may be blocked somehow, call your signal provider and ask if you should be getting that channel on your plan. If you're supposed to be getting a station, and there is no legal reason why you are being blocked from it, you've got a case. There could be countless legal reasons why you aren't getting it.
The US government isn't going to turn on us and attack. There's a bit more civilian control than you think.
The rating system was based on someone elses morals, they told us that we should have the same morals as they do by sticking a law on them. I dont think the goverment should tell me my morals do you shoobie?
First off, the national rating system was put in place by a system of statistical analysis of public report, public voting, specialists, etc, etc, etc. No one person, and no isolated group, created the rating system.
If you want to use the chip, but don't like the rating system, you can choose to buy a TV with a customizable V-chip that allows YOU to block channels of your choice. There isn't as much public demand for it, though, as the rating system fits generally enough with the public's ideals for ratings.
Can anyone awnser my original question?
We did. Several times in fact.
AND_YOU_ARE im going to buy a tv card for my computer now
Make sure you buy one that isn't regulated by the FCC (if you can) and one that doesn't have any government restrictions on it (if you can).
Right...time for some coffee...It's too fk'n early for writing essays on social-governmental relations...and it's DEFINATELY too early to be thinking about the Chinese...
