The Fix Is In: Viacom Gives Free Air Time to Obama

The White House asked and Viacom couldn't say "Yes" fast enough.

So, less than 3 weeks before a national election, MTV and 5 other Viacom-owned networks will give Barack Obama an hour of commercial free air time while denying Republicans any opportunity whatsoever.

But, don't worry. Viacom assures skeptics this isn't a political event.

As I've said on many occasions, though there may have been a few articles now and then which broke out of the corral, mainstream media remains blindly and slavishly loyal to Obama.

This media bias is, besides vote fraud, the Democrats' last hope for November.

Selling Our Nation's History to the Highest Bidder?

Did you know the Smithsonian Institution has literally sold itself to the Showtime television network (owned by Viacom)? Oliver North has this amazing, infuriating story in his column today. Really incredible stuff -- and certainly enough to engender some letters of protest, I hope.

Therefore, I post the closing paragraphs from North's column below but then I also post information about a few contacts you should make to protest this remarkably unfair corruption.

...What little transparency exists in how the Smithsonian operates is revealed in hearings and reports prepared for the House Committee on Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the two Congressional entities that theoretically exercise oversight over the institution. That's how we know that Lawrence M. Small, the Smithsonian's top executive, was paid $884,733 last year -- more than twice the compensation of the president of the United States.

We also know that last year American taxpayers forked over $615 million to the Smithsonian, and that the institution's management wants more this year because it is losing money.

Since the new leaders in Congress claim that they intend to "root out waste, fraud and abuse," they ought to inquire just why the Smithsonian is in the hole. While they are at it, here are a few other questions:

How much did Viacom pay for their exclusive rights to America's treasures? Was this contract put out to bid so that others could compete for the privilege of broadcasting our nation's heritage? Were brokers involved? If so, what were they paid? How long will this arrangement remain in effect?

Every American ought to know the answers to these questions. After all, it's our history. But if America's heritage is going on the block, it would be nice to know where to start the bidding for the Library of Congress or the National Archives.

Contact Information:
The web site of the House Administration Committee doesn't yet show its' current membership. So much for keeping up to speed. However, I have them for you and contact information for all of them can be found at this Congress web site page. The current members are...
Democrat Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (California, 37th District) and Democrat members: Kevin Brady (Texas, 8th District); Zoe Lofgren (California, 16th District); Susan Davis (California, 53rd District); Charlie Gonzalez (Texas, 20th District); and Michael Capuano (Massachusetts, 8th District).

And Republican members: Vernon Ehlers (Michigan, 3rd District); Dan Lungren (California, 3rd District); and Kevin McCarthy (California, 22nd District).

The web site is current with the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and on this page you'll find the full membership. Simply hit on the member's name and you'll zip over to their web site where contact information is available. The Committee members are: Democrat Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein and Democrat members Robert C. Byrd, Daniel K. Inouye, Christopher J. Dodd, Charles E. Schumer, Richard Durbin, Ben Nelson, Harry Reid, Patty Murray, and Mark L. Pryor.

Republican members are Robert Bennett, Ted Stevens, Mitch McConnell, Thad Cochran, Trent Lott, Kay Bailey Hutchison, C. Saxby Chambliss, Chuck Hagel, and Lamar Alexander.

Now it can be a bit time-consuming to contact all of these folks but certainly you can take that second cup of coffee with you to the console and at least zip a line to a few. All of the information you need to write a quick letter or e-mail (or make a quick phone call) can be found in that Oliver North column. For instance, here's the note I sent:

Dear ____________,

I just learned this morning about the exclusive contract between the Smithsonian Institution and Viacom's Showtime TV network -- an arrangement that dramatically undercuts the public use and enjoyment of this historic (and heretofore respected) treasure. I also learned that the salary paid to the Smithsonian Director last year was nearly $900,000! Yikes! With such outlandish generosity, it's no wonder that the taxpayer bill for the Smithsonian is over $600,000,ooo a year!

Please tell me that the new Senate and Congress with all of the high-sounding promises about eliminating waste, fraud, corruption and silly spending, is going to take action on these particular travesties. And very, very soon, I hope.

Since you now sit on a committee whose specific responsibilities include oversight of the Smithsonian, can I expect your enthusiastic actions to reduce the spending and eliminate the exclusive connections?

Sincerely,
Denny Hartford

I Thought Comedy Central Couldn't Get Any Lower. (I Was Wrong.)

Just weeks after Comedy Central executives censored a program because of its depiction of Muhammad, the network has announced it has a new cartoon series in development that could not be more disrespectful of Christianity. Entitled “JC”, the show will depict Jesus living in contemporary New York City trying to “escape his father’s enormous shadow.” According to Comedy Central, God is “an apathetic man who would rather play video games than listen to his son talk about his new life.”

Once again, while Islam and other faiths are treated carefully and respectfully by the media and Hollywood elite, the Judeo-Christian heritage is open for mockery and ridicule. The Media Research Center is launching a citizen petition to expose this double standard and call on Comedy Central and its parent company Viacom to stop this blatant anti-Christian attack. Please sign the petition today and stand against this egregious double standard...

Quint Coppi alerted me to this petition and I think it's a great idea to sign on AND then add personally contact Comedy Central, Viacom (mailing address: Viacom Inc., 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036-5794) and whatever companies dare to advertise on this deliberately offensive program.

Be courteous (we don't wield a scimitar, remember) but be firm.

Nickelodeon: Still Promoting Sick Games to Your Kids

Last December I alerted you to the disturbing fact that Nickelodeon, the TV and online "children’s entertainment" conglomerate, is providing video games involving sex play and violence on its popular website, AddictingGames.com.

It even provides direct links to that site from the game pages of Nick.com, its website designed for kids, AND NickJr.com, its website designed for preschoolers!

So, your five-year old who you last saw doing online coloring books over at NickJr.com, might now be checking out Candy the Naughty Cheerleader, Naughty Supermarket, Celebrity Body Scanner or Foxy Sniper (“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. Fear me, because I am a crack shot! Assassination isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life.”)

Or how about Dark Cut 2 (“More macho surgery! No anesthetic. No antiseptics. Just rusty knives, corn whiskey, and lots of blood!”);

Naughty Classroom (“Hot for teacher?…Here’s your chance to fulfill your ultimate childhood fantasy. Naughty Classroom will leave you begging for more homework.”);

Stick Figure Penalty Chamber 2 (“Small, black, stick figure death can happen in so many different ways! Do you choose shotgun to the face, or acid in the lungs?”);

Bloody Day (”Back alley butchering has never been so much fun...How many kills can you rack?”);

Or the Perry the Sneak series, where gamers take the role of a peeping Tom trying to catch revealing glimpses of scantily clad and naked women?

This is child's play?

Obviously, Nickelodeon has not yet heard from enough Americans who are outraged at these perversions masquerading as children's entertainment. And so they continue.

Please. Don't let this go without your principled protest. Don't just shake your head and think how weird and wicked the world is becoming. Think instead of your responsibility to speak out against such dangerous destruction of childhood innocence.

Take a moment to tell Nickelodeon to stop promoting sexualized and violent video games to young children. You can use the e-mail form on this page to register your protest to Nickelodeon. But better yet, hit the "Report a Concern" link at the bottom of the Nick page itself AND write a real letter to Nickelodeon's parent company Viacom. (Remember too it is Viacom that is about to launch its profane and blasphemous cartoon series about Jesus.) They can be reached at Viacom Inc., 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036-5794.

We really need to act on this. Remember how seriously Jesus takes sins against "little ones." Writing a couple of letters is the least we can do to help protect them.

Also, be sure to let other parents know what Nickelodeon is up to. One easy way is to e-mail this post to friends. You can also post a link to it on your Facebook page. And you can alert your pastor and Sunday school teacher. Ask them to make an announcement about what Nickelodeon is doing, providing contact information as well so people can let the company know what they think about such actions.

Let's get on this.

Viacom: Scum, Sleaze and Now, Selective Censorship

Brent Bozell's column puts the spotlight on both the filth and the hypocrisy of entertainment giant Viacom. His is an important piece to read but difficult to take. Sure, one knows it's really nasty out there but every once in awhile, a report like this one gives you details you weren't aware of...and which you don't really want to be aware of!

If there's no repentance in their future, the folks behind Viacom and South Park are gonna' be in big, big trouble.

Following Up on the Smithsonian, Viacom, Lawrence Small Fiascos

It was last winter that I posted an action-oriented entry here on Vital Signs Blog about the selling of the Smithsonian Institution to the highest bidder. It will be good to review that post in order to best evaluate the response I print below. It comes (better late than never) from Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson.

Dear Denny:

Thank you for contacting me earlier this year regarding the controversy surrounding the Smithsonian Institution and its former chief executive, Lawrence Small. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue.

As you know, the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents appointed Mr. Small as the Secretary on January 24, 2000. On January 16, 2007, Acting Inspector General A. Sprightley Ryan reported to the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents Audit and Review Committee, reviewing Mr. Small's expenses during his tenure as Secretary. These findings detailed Mr. Small's unauthorized expenditures of $90,000 from 2000 to 2006, showed that his salary and compensation reached $916,000 in 2006, and stated that "some transactions might be considered lavish or extravagant." This report prompted some to ask for investigations into whether Mr. Small violated federal law. Amid the debate surrounding this report, Mr. Small submitted his resignation on March 27, 2007.

The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, of which I am a member, held a hearing on June 26, 2007, to discuss Smithsonian Institution governance reform. I believe this hearing was productive in helping to identify the areas in which the Smithsonian and its Board of Regents can improve, while demonstrating their dedication toward making the necessary changes needed. Rest assured, should any legislation on this issue reach the full Senate, I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Thank you again for contacting me. A responsive government will only remain responsive with the input of concerned citizens, and I encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Sincerely,

Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator

Thank you, Senator Nelson. However, let me make a couple of quick points here:

1) I do appreciate the Senator's news that a hearing was finally held by the Committee but I would have liked a couple of details about what happened there. For instance, were new restrictions put in place regarding corruption and excessive spending? Given the Senate's own record on corruption and excessive spending, I'm a bit skeptical.

2) The Senator doesn't mention the Viacom deal at all.

3) I'm pleased that Lawrence Small is no longer in charge of the Smithsonian but what about punishment and restitution? There are a whole lot of people watching television from prison cells for stealing an awful lot less than did Mr. Small.

And 4) Republican Senator and Ben Nelson's fellow Nebraskan, Chuck Hagel, also sits on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and thus also received my letter about Lawrence Small. I've yet to hear from him.

Let the Sunshine In -- Through Letters

Whitman once wrote, "The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity."

As promised yesterday, I'm giving you some samples of the "simple sunshine" passed on to politicians, diplomats and business leaders which were written at Monday evening's P.A.L. Night party. The first two are from Carol Coppi. They deal, respectively, with Mexico's President harshly condemning Arizona's new immigration law and the Elena Kagan nomination to the Supreme Court.

Dear President Obama,

I appreciate the dinners that you give for foreign dignitaries. The attention to detail and hospitality reflects well on you and our nation. However, I must take exception to the behavior of your guest, President Felipe Calderon. What insulting behavior, to lecture the U.S. about our immigration policies. The absolute nerve! How did you stand it?

Please remember that visitors do not have the right to trash America. I expect you to defend the country that has given you the highest office of the land.

Sincerely,
Carol Coppi
Tea Party person and military wife
(Copy sent to President Felipe Calderon)

Dear Senator Nelson,

I am concerned about the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.

I understand she was instrumental in banning ROTC from recruiting at Harvard. This shows a profound disregard for our military and the Constitution. It concerns me that the court is being “packed” to reflect women and minorities.

Please consider judicial experience, Constitutional soundness and reject “political correctness” when confirming a Supreme Court judge. Kagan is just not qualified.

Sincerely,
Carol Coppi, artist
(Copy sent to D.C. office)

Also among the letter targets we offered the other night was the despicable practice of Iowa Planned Parenthood dispensing the dangerous abortifacient drug RU-486 by a remote control process in which the physician doesn't even see the patient! Here's Claire's letter to the Executive Director of the Iowa Board of Medicine.

Mr. Bowden,

I would like to encourage you to please take a hard look at Planned Parenthood’s distribution of RU-486. On their website, they have detailed the procedure of a client watching a video and then pressing a button to get her RU-486. The client doesn’t personally see the doctor even though she is being given a powerful drug that will kill her unborn baby and may cause her serious harm! This seems most unethical and unsafe.

Please take the time as the Executive Director of the Iowa Board of Medicine to look into this. Women need to be safe and you must make sure Planned Parenthood of Iowa is not breaking the law.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Mrs. Claire Hartford

And one more for today. It also is from Claire and concerns the new cartoon series from Comedy Central that blasphemously ridicules Jesus Christ. She sent it Viacom.

To Whom It May Concern:

Since I couldn’t find a direct address for Comedy Central, I am sending this note to you, their parent company, to protest your new cartoon series which mocks Jesus. Now really…do you want to go down this path? There are so many subjects for positive, wholesome comedy -- so why the sophomoric and profane desire to ridicule what the world so desperately needs to take seriously; namely, the love and righteousness offered by Jesus Christ?

You well know that there are still a large number of people in this country who will not watch (or allow their children to watch) such a program. And those people are consumers who are increasingly tuned in to companies that go out of their way to be offensive. So don't go there. Don't do something that is not only mean-spirited but dumb by offending Christians and many following other religious faiths. Pull the program, please.

Thank you.
Mrs. Claire Hartford,
Co-Director, Vital Signs Ministries

Speaking Truth to Power (via Letters)

Here are just three more examples of the citizen advocacy letters written at last Monday's P.A.L. Night. Like those posted Tuesday, they show how it's a lot more effective to voice your concerns (and complaints!) to people who are in positions to act. It increases their awareness; it increases their motivation to act responsibly; and it increases your effectiveness in motivating others as you share what you've done.

You'll see from Tuesday's letters and the three I print below that we cover several subjects in a P.A.L. Night. I hope it encourages you to write a few yourself. Go on; try it. You'll find it so much more satisfying than simply grumbling under your breath!

Note also that I've provided links within the letters which will take you to more information about that particular issue...and sometimes a way to respond on the internet.

Dear Senator Johanns,

I ask you to do everything in your power to see that Senator Burris’ amendment to this year’s DOD Authorization bill is removed. This amendment, if approved, would open up military hospitals to providing abortions. As a military retiree, I find this not only morally offensive, but it is an undue burden to military medical staffs. Let military hospitals do the work they do so well -- taking care of sick and wounded servicemen and women.

Thank you.

LTC (ret) USAF Quint Coppi
cc Senator Ben Nelson

Dear Viacom,

It troubles me greatly to read of the sexualized and violent video games that are promoted through Nickelodeon. It is well documented from scientific studies that these types of “entertainment” have extremely negative effects on kid's behavior.

It's tragically obvious that we are becoming a very violent society where love and respect for one another is a lost virtue. Don't keep making it worse.

What a tragedy that the entertainment has lost its ability to produce positive and healthy TV shows.

Be a true leader of what’s right and good for young minds to learn...even as they are entertained. Perhaps others would see the healthy aspects and follow your lead. It’s easy to make trash, but it takes talent to create shows that promote good and healthy choices.

Sincerely,

Don Kohls

Dear Attorney General Cuccinelli,

I want to thank you for upholding health regulations for abortion providers in your state. I am pro-life, and so I hate the taking of innocent life, but I am appalled that the women victims are subject to dangerous health environments as well.

If the state regulates beauty parlors and veterinarians health standards, abortion clinics certainly need to comply.

Thank you for your leadership in this. I hope very much our Nebraska Attorney General will follow your lead.

Sincerely,

Carol Coppi
cc Attorney General Jon Bruning

The Pens Were Smokin'

After beginning the evening in prayer, the Vital Signs team members who had assembled for last night's P.A.L. Night (Prayer, Action and Letters) watched this 5-minute video clip for a few helpful pointers. True, everyone there was a letter-writing veteran but the clip is a very effective inspiration and help.

Then they read through this introduction to the evening's work:

The action targets for tonight's P.A.L. Night? Take your pick.

For starters, how about contacting your U.S. Senators about the Elena Kagan nomination to the Supreme Court? Or American Idol once again deciding to funnel large amounts of money to organizations that aggressively promote abortion? Perhaps you'd prefer to begin with some letters to the diplomats of countries with a particularly grievous record of persecuting Christians? We've got the embassy addresses for the worst of the worst.

Maybe you never heard a reply from your last letter to the Nebraska Attorney General about his office investigating charges against notorious abortionist Leroy Carhart. If not, it's probably time for a follow up. And have you written lately to remind your political representatives your opinions about ENDA or the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" or the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy?

For those of you who follow Vital Signs Blog, you know there's plenty of other situations that could use our prayers and our polite but principled letters. Those would include Comedy Central's plans for a mean-spirited cartoon series which blasphemes Jesus Christ. But others involve the leftward leanings of the National Association of Evangelicals (a group which just might be receiving some of the money you put in the offering plate at your own church), the effrontery (and stone cold hypocrisy) of Mexico's President criticizing a legitimate law of one of the states while a guest of our country, and any one of a number of stunts pulled by our own President Obama.

But that's not all. What about a few thank-you notes to some of the conservative columnists you regularly read or to some of our political representatives for the bold actions of fiscal restraint, patriotism and pro-life commitment that they've taken in recent weeks?

There's also new wickedness afoot from Planned Parenthood, new schemes from Washington liberals to steal more of your money and personal liberty, and new moves by Team Obama to weaken national security.

Oh yeah, it's time for a few prayers (make that a lot of prayers!) and a few handwritten letters.

Let's get started.

And start they did! In fact, the pens were smoking! And by the time we stopped for ice cream two hours later, those 6 letter-writers had 67 letters ready for sending out! They included letters to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer; Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman; Senators Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns; Congressmen Lee Terry, Jeff Fortenberry, Tom McClintock and several others; State Senator Tanya Cook and Charlie Janssen; the Iowa and Nebraska Medical Boards; Attorney General Jon Bruning; Viacom; American Idol; President Barack Obama; Mexico President Felipe Calderon; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; and a dozen ambassadors of foreign countries whose records on human rights has been despicable.

67 letters from a principled, polite and very productive group -- great job, guys!

Of course, you can be a part of this kind of significant effort too.

Vital Signs Ministries hosts frequent P.A.L.Nights like this and you are always cordially invited to be a part. Just give us a call for info on the next one. You can also use the information you receive from places like Vital Signs Blog to be a "shiner" instead of a mere "whiner" and write letters on your own -- or, better still, with a few friends or family members. (As an example, I've always thought advocacy letter-writing should be a staple of home school education.)

There are letter-writing tips right here at the Vital Signs Ministries web site and feel free to use the address sheet we used last night. You'll find it right here.

So go on and write a few letters. It does a lot more good than just complaining. In fact, as that Omar Ahmad clip reveals, it does a lot more good than you think!

By the way, over the next few days I'll post a sampling of the letters written last night. They may give you an added bit of oomph to write a few yourself.

Today's Posts

Following Up on the Smithsonian,Viacom, Lawrence Small Fiascos

Hailing the Burqini: Time Magazine's Outrageous Double Standard in Swimsuits

CNN "Documentary" Distorts and Smears Religious Values

"American Popular Culture Seems Determined to Obliterate Innocence"

What! Religion in Schools? I'm Outraged! Oh, It's Okay; It's Only Islam.

Racism is in the Eye of the Beholder: Reporters React to ABC's "Cavemen"

Arctic Expedition Isn't Russia's Only Cold War Move

Pop Religion: A Church Dropout Tells Her Story

Meghan O’Gieblyn's article, "Sniffing Glue: A Childhood in Christian Pop" is a long, effective and ultimately sad piece, detailing as she does her youth in the "contemporary church" with its emphasis on emotional experience, popular music forms and preachers who want to be more hip than holy. Never being clued in to the CCM scene (I only have a half dozen Christian artists I've listened to over the years), I couldn't altogether understand her journey. But I could certainly understand -- and weep over -- the disillusionment and rejection it brought her.

Would to God that every pastor, youth leader, "worship team" member and para-church worker would carefully read this testimony and heed its lessons.

Meghan concludes her essay with these paragraphs:

The church is becoming increasingly consumer-friendly. Jacob Hill, director of “worship arts” at New Walk Church, describes the Sunday service music as “exciting, loud, powerful, and relevant,” and boasts that “a lot of people say they feel like they’ve just been at a rock concert.” Over the past ten years, I’ve visited churches that have Starbucks kiosks in the foyer and youth wings decked out with air hockey tables. I’ve witnessed a preacher stop his sermon to play a five minute clip from Billy Madison. I’ve walked into a sanctuary that was blasting the Black Eyed Peas’s “Let’s Get it Started” to get the congregation pumped for the morning’s message, which was on joy. I have heard a pastor say, from a pulpit, “Hey, I’m not here to preach at anyone.” 

And yet, in spite of these efforts, churches are retaining only 4 percent of the young people raised in their congregations.

Despite all the affected teenage rebellion, I continued to call myself a Christian into my early twenties. When I finally stopped, it wasn’t because being a believer made me uncool or outdated or freakish. It was because being a Christian no longer meant anything. It was a label to slap on my Facebook page, next to my music preferences. The gospel became just another product someone was trying to sell me, and a paltry one at that because the church isn’t Viacom: it doesn’t have a Department of Brand Strategy and Planning. 

Staying relevant in late consumer capitalism requires highly sophisticated resources and the willingness to tailor your values to whatever your audience wants. In trying to compete in this market, the church has forfeited the one advantage it had in the game to attract disillusioned youth: authenticity. When it comes to intransigent values, the profit-driven world has zilch to offer. If Christian leaders weren’t so ashamed of those unvarnished values, they might have something more attractive than anything on today’s bleak moral market. In the meantime, they’ve lost one more kid to the competition.

(Thanks to Gina Dalfonzo over at BreakPoint for alerting me to this compelling piece.)

Today's Posts

Obama's Redistribution Plans on Schedule. Living Standards in the West Decline.

Rapist of Disabled Woman Had Been Deported 9 Times

An Important Pro-Life Resource

The "Religion of Peace" Excels in Intolerance (and Cruelty)

The Effects of the Drug "ella" on a Teenage Girl?

36% of Planned Parenthood's Profit is Surgical Abortion

The Fix Is In: Viacom Gives Free Air Time to Obama

Angel Erotica?

From Reuters comes this oh-so-hip news story.

One of Canada's leading cinema chains has stopped handing out Christmas wrapping paper to its patrons after parents complained it featured angels fondling each other suggestively, newspapers reported on Tuesday.

Famous Players acted after the wrapping paper -- a promotion for the Virgin Mobile phone service -- was handed out to young children. The paper features a male angel grasping the breast of his female partner, while she has hold of his genitals, as they kiss. Both are fully clothed in white angel attire.

"It would have been great for the right age group but clearly it wasn't suitable for children," a spokeswoman for Famous Players told the National Post newspaper.

Famous Players is part of Cineplex Entertainment LP, which is 50.5 percent owned by the Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund. Cineplex did not return a call seeking comment.

By the way, Famous Players -- such an inaccurate, offensive display is not "suitable" for any age group. But making a principled protest of your blasphemous action? Well, that is "suitable" to the max. So, for the Canadian visitors of Vital Signs Blog (and any non-Canadian who wants to join in), here's the relevant data:

Cineplex Entertainment LP is the leading Canadian movie exhibitor, with nearly 1,300 screens at more than 130 theaters. Cineplex Entertainment essentially doubled its size with the 2005 acquisition of the Famous Players movie theater chain, which it bought from Viacom .

Cineplex Galary Entertainment LP
Ellis Jacob, President
1303 Yonge St., Toronto CANON M4T 2Y9, Canada
(416) 323-6600
customerservice@cineplexgalaxy.com