Johnny2Toes' Blog

Hi all

Yup, I’m getting sick, but not from Corona Virus. I’m getting sick and tired.

I’m getting sick and tired of all of the nonsense that is happening with television channels and content providers. How dare they cancel “Gone With the Wind”. Seriously?!?

Ok, I get it, HBO is temporarily pulling Gone With the Wind. I quote from BBC News:

HBO Max said the 1939 film was “a product of its time” and depicted “ethnic and racial prejudices” that “were wrong then and are wrong today”.

It said the film would return to the platform at an unspecified date with a “discussion of its historical context”.

While this film is not one of my all time favorites, it is a film I’ve enjoyed watching from time to time. I saw the film for what it was and thats it, plain and simple. I don’t need to hear some muckety mucks discussing the historical context.

The next bit of news I heard along these lines is that A&E has pulled Live PD. The Paramount Network pulled Cops, Body Cam got yanked as well, and now I’ve heard that the kids show Paw Patrol is being yanked.

Where does it end? I can sympathize with folks who find programming to be offensive in some way, that’s fine, it’s their opinion. I take offense at some programming myself as well, and guess, I don’t watch it.

I would never in my right mind demand that certain programming which I deem offensive, be pulled off the airways. You know why? Because I respect the rights of the many others who enjoy watching. Who am I to dictate that just because I find this or that offensive it should be pulled.

Ever heard of #LivePDNation ? There are millions of people who love watching and interacting with this show, myself included. And we have to be punished in a way because people are out raged over the wrongful treatment and death of George Floyd?

I’ve struggled with remaining silent publicly over this tragedy. When the news first broke and the video aired, I was enraged. I hollered and yelled, shaking my fist in the air over the events that led to Mr. Floyd’s death at the hands of a cop.

I support the protests that broke out after this incident. I respect the right of all American’s to peacefully protest, it’s part of who and what we are. The riots though, that’s another story, and one that I take issue with.

I’ve lived through riots all through my life and never, not once, have I understood the logic behind wanton looting and destruction. What gives anyone the right to destroy buildings, private property and the like. Looting and stealing from people under the umbrella of protest.

To what end? To prove a point, to give expression to your message? What about the lives that have been ruined or destroyed. Oh wait, that doesn’t matter as long as your point of view has been heard.

As I said, I support the constitutional right of every American to protest, and in that vein, I offer the following:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The Constitution guarantees the right to protest in Amendment 1. It does not grant the right to Riot. Period.

Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s chief of staff, was once quoted as saying: “Never let a crisis go to waste. You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. I mean, it’s an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.”

Rahm Emanuel wasn’t speaking about riots, and it’s not my intent here to talk about the politics of the time. I referenced that quote because this is just what happened in the aftermath of George Floyd. It was a crisis. A crisis of the trust between the police and the public. And according to Emanuel, never let a good crisis go to waste.

Words can and do have meanings. What you say today can be applied at some point in the future, even if used in a different context.

In closing, let me say a few things. I am a strong and ardent supporter of law enforcement. It is very true that there are bad cops out there, but there are truly good and decent law enforcement officers, and the good far out weigh the bad.

Are we, as a nation, long overdue for reform in the law enforcement community? Yes, we definitely are. Will rioting, with all of the hurt and devastation that goes along with it, help further this cause? Perhaps, but the injustices that have occurred as a result of the rioting will hurt rather than help this cause in the long run.

Is it right for broadcasting companies like A&E and others to pull content because it may upset some people? NO, it is not. As I said earlier, if a show is upsetting to you, don’t watch. Don’t infringe on my right to enjoy a type of programming.

When my kids were quite young, MTV hit the air. I enjoyed watching the music video’s, but wasn’t happy with the way some of the content was portrayed. I didn’t want my kids to watch. Did I protest? Kind of. I simply locked that channel out of my cable box.

It’s ok to protest, but please, don’t give in to the urge to cause chaos by inciting or participating in a riot.

And last, to the networks, don’t pull programming, add a disclaimer. This show might not appropriate for all viewers. Or something along those lines. Maybe HBO has it right with a discussion on the events of the day being portrayed in the movie.