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Which Prince record have u re-purchased the most times?

How should society close Pandora's Box and what role does the government play in this?

PRINCE, never 2 go on tour or record another album?

What do NPGMC MEMBERS think of WB's so-called "Best of" CD?

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Check out the webcast from C-SPAN of the July 20th
Hearing on Media Violence (scroll down).
How should society close Pandora's Box and what role does the government play in this?

some messages so far:

To begin with we have a society that is raising children who do not value themselves. Their parents have no self worth so that pass the "Silent Legacy " to their children.
The government's part in all this is keeping the Illusion alive. We are a third world country. Our standard of living is higher than other countries so we don't really get that.
You would not have any of the social ills if people had a sense of value. You cannot kill if you love yourself. You wouldn't become an addict if you loved yourself. Just insert any "problem" of our world into the blank...You cannot _____ if you loved yourself.

Love,
Patti B.

the question should be: is human nature out of itself good or bad? cause if u believe it is good: a open box will in the end bring the goodness out
if u believe it is bad: u will have to close it or evil will come

in my opinion; human nature out of itself is good. Closing a pandora's box will do more harm then good.

Should there be no control at all then? Well ofcourse: any abuse (excesses) should be stopped. For instance: the violence shown on television to children is an excess these days. But: closing a pandora's box is an excess in itself. A goverment dictating the output of Hollywood, is not what we need.

What we need is some trust in human nature.

101Candles

Well there is a lot of rebellion against God, And Jesus said "if I be lifted up I will all men near." It's praticaly cut and dry that most of the Media reps are lifting up the wrong name, it's name is rebellion, drugs, out of wedlock sex, violence,hate,murder,ect...!! But that's the World System for ya!! Christ represents all the friuts of the Spirit of God. But I really can't say it's the Government's Role, it's the parent's, Chruches, and community to drive out that perversion from thier sight, and I'm not talkin' censorship either, I'm talkin' with the pocket book, and actualy taking steps to advance the true cause of Media,like writting to the represenetives of the media companies, it's easier now with e-mail. Or use the phone it's a more tangible way.And informing other parents about what they let thier children take home.If we would stop buying this stuff they might have a change of heart, and give true artist the microphone. Of course we all know the intent behind those that are putting out this "art". it is the "almighty" $$$$$. It's up to us, not the Government to not let this junk pleauge our Nation of all the names that our being lifted up!!!

Thanx 4 -d- mic,
S-bone

We have special child consumer laws. Children cannot buy cigarettes. Children cannot buy alcohol. Children cannot buy pornography. But we feed them violence on a daily basis. The people pushing this violence hide bhind the First Amendment. The First Amendment st8s: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free xercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably 2 assemble, and 2 petition the government 4 a redress of grievances.

But, there r xceptions 2 this Amendment. First Amendment rights do not allow one 2 falsely shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater; they do not allow one 2 joke about having a bomb in one's bags when questioned by airport security. Just as these things rn't First Amendment-protected, poisoning the souls of r children should not b First Amendment-protected.

When one considers that the government seems more interested in protecting so-called "free speech" than its children, is it any 1der the opposite of PROgress is CONgress?

There's a separation of church and st8. St8 doesn't seem 2 b working...

LOVE
Terri Ferriero

Morals & Ethics r being taught in my home and yet while we (the parents) r teaching r children right from wrong, this society and media continues to offer our kids a 5 course meal of deep fried evil and a side dish of unanswered consequences. This goverment should invest in our children. Give them positive child-like "things" to do (community centers with appropriated funding..basketball..the arts) instead of inhaling infinite negativity and adult unsensored lifestyles. A thirteen year old boy is mentally incapable of handling the thoughts and imagination of a 30-year old man . When the media is talking (mostly trash) to us adults, MAKE THE KIDS LEAVE THE ROOM!!!!! Our government is the poison. Let's hold them accountable!!!
Greetings from Oaktown.
Lennor

To close Pandora's Box, we all must give our lives over to Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can close it. We are Pandora's Box. The government can't do it because they do what we tell them (let them) do. Phillip

I listened to as much of the webcast as my computer would allow me to (about 45 minutes). I'm glad the federal gov't is discussing ways to save the youth, with special emphasis on radio, tv, movies, games, cd's, etc. I read recently that children constitute one of the largest and most vulnerable low-power groups in society because they have little or no control over their destiny during their early years. This stood out for me because we have the responsibility of teaching our children to cherish themselves and others through every medium available. Though I have no children nor do I seek a profession that directly involves them, I take them into account by being patient, listening, and giving them an opportunity to grow and express themselves. There are some instances when I want to tell someone else's child to calm down or be careful or suggest they try something another way when they are having difficulty doing something - but I don't because I'm afraid the parent may take offense. In some cases, I wonder if I care more than they do. So to see this webcast incites a lot of feelings in me. I wish there was no need for the gov't to become involved in matters such as this. It shows how out of touch parents and adults are with our youth.

It's all about $$$$$, Rating & Our Children

The r sayin' that it's up 2 the parents, what the children listen, watch and play, not the companies, the distributors. It's up to Us to 2 make sure our children is not nfected w/filth, but yet it's out there, constantly 2 notice them, yes it's sad, but we must think 1st, how did this come about? It the marketing, the plp bhind the media & the companies. Children r still allow 2 purchase items at all ages.

Movies: If the movie has a rate R or PG13 mayb it not meant 4 the child 2 view the movie even w/the parent.

Video Games :a child wants a game bcuz of the marketing, they c it on TV, their friend has it. They actually play the game, nturn go out & imitate it.

Nternet: children has much access 2 everything w/a click of a mouse, they have parental controls which is good but not enug. 2 whether it be drugs,smoking,killing,stealing,guns, violence,sex,porn,nudity it does has an imprint on the soul.

TV: There is a lot of crimes on TV, parents can channel out certain stations, but it goes back 2 Rating, & who has the highest, what sells.

Musiz & Musiz Videos: It so sad that, a child c's Eminem receives award for his album, & it sends a message 2 them sayin' it's okay to do the things that he c's & hear. Prince, once said "Children imitate their atmosphere."

Or they c Columbine High were the 2 teens go on a shooting spree, n turn kill themselves then u read some teens imitated the same crime the next week. They r talking bout' labels & such but will that really help, mayb a little, it still goes back 2 the parents, & what the companies r promoting. Enug is enug...there is no "Magic Pill" if it was, it wouldn't work anyway! lt would b like a bandaid 2 cover up. It not such much that children at a "certain age" purchase the drugs,games, videos, movies cds, downloads, if it's out there, they get it, cuz they have Access 2 it.

The Government is obligated, they Allow this 2 happen, & the parents r on the front line w/guard up & armor on bcuz of the government mistakes, tryin' 2 protect Our Children. Nfomation is Power, if the Media & Nertainment Ndustry does not provide the info on these items we are left n the dark until after the fact. It's all about the $$$$$, it's gettin' worst by the sec. The don't care about OUR children, where R the Morals, they may "tone it down" w/ a "Sticker" on it mayb put more info on the product...mayb

Everything has 2 b censored now days, Yes it's up 2 the Government, they control what comes n & what goes out, they r the Controlling 1's. On the other hand, if every parent can keep up w/ their children of sec. of the day, they have 2 set standards, values. It's crazy how the they Promote what Good they have done not realizin' that, n their case the BAD is OUT weighin' the GOOD, take 4 instance...

The Tobacco Company,(PM) has many souls hook on the nicotine drug w/many fatal additives but n the public's eye, they go out 2 another country n desperate need... 2 give them food & water. Is that Justification, does it make everythin' OKAY?... eye don't think so, plp r still smokin, yes they have warning labels now, it's a bit late 4 the ;ost souls & also plp are still smoking now more then ever. It all Hype...don't BUY n 2.

They r sayin' it matter of choice, what choice 2 purchase the Edit versus the UNedit? It about them Advertising & Promoting a product...R they willin' 2 do the Work 4 the...Musiz, Videos, Media, TV Movies INternet, Doin' the right thing 4 Society. 2 help maintain the Sanity of every1's & Lives & Future of OUR Children of 2day & 2morrow.

All eye can say 4 now is, Go on a Ntainment Diet 4 1 wk w/ U're family. U will C a Huge difference n U're self & U're children. If it works 4 that 1wk, U no U have 2 make a change 4 U & U're family. Focus on the Nternal, Spiritualual side & N turn Every1 will turn out Alright. N the end Money, Marketing, Media will not make a difference, it is what lies w/n 1's soul that MATTER!

R u goin' 2 wait for the Bill 2 pass? We will C, & only X will tell, eye will not sell my Soul 4 $$$$$ will U?

Peace
Pious-

...Personally, I cringe at the Government getting involved in the regulation of the media, the arts, or personal expression. But the violence in music, on film, and otherwise, is at an all time high. While its true that violence in the media has been around for years, there has never been a time when it has been so accessible. There is no "moral code" in the media any longer. Everyone is fair game now. Kids used to be allowed to be kids, and were steered away from certain types of material, or certain content would simply not air on broadcast TV or radio. Nowadays, everything is "extreme." or "hard-core". From our entertainment and even our news; Its not good enough to just report a murder or robbery, we must now "go live to the scene" where we must watch a police shoot out from a helicopter or witness a news anchor invade a homicide scene and ask mindless questions while bloodied bodies are given a close up camera shot. Go to a movie and there are 13 year olds watching the latest "kill or be killed " action flick with no parent in sight. Log on to the Internet and there is porn and "how to build a pipe bomb" instructions at your fingertips. And or course, there is this so-called "reality" TV. Today there are so many outlets to violence. What role should the Governmenr play?. The Government' s role in regulating the media should be in the way of re-enforcing the current laws properly. For example, there should be larger fines and suspensions of operations of companies that fail to enforce age restrictions. Also, Criminal prosecution of violence in the media that provokes further violence (websites that promote violence towards others). Record labels, not just artists should be held accountable for the type material they market. The Government can actually do only a small part to solve violence in the media. Truth be told, we as individuals must regulate ourselves. We can write the media companies about their "programs" or simply turn off the TV and interact with "real" people. We must learn when to tune out TV and tune into our families, loveones, and God. Stop watching and participate in life. We have to take back our minds and let the foolishness that is portrayed in the media come to an end. The media always claims that their "programing" simply reflects society. Then society must create a new "program" of consciousness, not violence.
-Peace,
-Raymond in the ATL

The Responsible
The problem lies in the fact that no one wants to take responsibility for their own actions. Too many people just want to "pass the buck" and no one knows where the buck stops anymore. The government should not play any role in curbing media violence, for if they did it would be a violation of our "Free Speech." It is the responsibility of the parents to educate and censor what their children are being exposed to by the media. No, the world is not a perfect place without violence, nor has it been since we got kicked out of the garden. Adults, parents or not, need to take responsibility for teaching their children there is a better way. We don't always take the high road, but those who strive to do so usually find a better way. Many children all over the world are exposed to violence first hand in their own homes, in their own neighborhoods and cities on a daily basis, and have been exposed to violence long before "the media." The people working in the media should take a more responsible approach to violence and not glamorize it. What do they tell their own children? Until people learn to live in peace, we all need to learn how to deal with the evilness and violence around us by turning to God and doing what He wants so that his kingdom (and peace) comes.

KF

"Pandora's Box" is a Myth! More succintly, "Society" can no more close "The Box" than Mankind can survive without food. Reason: Society IS the World System. As long as the conventional wisdom of the People believes that true, residual, Life-Transforming Power exist in Goverment, a Book, a CD, a Movie, "Hellavision"(all of which are Pillars of Strength in the Temple of Buying & Selling, A.K.A. - BABYLON) there can never be change. The World System's primary goal is the buying and selling of souls, and stuffing it's pockets to the hilt in the process and the people have been willing lambs led to slaughter because of their "Lack of Knowledge". Asking the Goverment to close "Pandora's Box", is like asking the Police to investigate themselves!!!!! The responsibility to end oppression, lies with the oppressed. Unplug from BABYLON, and BELIEVE that "captivity has already been taken captive."

I feel that if the government gets involved, it would infringing on the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Speech. If the government wants to control anything, they need to control the Local and World news. Not once did I hear anyone mention that the Local and World news depicted violence. If parents want to outraged, then they need to focus on all aspects including the News.

This is a parent issue and from what I gather from the speakers, their begging for the government to be responsible for their kids actions. If its not music, it will be Visual art. Where will it end? Just because they don't want to raise their children doesn't mean that what I might like has to be censored. What more can a record label and movie do? There's the V chip and labels on music and video games. Its up to the parents to stop their children from being exposed to unwanted situations. If the parent can't control their kids, that's their fault, not the governments.

I remember as a kid growing up my cousins & I would tie bath towels around our neck and imitate batman & robin. Cuz that is what was inputted into R hard drive(brain). N we would download it from memory. Then, the older we got R superheroes changed to people(their characters) like Bruce Lee's and Shaft for our action. N R comedy we would go off from memory, line 4 line of stuff from Cheech N Chong, Redd Foxx N Richard Pryor. What I am saying is that images, words....all this does have an impact. Anybody N everybody knows this. But people will lie about it 2 make their pretty pennies. But they will burn in hell, if they don't change from their ways!!

jamiestarr
peace N B wild

Dear NPG Music Club:

The whole effort to curb children's exposure to media violence is nothing more than a band aid for the real problem. If people want to help curb the violence in American society they should try to cut back on the extra long hours that Americans are working so that people would have more time to spend with their families.

American society has always had its share of entertainment that pushed the "boundaries of decency" throughout history. All the way back from the shoot'em flicks of the spaghetti westerns, to the blaxploitation films of the Seventies, to the dirty blues of the thirties and forties. I can't imagine what people first thought back when my grandmother was a little girl, and they heard Muddy Waters singing "I'm your hoochie coochie man" for the first time, or Blind Lemon Jefferson singing, "Black Snake Moan...I make my baby say ooh! ooh!". You had the Stones in the Sixties. In the Eighties you had Prince and Madonna who offended some peoples since of integrity with songs like "Head" and "Like A Virgin." In the 1990s is when the "g-funk" sound pioneered by Dr. Dre on such albums as "The Chronic" really took off, and of course you had Biggy and Pac in the same decade. Now, in the new millennium you got artists like Eminem, Kid Rock, and DMX who offend some people's since of decency and supposedly strain the boundaries of sex and violence. The reader may ask the question what is the difference in American society between then and now? All of this violence and sex was being pushed back then but children were not acting out upon it (for the most part). So, why are they acting out upon it now?

The answer is 1) ARTISTICALLY there is now difference between then and now so long as humanity exist artist will continue to push the boundaries of what is "decent." Long after Eminem has faded into obscurity and rap eventually goes along the path of all popular music and becomes something that the older generation is listening too, because some other form of music more fresh and innovative to younger ears, but more abrasive and discordant to older ears has moved it out of the cultural spotlight and into the bygone generation, whatever the new music is will push the boundaries of what society says is acceptable, that's just the way it works and in all honesty that's the way it should be.

2) The difference between then and now is that back then there was usually one parent always present within the home, and families could live well off of one income. So, that back in the 1950s children might have been sneaking 45's of such "nasty" artist as Little Richard up to their bedroom and listening to "Tooty Fruity" and "Long Tall Sally," while keeping the Pat Boone covers downstairs to fool their parents, but the fact is they had to SNEAK and do it because there was someone in the home keeping watch over what activities their children were engaging in.

Today, that is not the case. Americans work more hours than any other industrialized nation including Japan. The 40 hour work week is now a thing of the past. Studies show that most people are now working 50-70 hours a week including holidays and weekends. The only exception being more demanding fields such as doctors and Internet Technology (IT) workers, who often put in anywhere from 80-100 hours a week or more! How many people do you know who are currently working two jobs to make it?

How does society expect people to raise children and work these kind of hours? Aslo, people aren't working these hours by choice. People are working these hours because companies are constantly downsizing, but increasing the workload of the remaining employees while putting these same employees on a salaried wage, which means they don't get a dime extra for working longer hours. Less than 10% of the work force consist of organized labor so unions have pretty much been neutralized, state laws have so many loopholes to them that companies can basically do what they want, and unless employees band together in class action suits most cases of employee abuse don't even get looked at so, American workers have now way of fighting back against the corporations abusing them. The schools are staffed with underpaid teachers, who have to deal with vastly overcrowded classrooms, so the teachers can't really give each individual child the full attention that they might need, but really it is not a teacher's job to instill moral values in a child: it's the parents.

If people want to stop violence why not go after big corporations who are mainly responsible for this problem. In countries like France, Great Britain, Italy, and Germany you don't have these problem, because they know how to live and enjoy life more. In France for example, everything shuts down around lunch time so that people can go and enjoy their meals. Japan has long had doctors on call in their workplaces along with massage parlors, and daycare centers where parents could stop by and visit or even eat lunch with their children throughout the day. American corporations are just starting to catch onto the day care idea, and those corporations are very few and very fare between. In Germany workers start with 1-2 months of vacation time. Americans are considered lucky if they get a week.

Thus, instead of attacking artist for making entertainment, and having Congress censor them, or even worse have the artist start trying to censor themselves (which the worst form of censorship there is) why don't people band together and attack the real problem. And by the way, no I am not a parent, I'm just an educated consumer who refuses to have my recreational interests limited to what is fit for children because parents don't have enough time to raise their kids. So, lets stop the witch hunts of "indecent" artists, and go after the real bogeymen: the corporations who are screwing everything up in the first place.

Sincerely,
Sandler L. Bryson

In today's socitey people have lost their respect for one another. For many the soluation is violence. We see it and hear it in movies and music. The goverment has turned it's back on the people of this country. The goverment has cut programs for kids and young teens such as afterschool programs and work study programs. There seems to be so much hate in the world and hate brings violence. God has put us in this world to help each other no matter what we believe in. The way to get along we each is to love one another like god loves us all. JaM's (FUNKY DESIGN) Peace

It was prophesied. This is freedom of expression. Even if it was mandated it still shows where the heart of this world is. Put a show on about murder and mayhem and run another one against with love and caring and you know who will win. I'm not being a pessimist but the Sopranos and 3 million every time for Tupac can't be disputed. A bloodthirsty generation we live in. I find myself at times in that same boat as the other 260 million in this country at times. Wanting to see like Adam and Eve.

Not sure if the government can really do anything to make any real difference. If there were stricter regulations on these things, they this media would only be bootlegged. I think the real difference to be made is promoting more positive funk. Just like today's television and radio promotes violence, it just as easily could promote things in a more positive light. Society seems to reflect whatever is being saturated by the market. So I guess our leaders and the media machine could support some poor brothers that have a groove and something good to say. It was they that let this in our homes, so it could be they that can let something positive in our homes as well.

Kelly

Unforeseen troubles abounds society, mainly our children.
It is quite obvious that there is to much violence portrayed in today's media that reflects harshly on children.

I watched an hour and a half of the three hours of the Hearing on Media Violence and I was not surprised by what I heard. Many representatives were in agreement that PARENTS are the primary safeguard against the viewing or listening of violence in the media. Many representatives also felt that the FTC and the RIAA need to make improvements on regulations that pertain to media violence.

I do not have any children but it is my opinion that parental supervision is necessary to raise young children in today's society. Parents have to be the watchdog, and the friend at the same time. Parents need to instill values and morals in their children at an early age. Some form of religion or teachings about God should be included too. Children need guidance,love,understanding, and education more than ever in today's society.

The Hearing on Media Violence spoke about the song "Kill You" by Eminem. I have not heard any of Eminem's music nor do I have any desire to. The information that I learned from the hearing was that in the song a woman's throat is being slit while the words bleed, bleed, bleed are said. Also the intent of killing and raping your mother are included in the song. Well, what happened to honor thy mother and thy father? Certainly Eminem has no concept of this and it is very sad. This is just one message that is being given to today's youth. It needs to STOP.

What is being done?

Wal-Mart refuses to sell music with explicit lyrics, only music with the lyrics edited out. This is a positive step and I think all retail stores(including online sales) might consider this.

But I think that the music industry should really have an age appropriate rating for music, not just a parental advisory sticker. The problem is that the IRAA feels that words are subject to interpretations, such as music is to books. They feel that books should not have an age rating and neither should music since it is about words. It sounds like the all mighty dollar is more important than the welfare of children to the IRAA. How sad and pathetic. The music recording industry currently has NO intentions on changing their labels or developing an age rating for CDs.

It's time for some new laws to be developed and passed in congress. I'm not speaking about censorship, but laws that would allow the sales of music, video games, movie theater tickets, and video rentals to enforce an age appropriate rating. Also, the law should include a mandatory yearly checks and balances of each retailer, music label/company, theater, video store. Unannounced visits that would determine if the new regulations were being enforced. If the regulations are not enforced, then each company not adhering to the regulation should be fined.

Debbie Oberacker

Close the box???
the only way to hope is thru the jar.

Government has the power to expose content. As a society, it is benificial for us to have agreed upon rating systems. As with food, we have the right to know what goes in our bodies. There are ingredient label/content laws in the US. Do we not consume the media as well? It is just (fair) to know what goes in our heads, and what goes into the minds of our children. Knowledge is power. PARENTS and GAURDians will do a better job, of knowing what they ingest, if content descriptions are required. It may take a community to raise a child, but it takes the parents to teach 'em right. As for self regulation by industries... if an industry refuses to regulate the flow of its adult content then i think the FTC is right in proposing to enforce sanctions. It seems to me, we mean well by trying to regulate what industries are marketing and to whom, but people confuse it with stifling expression and censorship. These are completely different things. That is why the box is meant to be open. Those demons flying about have made many a peom and inspired the muses to muse. The story isn't over. The box will disappear and those devils that flutter about fade...into light. My crow will fly, calling "all is well."

Thomasina
~ The Muse

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Check out the webcast from C-SPAN of the July 20th Hearing on Media Violence (scroll down). How should society close Pandora's Box and what role does the government play in this?

Check out the webcast from C-SPAN of the July 20th
Hearing on Media Violence (scroll down).
How should society close Pandora's Box and what role does the government play in this?