Athens chief fumes at US lewdness claims

[Blue Diadem]

Mon Jan 17, 2005 07:45 PM GMT
By Karolos Grohmann

ATHENS (Reuters) - A clutch of complaints by U.S. viewers that the Athens Olympics opening ceremony featured lewd nudity has incensed the Games chief, who warned American regulators to back off from policing ancient Greek culture.

Gianna Angelopoulos warned the Federal Communications Commission watchdog, sensitive after a deluge of outrage when singer Janet Jackson's breast was exposed at a Super Bowl game, not to punish NBC television that aired the Games.

Male nudity, a woman's breast and simulated sex were the subjects of shrill complaints about the opening ceremony on August 13 which were posted by the FCC on its Web site.

"Far from being indecent, the opening ceremonies were beautiful, enlightening, uplifting and enjoyable," Angelopoulos wrote in a weekend commentary in the Los Angeles Times titled "Since When is Greece's Culture Obscene?"

more here:
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=655808

[BlueEyedSon]

1. What prudish Americans consider lewd is commonplace in Europe.

The US needs to just GROW UP.

[LostinVA]

2. This is what happens when you hide sexuality

behind a curtain -- it becomes and unhealthy, dirty, school-boy sniggering thing. This country is full of a bunch of sexually-stunted people. I mean, come on -- look at Ashcroft???

[donheld]

5. If the US can't "grow up"`

they need to tell us to Shut up.

[paineinthearse]

3. Totally hypocrytical

In an earlier thread, the spreading of Greek democracy to the fertile crescent was the basis for justifying Bush's war.

[BattyDem]

4. I am so sick of this puritanical bullshit!

If people are so offended by sexuality and the human body, which are perfectly normal and natural things, then let them get rid of their damn televisions! The rest of the free world treats sexuality and nudity as part of human nature; the US is stuck in the Dark Ages, treating sexuality and nudity as tools of the devil. :eyes:

When the hell is this country going to grow up?!? :grr:

[Rex]

6. These same Americans love kinky sex behind closed doors.

They love the raunchy American reality TV shows and nervously giggle when confronted about it.