Sam Smith on the FCC's newly-voted half-a-million dollar fines for uncouth language: Then why the restrictions and the punishments? It is not to protect the ears of our children who readily use language on the playground that would result in a half-million dollar fine for Howard Stern. It is specifically to placate an extremist religious minority of excessive influence and miniscule tolerance. It is a covert establishment of religion, also barred by the once applicable aforementioned Constitution. As a writer, I believe such words should be used with restraint. To put in terms a lawyer could understand, I don't believe in crying "fuck" in a crowded orgy. I was, however, the only person ever to get the word into the Illustrated London News during that sturdily proper publication's 150 year history. It just seemed the right word much as it seems now fit and proper to tell Congress and Michael Powell to fuck off. Any Democratic politicians wondering why their party is losing the youth vote should consider spending more time making it possible for young adults to go to college and less time trying to make it impossible for them to hear bad words.