M.I.A.’s Super Bowl Flip-Off: Offensive?

M.I.A.’s Super Bowl flip-off moment 

Earlier I posted the video of, and still photos from Madonna’s Super Bowl performance of feisty M.I.A. flipping off the camera during her solo.

It seems the “flip-off” moment is quickly becoming the Nipplegate of Super Bowl‘s past with bloggers frantically writing about it, new anchors chuckling about it, and parental organizations up in arms about it.

Finger-gate?

The Parents Television Council has released a public statement (via PTC President Tom Winter) regarding the bird brandishing moment:

“NBC fumbled and the NFL lied because a performer known as M.I.A. felt it necessary to flip off millions of families. It is unfortunate that a spectacular sporting event was overshadowed once again by broadcasting the selfish acts of a desperate performer. Last week the NFL formally told the PTC – and the American public – that the Super Bowl halftime show would be ‘appropriate.’ Most families would agree that the middle finger aimed directly at them is not appropriate, especially during the most-watched television event of the year.

“The mechanism NBC had in place to catch this type of material completely failed, and the network cannot say it was caught off guard. It has been eight years since the Janet Jackson striptease, and both NBC and the NFL knew full well what might happen. They chose a lineup full of performers who have based their careers on shock, profanity and titillation. Instead of preventing indecent material, they enabled it. M.I.A. used a middle finger shamelessly to bring controversial attention to herself, while effectively telling an audience filled with children, ‘F– you.’ “

The PTC does not want an apology from NBC or the NFL, instead they want repercussions for M.I.A.’s finger blast.

“A simple apology rings hollow after yet another slap in the face to families, especially when NBC has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that it should be allowed to air all manner of indecent material at any time of day, even when children are watching. Either the NFL and NBC will take immediate steps to hold those accountable for this offensive material in front of a hundred million Americans, or they will feebly sit back and do nothing. The nation — and the PTC — is watching.”

The Janet Jackson incident happened 8-years-ago (if you can believe it), and ironically it was only a couple months ago that the courts ruled it was not “indecent”. So I doubt they are going to give M.I.A.’s finger much thought, even if she did say “sh*t” too.

I want to get a feel for what you all think, personally, my thoughts are that M.I.A. should be fined and I think Janet’s incident was indecent and BOTH were completely inappropriate for the viewing audience. There has to be a line in the sand somewhere, this is not cable television.

I know a lot of you will disagree with me, but I think television has gotten way out of control. Which is fine, if you’re young, single and don’t have children, I get it. But for those that do have children, it’s a real pain in the ass trying to shield little kids from the constant bombardment of sexuality on television. Let’s blame Herbal Essence. Heh.

Anyhow, take the poll and sound off! Was the M.I.A. flip-off moment inappropriate for the Super Bowl?