Report: FCC Deadlocked On Indecency

What's the problem with the indecency crusade at the FCC? The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that work to unjam the backlog of indecency cases at the FCC has been stalled by a 2-2 split that doesn't go along party lines. 

Republican Chairman KEVIN MARTIN and Democratic anti-indecency hardliner MICHAEL COPPS represent the aggressive-fines viewpoint, but the pair is stalemated with Republican KATHLEEN ABERNATHY and Democrat JONATHAN ADELSTEIN wanting to act more modestly. MARTIN would not comment to the JOURNAL about the issue, but issued a statement saying "we are working very hard to address the backlog of complaints before us, which is fairly substantial. In clearing out this backlog, we are trying to act in a consistent and comprehensive manner." 

More than 50 outstanding complaints were expected to be addressed by the Commission this year, but the stalemate has held up the release of those cases; the WHITE HOUSE has nominated DEBI TATE to occupy the open seat on the Commission, but ABERNATHY's planned exit at the end of the year means another replacement will have to be nominated and confirmed to bring the FCC up to full strength.

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